Samsung’s “cross border” payment/payout service

Samsung rolled out over the weekend what’s being touted as the first mobile-native wallet service that comes with international money transfer services.

The updated service feature that’s integrated into the brand’s “Samsung Pay” allows US-based users to transfer money to accounts in close to 50 countries – the Philippines included in the list.

Powered by Travelex (a payment platform managed by the Finablr firm), the service’s offered services covers bank deposits and cash withdrawals/collections. Recipients don’t necessarily need to have an active “Samsung Pay” account to receive payments.

Currently available to Samsung Pay users based in the US, the firm plans to rollout the new feature to other countries by 2020. More information on the matter is hosted on Samsung’s official online channels.

Touchscreen keyboard with “tactile response”

Folks over at the Patently Apple site drew the spotlight on a patent for an electrostatic touchscreen keyboard over the weekend.

Filed by Apple, the patent illustrates the development of a touchscreen or virtual keyboard that comes with a “tactile response” feature, which basically means that it’s a virtual keyboard which can be “felt” by users.

Based on the device’s patent description, the keyboard’s keys are designed to emit individual charges that are activated when a finger (or fingers) come in contact with them. The setup results in creating the sensation of texture and friction.

Like most patent-filing news, Apple’s most recent patent application doesn’t explicitly mean that it will be developing the keyboard anytime soon, but its development has altogether roused the interests of industry stakeholders and end-users alike.

Facebook’s “Threads”

Facebook launched its “Threads” over the weekend. It’s a relatively new type of app-and-service suite for the perusal of close Instagram friends.

It is an image-centric messaging app, described by its proponents as the “fastest way to share a photo or video with close friends on Instagram,” as it is designed to help users better share content at a “close circle of friends” level – not to broadcast these publicly.

Described as a “dedicated private space,” the service only works with people who are listed in an Instagram user’s “Close Friends” list. It can be configured to cite specifics or not with a posted image or video, along with the option to automatically share status updates.

Currently available via App Store or Google Play, the app-and-service suite is formally named “Threads from Instagram” in the two digital distribution platforms. More information about the app is available on their respective App Store and Google Play pages.