Security bug in health app Docket exposed COVID-19 vaccine records

A security bug in the health app Docket exposed the private information of residents vaccinated against COVID-19 in New Jersey and Utah, TechCrunch reports.

Docket is one of several so-called vaccine passports in the U.S., allowing residents to show their vaccination records — or a scannable QR code — for getting into events, restaurants or crossing into countries where vaccines are required.

But for a time, the app allowed anyone access to the QR codes of other vaccinated users — and all the personal and vaccine information encoded within..

TechCrunch discovered the bug on Tuesday and immediately contacted the company. Docket chief executive Michael Perretta said the bug was fixed at the server level a few hours later.

Spireon introduces the Next Generation of Its Modular Trailer Management Solution and IntelliScan Cargo Sensor

Spireon, the Vehicle Intelligence Company, is introducing the next generation of the FL Flex suite of products and IntelliScan cargo sensor under its FleetLocate product line, timed with American Trucking Association's (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition (MCE).

Built on Spireon's IntelliScan sensing technology, the new volumetric-capable sensor enables trailer managers to see not only if the trailer is loaded or unloaded with 99% accuracy, but what percent of trailer floor space is still available for loading.

It uses optical recognition and artificial intelligence technology to provide operations managers with a more precise picture of what's inside every trailer. This enables better optimization of trailer floor space, increases backhaul opportunities, and improves trailer utilization.  The next generation IntelliScan is mounted in the rear of the trailer allowing maximum visibility to the interior when loaded nose to rear providing images of an entire 53-foot trailer.

New IC supports next-generation Advanced M-FSK modulation method

Socionext Inc., ZiFiSense and Techsor announced that the companies have jointly developed a new IC SC1330, designed for ZETag, a next generation Cloud Tag that utilizes ZETA communication protocol.

The SC1330 incorporates signal processing unit which supports Advanced M-FSK modulation method, next-generation ZETA standard, and digital circuits including RISC-V CPU and various interfaces, all into a single chip to achieve small size, high functionality, performance and quality.

The Advanced M-FSK modulation is a new communication standard developed by ZiFiSense. With its enhanced error tolerance and high radio wave utilization efficiency, it can achieve a communication speed (bps) three times faster than typical LPWA methods at the same sensitivity. At the same communication speed (bps), the sensitivity (dBm) improves up to 5.3dB. It allows communication over a distance of 3km to 5km from an object moving at 120km/h.

Socionext plans to start volume production of the SC1330 in 2022. ZiFiSense will start to ship ZETag products using SC1330 in the same year.

A $21.3 Billion Global Opportunity for Retail Automation by 2026

 

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Retail Automation estimated at US$12.2 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$21.3 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 9.6% over the analysis period. PoS, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record a 10.2% CAGR and reach US$9.4 Billion by the end of the analysis period. 

After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Barcode & RFID segment is readjusted to a revised 9.5% CAGR for the next 7-year period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $4 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $3.7 Billion by 2026

The Retail Automation market in the U.S. is estimated at US$4 Billion in the year 2021. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$3.7 Billion by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 9% over the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 8.9% and 7.8% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 7.8% CAGR.

ESL Segment to Reach US$912 Million by the year 2026
In the global ESL segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 7.9% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$460.6 Million in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$786.8 Million by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets.

Senceive Launches Latest Wireless Sensor

Senceive has expanded its range of smart movement sensors with the launch of a new tilt meter – the NanoMacro.

The Senceive NanoMacro enables remote condition monitoring of infrastructure such as railways, reducing the need for site visits and giving early warning of problems.

Not much larger than a tennis ball, the NanoMacro communicates across a radio mesh network and can be used as part of an intelligent monitoring system that can respond almost instantly to an event such as a landslide by sending  warnings and images to stakeholders.

It has a fully enclosed radio aerial inside its IP69 rated enclosure – the highest ingress protection rating available. It is the first Senceive device to include NFC (near field communication) compatibility, which enables users to adjust settings directly at the sensor.

The device is ideal for a wide range of monitoring applications because it can be fitted in minutes at any angle to any surface and can report changes such as deformation, convergence, heave and settlement.

Code Corporation Streamlines Barcode Scanning for CoronaPass and ID Proof in The Netherlands

Code Corporation announced its barcode scanning technology is used with ScanID’s CheckScan solution to considerably speed up the process of checking a visitor’s CoronaPass (coronavirus entry pass) and ID Proof, verifying the visitor has been vaccinated against, have recovered from an infection or have tested negative for COVID-19.

