Category: Tech

Freelancers lose access to millions of dollars after Payoneer freezes cards

Freelancers in Pakistan and around the world are unable to access their money from their prepaid Payoneer card, after a recent 1.9 billion euros  Wirecard scandal in the UK. Wirecard is a subsidiary of the German company Wirecard AG that filed for insolvency on Thursday. All Payoneer Prepaid Mastercard cards are affected considering they are issued by Wirecard UK.

Latest iPhone might be replacing your car keys

Apple, which was once a pioneer of innovations in smartphones, now wants the iPhone to replace your car keys. The tech company announced at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, a new feature that uses the smartphone to unlock and start a car. Apple will first roll out the feature on the 2021 BMW 5 Series, and will eventually expand to other cars.

Pakistan-made ventilators awaiting DRAP approval for clinical trials

Around 48 Pakistan-made ventilators of different designs have been waiting for approval from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).  DRAP had previously suggested a few changes, including the addition of artificial lungs. Federal Science Minister Fawad Chaudhry has confirmed that the country will begin manufacturing ventilators for commercial purposes from next week. 

NASA astronauts head for ISS on historic SpaceX flight

Two veteran NASA astronauts were headed for the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday in Elon Musk’s SpaceX flight.. Elon Musk’s SpaceX became the first commercial company to launch a rocket carrying humans into orbit, ushering in a new era in space travel. SpaceX’s two-stage Falcon 9 rocket with astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley aboard blasted off flawlessly in a cloud of bright orange flames and smoke from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center for a 19-hour voyage to the space station.

Arizona takes Google to court for tracking location

The US state of Arizona filed a lawsuit Wednesday accusing Google of committing fraud by being deceptive about gathering location data. Arizona attorney general Mark Brnovich said the suit resulted from an investigation launched two years ago. As a media report said that Google had ways of knowing where users were even if they opted not to share location information with the internet firm.

Apple, Google launch digital contact tracing system

Tech giants Apple and Google released an initial version of their software tool that will make it possible for 23 nations to release coronavirus contact-tracing apps. It will alert users when they came into contact with people who were COVID-19 positive. But authorities would have to stop requiring phone numbers from users under the companies’ rules. 

Dog-like robot ensures social distancing in Singapore

Singapore has unveiled ‘Spot’, a dog-like robot that ensures park goers practice social distancing to avoid contracting COVID-19. The Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot reminds people to keep a safe distance from one another with a recorded message. Spot is currently deployed in the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and equipped with cameras and built-in sensors that help it walk without colliding into anything.

WhatsApp may allow more users in group calls

WhatsApp  seems to be planning to increase the number of users in group audio and video calls. WhatsApp Beta watchers claim to have discovered a revealing string of code in the app’s Android beta version 2.2.128. Beta apps are just some trial versions of the actual WhatsApp version. This development is most likely prompted by a sudden, sharp rise in video calling during the pandemic.

Apple rolls out cheaper iPhone as pandemic curbs spending

Apple is releasing a new iPhone that will be vastly cheaper than the previous models as pandemic curbed spending. The second-generation iPhone SE introduced will sell for $399, a 40 per cent markdown from the iPhone 11 unveiled last year. Higher-end versions of the iPhone 11 sell for more than $1,000. Online orders for the iPhone SE will begin Friday, with the first deliveries expected April 24.

This Pakistani Android app helps you test coronavirus at home

The Aga Khan University (AKU), in a revolutionary step, has introduced a new Android app which helps you test coronavirus at home. The new app, called CoronaCheck can now actually spare you a trip to the hospital. The AKU had announced in March, that they were suspending tests of patients due to the hospital being overwhelmed with incoming patients and lack of medical kits.