Google Wallet is getting a digital driver’s license in beta

When Google announced the new Google Wallet in May, digital IDs were one of the main new features they highlighted as one of the reasons they reintroduced the “Wallet” name. While not supported at first, the idea was that one day, perhaps down the road, we’d be able to add a digital driver’s license or state ID to Google Wallet and truly ditch our physical double.

In an update that rolled out with Google Play Services v48.22 for December, Google suggested that it was going to open up Digital ID (driver’s license and state ID) as a Google Wallet beta feature.

In the latest changelog posted on the Google System Update support page, a bullet point under the Wallets section says the following:

[Phone] Beta feature to allow users from select US state(s) to digitize their state ID/driver’s license into Google Wallet for convenient, private and secure presentation.

There is a reference note that links this change to the Google Play Services version I mentioned above. We’re not sure if there’s an update to Google Wallet or a new way to opt-in to Google Wallet’s beta track to make this beta magic happen, but I imagine it will. I checked at the time of this posting and Google Wallet doesn’t have any beta opt-ins in the Play Store listing yet

Another key thing to consider here is the “Users from selected US state(s)” part. Most US states do not allow a state ID or driver’s license to be digitized. Apple recently launched Digital ID and so far, according to MacRumors, only 3 states are supported. Another 9 states have pledged their support down the road.

Unfortunately, this single line for a Google system update page is all we need to continue for now. This note sure feels like it needs a deeper announcement from Google.

We’ll update this post if we learn more.

3D radiogram of Mars’ north pole reveals a ‘hidden canyon’


Mars is the only known planet outside of Earth to have polar ice caps, but unlike Earth, Martian ice is mostly of the “dry” carbon dioxide variety. Naturally, there is great interest in better understanding the polar regions of Mars. A new analysis of Mars using data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has revealed previously hidden structures beneath the north ice — as seen above by the Mars Global Surveyor. Researchers encountered undulating landscapes, impact craters and even a large canyon all buried beneath the ice.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has been observing the Red Planet from above since 2006. Its instruments include a special type of penetrating radar called Shallow Subsurface Radar (SHARAD). It emits radar waves between 15 and 25 MHz, which can travel up to 4 kilometers through material before returning to the orbiter. Its depth is about 15 meters. The instrument has been returning data on Mars’ ice caps and other regions for years, but the team at the Planetary Science Institute (PSI) has done something new with it.

Sharad was incorporated into MRO to complement the MARSIS radar on the Mars Express orbiter. MARSIS can bounce its radar waves deep into the planet, but SHARAD’s resolution is much higher. And with clever data processing, the PSI team maximizes effective resolution. The team processed years of 2D scans from SHARAD using advanced 3D imaging methods to remove noise and interference. The result is a sharp 3D image of the planet’s structure beneath layers of frozen carbon dioxide. This 3D “radargram” makes it possible to detect objects that are otherwise difficult or impossible to see.

The research is published in the journal Planetary Science. The image above is a composite, showing a single horizontal slice through the North Pole ice cap (known as the Planum Borium) below. Other sections are vertical slices. The dark area near the middle is a 300-km region that cannot be seen from MRO’s orbit. The data reveals surface details such as the right-hand shaft and the impact pit at the bottom of the horizontal slice.

The team believes this same technique can be used to create 3D representations of structures in other regions of the planet. Next, they plan to scour the planum borium data for more compressed impact craters and structures.

Read now:

  • The first images of Mars from the Webb Telescope reveal clues about its atmosphere
  • NASA ditches rover for Mars sample return, adds two helicopters
  • The Mars Orbiter photographed a canyon five times deeper than the Grand Canyon

Get the latest-gen Xbox Series S for just $199 [Full $100 Off]

Amazon is selling the Xbox Series S right now for just $239.99 with a free $40 gift card, making the total package just $199.

Amazon doesn’t require you to clip an on-screen coupon to get this deal, but there is a discount code to use to get a $40 gift card. enter Xbox It’s time to check out for a throw, while the Xbox Series S itself is on sale for just $239.99. But be quick, this deal won’t last long.

