Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Payments of the Future
It didn't take long for Visa to react to the three-headed beast of AT&T , T-Mobile and Verizon entering the mobile payments arena. The world's foremost payment processing company has just announced that it's about to start a trial of its contactless payment system in partnership with Bank of America. Kicking off in the New York area this September and lasting through the end of the year, the scheme will most likely involve the MicroSD NFC communicator and In2Pay iPhone case that DeviceFidelity has been developing for Visa. No disclosures are being made on the size of this pilot scheme, though we're told that only a "select" group of employees and customers will be getting the mobile payment chips. Don't worry if you miss out on this one, though, as a similar trial is scheduled to begin in October with US Bancorp. That should give you enough time to turn yourself into a high-rolling select customer, right?
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Thursday, August 19, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Apple Supplier Fraud
Apple supply manager arrested for wire fraud, money laundering
8diggsdigg Ever wonder why -- after years of secrecy -- camera-ready iPod cases began rolling out? The answer could possibly be Apple supply manager Paul Shin Devine, who was just fingered by the FBI and IRS as a fraudulent, money laundering mole. Devine was arrested Friday for allegedly receiving kickbacks from six accessory suppliers in exchange for confidential information, which apparently gave them an edge in negotiating Apple contracts. "The alleged scheme used an elaborate chain of U.S. and foreign bank accounts and one front company to receive payments," reports the San Jose Mercury News, "and code words like 'sample' were used to refer to the payments so that Apple co-workers wouldn't become suspicious." Though we're not yet sure what specific confidential information might have been passed along and we doubt the indictment will say, a separate civil suit filed by Apple claims Devine accepted over $1 million in "payments, kickbacks and bribes" over the course of several years.
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Apple Supplier Fraud
Apple supply manager arrested for wire fraud, money laundering
8diggsdigg Ever wonder why -- after years of secrecy -- camera-ready iPod cases began rolling out? The answer could possibly be Apple supply manager Paul Shin Devine, who was just fingered by the FBI and IRS as a fraudulent, money laundering mole. Devine was arrested Friday for allegedly receiving kickbacks from six accessory suppliers in exchange for confidential information, which apparently gave them an edge in negotiating Apple contracts. "The alleged scheme used an elaborate chain of U.S. and foreign bank accounts and one front company to receive payments," reports the San Jose Mercury News, "and code words like 'sample' were used to refer to the payments so that Apple co-workers wouldn't become suspicious." Though we're not yet sure what specific confidential information might have been passed along and we doubt the indictment will say, a separate civil suit filed by Apple claims Devine accepted over $1 million in "payments, kickbacks and bribes" over the course of several years.
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Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Virgin Expanding
Virgin America Airlines announced explanation of their service today. They will Have service to California Beginning 12/5/2010 To Los Angeles then San Francisco 5 days later. This is a Hub For American Airlines and have kept anyone from competing with them for years. Let's see if this prompts anyone else to Jump on board like Jet Blue perhaps. Time will tell.
Monday, August 9, 2010
HTC Desire
If you take a nap you miss updates from Android. I'm talking about the HTC Desire HD. It is basically the EVO for AT & T. The only thing it does not have is the HDMI. From what I undersand it is not a big loss. That feature will not allow you to view copyrighted material on your tv. I just don't understand why AT& T gets it before T-Mobile. With this phone going to more than one carrier it will definitely help Android increase it's market share.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Electric charging in Portland
Congratulations, citizens of Portland! Specifically, citizens of Portland who own an electric car. You, my fine fellows, are the only persons in the country with the power to charge your lithium ion battery to 80% in under 30 minutes.
Portland General Electric's installation of the Takasago Rapid Charging Station is the first of its kind in this country, though more are planned—and will be needed—as electric cars become more commonplace throughout the US. It's fitting, given that Oregon's already the start of our first electric highway. No word yet on light cycle compatibility, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. [Inhabitat]
Send an email to Brian Barrett, the author of this post, at bbarrett@gizmodo.com.
Television
Just when I stopped paying attention to Sony, I saw a internet ad for the new VAIO computers. The add demos a spot where the computer can stream YouTube live to the TV wirelessly. Wow Very cool. I want one.
Don't Ignore Metro PCS
When we think "craft," we think of airplanes, boats, and perhaps the occasional needlepoint project -- but all kidding aside, we've definitely heard worst names than "Craft" for a major phone launch, so we've got nothing to complain about here. Regional carrier MetroPCS has announced on its latest earnings call that its first LTE phone -- the FCC-approved R900 from Samsung -- will come to market as the Craft at a price in the same range as its current smartphone lineup which includes the Code for $250 and the BlackBerry Curve 8530 for $280. These guys are still on target to launch in Vegas this year, but it now looks like they'll be adding Dallas-Ft. Worth into the mix as it moves to complete its 4G build-out early next year. It's a seriously aggressive timeline for a carrier traditionally known for cheap voice and text, not blazing data -- but hey, who are we to complain?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Zipcar
I'm still hoping that the Zipcar program comes to Texas. I visited the site and saw Waco Texas on the list of cities. I think this is a way for people to use Public Transportation and have acess to a vehicle that they can use for times when weather is bad or grocery shopping or emergencies.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Andy growing up`
Well there are reports on the tech blogs that Android has 33% of the smartphone market. I have not taken the plunge but find Andy appealing. I can customize as much or as little as I choose. As a T-Mobile user I will wait out the fall releases to see which phone to use my major upgrade. I think this announcement should help Andy get some respect.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Can you show me your smartphone please
So on these slow news day we’ll just have to talk about something that doesn’t involve the latest smartphone heading to T-Mobile . That doesn’t mean the news can’t be as big, just not nearly as exciting.
This morningBloomberg reported that T-Mobile , along with Verizon and AT&T are looking to replace your credit cards. Well not replace the cards, but at least replace them physically as your smartphone would be used as a payment system. Achieved through a “wave” of the phone over a base station. Right now Discover Card seems to be leading this demonstration and will be similar to systems already in place in Japan, Turkey and the United Kingdom. There is no word on whether or not this will work with current phones, require an application or what but with trials already underway in Atlanta and elsewhere, hopefully we’ll find out more soon enough.
T-Mobile remained mum on the project but this just seems like the logical next step as smartphones truly begin to replace our wallets and home computers. So let us know in the comments below, would you rather carry your mobile phone than plastic? I know that I love the idea of convergence so the less I have to carry around with me, the better. I’m not sure I’m 100% ready to give up cash, but I like the idea of using my phone to pay for things, since it’s the one thing I always have close by. What say you?
Bloomberg
Info via TMONews
This morning
Bloomberg
Info via TMONews
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