In an effort to protect the public health and safety in the Netherlands, everyone aged 13 and up must show a coronavirus entry pass and individuals aged 14 and up must also show a valid form of ID (identity card, passport or driving license) along with their coronavirus entry pass when seeking admittance to various locations and events.

CheckScan uses Code’s CR950 and CR5200 to read the Corona QR-Code. It then automatically compares the visitor's identity card and confirms the information. CheckScan also checks the Corona QR Code for expiration date, validity and certificates from the issuing authorities. To protect privacy, CheckScan does not store any data.

CheckScan can also be used to manually compare the information in the CoronaCheck scan app developed by the government. Additionally, some municipalities in the Netherlands have introduced wristbands which allow people to enter all places in one day without having to be scanned each time they change locations. They obtain the wristband for a day, and are authorized to enter museums, restaurants, cinemas, etc. The color of the wristband is changed each day to prevent fraud. The CheckScan solution is used to issue the wristbands and stamps.

X1 Card, the Smartest Credit Card Ever Made

X1 Card, the smartest credit card ever made, is now officially available in the U.S.

X1 Card reimagines the credit card from the ground up. It harnesses the power of technology to offer smart credit limits, an unparalleled rewards program, and automated features that will transform the way you shop and spend.

X1 Card uses proprietary smart technology that lets cardholders cancel subscription payments in one click, end free trials automatically with auto-expiring virtual credit cards, get instant notifications on refunds, and create virtual cards for one-time use. Cardholders can also shop anonymously without disclosing their personal information.

X1 Card is partnered with Visa Signature, allowing cardholders to use it at more than 46 million merchants around the world. Points can be redeemed at top brands including Apple, Airbnb, Asos, Casper, Crate & Barrel, Glossier, Nike, Patagonia, Peloton, REI, Sephora, Supreme, Wayfair and more.

New sensor detects low air humidity

Measuring air humidity is important in many areas. However, conventional sensors in hygrometers have so far not been able to determine a very low water vapor content.

Physicists at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) and the Yuri Gagarin Technical University in Russia have now developed a new sensor that detects even the smallest amounts of water molecules that sink to its surface.

The detector is based on highly conductive materials known as MXenes. The sensors are also promising in another respect: they can be used in mass production.

Zyter Partners with Juganu to Deliver Digital Smart Lighting and Sensor Platform for Smart Cities

Zyter has formed a strategic partnership with Juganu, an Israel-based, smart infrastructure company. Under the terms of the agreement, Zyter will leverage Juganu’s smart lighting solutions and network connectivity framework on future smart campus and smart city implementations worldwide.

In a smart city deployment, smart lighting enables connected light sources and IoT-enabled sensors to be controlled through a single management dashboard or even a smartphone. The integration of  Zyter’s IoT platform and command center with Juganu’s connected lighting solutions platform, and sensors provide a bird’s eye view of what’s happening in a city.

When deployed on city streets, Juganu’s network connectivity framework allows municipalities to provide public Wi-Fi and data-driven insights to develop people-centered cities and spaces. In the case of emergency events, automated alerts are sent to a dashboard for fast resolution by city administrators.

A $5.8 Billion Global Opportunity for Inventory Tags by 2026

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Inventory Tags estimated at US$4.5 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$5.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% over the analysis period. Barcodes, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record a 4% CAGR and reach US$2.8 Billion by the end of the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $1.4 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $1 Billion by 2026
The Inventory Tags market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.4 Billion in the year 2021.

China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$1 Billion by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 4% over the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 3.9% and 3.5% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 4% CAGR.

Repurposed Barcode Scanners to Produce Electronic Beats

p>Using random objects to build homemade hand drums or maraca-style instruments isn’t new, but the team behind the ongoing Electronicos Fantasticos project takes the idea of repurposing unwanted materials to an imaginative level. Led by Ei Wada (previously), the Japanese musicians have spent the last few years recycling retail scanners and their barcode counterparts into synthesizer-like instruments, capitalizing on the product’s original function to produce rhythmic tracks and samples.