Buy: Xbox Series S – Holiday Console: $199 with code Xbox At check out Original price: $300

At the time of writing the Xbox Series S has over 24,400 reviews on Amazon and a combined rating of 4.8 stars out of a possible five. That’s a great score for a console that was already a bargain considering its capabilities and features. The console features fast resume for lightning-fast load times as well as 120fps playback thanks to the Xbox Velocity architecture.

Xbox gamers will get a controller and HDMI cable in the box so it takes no time to set up. You can take advantage of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to get hundreds of games instantly available for download.

Again, this deal won’t last long and being able to effectively pick up an Xbox Series S for under $200 is a great deal. Act now to avoid disappointment.

Buy: Xbox Series S – Holiday Console: $199 with code Xbox At check out Original price: $300

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You can follow us TwitterOr Instagram, and even like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple, and the web.

Trade in your Pixel 6 to get a Pixel 7 for $20

Imagine you own a Pixel 6 and have spent the last year dealing with its quirks and many flaws, but still enjoying its company. you ok With the Pixel 6 because it works pretty well, even if that modem has to be rebooted regularly. What if I told you that you could trade it in for a new and improved phone of the year? You can do it through the Google Store.

Since Google is running its holiday pricing on the Pixel 7, the price is currently $499, thanks to a $100 discount. That’s for the 128GB model – the 256GB model is also $599 down by $100. Where the $20 price comes in is the trade-in value Google is currently offering for the Pixel 6. If you have a Pixel 6 with 128GB of storage in working or “good” condition, they’ll give you $479. Get out your calculator to check my math, but yeah, I think it checks out.

“But Kelen, is it really worth it?” Yes. That’s it. The Pixel 7 is probably the best phone for most people today for its performance, camera, size/design and price. It was already priced at $599, but with a $100 discount this holiday shopping week, it’s an absolute steal.

From a Pixel 6 you get a better processor (and modem), better overall design and better main camera. Sure, it’s not a huge jump from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 7, but it should give you a better overall experience for just $20 if Google finally processes your trade-in.

To get the Pixel 7 for $20, you go to the Google Store, choose a color (pictured here is lemongrass), then 128GB of storage (or 256GB if you want to spend more), then the unlocked model, and then walk away. . Trade-in section. When you choose Pixel 6 in this section and fill in the remaining boxes for your specific model, Google will show you an estimated price of $479.

To be clear, you’d pay $499 for a Pixel 7 today. Then, Google will send you a trade-in kit to return your Pixel 6 (maybe take a video of it). Once they receive it and process it, assuming your phone is the size you said it would be, you’ll get $479 back for the card you bought your Pixel 7 with.

If you have a Pixel 6 in your hands right now, that’s great.

Google Store Pixel 7 Link

Uncontrolled carbon dioxide is shrinking the Earth’s upper atmosphere

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(Photo: Astro Alex/Wikimedia Commons)
We are already aware of the consequences of unabated carbon emissions, especially as they relate to climate change here on Earth. But according to two new studies, producing greenhouse gases affects more than just our surroundings. Researchers have found that rising levels of carbon dioxide are compressing Earth’s upper atmosphere, which could have serious implications for future space operations.

A team of environmental scientists, atmospheric chemists and space physicists analyzed data from NASA’s Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission launched in 2001. Collecting insights on atmospheric infrared radiation, or heat, just over a year after launch. It is these nearly two decades of insights that researchers have used to assess how building CO2 levels have affected the atmosphere over time.

(Image: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0)

According to the dual research they published Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmosphere, Researchers have found that Earth’s upper atmosphere is actually contracting – something scientists have suspected for some time, but it’s hard to confirm. In the lower atmosphere, CO2 absorbs and re-emits heat in all directions, creating a warming effect. But in the upper atmosphere, CO2 is allowed to escape into space, causing gradual cooling. This cooling effect not only causes the stratosphere to contract but also the mesosphere and thermosphere (together known as the MLT).

