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Factory reset enables stolen Apple Watches

Michelle Avenant
By Michelle Avenant, portals journalist.
Johannesburg, 15 May 2015

In this week's Worldwide Wrap, we find out about the Apple Watch's critical security flaw, Fujitsu's iris-scanning smartphone, and the new Facebook feature that could be "a nightmare" for Google.

Factory reset enables stolen Apple Watches

While the Apple Watch is equipped with a passcode to prevent thieves or prying eyes finding the user's sensitive data, this passcode does not bar access to the factory reset feature, allowing a thief to simply erase all data and pair the device with their own iPhone.

The iPhone is fitted with activation lock, a security setting which demands the permission of the original user before the device can be set up with a different Apple account.
Via: The Guardian

Fujitsu smartphone

A new smartphone made by Fujitsu and sold by Japanese mobile operator NTT Docomo uses an infrared LED and a special camera to scan the user's iris instead of asking for a password.

As biometrics vie to replace the password system that proves too easy for cyber criminals to crack, iris scans promise to be harder to fool and easier to use than fingerprint identification systems.
Via: The Guardian

Facebook threatens Google

The Facebook app's new "add a link" feature allows users to search for and share links that have already been shared on Facebook.

Wired has called the addition a "Google nightmare" because it pulls users away from the search engine they relied on for such actions in the past.
Via: Wired

Catwalk drones

Instead of models, Silicon Valley Fashion Week this week featured drones hovering down its catwalk, carrying clothing on display.

"There's so much potential for [drones]," said Chris Lindland, CEO of online clothing company Betabrand. "Advertising in parks, marketing at baseball games and, of course, fashion. Slowly but surely, drones are going into the mainstream."
Via: International Business Times

Conserve wildlife with emojis

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has harnessed the power of emojis to conserve endangered animals.

WWF's #EndangeredEmoji campaign allows users who sign up by retweeting their announcement tweet to donate money to conservation efforts by tweeting animal emojis found on Android, iOS and desktop keyboards.
Via: Mashable

Tweet-a-pizza with emojis

Domino's Pizza now allows its regulars in the US to order pizza simply by tweeting a pizza emoji.

Provided the user has registered their Twitter handle with their Domino's Pizza profile, Domino's will send the customer a direct message to confirm their order before the pizza is on its way.
Via: Mashable

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