Major banks, retailers and fintechs to support rollout of national QR payment in Australia

Commonwealth Bank of Australia and National Australia Bank as well as supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths and fintechs Azupay, Beem It and Merchant Warrior have confirmed they will support the rollout of the national QR payments and rewards platform developed by Australia’s Eftpos payments system.

The platform, known as eQR, enables consumers to make digital wallet payments and receive rewards at physical points of sale.

The eQR platform aims to provide better experiences for consumers and merchants through 'added security, loyalty, offers and digital receipts, no matter where they choose to shop — online, on their mobile or at the checkout'.

ConnectCode Releases Barcode Label Software for Windows 11

ConnectCode announced a new version of Barcode & Label, a modern and new generation barcode label software for Windows 11. The software is designed afresh for Windows 11 to print labels that adhere strictly to industry specifications on modern devices.

Barcode & Label Software offers first-class support on Windows 11 devices for all its barcode and labeling capabilities. It provides Touch, Mouse, and Pen (Microsoft Ink) interactions naturally, prints labels with data from Microsoft People’s app (Contacts API), and works well with Windows 11 Print capabilities.

At the same time, it utilizes Windows 11 Desktop Extension SDK capabilities to print natively to Zebra Label Printers through Zebra Printer Language (ZPL). The app installs and auto-updates from Microsoft Store without any complex installer setups (typically seen in traditional archaic industrial applications). The app also executes strictly within app containers for maximum security.

Computop Close-by for fast and flexible payment via NFC

For a long time, contactless payment with a smartphone was only possible with methods such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. Apple has still not opened its NFC interface for other payment solutions.

But with the new Computop Close-by service, the use of NFC signals for payment is about to become much easier for retailers and service providers. Using this solution, the payment process will shift to the smartphone - without an app and without registration.

The launch of Computop Close-by is set against a backdrop of change in how payments are being made, particularly in retail. Paying online without POS terminals, even at vending machines or in shops, is very easy thanks to passive NFC tags or the use of an active NFC transmitter to call up a ready-configured payment page on the smartphone.

Compared to calling up a QR code, the NFC method is simpler and more secure. Modern smartphones respond directly to the NFC signal without having to activate the device and camera app. In addition, QR codes are easy to forge, while NFC coding is permanent and cannot be overwritten. Overlapping by a fraudulent signal is also ruled out, as smartphones do not react to overlapping radio signals.

Socket Mobile NFC readers and blockchain make for powerful combination

Socket Mobile's NFC reader/writer has been selected by a new powerful blockchain application. Combining NFC and blockchain has become the backbone of many anti-counterfeit solutions. NFC provides an extra level of security for each transactions record or key, and the blockchain rounds out the solution to combat counterfeiting by providing complete, secure, and auditable supply chains.

Parsl, one of Socket's application developer partners, recently announced their blockchain based track and trace solution for the cannabis industry uses the Socket Mobile D600 NFC reader/writer to capture and deliver a unique identifier that can be used to verify a product's location, record its movement, and mark it as sold or destroyed.

Prior to implementing the Socket D600 NFC reader/writer, Parsl's retail partners relied on smartphones and other mobile devices to read and write product tags. Adding support for the Socket Mobile D600 NFC reader/writer has allowed one of Parsl's retailers to reduce staff time by 82%.

Ultra-high accuracy versions to the SHT4x humidity and temperature sensor

Sensirion is launching two new versions of its fourth-generation humidity sensors. The SHT41 and SHT45 offer further improved humidity and temperature accuracy specifications, setting the new market and technology standard.

In line with Sensirion's industry-proven humidity and temperature sensors, the SHT4x series offers an unmatched price-performance ratio. Tape and reel packaging, combined with its suitability for standard SMD assembly processes, make the SHT4x series ideal for high-volume applications.

The SHT41 is now available worldwide through Sensirion's distribution network; the SHT45 will follow in Q1/2022.

NFC authenticates face masks

Consumers purchasing face masks manufactured by US-based personal protective equipment (PPE) provider Aegle will be able to verify the authenticity of their purchase using a NFC chip.

Every box has an embedded NFC (near field communication) [chip] providing consumers with peace of mind.

The company has added NFC authentication to its product because of the abundance of counterfeit masks on the market.

SDK Makes NFC App Designing Easier

Identiv wants to make Near Field Communication (NFC) technology use and development easier for those who build apps.