The MLT has shrunk by 1,333 meters in just under 20 years. The researchers estimate that about 342 of them were a direct result of CO2 cooling. MLT cooling is negatively correlated with atmospheric drag; Atmospheric drag decreases as the MLT cools. Essential to the ability of given atmospheric tugs and satellites to deorbit, continued carbon buildup could impact future (or even current long-term) missions. This includes the increasingly necessary task of removing space debris.

The team believes that CO2-related MLT cooling could affect the broader space industry sooner than we think. “As long as carbon dioxide increases at roughly the same rate, we can expect these rates of temperature change to remain roughly constant,” they wrote. “It seems likely that ongoing changes in the space climate will become important issues in space law, space policy and the business of underwriting insurance for space endeavors.”

Read now:

Jailbreak iOS 16.1.1 Latest Status Update on iPhone and iPad

If you want to jailbreak iOS 16.1.1 on iPhone and iPadOS 16.1.1 on iPad, here’s what you need to know about its latest status update.

Apple released iOS 16.1.1 to the public and with the update comes the same old question — can I jailbreak it?

If you want to jailbreak iOS 16.1.1 on your iPhone or iPad, there are always a few questions to ask to figure out if it can be done. You are in the right place, so let’s dive into it.

While the iOS 16.1.1 update doesn’t add any new features, Apple says it comes with several bug fixes. With this in mind we’d always recommend updating it, but those looking to jailbreak should be sure they want to do so first.

If you’re using an older iPhone, like an iPhone 8 or iPhone X, you’re good to go. These models were jailbroken at the bootrom level meaning Apple couldn’t plug the hole no matter how hard they tried. You may have to wait for your jailbreak app of choice to update first, but the underlying exploit will work, no problem.

If you’re using a newer iPhone, like the new iPhone 14 (or any iPhone model after the iPhone X), you’re unfortunately out of luck. This may change in the future, but at the time of writing there is no jailbreak available to you, no matter which version of iOS you have installed.

We’ll keep our ears to the ground and our eyes peeled for news of a proper iOS 16.1.1 jailbreak, but there’s no telling when it will arrive. If indeed, it ever does.

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You can follow us TwitterOr Instagram, and even like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple, and the web.

As the test confirms, the Pixel 7 is a good phone with a great camera

If you don’t want to take our word for it, DXOMark ranked Pixel 7’s Camera and display #1 camera and #1 display in its “high-end” category, meaning it’s the top phone in the $400-$600 price range. It’s not bad, right?

The question is why DXOMark Camera and display so much? As for the camera, they say the overall picture ability is excellent with a score of 145 out of 152. The phone’s bokeh capabilities were also highly praised. Separate notes were also marked for the camera’s real tone, video capabilities, autofocus and consistency. These are all things we could tell you. Instantly instantly.

In the display of things, the readability, video, color, speed and touch categories all come in with high grades.

Display highlights

  • Great HDR10 video viewing experience with adaptive brightness and contrast
  • Correct screen colors for all use cases
  • Adaptive readability, especially indoors and in low light conditions

Naturally, one downside is battery life. The phone ranks as #18 in the category, but again, we’re not surprised. The battery is really the phone’s only real weakness. If you want to read a little deeper into DXOMARK’s tests, follow the link below and you’ll find additional links to its display and camera tests.

If you’re looking for more reasons to buy the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, look here.

// dxomark

Tax filing websites caught sending users’ financial data to Facebook

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(Photo: Olga Delrance/Unsplash)
Filing your taxes is already stressful enough without worrying that your data will end up in the wrong hands. Thanks to the new-found data sharing practices of several tax websites, this concern may become prevalent in the 2023 tax filing season. H&R Block, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer have been found to be sending users’ financial information to someone other than Facebook.

According to the nonprofit technology investigation newsletter The Markup, the three websites—which together help more than 25 million Americans file their taxes annually—use meta JavaScript code (called “meta pixels”) to capture user data and send it Facebook’s way. H&R Block, one of the nation’s most recognized tax filing firms, was found to be using MetaPixel to obtain users’ health savings account usage data as well as dependents’ college expense information. TaxAct users were captured using codes to track filing status, dependents, adjusted gross income, and refund totals. TaxAct seems to have lazily attempted to anonymize this data by returning dependent names and rounding income and to the nearest thousand and hundred respectively; However, the markup ex-ambiguity is easily reversed.

