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WSJ: Google to resurrect mobile payments with Softcard purchase
Don't call it a comeback. Okay, maybe you should: Google wants to revive Wallet after seeing how popular Apple Pay has been, according to The Wall Street Journal. To do so, Mountain View is apparently in the early stages of a deal to take ownership of the carrier-owned Softcard as part of this Lazarus act for its mobile payment system. Previously, carriers in the United States were reticent to preload Wallet onto their devices because, at the time, they were trying to launch ISIS, going so far as to block the chip that stores credit card info. Times are different now, as WSJ tells it, because neither AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon gets a cut from Cupertino with surprise hit Apple Pay -- something that'd change by working with Google. How's that? The internet behemoth will reportedly pay them to feature Wallet on their Android phones and give them a bigger cut of the money it makes off of ads that live inside mobile searches.
Newsweek's Twitter account hacked, spews out threats to Obama
Hackers claiming ties to ISIS took over Pentagon social media accounts last month, and today, the group targeted the media. The so-called CyberCaliphate snatched Newsweek's Twitter feed this morning, communicating threats against President Obama and his family. Representatives for the publication say it has since taken back the account and apologized for the offensive tweets posted during the incident. Commandeering the social feed of a major news outlet was sure to get the President's attention, and it comes just weeks after he announced a big push for stricter cybersecurity legislation. Obama's plan includes increasing the ability of law enforcement to track down those who commit cybercrimes, a federally mandated privacy standard and disclosure requirements when a company -- like Sony -- is breached.
The big phone carriers might sell Google their mobile wallet
Remember Softcard (formerly Isis, but renamed for obvious reasons)? It's a joint venture that AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile started in 2010 to get into mobile payments without ceding the market to Google Wallet and Apple Pay. That hasn't quite worked out, since few want to put a $70 case on their iPhone to use mobile payments, and a caseless option for the iPhone 6 has yet to arrive. Tonight Techcrunch first reported rumors that it's in talks for a sale to Google, while Paypal and Microsoft are apparently interested too. The initial report puts its pricetag at under $100 million, less than the hundreds of millions the mobile carriers invested in it. Google and Softcard have both declined to comment on the rumor, but it seems more a matter of when and who will pick up the pieces, not if.
Engadget Daily: Pentagon social accounts hacked, Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact review and more!
Happy Monday, folks! In case you hadn't heard, a hacker group claiming ties with ISIS hijacked a couple of the Pentagon's social accounts. NBC is reporting that the Defense Department is "taking appropriate measures" to get to the bottom of the incursion, but details are still developing. Head on down to the gallery below for all this and more. You know you want to.
Hackers claiming ties to ISIS take control of Pentagon social accounts
A group referring to itself as the CyberCaliphate and claiming ties to ISIS appears to have taken over social media accounts belonging to the United States Central Command. For the past hour or so, the group has been using CENTCOM's YouTube and Twitter accounts to share pro-ISIS videos and supposedly leaked documents, though Twitter has already suspended CENTCOM's account in a bid to keep things under control. While it's still unclear whether ISIS proper had a hand in orchestrating the breach, a defense official confirmed to NBC that the accounts were compromised and that the Defense Department is "taking appropriate measures to address the matter."
US carriers are bringing their tap-to-pay wallet to the iPhone 6
Don't worry that Apple Pay will be the only game in town for tap-to-pay shopping on your iPhone 6. The carriers behind Softcard (aka Isis) have revealed that they're working with Apple to bring their NFC-based payment system to newer iPhones sometime in 2015. While you'll need a Softcard-aware SIM card in your phone for this to work, you hopefully won't have to slap a bulky case on your device this time around. It's doubtful that this solution will work as elegantly as Apple Pay, which doesn't even require that you launch an app, but it should let you purchase with your iPhone in considerably more places.
Isis mobile wallet becomes Softcard to distance itself from terrorists
The Isis crew promised it would rebrand its mobile wallet to eliminate any confusion with ISIS, the Middle Eastern terrorist group, and today that change is at hand: meet Softcard. It's not a particularly bold name, but the payment company believes that the "inherent simplicity" of its new badging could make it ubiquitous. Whether or not that's true, the transition should happen relatively quickly. You should see the Isis Wallet app transform into Softcard within a few weeks. Traces of the old naming scheme will stick around for a short while, but it should be a distant memory before too long.
