GoKawiil
Tech News
Multiple Pixel owners across the 8, 9, 10, and 11 series say contactless payments and transit passes have been working inconsistently since last week, with a restart being the only apparent fix. The cause remains unidentified, and reports include devices running the latest Android and Google Play Services builds.
The Brick device blocks distracting apps via an NFC chip that users tap to start and stop blocking sessions, but this functionality can be replicated using blank NFC tags costing about a dollar or printed QR codes. Free apps such as Foqos for iOS, built by developer Ali Waseem, let users configure app-blocking profiles tied to NFC tags, QR codes, barcodes, or daily schedules, and can prevent users from disabling the block by deleting the app.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White certified a class of banks and credit unions that issued Apple Pay-enabled cards and paid transaction fees to Apple, allowing them to jointly pursue a 2022 lawsuit. The judge also rejected Apple's bid to strike expert testimony plaintiffs say demonstrates Apple's monopoly over mobile wallets. The suit claims Apple has collected up to $1 billion a year by requiring card issuers to pay 0.15% on credit transactions and half a cent on debit transactions while blocking rival wallets from the iPhone's NFC chip.
A Sony patent published September 17, 2026 (filed March 2025) describes a PlayStation controller with NFC capability that could let users tap a phone or swipe a card against it to make purchases. The filing outlines uses including buying games, adding funds via gift cards, transferring player IDs, letting guests join multiplayer sessions, and sending screenshots or recordings to a phone.
A Sony patent published September 17, filed in March 2025, describes a system letting a PlayStation controller accept payments when a user taps it with a credit card, smartphone, or gift card. Diagrams show scenarios like confirming a game purchase or redeeming a gift card directly through the DualSense, using NFC or Bluetooth. The patent illustrations depict existing PS5 hardware rather than any new console or controller.
Google Wallet payment failures often stem from disabled NFC settings, incomplete card setup, or phone cases interfering with the NFC antenna. Users can troubleshoot by checking Payment Setup in the app, confirming NFC is enabled in phone settings, and testing whether removing a case resolves tap-to-pay problems. Unlike Apple Wallet, Google Wallet doesn't require opening the app since it defaults to a preset card.
Both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet let users store payment cards, loyalty cards, tickets and NFC-based passes like hotel or car keys, with setup requiring only a few taps and bank verification. The key difference lies in flexibility: Apple Wallet generally requires official integration from airlines, retailers or other providers, though iOS 27 now allows custom passes for unsupported items. Google Wallet has long supported importing tickets from Gmail and includes an 'Everything Else' feature for digitizing photos of any card, such as gym or library passes.
A car shopper evaluating new electric vehicles describes being unable to find a model, even at higher price points, that avoids a cluster of recurring design irritations. The list includes oversized panoramic glass roofs that overheat cabins, touchscreen-only controls replacing physical buttons for everyday functions, smartphone or NFC-based key systems instead of traditional fobs, awkward electronic door handles, poorly tuned driver-assistance alerts, and EVs that lack proper one-pedal driving. The author cites specific frustrations with a Volvo EX30, including needing to use the touchscreen mid-drive for cruise control distance, headlights, and climate settings.
Yoto has announced a fourth-generation Yoto Player and a refreshed Yoto Mini, both aimed at kids' audio listening without needing a smartphone. The new Player adds a green dial for quick access to up to 20 favorite tracks or stories without inserting a Yoto Card, plus 64GB storage, faster downloads and simplified routine settings. The redesigned Mini is now rugged and water/dust-resistant, holds up to 1,000 hours of audio, and also supports card-free playback via the same green button.
Apple Wallet is the iPhone (and Apple Watch) app that stores digital cards, IDs, boarding passes, tickets and loyalty cards, while Apple Pay is the payment service that actually processes transactions using cards saved in Wallet. Making a purchase in-store involves tapping an NFC terminal and double-pressing the side button, then confirming identity via Face ID, Touch ID or a PIN, whereas online purchases work much like PayPal by selecting a stored card and authenticating.
Circular has released two new smart rings, the Ring 3 Pro and Ring 3 Slim, combining health tracking features with NFC-based contactless payment support and haptic feedback. The move puts Circular ahead of rival Oura in offering payment functionality directly on a smart ring.
Google has rolled out Play Services version 26.35, which lets Android users tap their physical transit cards against an NFC-enabled phone to import the card and its balance into Google Wallet. The update also adds a redesigned 'Add a card' success screen and various account management and location-sharing improvements. Separately, Google Play Store version 53.1 introduces a new navigation bar and short feature descriptions in the 'Similar Apps' section.