FIDO2 Enabled Log In: Google Services using Your Fingerprint?

Apparently to sign in to Google Services all it takes will be your fingerprint. Google plans on allowing users to sign in to their Google accounts using their fingerprint or the screen lock on their phones. Of course, this will be available to Android devices only that are maybe initially. Normally when trying to log into one’s account you need your user ID and password. But now all that is going to be done away with. Google has rolled out this new feature with its Pixel range of phones at present. Other Android enabled devices are not too far behind either. Google plans on rolling out this new feature on Android 7 devices and above shortly or in the next few days.

More Security with FIDO2 Enabled Log In: 

Google’s new feature has been years in coming with the tech giant collaborating with the FIDO Alliance and the W3C to get things on the road. And things are now finally on the road with this new feature coming to Pixel smartphones.

This new method of logging into your Google accounts is supposed to be more secure and of course simpler to use.

In Google’s blog they mention newer methods of technology surpassing the need of the traditional logging in using your password kinda thing. With this new method of logging in coupled with the tech giants already present automated protections; this method is pegged to be more secure and easy to use.

The Point in Using FIDO2 instead of Normal Android APIs: 

According to Google’s blog the whole idea in using FIDO2 standards as opposed to your average APIs on Android is that the biometric system made with FIDO2 standards are now used on the web too. This means that various other accounts can be synced using the same biometric on different platforms as opposed to making a separate one for different log ins.

Note to Users: 

While you fingerprint maybe used across all platforms, your fingerprint will never be sent to a Google server. It will remain on the device itself, this is according to a blog posted by Google. The only thing that will be sent to Google’s Server is cryptographic proof that the user has correctly scanned their fingerprint using biometrics.

This remains an essential part of the new feature built on FIDO2 standards.

For Further Security: 

If that’s not enough there’s always Titan Security Keys as well as Android phone’s own built in security key for added protection.

These security keys as well as the new method of logging in, using biometrics, are all based on FIDO2 standards. However, the two methods are meant for different things, while one is used for bootstrapping a new device to make sure it’s the same owner logging into their account but from a new phone, the other that is verification based on biometrics, is done after bootstrapping a device and is all used for verifying the identity of the already signed in user during step- up flows.

Gallery Go: Latest App to Join the Go Series!

The whole idea behind Google’s Go option is to be able to use apps with low data packs. As a new addition to the pack, Google has recently launched Gallery Go. Again, this app just like its siblings does not require much data or storage to work. The Go app, launched at Google’s third Google for Nigeria event, is available on devices running Android 8.1 and later. Another sore point is that management of photos will be available to users only in certain markets and not everywhere. As a side note Google is also planning to bring Bolo, a reading tutor app, to Ghana and Nigeria.

More about Google Gallery Go-

Gallery Go as revealed by Google in a blog post will use machine learning to organize your photos and will also work offline too. This makes it an excellent substitute for the normal Google photos app, especially on low powered devices.

The app may also appear as a pre- installed app on Google Go edition phones, even if there are only two of them at present- Itel S15 AndItel A55.

Gallery Go is meant to do all that the normal Google Photos app can do such as help you easily locate photos, edit them and manage them, all with the added bonus of using less data or cloud backup.

For first time users, the great thing about Google Gallery Go is that it plays well with SD cards making it easy to transfer photos between phones to memory cards.

As for the editing options- all the basic ones such as crop and rotate are present with some auto enhanced features as well. For low powered phones the icing on the cake is that the app is only 10 MB in size, leaving plenty of room for other things. Other things such as more room for your own photos.

A thing with low powered phones is just that – they’re low powered, any apps will slow down the phone as they take up a lot of space. But an exception is the Google Gallery Go app weighing in at only 10 MB.

Availability of Google Gallery Go: 

Google Gallery Go is only available on Android devices running on 8.1 OS and later. You can get your hands on the app or install it from the Google Play Store.

Apparently users aren’t happy with the 8.1 OS compatibility thing. Many whose phones run on earlier versions don’t have the space to install Google’s photos app and the new Google Gallery Go app is not backward compatible as well.

Even though Google seems to be targeting Go apps for their Go phones, they seem to have forgotten about smartphones running on version older to 8.1 or other low powered Android devices.

