Tag: apple

Chinese smartphone manufacturer announces its first tablet called Mi Pad.

After many rumors about Xiaomi developing a tablet device, the popular manufacturer of smartphones has finally revealed the rumors are true and unveiled its first Android-powered tablet at a recent event held in Beijing.

The 7.9 inch Mi Pad looks similar in design to Apple’s iPad and is available in six colors.

Xiaomi’s Android tablet is Wifi-only. It is the first to be powered by the Nvidia 2.2 Ghz Tegra K1 processor and features a Sharp and Youda OGS retina screen with 2048 x 1536 resolution (comparable to Apple’s iPad mini). The device is also equipped with a 16GB ROM, 2GB RAM and a microSD storage slot that enables expansion of up to128GB.

In addition, the device has two cameras. The front camera is 5 megapixels and the one on the back is 8 megapixels. Stereo speakers, Bluetooth and a 6,700 mAh battery are also included. The device weighs approximately 0.80 pounds and its light plastic frame is a mere 8.5mm thick, not unlike the iPhone 5c frame.

Compared to the iPad the Mi Pad is considerably cheaper. The retail price for the 16 GB gadget will be 1,499 yuan (approximately $240) and the price of the 64 GB model will be 1699 yuan (about $273). Xiaomi has no yet confirmed when or where their tablet device will be released to the public, but plans for a beta version of the device is set for June.

“We hope to put pressure on Apple,” said Lei Jun, co-founder and CEO of Xiaomi, making the company’s intentions quiet clear.

Xiaomi’s tablet device could be a mobile gamer’s dream come true.

While it is quite obvious that certain features of Apple’s tablets have inspired Xiaomi in the development of its gadget, unlike the iPad, the Mi Pad features specific specs you will not find on an Apple mobile device, such as the powerful Nvidia processor, which Lei Jun claims will allow Mi Pad users to enjoy a PC-like gaming experience.

Furthermore, Xiaomi applied an entirely new design language to their MIUI firmware to display content on the tablet device. They also developed new animation effects and re-vamped the system in order to ensure that apps will show up perfectly, regardless of whether or not the tablet is vertical or horizontal.

Apple and China UnionPay partner to boost mobile commerce

Apple has entered into a partnership with China UnionPay concerning a new mobile payments service. This may be a big move for Apple, who has been somewhat cautious with its participation in the mobile commerce field. Apple has been keen to avoid some of the pitfalls that its counterparts have fallen victim to with their own mobile commerce endeavors. In partnering with China UnionPay, Apple may be ready to break into the mobile payments space more aggressively.

New service to facilitate mobile payments at some 3 million locations throughout China

The new service will allow people throughout China to make payments from their iOS devices. Using the service, consumers can make payments at some 3 million “QuickPass” point-of-sale systems that are located throughout China. Apple and China UnionPay are also working together to develop a similar solution that will allow consumers to make mobile purchases in Apple’s physical retail stores operating in China.

Service made to comply with Chinese mobile commerce standards

The mobile payments service designed by the two companies complies with the standards issues by the People’s Bank of China. These standards are meant to regulate the growing mobile commerce sector throughout the country, adding stability and security for consumers and businesses alike. All mobile commerce services that are being launched in China are required to adhere to these standards but the standards themselves have been the subject of criticism among consumers and some of the country’s largest e-commerce organizations. The standards had initially placed a limit on how much money people could spend from their mobile devices, which would have significantly hindered the continued growth of mobile commerce throughout the country.

Apple is growing bolder with its mobile plans

Apple is growing more cavalier with its interests in the mobile payments space. The company has been eager to avoid the problems that currently exist in the mobile commerce market, taking time to develop solutions that circumvent these issues or solve them outright. Apple has been somewhat secretive with its plans concerning mobile commerce, but as these plans inch closer to fruition, the company may be growing bolder when it comes to mobile payments.