The company has launched a software development kit (SDK) as part of its uCreate NFC offering. The uCreate platform comes with a selection of common tag types, software source code for programming and a mobile app.

The NFC and RFID transponder company for authentication and security solutions was formed in 2010 by employees from SCM Microsystems, Blue-Hill ID and Hirsch Electronics. Its customers include organizations in the government, enterprise, consumer, education, healthcare and transportation sectors.

Texas Instruments Unveils 3D Position Sensor

 

Texas Instruments has introduced a new sensor that can help smart factories operate with more precise, real-time control.

Its new TMAG5170 is the industry’s most accurate 3D Hall-effect position sensor, according to Texas Instruments.

The sensor also provides integrated functions and diagnostics to maximize design flexibility and system safety.

The TMAG5170 is the first device in a new TI family of 3D Hall-effect position sensors targeting a range of industrial needs, from ultra-high performance to general purpose, TI says.

Venture Block partners with ISBC Innovations to provide blockchain solutions for RFID

Venture Block Pte. Ltd has partnered with RFID tech company ISBC Innovations (ISBC) to provide blockchain solutions to radio-frequency identification card products

Venture Block offers blockchain software solutions mainly targeting the financial and technology industries. Through the ISBC partnership, Venture Block aims to use its expertise in blockchain technology to enhance the products of ISBC.

The ISBC manufactures patented RFID paper products, access control, multifunctional wearables and security systems. The biggest security challenge it faces is counterfeiting and current anti-counterfeiting solutions on the market have been fallible due to reliance on centralised systems to verify authenticity.

Venture Block seeks to eliminate these challenges by adding RFID smart paper security hangtags, labels, and certificates that are verified through blockchain technology, a decentralised system, to provide an additional layer of security that is easily verifiable.

The Next-Generation RFID as EAS System

CONTROLTEK has released InFlight RFID, the world’s thinnest suspended RFID as EAS reader to elevate retail loss prevention to new heights.

The reader uses LiDAR time-of-flight sensors to detect the speed and direction in which a tag is moving, providing highly accurate location tracking data that can be used for theft detection, asset tracking, real-time inventory management, and more.

In addition to virtually eliminating false alarms, InFlight RFID’s state-of-the-art technology tells retailers exactly what item has left the store so retailers can replenish merchandise.

Apple Pay goes live in Bahrain

 

Apple Pay has rolled out in Bahrain with support for Mastercard and Visa cards.

NBB, BBK and ila have all announced that the service is now available to their customers.

The rollout in Bahrain follows Apple Pay’s launch in Qatar in August.

Michigan State University’s Axia Institute Announces the Launch of Axia Lab

The Axia Institute of Michigan State University announced the creation of Axia Lab, a premier research and consulting service leading the way in radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged item assessments, testing, compliance, and technical implementations.

Axia Lab provides a neutral environment to facilitate impartial testing of the performance of RFID-tagged items according to GS1 Standards.

Axia Lab conducts testing and validation of tagged items according to GS1’s Tagged-Item Performance Protocol (TIPP) testing, to ensure that serialization using RFID-tags is deployed using a globally accepted standard. Axia Lab’s testing is designed to eliminate the need for in-house tag performance tests along with the associated resources, time and expense. TIPP is a standardized test method that can be repeated and independently verified by all stakeholders, providing performance grades for tagged items, not only tags or inlays.

Importantly, these grades enable stakeholders to communicate their actual tagging requirements more accurately. TIPP makes RFID characterization easy for the end user, as dBm levels, orientation pattern, detuning and proximity effects are all included in a grade. For example, acquiring a TIPP grade of "S05V" includes all necessary requirements.

Cenango unveils RFID app RMR 1.0

Cenango announced the release of their RFID Inventory app. This release allows Cenango to support their clients no matter where they are located remotely.

Cenango RMR 1.0 is equipped with robust features such as find-a-file, where the end-user can pan an area to look for a file, and then the reader will ID the file, finding its unique RFID number among other RFID tagged files.

The result is efficiency that saves money for businesses. RMR 1.0 was designed with usability in mind, with intuitive technologies that allow users to interact by touch on a multi-view graphical interface.

IoT Technology Market worth $566.4 billion by 2027

According to a research report "IoT Technology Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis - Global Forecast to 2027", published by MarketsandMarkets, the IoT technology market is expected to grow from USD 384.5 billion in 2021 to USD 566.4 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 6.7%.