To put everything in numbers, as per Google’s very own dashboard (last updated 7th May) only 25.8% of Android devices run on 8.1 OS or later. What about the rest 74.2%?

Turbo Creo SL- Light Weight Electric Bicycle

Specialized just announced its new special electric bike. Its lightweight body and impressive engineering will definitely leave an impression. But what’s sure to grab your attention is its price, which is less than impressive, if you catch my drift. The company that specializes in high tech bikes, was apparently working on a new model that they said would “be able to flatten roads”. That’s all we knew about the bike. But now the wait is finally over as the company releases its Turbo Creo SL.

New Unchartered Territory with the Turbo Creo SL: 

Specialized has now entered new waters by making its lightest e-bike yet. Supposedly with this bike you’ll be able to go as fast as a Tour de France cyclist. The cycle is meant to be powerful and to provide a smooth ride. So apparently if you’re going on a mountain it should feel as easy as riding on a flat surface.

The Turbo Creo SL may be a first in a line up of light weight bikes to be churned out of Specialized.

More on The Lightweight E-Bike: 

Turbo Creo SL clocks in at just 12.2 kgs and comes with Specialized’s own custom designed motor. Previously the company used a Brose motor but since then, for its special new bike a special new motor.

What I mean by special is that, according to the company there was no lightweight motor out there, so they had to invest in their own R&D to get the job done. Which they did.

The result is a noteworthy silent mid drive 240W motor that is capable of powerful as well as silent ridding.

The cycle has a range of 121 miles which is a bit unrealistic but according to the company this is the real- world range.

But before you go ahead and make a purchase, there are two versions with this bike- a base model that has got an 80 mi range with a 320Wh battery and a 121 mi range with a 160Wh battery. To get an auxiliary battery again you’re going to have to shell out some dough. $399 to be exact.

To state the basics, at such high ranges a decent amount of pedal effort is required by the rider. The motor on its own gives about 200% boost at its highest power setting but relies less on motor effort.

Customize Your Turbo Creo SL Ride: 

The turbo Creo SL comes with custom ride options. You can either go Eco, Sport or for what the bike is named for Turbo. These options are available via an app, curtesy of Specialized. The app also keeps tabs on the battery to tell the rider how much juice is left and whether it will last the entire journey. Besides that, the motor comes with integrated ANT+, which is a multicast wireless sensor network tech that tracks rider power.

Here’s the Shocker: 

Let’s get to it then- The Price. The Turbo Creo SL cost a whopping $17,000 for the founder’s edition of which only 250 bikes will be made.

All You Need to Know About Mortal Kombat11 Game Series

Everyone likes to play games, from kids to adults. Nowadays, people are more indulge in video games for fun and entertainment. There are various video games series available in the market; however, one of the best video game series available now is Mortal Kombat 11. NetherRealm Studios develop it, and it is published by Warner Bros. It’s a 2.5D fighting game, and it’s a sequel of Mortal Kombat X of 2015. It’s an interactive Entertainment game series. It runs on Unreal Engine 3 and is the 11th and the main instalment of the Mortal Kombat series.

At the Game Awards 2018, Mortal Kombat 11 game was announced and then it was released in North America and Europe in April 2019, for XBOX1, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. In January 2019 it was said that the switch versions were delayed in Europe andso it was released on May 2019.

Some of the Interesting Characters in Mortal Kombat 11 game series

• Baraka • Geras 
•  KabalaScorpion 
• Sonya Blade 
• Saho Kahn 
• Skarlet 
• Cassie Cage 
•  Jacqui Briggs 
• Kronika • Kuai Liang 
•  Erron Black 
•  Kotalkahn 
• Kitana 
• Citron 
• D’Vorah 
• Kano 
•  Liu Kang 
• Sub zero 
• Frost 
•  Raiden 
• Jade 
• Jax Briggs 

Geras is one of the best and brand-new characters in Mortal Kombat 11. Geras has the power to manipulate time, and this character is the loyal and influential servant of Kronika. He has immense potential to manifest weapons out of stone and sand. The characters can groove you. Stages are set on fire; bright and interactive players will now steal the show. The game has more features like underground caverns, have bright candles in the foreground, an expensive arena of crowds in the background cheering the fighters. A new gameplay feature is introduced in Mortal Kombat 11, such as Fatal blows and Krushing blows. Fatal Blows are similar to that of X-ray moves which are there in Mortal Kombat X. It can be said that Fatal blows deal a large amount of damage. They only become available when a player’s health drop by 30%. Besides, one can perform it once per match.

