Verizon and AT&T ponder over shared-data pricing plans (USA)
Mobile data now accounts for a very significant aspect of a consumer’s life. While demand for wireless data services has been on the rise, users are also on the lookout for the most economical option, adding pressure on mobile operators.
In an attempt to meet consumer demand and reduce churn, mobile operators Verizon Wireless and AT&T are preparing to roll out shared-data pricing plans this year, according to a report by BN. As per the report, the revolutionary new service would enable customers to split one internet data plan between their phones, iPads and other wireless devices, providing an economical option for families, small businesses or people with a lot of Web-connected gadgets.
As per the report, while such a move could prove to be highly successful for operators, any would lower the amount of money that subscribers pay, while increasing network traffic and the cost of maintaining networks. Thus both operators are hesitant in being the first one to offer the service.
However, mobile operators Sprint and T-Mobile are yet to announce any plans for the same. They claim that such a move may make it tougher for families to keep a track of how the data is being used, and may lead to bill shock.
Payfirma opens its mobile payment app for developers (Canada)
Payfirma, the company creating simple, fast, and secure mobile point of sale products for businesses, has opened up its mobile payment platform to developers. Any third party mobile application for iPhones, iPads, or Android devices can now accept mobile payments in-person with the swipe of a credit card.
Developers can leverage Payfirma’s payment platform to manage transactions, PCI compliance, and credit card reader integration. Payfirma’s integration kit seamlessly and securely shares information between third party apps and Payfirma, automating business processes, increasing efficiency, and improving usability.
Some of the apps that will integrate with Payfirma are invoicing, accounting, restaurant, and retail apps. Mobile invoicing apps, for example, allow businesses to create invoices on their iPad or iPhone wherever they are. Invoices, typically sent over email to be paid at a later date, can now be paid on the spot using Payfirma. This makes life simpler and more flexible for businesses.
Payfirma is building a mobile payment ecosystem for developers. As per the company, Kalle Radage, Payfirma’s Chief Product Officer, said that the mobile development community is key to Payfirma. Further, they are continually building out their platform to make it easy for developers to add payment functionality as this will allow developers to create a new wave of game-changing payment applications.
Integration with Payfirma allows apps to pass transaction information to Payfirma, such as the transaction type (sale or refund), transaction total, and the email address of the receipt recipient. This makes it possible to conduct a transaction in seconds. After a transaction is complete, Payfirma can pass back information such as the transaction ID, time, date, and order details, which create a complete and integrated experience.
Apple reports sale of 35 million iPhones in Q2 2012 (USA)
Apple announced financial results for its fiscal 2012 second quarter ended March 31, 2012. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $39.2 billion and quarterly net profit of $11.6 billion, or $12.30 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $24.7 billion and net profit of $6.0 billion, or $6.40 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 47.4 percent compared to 41.4 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 64 percent of the quarter’s revenue.
The Company sold 35.1 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 88 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 11.8 million iPads during the quarter, a 151 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 4 million Macs during the quarter, a 7 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 7.7 million iPods, a 15 percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, said that they are thrilled with sales of over 35 million iPhones and almost 12 million iPads in the March quarter. He added that the new iPad is off to a great start, and across the year users are going to see a lot more of the kind of innovation that only Apple can deliver.
Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO, said that their record March quarter results drove $14 billion in cash flow from operations. Looking ahead to the third fiscal quarter, they expect revenue of about $34 billion and diluted earnings per share of about $8.68.
Apple passes Exxon as the most valuable firm (USA)
US giant Apple Inc has reportedly emerged as the most valuable US company surpassing Exxon once again. According to reports, the market capitalization of Apple was at $ 418.5 on Wednesday, while Exxon had a mobile capitalization of $ 413 billion. However, Exxon regained its position at the end of the day.
Apple recently reported its first quarter financial results, where in the company posted record quarterly revenue of $46.33 billion and record quarterly net profit of $13.06 billion, against a revenue of $26.74 billion and net quarterly profit of $6 billion, for the same quarter in the past year.
As per the company report, Tim Cook, CEO, Apple has said that they are thrilled with their outstanding results and record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs. He added that Apple’s momentum is incredibly strong, and they have some amazing new products in the pipeline.
LogMeIn adds remote file management for iPhones and iPads
LogMeIn, remote computer management software has stated that it has launched an upgraded version of its LogMeIn Ignition service for the Apple iPhones and iPads. It is the first iOS app to combine remote control with file management.