The market growth can be attributed to several factors, such as emergence of 5G communications technology, increasing necessity of data centers due to rising adoption of cloud platforms, growing use of wireless smart sensors and networks, and increased IP address space and better security solutions made available through IPv6.

By using IoT, assets located anywhere can be monitored. There are some benefits that manual monitoring or traditional monitoring systems using older connections (such as serial or POTS) cannot offer. Thats where IoT monitoring systems come in. The key advantages of these systems are less costs, data collection, enhanced efficiency of monitoring processes, and proactive maintenance.

North America held the largest share in the IoT technology market in 2020. Increasing penetration of the internet in technologically advancing economies and growing adoption of wireless sensors and networks across major end-use applications such as healthcare, retail, consumer electronics, industrial, and automotive and transportation have resulted in the growth of the global IoT technology market. North America held the largest volume share in 2020. An established IT ecosystem and early adoption of various IoT-enabled products across multiple end-use applications are the most prominent factors behind the growth of the market this region.

Wozart Unveil Occupancy Multi-Sensor

 

Wozart, the Smart Home tech company, has unveiled their latest product designed to work with Apple HomeKit.

The Sense Pro uses a combination of methods including thermal imaging, and built-in AI, to determine if people are in a given room, as well as whether a person has entered or exited the room, with the sensor designed to sit above the entrance to a room.

The Sense Pro goes more than a little further, however, with additional sensors for temperature, humidity, and ambient light.

StickerGiant.com will be taken over by Resource Label Group

StickerGiant.com will be taken over by Resource Label Group, a portfolio company of Ares Management Corporation. The specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Created by John Fischer in 2000 as one of the first online sticker companies, StickerGiant has evolved into an industry leader in the eCommerce custom label and sticker manufacturing channel.

Resource Label Group is a leading pressure sensitive label, shrink sleeve and RFID/NFC manufacturer with diverse product offerings for the food, beverage, chemical, household products, personal care, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, and technology industries.

Headquartered in Franklin, TN, Resource Label Group  employs over 1600 associates in the U.S. and Canada.

Scotch & Soda Opens 22 New Shops Globally, uses RFID

Amsterdam-based lifestyle fashion brand Scotch & Soda announces an acceleration of its growth strategy which includes the opening 15 new brick-and-mortar stores and 7 new shop-in-shops by the end of the year in Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, and the Middle East.

The year-end retail expansion includes new directly operated and franchise stores in key global cities such as Paris, Madrid, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Gothenburg, Riyadh, Mumbai, Bucharest, Dortmund, Stuttgart and Perth.

The acceleration of Scotch & Soda's global retail network will be combined with the brand's omnichannel and unified commerce ambition, to be completed in the Spring of 2022. This follows the integration of RFID technology in partnership with Nedap for stock level optimization, as well as the opening of a new 27,500-square-metre warehouse in Hoofddorp, in the outskirts of Amsterdam. The new warehouse will include a roof entirely fitted with solar panels and automatically irrigated vertical gardens.

EVRYTHNG and EM MICROELECTRONIC Partner to Help Consumer Goods Brands Achieve End-to-End Traceability

EVRYTHNG announced it has partnered with EM MICROELECTRONIC, the ultra-low-power semiconductor company of the Swatch Group and an RFID industry pioneer for more than 30 years.

Together, the two companies are helping global brands achieve end-to-end product traceability through the supply chain from the sourcing of raw materials to post-purchase recycling or recommerce.

For the first time, brands can use one on-product tag to address all possible applications through the life cycle of a product. The EVRYTHNG – EM MICROELECTRONIC collaboration combines the power of the EVRYTHNG Product Cloud with EM’s em|echo-V dual-frequency tags and GS1 Digital Link.

The EM em|echo-V tags marry RFID technology for manufacturing and supply chain applications with NFC technology for consumer scanning via a mobile phone.  Combining these innovative technologies with the GS1 Digital Link standard means products can be digitally activated at mass scale.

These are the Winners of FDA’s Low- or No-Cost Food Traceability Challenge

Recently, the FDA announced the 12 winners of the FDA New Era of Smarter Food Safety Low- or No-Cost Tech-Enabled Traceability Challenge launched as part of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (COMPETES Act). There were 90 submissions, with the winning teams representing the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. Submitting teams also hailed from Australia, China, England, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and Taiwan.

