Author: Lucy

Technology news shows Android and iOS make up 9 out of 10 devices

| February 18, 2013

technology news Estimates reveal that these two operating systems have a 91 percent control over the market.

Analysts from the International Data Corporation have revealed their latest technology news estimates following the sales of mobile devices in the fourth quarter of 2012, which have shown that Android and iOS made up 91.1 percent of all smartphone sales.

This shows that nine out of every ten devices is based on Google or Apple’s operating system.

Between those two companies, the technology news for Android is the most positive, as it is that operating system that holds the top spot. In fact, during the last quarter of last year, almost 69 percent of all smartphone sales were devices that ran on Google’s mobile operating system. There were approximately 500 million smartphones sold based on Android in 2012. At the same time, Apple sold approximately 136 million devices, giving it a 19 percent share of the smartphone market.

The technology news for Apple was greatest in Western markets.

The reason that its numbers increased as quickly as they did wasn’t because of any top technology news releases such as because of a brand new device. Though the excitement related to the iPhone 5 release did contribute, many of the device sales were of the iPhone 4 and 4S, which had lower prices when they were no longer the latest devices from the manufacturer.

In terms of the market share held by other companies, the sale of BlackBerry devices dipped by over 36 percent last year. It should be noted that the recovery of that company did not happen until after this study was complete, as the BlackBerry 10 was only released within the last few weeks. It is, therefore, difficult to gauge the current position of that operating system in the grand scheme.

Microsoft phones were estimated to be at the bottom of the top four operating systems. Their latest technology news statistics placed their market share at 2.5 percent during the last quarter of 2012. It remains difficult to determine where the market shares will be by the end of this year, as considerable partnerships and releases will certainly occur between now and that time.

Mobile payments deal set between Square and Blue Bottle

| February 15, 2013

Mobile Payments partnershipThe transaction system has already seen massive success through Starbucks and is moving to another coffee chain.

In 2012, Square mobile payments scored a tremendous deal in order to power the smartphone based credit card transactions at Starbucks, which was already known for its tremendous successes in this sphere.

Now, the company has announced that it is integrating with an additional coffee chain company.

Square will now be supplying the mobile payments at the point of sale at the boutique café chain, Blue Bottle Coffee. Its news release indicated that during the first wave, consumers at the Oakland, San Francisco Mint Plaza, and Brooklyn locations will be able to use the Square Wallet. However, over the next few months, the coffee chain intends to continue to roll out this option at its other locations.

Unlike Starbucks mobile payments, Blue Bottle will be using the Square Register as its complete POS system.

This will allow Blue Bottle to accept cash, credit card, and mobile payments, while it also tracks its store inventory, and is provided with reports on a daily basis so that it can monitor its progress. Consumers will be able to use the Square Wallet system to make a purchase by simply saying their names to authenticate the transaction.

According to the Blue Bottle Founder, James Freeman, in the news release, “We put a great deal of thought into every detail in each of our stores. We think about the right wood for our counters, the best beans, and how we can continue to serve our customers the perfect cup of coffee as we grow.” He also added that they felt that Square was the right mobile payments option for their business due to that company’s customer focus and “attention to detail.”

At the moment, there are 11 Blue Bottle locations in New York City and the San Francisco Bay area. It intends to continue its expansion and will bring its mobile payments along with it. It is one of several small chains that have joined with the Square Register, which is powered by iPad, over the last few months.