Militants use off-the-shelf drones for surveillance and propaganda
Video footage has emerged showing that ISIS militants deployed a $500 consumer drone to spy on a crucial Syrian airfield, which they eventually seized. Taken by a DJI Phantom FC40 drone, the video was spotted on YouTube (and pulled, since it also contained graphic scenes of execution). It shows images of the base from what looks like a lofty altitude, along with insurgents discussing how to use the info. They later sent in suicide bombers to attack the important northern airfield, but it's unclear if the information from the drone was of much strategic use. However, the footage has further value for the group as propaganda. It formed part of a disturbing video meant to show that the group is high-tech (and extremely violent) which helps it attract and radicalize new recruits.
Isis mobile payment platform to change its name to avoid association with militant group
Near the end of 2010, a group of telecommunications and commerce businesses joined forces to form a mobile payment venture called Isis. It was a solid brand name: Short, simple and easy to remember. Unfortunately, ISIS is now associated with a militant group based in the Middle East, so the wireless company believes a branding tweak makes sense. In a blog post, CEO Michael Abbott explained: "However coincidental, we have no interest in sharing a name with a group whose name has become synonymous with violence and our hearts go out to those who are suffering. As a company, we have made the decision to rebrand." Abbott didn't announce what the new brand would be -- we imagine that he's working on that as we speak -- but mentioned that he'd have more information to share in the coming months.
Iraq blocks Twitter, Google, YouTube and Facebook in effort to stifle insurgency
The Iraqi government has essentially shut off all social networking in the country in an effort to stem the rising tide of insurgent group Isis (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). The country has found itself thrown into chaos recently as the Islamist militants have overrun the cities of Mosul, Falluja and Ramadi in a march towards Baghdad. Isis, like many of the rebellions in the region recently, has made heavy use of social media for both propaganda and organization. In particular the group has spread its hard line religious and anti-western message via YouTube. Presumably prime minister Nouri al-Maliki has had the services blocked in an effort to disrupt Isis's movement and planning, and perhaps give the government's troops an opportunity to strike back.
This case will turn your iPhone into a mobile wallet for $70
After a brief tease earlier this week, Incipio has officially unveiled its iPhone mobile payment case. The Cashwrap Mobile Wallet gives most iPhone users NFC payment support at any place that accepts Isis; beyond the case, all you need is a compatible account and a free app. If you're eager to stop paying with plastic cards, the Cashwrap should be available online for $70. AT&T is only due to launch the peripheral at retail on January 31st, although the recent in-store sighting hints that you might have a chance at scoring a retail unit ahead of schedule.
iPhone case with Isis mobile payment support showing up in AT&T stores
If you've been waiting to make NFC payments with little more than your iPhone and an Isis account, we have news for you. A tipster sent us pictures of what looks to be retail packaging for the Incipio Cashwrap, along with supposed pricing information. The Cashwrap enables secure mobile payments via a micro-NFC chip and a mobile app and it'll be available from AT&T for $70 according to our reader, with variants for most of Apple's recent smartphones. What's more, this info aligns nicely with what 9to5Mac learned about the product at CES 2013. Our source says that the case is already in AT&T's inventory too, meaning technically you could buy one right now, but you probably shouldn't press your luck until there's an official announcement. Unlike Incipio's other iPhone protector, it looks like this one will see the light of day. We've reached out to AT&T, Incipio and Isis and will update this post if we hear back. [Thanks, Anonymous!]
Isis Mobile Wallet now supports Wells Fargo Visa credit cards
Isis -- a joint mobile payment venture between AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon -- has partnered up with banking juggernaut Wells Fargo, shortly after it rolled out nationwide. In addition to Chase, American Express, J.P. Morgan and random loyalty cards, users can now load their mobile wallets with Wells Fargo's Visa consumer credit cards. This allows them to purchase from participating merchants (there are "hundreds of thousands," according to the bank) that accept NFC payments without having to bring their plastic to the store. Want to use the system, but don't know where to begin? First things first: Make sure you have an Isis-ready Android smartphone from any of the three aforementioned carriers. Once you've received the special SIM and have activated the service, you can start going on nighttime trips to McD's or doing emergency CVS runs with only a phone in hand.
