Author: Lucy

Will you soon be making mobile payments through Facebook Messenger?

| April 5, 2016

The mobile app is reportedly adding a number of surprising features including “secret chats” among others.

Following changes made to the Facebook Messenger app including giving it its own virtual assistant, rumor has it that this popular messaging application will soon also have mobile payments among other options that appeal to its users.

Many media outlets are speculating that smartphone based payments and “secret chats” will be on their way.

Privacy is among the latest hot topics when it comes to mobile technology, so the ability to bring an added level of encryption that would make it possible to hold secret chats would potentially also help to keep mobile payments secure, in theory. The idea is not necessarily an off the wall one. If a large enough investment is being made into keeping chats secure then it might makes sense for Facebook to apply this type of mobile security to other features, as well. As mobile wallets are blossoming everywhere nowadays, this addition to the social media platform could be a logical next step.

Despite the fact that mobile payments and secret chats have been mentioned regularly, details are not immediately available.

Facebook - Mobile PaymentsThere have been many speculations as to what would be involved in the new features that have been suggested for the Facebook Messenger app. For example, using separate password protection for specific chats could make an interesting difference to the security level available for certain discussions between users.

The main thought with regards to the smartphone payments aspect is that the messenger app would make it possible to send money to family and friends who are also users. This could suggest that the social network is seeking to compete with other digital payments platforms such as Android Pay, Apple Pay and even PayPal.

The feature that was identified in a leak that has been spread by several media sources indicated that the app could be used for mobile payments in store. This could mean that Facebook is seeking to reach far out and beyond communicating with people the users already know. At the time of the writing of this article, the company had yet to confirm or deny any of these claims.

Virtual reality roller coaster debuts at Six Flags Magic Mountain

| March 31, 2016

One of the first ever VR rides of this nature has now launched in the country in partnership with Samsung.

As of Friday, March 25, 2016, Six Flags Magic Mountain has released a new roller coaster using virtual reality goggles to help to add to the overall experience of the ride as guests experience every loop, twist and turn.

The New Revolution ride has now been launched at the theme park, in partnership with Samsung.

The purpose of the virtual reality experience on the Six Flags roller coaster is to help to give adrenaline junkies a more thrilling experience than the classic form of attraction at the park. The roller coaster provides every rider with VR goggles that give them the sensation of being a co-pilot in a fighter jet’s cockpit. They’ll feel every movement as they travel along the traditional roller coaster, but what they’ll be seeing is an even more enhanced experience to match it.

The virtual reality display aligns with the movements of the roller coaster’s tracks and provides a 360 degree view.

As the riders twist and turn their way along the roller coaster track, they’ll be able to see a city that is under attack by aliens in a very realistic VR three dimensional view. The ride starts as the riders whip their way through narrow city streets before they take off over top of the skyline, avoiding skyscrapers and other obstacles as the alien drones shoot at them.

One of the ride’s features makes it possible for the riders to tap the VR headsets they’re wearing in order to be able to fire the guns on their digital jet in order to attempt to hit the targets that are appearing throughout the time that the coaster ascends the lift.

This is meant to be only the first of a number of virtual reality roller coasters that will be added to Six Flags parks across the United States. It will represent the first wave of roller coasters to launch in North America this year, say park officials. In fact, there will be nine other Six Flags parks to launch their own VR coasters. Texas already launched its Six Flags VR Shock Wave on March 10.