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The Name Game: The Web Becomes Truly Worldwide (BBC Business News)
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Posted: 12/17/2009
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Until now, Web addresses for other countries have only been written using the English language. Thanks to internet regulator Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann), the Web just became more accessible by allowing countries to request new internationalized domain names in their own languages, including non-latin languages and scripts like Chinese. "The IDN [International Domain Names] program will encompass close to one hundred thousand characters, opening up the internet to billions of potential users around the globe," said Peter Dengate Thrush, chairman of Icann. Approved in June 2008 and expected to go live in 2010, the months in between were dedicated to working out kinks in the translation system.
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Industry:
Technology, Consulting, & Professional Services
Topic:
Experience & Interaction,
Technology Implementation
Region:
Global
Audience:
Business to Consumer
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The New SimplicITy – Technology for the Ages (BBC Business News)
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Posted: 12/17/2009
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The Office for National Statistics recently reported that “6.4 million people over 65 have never used the internet.” Responding to this age-old need, a new PC was developed to make computer technology more user-friendly for the 60+ age demographic. The SimplicITy–taking its name to heart–features a mere six buttons that allow users to perform a variety of practical applications like web browsing, file creation and documenting photos. Andrew Harrop, head of public policy for charity Age Concern and Help the Aged said, "Pensioners who aren't online are missing out on... potential savings... [and] also often miss out on the best interest rates for savings accounts, not to mention the social benefits of being online.” The SimplicITy is a smart investment for seniors seeking to further open themselves to a tech-savvy world.
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Industry:
Marketing, Design, & Interactive Communications,
Technology, Consulting, & Professional Services
Topic:
Creative & Design,
Experience & Interaction,
Technology Implementation
Region:
Europe
Audience:
Business to Consumer
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Watch Out iPhone – Dell’s Android Mini 3 Smartphone is Coming to China (Tech News World)
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Posted: 12/17/2009
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Dell is well-known for its PCs, but smartphones? That’s right. Dell’s answer to the iPhone, the new Android Mini 3, hits the global market in both China and Brazil in December with help from companies like China Mobile and Brazil’s Claro. Facing competition from a crowd of Android smartphones already on the market, Dell’s decision to focus its Mini 3’s release outside of the U.S. could prove to be a smart move. According to Gartner’s predictions, “[the Mini 3] could take the No. 2 spot in global marketshare by 2012, overtaking the iPhone.” Foreign consumers base purchasing decisions more on the brand’s name, which could position Dell to be first to market in China and Brazil. The technological goodies included in the Mini 3 are yet to be revealed. For now, consumers will have to wait until the smartphone is released.
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Industry:
Technology, Consulting, & Professional Services,
Telecommunications
Topic:
Business Intelligence,
Technology Implementation
Region:
Asia Pacific,
South-Central America
Audience:
Business to Consumer
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Developers Welcome Apple’s In-App Purchases with Open Arms (Info World)
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Posted: 12/03/2009
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Apple’s change to allow in-application purchasing for free IPhone apps comes as good news for application developers. Developers can say goodbye to the days when in-app purchasing was only available in apps that cost money. Apple’s newly-enabled in-app purchase feature for free iPhone apps allows developers to include the option to upgrade to the premium level and fulfill transactions within the free applications themselves. The new feature means the Apple App Store won't be flooded with similar versions of the same application and it could also help prevent software piracy, according to Apple. It also relieves redundancy for developers by eliminating the need to create teaser versions of paid applications. The pricing model will remain the same, with Apple fulfilling backend billing and taking a percentage of the in-app purchase price.
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Industry:
Telecommunications
Topic:
E-Commerce,
Experience & Interaction
Region:
Global
Audience:
Business to Consumer
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New AT&T Applications Target Enterprise (Info World)
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Posted: 12/03/2009
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AT&T, the nation’s 2nd largest wireless carrier, launched new hosted applications for BlackBerry and Windows Mobile targeting the merchandising and hospitality industries: AT&T MEAP: Merchandising for the Consumer Goods Industry and AT&T MEAP: Maintenance and Repair for Hospitality. Built on its Mobile Enterprise Applications Platform, the vendor is leading the trend of offering new apps that encourage enterprises to entrench smartphone usage in their daily operations. The merchandising app allows product distributors to submit delivery data in real-time for better tracking, smarter stocking and faster billing. The hospitality app allows hotel maintenance crews to access and update work orders and service requests, report incidents and receive alerts, resulting in quicker response times and more workflow.
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Industry:
Retail & Products,
Technology, Consulting, & Professional Services,
Telecommunications
Topic:
Experience & Interaction,
Technology Implementation
Region:
Global
Audience:
Business to Business,
Business to Consumer
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