HTC One max heading to Verizon today for $300 on-contract
HTC's 5.9-inch One max is comparatively modest when it comes to the oversized smartphone horserace; it's actually dwarfed by Sony's monstrous Xperia Z Ultra. Still, if your hands are big enough to accommodate the One max's bulk and you're a Verizon subscriber, today's the day you can call it your own. The Big Red operator's offering the device for $300 with any new two-year agreement, or for $25 monthly installments on its Edge upgrade plan. Verizon's even bundled in a special SIM that's "ISIS-ready" so you can take advantage of the carrier's contactless payment (read: Google Wallet) alternative. The One Max offers mostly everything we love about the OG One it shares a heritage with, just in a heftier metallic chassis and with an oddly-placed fingerprint scanner. Sure there's plenty you can do with a big 'ol screen, but in this case, we'd argue the size of your hand matters more.
Isis nationwide rollout is now available for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon customers
After announcing plans for nationwide deployment back in July, and nabbing commitments from both Chase and American Express in the process, Isis is now available for the masses. Customers on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon who wield one of over 40 capable handsets can snag a free enhanced SIM and download the app via Google Play to begin using the mobile wallet in all of its NFC payment glory. Of course, in addition to credit and debit cards, the platform also supports loyalty cards, so free drinks at vending machines thanks to MyCokeRewards are a swipe away. How's that for an afternoon pick-me-up?
Daily Roundup: Apple iMac review, HP Chromebook 11 hands-on, Nest's Protect smoke detector and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Chase goes all in on Isis, announces plans for nationwide rollout
We'd hardly call Isis a juggernaut, but the would-be Google Wallet-slayer is certainly building steam. After convincing American Express to back it in a nationwide rollout, Chase has decided to hop on the expansion train as well. The mobile payment launch partner is clearly quite happy with how pilot programs in Austin, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah went. Soon enough holders of Chase Freedom, Sapphire and Slate cards, along with those special people in possession of a JPMorgan Palladium card will be able to load their accounts into the Isis Mobile Wallet app and tap to pay at retail locations across the nation. Of course, if you're part of the one percent, walking around with your Palladium card, chances are you probably don't wander into to Walgreens to pick up your own Gold Bond Medicated Foot Powder very often anyway.
Isis Mobile Wallet teams up with American Express for nationwide rollout
Isis is gearing up to expand its Mobile Wallet service nationwide in the coming months, but its plans don't end there. The company has just announced that it's teaming up with American Express to bring the latter's Serve platform to Isis Mobile Wallet. Serve account holders will be able to make use of most of the features they already expect from Amex, like loading cash to their accounts, paying bills electronically and adding funds via direct deposit. By joining up with Isis, Serve is now unlocking the Mobile Wallet's capabilities, like NFC-powered payments at participating retail locations. Though Isis is currently limited to Austin and Salt Lake City, the company -- now with Amex on its side -- hopes to reach customers coast to coast before the year is out, though we don't have a specific date for availability just yet. For more info, check out the press release after the break.
Daily Update for July 31, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Isis NFC payment system to roll out later this year, provide iPhone support
When three of the big four mobile carriers -- AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile US, and Verizon Wireless -- agree on something, you know that it's going to get a big push. The three companies formed Isis in early 2011 to orchestrate the future of near field communication (NFC) payments, and today the joint venture announced that the Isis Mobile Wallet system will be rolled out nationwide later this year. Isis Mobile Wallet users need an NFC-enabled smartphone and a SIM-based secure element to be considered "Isis Ready." Many Samsung Android devices are equipped for NFC, both for local file sharing and payments. At this point, NFC technology isn't built into iPhones, nor has there been any word from Apple on whether the technology will be in future devices. Nevertheless, the joint venture notes that support for iPhone, Windows Phone and BlackBerry 10 will be introduced this year. Isis trials were held in Austin, Texas and Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Isis group found that the users were quite happy with paying from their smartphones. The trial showed that active users used their devices for payment more than 10 times per month, acceptance of contactless payment quadrupled to almost 4,000 locations in the two cities, and that 80 percent of the transactions took place at places like fast-food restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, and convenience and grocery stores. If Apple doesn't embrace NFC with the next generation of iPhones, it's likely that an NFC-enabled case will be required in order to use Isis.
