Starbucks App Adds Fingerprint Support in Latest Update

If you use the Starbucks app on your Android phone, there is a new update rolling out that you will want to get as soon as you can.  Version 4.4.0.1 brings a lot of updates and improvements to the app with the headline new feature being fingerprint scanner support.

The support for fingerprint scanning allows you to log in, reload, transfer balances and purchases eGifts within the app by using your fingerprint for authentication.  All of these functions were in the app prior, it just required your password each time you wanted to do one of these things.  You can still have it use your account’s password but if you have a phone with a fingerprint scanner, you can enable it to get things done quicker within the Starbucks app.

Reminder – Samsung Galaxy S8 Unlocked Still $575 on Amazon

Earlier this week, I let you know about a Today’s Deal on the powerful flagship Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy S8.  The good news is, you can still pick up the unlocked version of the phone with 64GB of storage in Midnight Black for $574.99.  That’s $150 off the original price of the phone.

The 5.8″ Galaxy S8 will be powered by the octa-core Snapdragon 835 processor running four cores at 2.3GHz and the other four running at 1.9GHz.  It is coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage which is expandable up to an additional 256GB thanks to the MicroSD card.  The display renders at 2960 x 1440 QuadHD with an impressive 571 PPI.  Powering all of it is a 3000mAh battery which is charged with inductive charging.

Camera wise, the rear shooter is a 12MP camera with OIS and has a f/1.7 aperture.  On the front is an 8MP camera.  The S8 is IPS68 rating meaning it is water and dust proof.

Today’s Deal – AUKEY USB-C Cable 5 Pack is $14.99 on Amazon

Today’s Deal over at Amazon is on a 5-pack of AUKEY USB-C cables for $14.99.  The pack contains one 1′ cable, three 3′ cables, and one 6′ cable so you will have plenty of options for getting your phone charged in various locations.  Equally as important, on the USB-A side, they are USB 3.0 standard.  That means you will get up to 5GB/sec of transfer speed.  That makes this particular deal especially good given most of the time these cables are the slower USB 2.0 standard.

These cables from AUKEY are compatible with any USB-C device:  Phones, Tablets and MacBooks which have the port.  As you likely know, USB-C is reversible so it doesn’t matter how you insert the cable into your device, it works and charges your devices or can transfer data between them.

AUKEY backs up the pack of cables with a 24 month warranty so you if by chance you haven’t heard of them, you know you are going to get support should something go wrong.  Personally, I have this pack of cables and I have found them both excellent performers but also very durable.  They seem to be able to withstand the testing of being bent and not fraying or cracking.

For those of you who are Amazon Prime members, the shipping on the cables is free.

Head over to Amazon to check out the deal and to order.  There is no limit to the number you buy but as is often the case, when supplies go the shipping will be delayed until new stock arrives.

Today’s Deal on Amazon – AUKEY USB-C 5-Pack for $14.99

Latest Google Play Books Update Brings Shelves to Your Library

Google Play Books for Android has a new update rolling out in the Play Store, bringing with it a new shelves concept to your library.  The update, version 3.14.17 for those keeping score at home, allows you to quickly sort your books by those you have not started reading, those you are currently reading, and those you have completed.  This makes it easier to find that book you are currently reading instead of having to wade through the list of books you have already completed.

The update allows you to mark any book in your library as finished but, interestingly, it does not allow you to mark a book as not started.  This could be a handy feature if there is a book you started a while back, never completed, and want to start over on it.

The new shelves visible in the Library tab of the Google Play Books app.

Chrome OS Build 60 Released for Most Devices

Chrome OS Build 60, the latest version of the platform, is now rolling out to most devices.  Build 60.0.3112.80 (Platform version: 9592.71.0) contains a number of bug fixes, improvements and other enhancements to device.  The release of the Chrome OS update to Build 60 comes after updates to the Chrome browser and Chrome for Android apps over the course of the past week.

There is a rather extensive list of device that will not be seeing this update, at least not yet.

  • Google Chromebook Pixel
  • ASUS Chromebook Flip C302
  • HP Chromebook 13 G1
  • Samsung Chromebook Plus
  • Dell Chromebook 13 3380
  • Chromebook 14 for work (CP5-471)
  • Acer Chromebook R13 (CB5-312T)
  • Lenovo N23 Yoga/Flex 11 Chromebook
  • Samsung Chromebook 2 11″
  • AOpen Chromebox Mini
  • AOpen Chromebase Mini
  • AOpen Chromebox Commercial
  • Lenovo Thinkpad 11e Chromebook
  • Acer Chromebook 15 (CB3-532)
  • Samsung Chromebook 3
  • Acer Chromebook R11
  • Chromebook 11 Model 3180
  • ASUS Chromebook C202SA

The devices on the list not getting the update are generally those which are able to run Android apps natively (i.e. in the Stable channel) and are on a slightly different train.  If your Chrome OS device is not on the above list, the easiest way to get the update is to open up the browser and type chrome://help and check for the update.  I’ve already updated my Acer Chromebook 14 to this new build and it took about 5 minutes to download and install.

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