Author: John Montgallo

Wealthy consumers are using mobile wallets to pay

John Montgallo
mobile wallet - person making payment

Among high-earning shoppers, 55 percent use digital payments to complete their transactions After a slow start, consumers are increasingly using mobile wallets to pay for purchases both online and in-store. That said, some demographics are using the technology more than others Regardless of whether they are shopping in-person in brick-and-mortar stores, or are shopping online, consumers are turning to mobile wallets more often to complete their transactions. That said, these digital apps and platforms such as Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and PayPal aren’t limited exclusively to transaction completion while shopping. …

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Apple bans 3 AI apps able to create deepfake images of people without clothes

John Montgallo
AI apps - Deepfake AI Banned - Apple

The iPhone maker has removed generative artificial intelligence with capabilities for undressing Apple has removed 3 AI apps in a move that may include more as a result of a trend among certain developers that have been promoting their products as able to create deepfake pictures that show people undressed. Developers have been using social media to promote those products Developers selling these AI apps have been promoting them on social media ads, particularly on Instagram.  They make references to being able to “delete” clothing and other similar features. When…

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Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users can’t opt out of new AI tool

John Montgallo
AI Tool - No Opt-Out

Meta has added artificial intelligence to its platforms regardless of whether users want it Meta recently released a statement about the rollout of its AI tool across its platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, saying that it is meant to be used “to get things done, learn, create and connect with the things that matter to you.” That said, it didn’t ask whether users want it there The AI tool has been incorporated into these platforms in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Pakistan, Jamaica, South Africa, Singapore, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia,…

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Will a mobile ad blocker stop government spyware?

John Montgallo
Ad blocker - Mobile Device - Question Mark

Though the main goal is typically to stop unwanted tracking and advertising, it may help in other ways Ad blockers are commonplace and offer a simple way for mobile device users to be able to cut down on the number advertisements they are required to view, and on much of the tracking associated with those practices. That said, the technology could also help to filter out other unwanted activities on a device Interestingly, ad blockers may also be providing device users with an additional layer of defense against spyware and…

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Amazon dumps major mobile commerce “just walk out” in-person shopping feature

John Montgallo
Mobile commerce - Amazon feature Cancelled

The online marketplace and tech giant is killing off its feature letting shoppers simply leave grocery stores. Amazon built a tremendous amount of hype around the mobile commerce feature at its in-person grocery stores, which let people “just walk out” and still pay for their purchases. How did the system work? The idea was that people could enter the store and scan their payment method, choose their items, bag them up and simply leave without having to go through a checkout counter. It appears that as hyped as the system…

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