MasterCard wants to let every new gadget turn into a credit card. It’s launching a new program today that’ll allow tech companies to make gadgets like smart rings, car keys, and fitness trackers that can also be used to make credit card payments in stores, just like most new smartphones can with programs like Apple Pay and Android Pay. MasterCard is starting out with a few partners, who have already put together prototype units. GM has made a key fob with MasterCard’s wireless payments tech built in; Ringly has done the same with a version of its smart ring; and Nymi has created a smart wristband.
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(By Andreas Cremer, Bruce Wallace and Paul Lienert, Reuters) – Volkswagen made several versions of its “defeat device” software to rig diesel emissions tests, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, potentially suggesting a complex deception by the German carmaker.

During seven years of self-confessed cheating, Volkswagen altered its illegal software for four engine types, said the sources, who include a VW manager with knowledge of the matter and a U.S. official close to an investigation into the company.

Spokespersons for VW in Europe and the United States declined to comment on whether it developed multiple defeat devices, citing ongoing investigations by the company and authorities in both regions.
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Bioengineers have created a “psychic robot” that can see what humans intend to do even if they don’t do it. The robot uses an algorithm that could eventually power cars and prosthetics of the future — allowing them to understand what their owners are trying to do with them, even if they get stopped mid-way.

Explaining the rationale behind his successful invention, lead author Justin Horowitz said the robot uses a mathematical algorithm to understand intent, and not actual movement — so it doesn’t matter if someone stops doing something. “If you know how someone is moving and what the disturbance is, you can tell the underlying intent. We could use this algorithm to design machines that could correct the course of a swerving car or help a stroke patient with spasticity,” he said.
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More than half of U.S. consumers haven’t received new chip-based credit or debit cards to improve security of in-store purchases, according to a new survey.

The August survey of 5,027 Americans also found that 56% aren’t even aware what a chip card is, even though the technology has been widely used in other countries for years.
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NEW DELHI: Flash storage solutions company SanDisk has launched a new wireless mobile flash drive, SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick in India.

As per the company, the new drive enables easy sharing, transferring and accessing of photos and videos between mobile devices and computers.

The SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick features higher capacity, up to 128GB, a new app, and compact design.It will initially be available at Flipkart and then extended to other channels in a phased manner by end of December 2015.
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