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Next-gen NFC could bring longer range, faster wireless charging and other improvements

NFC technology enables what we sometimes called “contactless” payments, device pairing, and other functionality. But since the current range of NFC connections is limited to 5mm (or about 0.2 inches), you pretty much have to tap two devices together in order to establish a connection. That could change in the coming years though. The group […]

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Lilbits: Single board PCs, under-display cameras, and YouTube angers… everyone

It’s been a few years since Asus launched its first Raspberry Pi-like single-board computer aimed at makers, and the Asus Tinker Board platform hasn’t exactly exploded since then. But the company has made a few updates to the series over the years, with a Tinker Board S, Tinker Board R and Tinker Edge T, and […]

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NFC specification adds support for wireless charging

NFC allows two devices to communicate wirelessly over a very short distance. While Near Field Communication technology has a variety of uses, it’s probably best known for the way its used in smartphones. For example, NFC allows you to quickly pair wireless headphones or speakers with some phones. And when you use Apple Pay or […]

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Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch gets Samsung Pay mobile payment support

Samsung’s mobile payment service works on the company’s latest smartphones (including the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 and S7 series handsets). Now you can also use Samsung Pay with a smartwatch. The company is rolling out a software update called “Value Pack” for its Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch. The update lets you download watch faces from the […]

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Tap to pay comes to Windows phones (for Windows Insiders)

Over the past few years we’ve seen a growing number of smartphones that support mobile payments, allowing you to tap your phone against a payment system at the cash register without taking cash or a credit card out of your wallet. Apple’s recent iPhones support Apple Pay. Samsung devices feature Samsung Pay. And a number […]

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Pagaré smartstrap could give Pebble Time watches contactless payment

As promised a few months ago, the folks at FitPay and ConnecteDevice have launched a Crowdfunding campaign for a smart wrist strap that will let you use a Pebble Time smartwatch for mobile payments. The strap is called PagarĂ©, and it’s eventually expected to sell for $89, but backers of the Kickstarter campaign can request one […]

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Pagaré smartstrap could bring contactless payments to Pebble Time smartwatch

Earlier this year Pebble announced that its Pebble Time smartwatches would be able to learn new tricks when you attach a special kind of strap that adds functionality. Smartstraps are wristbands with extra hardware such as batteries or wireless chips that can interact with the smartwatch. Pebble doesn’t currently have any plans to produce its own […]

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Jawbone launches UP2, UP4 fitness trackers (with mobile payments for the UP4)

Jawbone is updating its UP line of fitness trackers with two new models. The UP2 is A $100 model that offers all the basic features you’d expect from an activity-tracking fitness band including step counting, sleep tracking, week-long battery life, and the ability to sync with iOS or Android apps. Or for $200 you can […]