Hasta La Gadget!

There is a lot of concern over the security of our personal data these days, what with the NSA spying on us and retailers like Target and Neiman Marcus having their security compromised and customer data stolen, so the last thing we really need is to find out that your daily trips to Starbucks could potentially end up costing you more than a venti-sized iced caramel macchiato. According to Daniel Wood, a security researcher, he found that the Starbucks mobile payment app is actually not as secure as you might think. In fact it was found that the mobile payment app actually stores your personal data, like GPS location, passwords, email, addresses, and etc. all in a plain text file, meaning that anyone with access to your phone and a computer will have no problems retrieving the information.

This was an issue with the app back in 2013 which the company has claimed to have improved upon, but Wood found out that was not the case as the information was still just as accessible as before. Starbucks has since confirmed and acknowledged the security flaw to Computerworld but reassures customers that they have security measures in place and that usernames and passwords are safe. We’re sure many would have thought the same of Target and Neiman Marcus as well, but the recent events have proven otherwise. In any case hopefully Starbucks will be addressing this issue (again) soon for the sake of coffee drinkers around the world.

Starbucks Mobile Payment App Stores Credentials As Plain Text Files original content from Ubergizmo.

Windows Phone owners, if you’re looking to get your hands on a dating app on your phone, you’re in luck because Rudy Huyn has officially released his 6tindr app! For those hearing about this for the first time, 6tindr is Huyn’s unofficial app for Tinder on Windows Phone. A few days ago Huyn teased that the app was near completion and now it looks like it can be downloaded from the Windows Phone store for those who are interested! Huyn is pretty popular as far as Windows Phone developers are concerned and has in the past released unofficial apps for big-name apps such as Instagram and Vine, just to name a few. He has also released his own original apps as well which have gotten some pretty positive feedback, so while we’re not sure if Tinder will ever release an official Windows Phone app, you will at least have Huyn’s version.

For those who might be unfamiliar with Tinder, it’s a matchmaking app designed for mobile devices. What makes it different from other online dating or matchmaking services is that you are not allowed to message the other person unless both of you “like” each others profile. That way both of you admit there is some form of mutual attraction which might make it easier, as opposed to having to fend off spam messages from multiple random strangers who might not necessarily be your type. 6tindr is a free download so if you have a couple of minutes and want to see what all the fuss is about, take it for a spin!

6tindr For Windows Phone Now Available For Download original content from Ubergizmo.

In-app purchases are a great way for developers to make money out of their apps, which only bring in money when they’re purchased. Some developers offer apps for free but limit functionality, requiring users to pay to unlock more features. Now adults might be able to pace themselves when it comes to in-app purchases, kids generally aren’t so responsible. Quite a few cases have been reported in the past when parents found out that their kids had racked up hundreds of dollars in credit card purchases while playing games. A complaint was filed against Apple for billing consumers even though parents hadn’t consented to those purchases. Cupertino has now settled with the FTC, it has agreed to modify its billing practices and to refund consumers by paying a minimum of $32.5 million.

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Apple Settles FTC Complaint, To Pay $32.5 Million In Refunds original content from Ubergizmo.

As it’s done in the past with Android, Box is offering 50GB of free storage for new iPhone and iPad users following its latest iOS redesign.

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Just as we did a year ago, I’m kicking off 2014 with a list of design trends I expect to gain ground over the next twelve months. The world of interactive design is an extreme fluid in terms of what’s determined as a staple of good design from year to year.

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