Report: Apple in talks with Microlatch on fingerprint tech

Reports suggest that Apple may be working with Australian firm Microlatch to incorporate fingerprint technology into mobile payment systems.

Biosecurity firm Microlatch is rumored to be in talks with Apple to introduce fingerprint technology on future products to secure mobile payment via near field communication (NFC).

The news was first reported by The Australian.

David Murray, former head of the Commonwealth Bank and lead investor of the Australian firm, told the publication Microlatch owns patented technology that meets rigorous banking security standards. According to Murray, the technology does not need central processing or storage, describing the biometric technology as "self-registering."

"There have been acquisitions that suggest that people are positioning themselves around these biosecurity products securing mobile phones in a far more satisfactory way for people," Murray commented, according to Apple Insider.

Details of the rumored agreement remain undisclosed, but Apple is no doubt interested in the potential of mobile payment systems and biometrics. Earlier this year, the Cupertino, Calif., company purchased Authentec, which develops fingerprint sensors and identity management software for mobile devices for $356 million. Key to the move was Authentec's "Smart Sensor" fingerprint reader, which not only boosts security but also lets a user launch different features on a gadget depending on which finger is used.

NFC remains a hot topic in the industry, but Apple elected not to integrate the technology in the recently launched iPhone 5. However, Apple's recent acquisition combined with the Microlatch report suggests that future devices are destined to include some kind of biometric features.

Apple Maps uses less data than Google Maps, says study

Apple's Maps app on an iPhone 5.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET )

Apple Maps has taken it on the chin for its faulty data, but a new study cites one advantage for the beleaguered app.

Apple Maps chews up less data -- just one-fifth as much -- than does Google Maps, according to Onavo. Running both apps through a series of scenarios, the analytics firm found that the average amount of data downloaded by Apple Maps was around 271 kilobytes. In contrast, Google Maps consumed around 1.3 megabytes on average.

In certain cases, such as zooming in to a specific spot, Apple Maps proved seven times more data efficient than Google Maps, according to Onavo.

Why all the data downloads? As Onavo explained it, each time you zero in on a new location, the app has to download the street map data that appears on the screen. If you move or zoom in or out, new data needs to be downloaded to refresh the view.

All that data consumption is not a problem on a Wi-Fi connection. But users often turn to a maps app when they're out and about on a 3G or 4G connection. The more data downloaded, the more it eats into your data plan.

Apple Maps holds the upper hand, says Onavo, because it uses vector graphics. Such an approach reduces the amount of data that needs to be downloaded each time a user zooms in or out of the map.

Of course, chewing up less data isn't a cause for celebration if the data itself can't be trusted.

Apple has famously issued a mea culpa for its buggy app, even suggesting that users try alternatives until Maps can get its act together.

Wireless shakeup: T-Mobile to merge with MetroPCS

Deutsche Telekom says that it has reached an agreement with MetroPCS to combine the smaller prepaid carrier with T-Mobile USA, its nationwide U.S. wireless operator.

Deutsche Telekom, parent company to T-Mobile USA, said Wednesday it has struck a merger deal with prepaid regional carrier MetroPCS.

T-Mobile's Micro SIM card.

(Credit: T-Mobile USA )

According to the agreement, MetroPCS shareholders will get $1.5 billion in cash and a 26 percent stake in the combined company. Deutsche Telekom will own the remaining 74 percent of the company.

The deal requires regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission and U.S. Department of Justice. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2013.

"We are extremely pleased to announce this transaction with MetroPCS, which enhances Deutsche Telekom's position in the expanding U.S. wireless market," said René Obermann, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Telekom said in a statement. "The T-Mobile and MetroPCS brands are a great strategic fit - both operationally and culturally. The new company will be the value leader in wireless with the scale, spectrum and financial and other resources to expand its geographic coverage, broaden choice among all types of customers and continue to innovate, especially around the next-generation LTE network. We are committed to creating a sustainable and financially viable national challenger in the U.S., and we believe this combination helps us deliver on that commitment."

Deutsche Telekom hopes that by combining the two smaller wireless providers they will be able to better compete against AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

The companies will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m ET / 7:30 a.m. PT to discuss the transaction.

Samsung teases Galaxy S3 mini for October 11 launch

The handset maker could unveil a smaller model of its 4.8-inch S3 next week, suggests an invite for a launch event.

Is Samsung readying a smaller edition of the Galaxy S3?

(Credit: Samsung )

Smartphone buyers who think the Galaxy S3 is too big could see a smaller version launch as early as next week.

An invite sent out by Samsung for an October 11 launch event touts a smaller product on the horizon with the headline "The size may be small" and the subheading "and so small can be big," according to Google Translate. The text from Samsung's German branch is also translated as "that's how big small can be," says TechRadar. However you translate it, Samsung is teasing a big announcement about a small product.

