Tech Roundup: Android Pay, Homo naledi & More

[A recurring feature on the latest in Science & Technology.]

• A new human-like species named Homo naledi discovered in a burial chamber inside a cave system in South Africa; scientists still trying to date the fossils to ascertain if the species lived before or after H. habilis, according to the study published in eLIFE journal.
• Google begins rolling out mobile payments service Android Pay in the U.S.; overhauls existing Google Wallet as a money transfer app.
• Google planning China re-entry with a Chinese version of Play Store following government approval, reports The Information (paywall).
• Google to downrank websites that show full-page app-install interstitial ads in its search results; to no longer be labelled 'mobile-friendly' effective November 1.
• The new Nokia sans the handset division (which was acquired by Microsoft) all set to re-enter phone biz once again; gears up to release Nokia C1, an Android-powered mid-range smartphone running on yet-to-be-released Marshmallow.

Notice the new Play Store icon?
(Image: Android Pay)

• Google addresses Chrome web browser's long-standing memory concerns with version 45 as it strives maintain its edge against new entrant Microsoft Edge.
• Apple's proactive Siri, Google Now and Microsoft Cortana get a new rival; Facebook debuts "M" (for Moneypenny), a new human-powered artificially intelligent digital personal assistant that will sit within Messenger app to complete tasks and find information on your behalf.
• U.S.'s largest wireless carrier Verizon to begin field trials for next-gen 5G network in the coming months; plans for commercial deployment by 2017.
• Google tries to open a mini-Google ecosystem in Apple's terrain; launches Android Wear for iOS.
• Popular ad-blocker Adblock Plus releases its browser for iOS ahead of Apple iOS 9 rollout on September 16, which comes with official support for content blockers (including ads).