(Photo: H&R Block)

TaxSlayer appears to use meta pixels to capture the most detailed user information. Using a “meta pixel inspector” it developed earlier this year, Markup found that TaxSlayer habitually collects users’ names, phone numbers and dependent names. A specific form of TaxSlayer included on the websites of personal finance celebrity Dave Ramsey obtained users’ income and return totals. When Markup asked Ramsey Solutions about its use of the meta pixel, the company said it was unaware of the data-harvesting element of the code and allegedly removed it from its sites. The TaxAct similarly stopped capturing users’ financial information but continued to record the names of dependents.

But why? What incentive does Facebook have to seize Americans’ tax information? As it almost always does, the answer comes down to money. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, regularly uses its nearly 2 million meta pixels to capture web users’ browsing activity, demographic data and more. This information is then used to ensure that Facebook and Instagram users see ads that they can actually click on, thus supporting Meta’s profitable marketing operations.

After the IRS became aware of tax websites’ use of meta pixels, Facebook’s collection of tax data could become financially useless. Websites that share users’ tax information without consent can face stiff penalties, and as of Tuesday, H&R Block, TaxAct, and TaxSlayer lacked the disclosures required to claim compliance.

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Investigates Apple and Google’s ‘effective duopoly’ on UK app stores and the web

Apple and Google are being investigated by the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over the way the two run app stores and make the dominant web browsers on their respective platforms.

The new investigation is the result of suggestions that people commented on the possibility of taking a closer look at Apple and Google.

The point of contention for some is that Apple blocks certain apps, including game streaming services, from being published through the App Store. From Google’s perspective, the problem seems to be that Chrome is the go-to web browser for many.

Many UK businesses and web developers tell us that they feel they are being held back by the restrictions set by Apple and Google. When the new digital market system is introduced, it can solve these kinds of problems. In the meantime, we are using our existing capabilities to address the problem where we can. We plan to investigate whether the concerns we have heard are justified and, if so, identify steps to improve competition and innovation in these sectors.

It’s the suggestion that developers are being held back from creating better apps and services that is at the heart of the investigation, but it will be hard to prove.

The investigation can only last for a maximum of 18 months and the CMA will need to seek information from Apple and Google.

This isn’t the first time Apple’s requirement that all apps be downloaded through the App Store has put it under the spotlight, and it’s unlikely to end.

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You can follow us TwitterOr Instagram, and even like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated with all the latest updates from Microsoft, Google, Apple, and the web.

Google makes a huge space saving change for the Google TV app

As great as devices like Chromecast with Google TV and NVIDIA’s SHIELD units can be, a downside to each is the limited amount of on-device storage both come equipped with out of the box. The problem with the small amount of storage is that you can run out of room in a hurry if you try to load more than a handful of apps. I’m not sure why I said it was a theoretical problem, because in reality, it happens all the time with these devices.

Today, Google announced a plan that should help a bit in this situation, since smart TV devices may not be able to increase storage anytime soon. After all, price is a key selling point for these devices, and adding storage will only increase that.

Google plans to force Android app bundles onto TV devices like they did for phones in 2021. Android App Bundles (AABs) are the publishing format that replaced the ol’ APK files. These AABs produce an average 20% total size savings compared to an APK, they allow apps to be archived instead of completely uninstalled (for quick reinstallation), and they make for streamlined distribution by developers. All around, they are a big win.

The transition to Android App Bundle for Android TV and Google TV will begin in May 2023. Google thinks this is enough time for app owners and developers to comply with this change, as they think it would take a single engineer about 3 days to migrate an existing TV app from an APK to an AAB. If companies don’t migrate their apps, Google can hide them from the TV surface

Google believes that Android app bundles “bring an enjoyable experience” for both developers and users, “especially in the living room.” What a happy way to describe such a change. lovely

Speaking of cute, Chromecast with Google TV (4K) is down to just $40 for Black Friday. one why.