The notable Galaxy phone "S" logo appears in the background of the invitation, clearly indicating that the smaller device will be part of the Galaxy S lineup.

With a screen size of 4.8 inches, the Galaxy S3 seems a likely candidate to get a smaller brother. Such Android phones have spurred huge demand.

But some consumers have complained that their overall size is too large, making it difficult to hold the phone in one hand.

With the iPhone 5, Apple increased the display size to 4 inches from 3.5 inches. So it's unlikely Samsung would go smaller than 4 inches. A 4-inch Galaxy S3 would also pose a challenge to the iPhone 5, especially among users who don't like their smartphones too big.

CNET contacted Samsung for comment and will update the story if we receive any information.

Parrot adds three more Android-powered Asteroids to its belt

Parrot releases the details surrounding the upcoming Asteroid Smart, Tablet, and Mini: three car stereos based on the popular Android operating system.

(Credit: Parrot )

Parrot's Asteroid was one of the first car stereo systems to be based and powered by theAndroid operating system, but it won't be the last after the Asteroid Smart, the Asteroid Tablet, and the Asteroid Mini join the original later this month.

The Asteroid Smart takes over flagship duties with its large, 6.2-inch screen and the most full feature set.

(Credit: Parrot )

The Asteroid Smart will sit at the top of the new lineup, packing a 6.2-inch capacitive, multitouch screen. The unit fits into a standard double-DIN car stereo and, like the rest of the Asteroid lineup, is powered by a heavily customized version of Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). The unit features four standard USB ports (one of which is dedicated to a full-speed iPod/iPhone input), a SiRFstar IV GPS antenna, Parrot's fantastic dual microphone, Bluetooth connectivity, and Wi-Fi -- which is a new addition to the Asteroid family feature set. The car stereo also features a four-channel Mosfet amplifier to power your car's speakers. The unit's functionality is similar to that of the first-generation Asteroid, albeit controlled by taps and swipes of the capacitive touch screen, rather than twists and pokes of a control knob.

Out of the box, the Asteroid Smart supports Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming, MP3 and video playback over USB or the included SD card, and GPS navigation with turn-by-turn directions.

After plugging a 3G/4G dongle into one of the USB ports or tethering a smartphone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, users are able to access the Asteroid Market, which is a curated repository for apps that have been approved as safe for in-car use by Parrot and made available for download. By separating itself from the rest of the Google Play market, Parrot hopes to keep drivers from playing Temple Run on their next pizza run.

The Asteroid Tablet looks like a genuine Android tablet, but it's not.

(Credit: Parrot )

Parrot tells us that there are about 20 app providers on deck to provide Parrot users with a variety of free and paid apps for driving assistance (Best Parking, Wikango), music (Spotify, TuneIn, and others), Navigation (iGO Primo and Waze), productivity, destination search, communication, and news. All of these apps are organized in the Asteroid Market and can be downloaded directly to the unit itself.

A voice search function ties not only into the hands-free calling system and the locally stored media, but also with supported apps. Parrot's representative demonstrated voice searching for Johnny Cash and the TuneIn Radio results that were returned along with the MP3s stored on a USB drive.

Users who are interested in the Asteroid, but don't want to replace their OEM car stereo can opt for the Parrot Asteroid Tablet, which essentially takes the guts of the Asteroid Smart and puts them into a dashboard mounted display. The screen shrinks to 5 inches and the unit loses its analog video inputs and outputs, internal amplifier, and preamp connections, because your OEM car stereo will be handling all of that anyway. The Asteroid Tablet features a mounting arm that is permanently affixed to the dashboard and a steering wheel-mounted remote controller, however the visible part of of the unit -- the display itself -- can be removed when you leave the vehicle for theft deterrence, while the brains of the unit remain permanently hidden behind the dashboard somewhere. Consequently, this separation of processor and display makes it appear that the Asteroid Tablet cannot be used outside of the car.

The Asteroid Mini is the smallest unit of the bunch with a 3.2-inch screen.

(Credit: Parrot )

Finally, there's the Parrot Asteroid Mini, which is essentially a dashboard-mounted revision of the original Asteroid -- now called the Parrot Asteroid Classic. It's got a small 3.2-inch non-touch screen that's identical to that of the Classic and a rotary controller that also looks like it's been pulled from the same parts bin. Because this is based on the older Classic hardware, it does not feature Wi-Fi connectivity for tethering, but retains the standard Bluetooth and USB dongle connection methods. Like the Asteroid Tablet, the Mini also lacks an internal amplifier, relying on your OEM stereo to handle that bit of the workload. Like the Asteroid Tablet, the Mini hides its electronic brain in a separate box that must be professionally installed behind the dashboard.