A goal of the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety initiative is to achieve end-to-end traceability – from source to table – throughout the food safety system. The FDA wants to explore ways to encourage firms to voluntarily adopt tracing technologies and harmonize tracing activities, working toward outcomes that are achievable for all sectors of the system producing human and animal foods.

One of the goals in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety blueprint is to encourage the development of creative financial models that are low- to no-cost solutions, proportional to benefits derived from participating, and enable human and animal food operations of all sizes to participate in a scalable, cost-effective way.

RFID Tags Market Implements Advanced Technologies As It Grows At Rate Of 16%

The global radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags market is expected to grow from $10.53 billion in 2020 to $12.21 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16%.

The change in growth trend in the RFID tags market is mainly due to the companies stabilizing their output after catering to the demand that grew exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The RFID tags market is expected to reach $18.94 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 11.6%.

North America was the largest region in the radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags market in 2020. The regions covered in the RFID tags market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.

The main types of radio-frequency identification tags are active RFID and passive RFID. The active RFID tags are battery-powered sensor tags that connect to various access points throughout an area (such as a building) and transfer data to the cloud. Active RFID is frequently used in real-time location tracking. The different materials include plastic, paper, glass, others and operate in various frequencies such as low frequency, high frequency, ultra-high frequency. These are used in several applications including agriculture, retail and wholesale, healthcare, BFSI, transpiration and logistics, education, and others.

'Military’s RFID Tracking of Guns May Endanger Troops'

Reports that the military has started outfitting firearms with RFID tags for tracking have raised security alarms, according to Threat Post.

The Department of Defense, the Marines and the Navy have already rejected the RFID tagging tech for that specific reason. With the right equipment. you could read an active RFID tag from a couple of hundred meters away without much problem.

However, five Air Force bases are operating at least one RFID armory, along with a Florida-based Green Beret unit that uses RFID in just a 'few' armories.

InPlay's NanoBeacon Named RFID Journal's Best New Product of 2021

In recognition of InPlay's innovative design and game changer in the RFID industry, RFID Journal awarded InPlay's newly launched NanoBeacon product - IN100 the prestigious "RFID Journal's Best New Product of 2021" award at the just-held RFID Journal Live industry show in Phoenix, AZ.

RFID Journal is the world's first independent media company devoted solely to radio frequency identification and its many business applications. by far, it has become the world's leading source of RFID news and insights.

The IN100 integrates with the latest Bluetooth 5 technology and supports both traditional LE advertising and extended advertising. It supports the 1Mbps PHY as well as 125Kbps coded PHY, which gives it a big boost for long range wireless applications.

The device features a firmware-less design that eliminates the hassle of understanding complex Bluetooth communication protocols, making it a true configure-and-use design. The IN100 also supports various types of sensor interfaces, including analog signals and digital interfaces such as I2C. Developers can easily connect it to analog or digital sensors, configure sensor thresholds, and once the threshold is reached, wirelessly distribute alarms or raw sensor data information via its Bluetooth over-the-air interface.

Apple to face EU antitrust charge over NFC chip

Apple will be hit with an EU antitrust charge over its NFC chip technology, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Preliminary concerns are Apple's NFC chip which enables tap-and-go payments on iPhones, its terms and conditions on how mobile payment service Apple Pay should be used in merchants' apps and websites, and the company's refusal to allow rivals access to its payment system.

The European Commission has since narrowed its focus to just the NFC chip, which can only be accessed by Apple Pay.

Market Pay strengthens its contactless payment expertise with the acquisition of Dejamobile

 

Market Pay, the European and omnichannel payment platform, today announces the acquisition of Dejamobile, a French fintech. Dejamobile becomes a subsidiary of Market Pay.

Dejamobile develops digital transaction software solutions targeting the payment, transport and retail industries. Its white-labelled solutions are marketed globally to merchants, banks, fintechs and merchant service providers.

Certified according to market standards, Dejamobile solutions enable them to offer innovative and certified digital payment solutions based on the latest technologies (NFC, HCE, Token, QR Code).

Market Pay and Dejamobile have already successfully partnered pre-acquisition by developing PayWish, an innovative service for mobile purchasing experiences through a contactless payment application on Android smartphones and tablets.

This deal is the second acquisition for Market Pay this month, following the acquisition of the Acoustic Payment platform.