With the introduction of file viewing and management, iOS device owners can now choose to remotely control a computer desktop or directly access a computer’s file systems – or multiple computers’ file systems – using a single app.
The new LogMeIn Ignition for iPhone/iPad also introduces the ability to wake a sleeping computer from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch using Wake-On-LAN.
iPad 2 users will also benefit from increased speed and performance, with LogMeIn Ignition tuned to allow for multitasking and the simultaneous usage of remote control and file transfers.
JPMorgan to offer IPads to investment Bankers
JPMorgan Chase & Co. will give its investment bankers iPads to offer an additional mobile tool as Apple Inc. expands its domain to Wall Street, intimidating Research in Motion Ltd. in a market it usually conquered.
According t reports citing two managing directors at New York-based JPMorgan, the company believes there are real benefits in the working environment that can be realized using this device – as well as the personal productivity and enjoyment that come as part of the package.
Apple is building on its momentum in the tablet space, controlling its 95% market share to expand from its traditional consumer base into the corporate market as RIM readies a rival device, the BlackBerry PlayBook.
RIM is trying to catch up with Apple as banks including Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse Group AG unveil applications for the iPad and Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp. consider letting employees use iPhones instead BlackBerry.
As per the company’s previous e-mail, JPMorgan, the second-largest U.S. lender by assets behind Bank of America, will distribute iPads free of charge to all associates in its global investment banking division. Employees will get to keep the device as long as they remain at the unit until the pilot program ends on May 1, 2011.
Qtel launches new USB Mobile Broadband Wi-Fi adaptor
Qtel has launched the D-105, a USB Mobile Broadband Wi-Fi adaptor that can provide Internet access for up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously.
The D-105 Adaptor allows the user to create an instant Wi-Fi hotspot from their own USB Mobile Broadband device and give Internet access to up to five other Wi-Fi gadgets. The device, which works with any Qtel Mobile Broadband USB Modem, is small, portable and easy to use. Qtel offers both post-paid and prepaid mobile broadband packages to suit a range of customer needs and budgets.
A user can easily understand the working of the device as it is very simple. All customers need to do is simply plug-in the device via their 3G dongle into the USB slot on the device. The user can also set security restrictions on who can access the Internet through the device.
The high-speed 3.75G mobile network delivers HSPA+ download speeds of up to 21Mbps and upload speeds up to 2Mbps. The new D-105 is available for US$54.67
Equipped with an Ethernet slot and available in black and white, the lightweight D-105 device can be used to connect iPad, PlayStation, laptops, Macs, PCs and Smartphones.
O2 unveils new Mi-Fi hotshot technology
Telef³nica O2 Ireland has launched O2 Hotshot, which would enable the users to create a mobile Wi-Fi zone (MiFi) wherever they go and connect up to five devices at the same time, from smartphones to iPads.
According to Alan Fox, head of Consumer Marketing, Telef³nica O2 Ireland, the new O2 Hotshot is a simple way for consumers and business customers to get instant Wi-Fi and stay connected across a range of devices. Now you don’t need to seek out a designated area to access the internet, with the O2 Hotshot you bring your Wi-Fi with you.
The O2 Hotshot is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux and has a micro SD memory card, supports Wi-Fi-enabled devices like iPhones, iPads, iPods, laptops, netbooks, notebooks, PSPs and digital cameras.
The O2 Hotshot Mi-Fi device will be available for US$27.91 per month for 15GB, on O2′s 18-month mobile broadband plan, with a once-off cost of US$68.42 for the device. Prepaid customers can buy the device for US$138.25.
According to Fox, it differs from other mobile broadband dongles in that it does not require a physical connection via a USB port, for example – to enable internet access but rather works with all Wi-Fi enabled devices, including laptops and netbooks. Because users phone or laptop connects to the O2 Hotshot device using Wi-Fi, which in turn then connects to O2′s broadband network, devices that do not have USB ports can still connect to the internet.
Softbank distributes digi content for iPads (Japan)
www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Distribution of digital content for Apple iPads and other devices has been started by Softbank and the service will be provided subsidiary Viewn, in cooperation with thirteen content providers.
Newspaper articles, magazine articles, and video clips from a total of 31 sources will be included in the list. Subscribers can not only use the service on the iPad but also on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and Softbank’s 3G mobile phones.
The price of the service is JPY 450 per thirty days for iPad users.