The Parrot Asteroid Smart launches in late October at an MSRP of $599 -- significantly more expensive than the Pioneer AppRadio 2, which boasts similar functionality, but with apps that live on your phone, rather than in the receiver's memory. We're looking forward to putting those units head to head.

The Asteroid Tablet and Asteroid Mini will be launching alongside the Smart, priced at $399 and $299, respectively.

Report: Apple in talks with Microlatch on fingerprint tech

Reports suggest that Apple may be working with Australian firm Microlatch to incorporate fingerprint technology into mobile payment systems.

Biosecurity firm Microlatch is rumored to be in talks with Apple to introduce fingerprint technology on future products to secure mobile payment via near field communication (NFC).

The news was first reported by The Australian.

David Murray, former head of the Commonwealth Bank and lead investor of the Australian firm, told the publication Microlatch owns patented technology that meets rigorous banking security standards. According to Murray, the technology does not need central processing or storage, describing the biometric technology as "self-registering."

"There have been acquisitions that suggest that people are positioning themselves around these biosecurity products securing mobile phones in a far more satisfactory way for people," Murray commented, according to Apple Insider.

Details of the rumored agreement remain undisclosed, but Apple is no doubt interested in the potential of mobile payment systems and biometrics. Earlier this year, the Cupertino, Calif., company purchased Authentec, which develops fingerprint sensors and identity management software for mobile devices for $356 million. Key to the move was Authentec's "Smart Sensor" fingerprint reader, which not only boosts security but also lets a user launch different features on a gadget depending on which finger is used.

NFC remains a hot topic in the industry, but Apple elected not to integrate the technology in the recently launched iPhone 5. However, Apple's recent acquisition combined with the Microlatch report suggests that future devices are destined to include some kind of biometric features.

Steve Jobs -- The untold tales

Friends and colleagues shed a light on Jobs by revealing some of their most indelible moments with the late Apple leader, via Forbes magazine.

Steve Jobs left strong impressions on the people he knew, and some of them have shared those impressions in the latest issue of Forbes.

Stories about meetings and encounters with Jobs are always intriguing owing to the multifaceted personality of the man.

This Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the death of the Apple leader, prompting the magazine to publish some of the "untold" tales about Jobs as related by friends and colleagues.

Web browser guru and now venture capitalist Marc Andreessen related a story in which Jobs showed him a prototype of the first iPhone in 2006. After playing with the phone, Andreessen asked Jobs if he thought users might have a problem typing on the screen without a physical keyboard. With a piercing look, Jobs merely said: "They'll get used to it."

Jobs and Next software engineer Randy Adams both owned Porsches at a time that Next was looking for venture capital. One day, Jobs told Adams that they had to hide the Porsches. When Adams asked why, Jobs said that Ross Perot, who was thinking of investing in the company, was stopping by for a visit. But Jobs didn't want Perot to think Next had a lot of money. Hiding the cars must have worked, according to Forbes, since Perot invested $20 million in the company in 1987.

Though often typecast as unfeeling, Jobs had a softer side and seemed to instinctively know how to help people in need.

Venture capitalist Heidi Roizen related one tale in which she was on a business trip when told that her father had passed away. As Jobs called her to discuss a deal, she informed him of her father's death. Immediately, Jobs told her to come home and said he would be right over.

According to Roizen, Jobs spent a couple of hours getting her to talk about her father and share her grief. Jobs' mother had died a few months before, so she believes he was especially "attuned to how I felt and what I needed to talk about. I will always remember and appreciate what an incredible thing he did for me in helping me grieve."

Other memories of Jobs can be found in Forbes' online edition and in the magazine's October 22 print issue.

Twitter teams with Nielsen on brand surveys

The microblogging service says companies will be able to create surveys directly within Twitter to gauge their opinions and reactions to certain topics.

Twitter's new Surveys.

(Credit: Twitter )Twitter might be stuck with 140 characters per tweet, but that isn't stopping the social network from adding some additional functionality to its platform.

The company announced today that it has partnered with Nielsen on a new survey tool for advertisers. The feature is simple enough: users will find messages in-line with their tweet timeline asking them if they'd like to complete a survey from advertiser. If they agree to it by clicking on the appropriate button, they'll be able to complete the survey from within Twitter, rather than be redirected to another site. The feature works on Twitter's desktop and mobile versions.

For now, Twitter envisions the surveys as useful tools for determining "purchase intent, overall awareness, and other advertising metrics and analytics that can lead to greater engagement."

Twitter didn't provide too many details on the surveys today, but it appears that Nielsen will be involved in the data analysis. So far, Twitter is working with a handful of partners to test out the service, but plans to open it up to other brands in early 2013.

Twitter has been looking for more ways to improve its monetization. The company currently offers a host of options for advertisers, including the promotion of certain accounts and tweets. Advertisers can also market their brand in Trends.