Uncharged phones may not fly with TSA
If you're flying to the US, better keep your carry ons charged up.
I'm Bridgette Carrie, and this is your c/net update.
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If you're on an international flight to the United States, make sure your cell phone is charged up before going to the airport.
The Transportation Security Administration is taking extra measures to scan for threats from overseas passengers, and there's a new rule.
If you're on a US-bound direct flight, you may be asked to power on your cell phone or your tablet or any electronic device.
But, if it has no battery or if it can't turn on, it won't be allowed on the plane.
Reports suggest that this increase security is in response to information that terrorists can turn smart phones into undetectable bombs.
And I wouldn't be surprised if it's even harder to find an open power outlet now in an airport.
In other news, it seems like Apple is gearing up to launch a smart watch very soon.
Apple hired a top sales executive from Swiss luxury watch maker Tag Heuer.
It's expected that we'll see an iWatch or whatever Apple's going to call it sometime in the fall.
It'll be alongside the new iPhone.
But this shows that Apple thinks it'll need some help from the Swiss to sell this thing.
There are several challenges in convincing people to buy a smart watch.
They aren't always stylish because they are pretty large.
The battery doesn't last more than a day and they're pricey.
Most of the Android smart watches out there are $200 are more.
It's just a really expensive accessory that can do the same things a smartphone can do.
Apple has been channeling some wisdom from the luxury fashion world.
Last year the company hired the former CEO of Ives Saint Laurent to work on special projects.
And the head of UK's Burberry Group, now overseas Apple's retail operations.
As for other gadgets you can soon buy.
There's a report that a mini version of the Microsoft Surface Tablet could soon launch.
Maybe within the next month or two.
The usually reliable Twitter account of evleaks, says that Microsoft is anticipating a summer release.
And in the world of virtual reality, the Oculus Rift headset isn't for sale to the public yet.
It's expected to launch next year.
But, Oculus announced that it will hold its first developers' conference to lure in software makers to make virtual reality programs.
The conference will be held in September in Los Angeles.
And we've seen the Oculus in action at events like the Consumer Electronics Show, NE3.
But it needs more content and programs for people to feel compelled to buy it.
Now in the meantime, Sony is creating its own virtual reality headset to compete, which is now called Project Morpheus.
And it'll work with the Play Station 4. That's your tech news update.
You can get more details on these stories at cnet.com.
From our studios in New York, I'm Bridget Carey.
[MUSIC]
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