Your Watch Is Your Password

Apple brings masked FaceID to your wrist

FEBRUARY 3, 2021 It's February 3, 2021. There's plenty of stuff to celebrate today, but we chose National Carrot Cake Day. Why? Well, because we want cake. Who doesn't?     ⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to): 325 articles, 9 podcasts, 22 press releases, 418 tweets, and 8 YouTube videos 1. Apple Watch Is Your Workaround for Masked FaceID Apple's made it easier to unlock your iPhone with a mask on your face, but you'll need to wear an Apple Watch to make it work. The new system is in beta now, and could end up on your phone officially by Spring. It might feel like customer lock-in, but it's still not an easy fix. 2. First HomeKit-Enabled Security System Gets an Update Abode, the first Apple HomeKit security system, has a new update that adds support for iOS widgets and Shortcuts, those useful little bits of code that help you get things done on your iPhone. 3. Don't Just Blame Scalpers for Not Having a New Console  If you're still trying to get a new PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, you're not alone. While many of us want to blame scalpers for the scarcity, they're really only responsible for 10—15 percent of the problem. That means it's a supply issue, mostly, and not an "evil reseller" one (though they're still annoying). 🦑 Go Deeper Now that WhatsApp requires some sort of biometric authentication to connect to its web or desktop apps, you might wonder why. Joshua Hawkins has a deeper look at the new requirement and the reasoning behind it.      🎱 By the Numbers Deja Vu Data: WCCF Tech If the numbers play out like they have been, Sony's next-generation console could see higher numbers of sold units than Microsoft's, according to gaming researchers. It'd be quite a coup to see the latter in the lead, though, especially after last generation's PS4 dominance.     🔥 Today's Hot Deal Need a smartwatch? This Garmin Venu GPS device has up to 6 days of battery life per charge, and is currently at a very nice $30 off on Amazon. Get one onto your own wrist right now.  Don't Miss This Deal 🤓 Nerd Out "Live Long and Lucy." -Bob Schulties, Senior Editor Lucille Ball is the reason we have the massive Star Trek franchise today. When the network hated the first pilot, she pushed for a second one, which brought the show to TVs everywhere. (Share on Twitter) 💎 You Know You Want It  If you've got the money, that is... Image: Apple Owners of Apple's immensely powerful Mac Pros will need a monitor to match. Why not grab the Pro Display XDR for $5,000 ($6,000 for the nano-texture glass) and the $1,000 Pro Stand while you're at it? Beside your budget, that is. 🚀 Facing the Future Fast, faster, fastest Our future could include more speedy travel, according to Virgin Hyperloop's Sara Luchian, director of passenger experience, who took to Cheddar TV to talk about it. She says we could see this new tech sooner than we think.     🗞 Extra! Extra! We've got you covered with the best in daily tech news! See the latest on our site or follow us on Google News. Did someone forward this to you? Sign up here. Have something you'd like us to write about? We're always open for suggestions, too. You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Tech Today newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here .   Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. A Dotdash Brand 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY, 10036 2020 Dotdash • All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.   [View in Browser]