Ericsson IoT Accelerator Cloud Connect simplifies connecting cellular IoT devices to AWS

Enterprises on Ericsson IoT Accelerator-managing cellular devices such as sensors, meters, or tracking devices now have a much simpler way to connect to the already secure AWS server through Ericsson's IoT Accelerator Cloud Connect, which moves complex encryption from the device to the edge of the cellular network.

Communication service providers (CSPs) play a crucial role in the IoT ecosystem, providing global cellular connectivity using Ericsson IoT Accelerator. With more than 35 global CSPs already on Ericsson's IoT Accelerator, enterprises of any size can manage the connectivity of their devices worldwide.

Connecting to AWS IoT Core requires each connected device to use Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption for all communications. With Cloud Connect, the IoT Accelerator service offers a plug-and-play alternative. In this, enterprises benefit from simple activation of devices that tunnel to the edge of the cellular infrastructure before automatically self-provisioning to AWS and securely connecting via Cloud Connect generated encryption and keys.

ABN Amro lets customers make cardless ATM withdrawals

Customers of ABN Amro in the Netherlands can now make contactless cash withdrawals from ATMs with their mobile banking app.

To use the service, customers scan a QR code on the ATM with their Android or iOS smartphone.

“Clients increasingly want to have all their payment solutions on their mobile phones,” says the bank’s director of payments.

USD 18.11 Billion Growth expected in Barcode Scanner Market by 2025

The Barcode Scanner market will grow at a CAGR of 3.71% by 2025, according to new research.

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the moderate bargaining power of suppliers.

This makes it extremely important to get the pricing and pricing model right. Buyers should align their preferred pricing models for Barcode Scanner with the wider industry and identify the cost-saving potential.

Lime fights back against QR code snatchers

Lime, the e-bike and scooter-hire company, is modifying its vehicles to stop people peeling off the QR codes, BBC reports.

To hire a vehicle, customers must scan the QR code using the Lime app.

Lime said vandals had been peeling the stickers off. It has now started sealing the QR codes behind a plastic layer to thwart trouble-makers.

AirTag vulnerability turns tracker into Trojan horse

A recently discovered AirTag weakness allows attackers to redirect users to a malicious webpage when the device is scanned in Lost Mode. The feature assists in the return of lost items like car keys if the Find My network fails to locate a lost AirTag.

Researcher Bobby Rauch has uncovered a vulnerability that turns Lost Mode into a potential attack vector.

The researcher informed Apple about the vulnerability on June 20 and said he planned to make the information public in 90 days, as per typical disclosure protocols.

'Agriculture accelerates IoT adoption in response to COVID-19'

Inmarsat research reveals a rapid increase in levels of industrial IoT maturity in 2021, with agricultural businesses accelerating IoT adoption in response to COVID-19

According to the research, adoption has seen huge progress from 2020 to 2021, with automation and cost savings the greatest drivers.

Four-fifths (80%) of agricultural respondents have now fully deployed at least one IoT project, with 53% having achieved this in the 12-month period from the second quarter of 2020. Of the remaining 20% of agricultural respondents that have not yet adopted IoT in any form, all of them are either currently trialing it, or plan to deploy or trial at least one IoT project in the next two years.

SolidRun Releases SolidSense N8 IoT Compact Edge Gateway with Wirepas Massive Support

SolidRun, a developer and manufacturer of high-performance edge computing solutions, announced the addition of SolidSense N8 Compact IoT to its line of SolidSense-branded enterprise-grade IoT edge gateways.

Building upon SolidRun's partnership with Wirepas, the new SolidSense N8 IoT Compact features Wirepas Linux Gateway software that enables reliable, massive-scale communications from Wirepas Massive-enabled devices backhauled over cellular, Wi-Fi or ethernet connections. Additionally, Wirepas provides built-in support for communication with Wirepas cloud assets, such as network diagnostics and positioning engines.

The SolidSense N8 IoT Compact can support up to two Wirepas radio interfaces, which benefit further from Wirepas Massive's unique automatic multi-gateway and load-balancing support, which automatically gives higher data throughput. These features allow SolidSense gateways to support large Wirepas mesh networks with massive data requirements. Using its powerful networking and processing capabilities, SolidSense gateways seamlessly integrate Wirepas mesh capabilities into any enterprise IoT network.