Brands not only change the way we consume and communicate, but also lead modern science forward, investing millions of dollars into research and innovation in such areas as molecular biology, chemistry, aerodynamics, electrodynamics, and others. This article is a recap of the most far-reaching scientific discoveries made by global and challenger brands in 2014.

Global technology company Intel has announced a competition for startups specialising in perceptual computing—the Intel RealSense Technology App Challenge 2014. The developers are expected to created apps that combine immersive human-computer interaction using Intel Real Sense technology with 3D Intel cameras that will soon become available on Windows-based tablets and smartphones.

According to Bloomberg’s anonymous source, Apple is expected to present a radically new mobile payments system in-built in a new iPhone 6 at the press event on September 9th. The system has been reportedly developed in collaboration with three world’s leading credit card companies Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. The terms of this collaboration are not disclosed.