On the other hand, Krushing blows are special moves that are like cinematic variation of any special move. Players can trigger them after meeting specific requirements. It is an exciting game series that showcase brutality and damages more than ever. Besides, another new feature is block mechanic that allows, after blocking attack, a comeback window. Returning of Mercy, as seen in Mortal Kombat 3, will allow the winning player to revive their opponents. It can help to give them a small quantity of life.

Mortal Kombat 11 also provides the player with the customization feature similar to that of DC comic, and Injustice 2. In this feature, along with the initial outfits, moves and weapons, the players can customize each character according to their preferences. In this series, the appearances of the characters do not determine their skills and abilities. However, it allows the players to have their custom-made moves lists for the characters. This customization feature will give the player a more personalized experience.

Critics praised the gameplay, story and net code a lot, and the Mortal Kombat 11game got the favourable reviews too. However, the story got some criticism for the presence of microtransactions and excess dependence on grinding.

OLED vs. QLED TV: Which is Right for you, and why does it Matter?

These are golden days for TV technology. As the technology is advancing every day, the demand is also increasing. So, OLED vs. QLED TV, which one is right for you? Let’s find out.

If you have casually looked for a TV, you have likely been overwhelmed with some acronyms like, 4K, HD, UHD, HDR, and so on. All the major TV brands like Sony, LG, Samsung, Panasonic and other use them.

Two most prevalent terms you will encounter everywhere in today’s world of high-end TVs are OLED and QLED. Because of the indistinguishable term, many people get confused between two technologies. They are actually extensively diverse from each other.

OLED vs. QLED TV: Let’s talk in detail! 

What is OLED? 

Let’s start with the basic: OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. OLED TVs are a structurally different technology than that of a normal LED-LCD TVs. The OLEDs take form of individual pixels emitting their own light when fed electricity. There’s no need for the LCD screen to display image - hence the term emissive display. There are three micro pixels in each OLED pixel.

What is QLED? 

QLED (Quantum dot Light Emitting Diode) is the most advanced version of conventional LED-LCD technology. The problem with LED-LCD is backlight color, which vary widely from set to set.QLED solve that by using the quantum dots which acts like a filter when put in between the LED backlight and the LCD screen to enhance performance. These quantum dots are the reason for getting a better, more vivid and more saturated color.

More on OLED vs. QLED TV

OLED:Pros

• OLED is a technology which involves a carbon film is placed between two conductors that pass a current through to emanate a light. 
• It is divergent to a traditional LCD TV, which depends on a separate backlight to generate light. 
• There are lots of attempts made to eradicate the issue of light bleeding from bright pixel to those around it, but no TV with a backlight has managed to do it. 
• OLED panels are lighter and thinner than a typical LCD-LED structure. 
• OLED TV viewing angles are much wider and have quick response time.

The prime disadvantage of an OLED TV is that the manufacturing cost is significantly more expensive than the alternatives. LG, the only producer of OLED panels, are selling their parts to other companies to reduce the cost.

QLED: Pros

• Every pixel of QLED emits its own light, thanks to quantum dots. 
• These quantum dots have the potential of giving off bright and vibrant colors. 
• The current QLED TV does not release its own light; a backlight is passed through them.

Samsung is the only manufacturer that produces QLED technology. As Samsung stated, the next-gen quantum dots will have the ability of emitting their own light. It will give the TV the ability to light up and turn off each pixels just like OLED. 

OLED vs. QLED TV: Which is better for you? 

As we are not aware how much time it will take for the next-gen QLED, as of now OLED has better image quality. In a standard LED TV sets, the LEDs never turns off totally, so they use dark grays to replicate black. OLED pixels are fast and precise in changing color that makes gaming, watching sports or action movies more realistic and factual. The viewing angles are wider in an OLED TV, but if you have rooms with adequate ambient light, then QLED TVs will not be an inferior choice. And most importantly, it is less expensive.