Apple launches payments service in China

 Prothom-alo24.com Desk: Apple on Thursday launched its mobile payments service Apple Pay in China, the company said, pitting the US technology giant against strong domestic players in an already crowded field.

The world's second-largest economy is a crucial market for the California-based firm, and Apple Pay is available in only a handful of other countries including the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia.

"Apple Pay launching in China today. Can't wait for you to try it and see how incredibly easy it is to use!" Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook said in a posting on his verified China microblog.

But unlike most other countries, mobile payment systems are already well- established in China and Apple does not have a first-mover advantage.

Mobile transactions were valued at 9.31 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) last year, one industry estimate showed, and according to the state-backed China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the country had 359 million online payment users in mid-2015, up almost 18 percent in six months.

The most dominant mobile and online payment providers are e-commerce giant Alibaba with a nearly three-quarters market share followed by Tencent -- operator of the popular messaging app WeChat -- at 17.4 percent, according to Beijing-based BigData Research.

The Apple brand commands a strong following in China, especially among the nouveau riche and emerging middle class, with tales circulating of people selling their kidneys to buy iPhones.

Ray Zhao, an internet industry analyst at Guotai Junan Securities, told AFP: "There is still a chance for Apple Pay to grab some market share. Some loyal Apple users may prefer using it instead of other payment tools.

"But the space for Apple Pay is still small," he added.

One new Apple Pay user said he looked forward to putting the service to the test -- to buy his midday meal.

"The process of adding a (bank) card is a bit slow, maybe because it was just launched," said university student Li Xiang. "I'm planning to eat at McDonald's for lunch and try it out."

Source: BSS/AFP

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Samsung, LG improve smartphone cameras, turn to virtual reality

Prothom-alo24.com Desk: South Korean tech giants Samsung Electronics and LG unveiled Sunday new smartphones with better cameras and turned to virtual reality to boost interest in their headsets at a time of slowing sales.

Samsung launched two versions of its flagship phone, the flat screen Galaxy S7 and the curved screen Galaxy S7 edge, with cameras that can take better pictures under low-light conditions.

The company, the world's number one smartphone maker, also debuted its first 360 degree camera, the Gear 360, in Barcelona where the mobile industry is gathered for the start of the Mobile World Congress on Monday, in its latest attempt to remain ahead of Apple.

The camera is designed to make it easy to take all-around photos and videos that can be uploaded to Facebook and YouTube, or viewed as immersive experiences on Samsung's virtual reality Gear VR headsets which went on sale in November.

"User generated 360 degree photos and films are going to see rapid growth in 2016. Numerous 360 degree cameras are being launched and users will want to get access to this content," said Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight.

"Although it can be viewed on a standard smartphone or PC screen, the most impactful way of looking at this content is with a VR headset -- this is undoubtedly going to drive sales of these products."

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a surprise appearance at the Samsung press conference to announce a partnership with the South Korean firm to promote the use of virtual reality on the social network.

"We want to make Facebook the best video platform for virtual reality and Samsung is the only company in the world that can provide a good experience in terms of virtual reality," he said.

Rival South Korean tech firm LG sought to steal Samsung's thunder by unveiling its new premium handset, the G5, its first modular smartphone which is made using different components that can be independently upgraded or replaced such as a removable battery.

The G5 comes with several accessories such as a sound system developed by Danish firm Bang & Olufsen and a virtual reality headset which will allow it to compete with a headset launched by Samsung late last year.

- Focus on accessories -

The focus on accessories comes with the smartphone market beginning to slow as it becomes increasingly saturated.

LG's parent company LG Electronics' net profit halved last year on the back of a global economic slowdown and increased competition in the mobile sector while Samsung was only able to boost its market share moderately.

Apple, which will not be present at the congress in Barcelona, saw iPhone sales fall for the first time on an annual basis in the final quarter of last year, according to Gartner.

The market research firm said that the 9.7 percent increase in smartphone sales in the final quarter of last year over the same period in 2014 takes the industry all the way back to 2008 when the global economy was in crisis.

"All of these additional devices, whether it is a virtual reality goggle, whether it is a camera, whether it is a smartwatch, they are all ways of generating additional profits," said Ian Fogg, the head mobile and technology analyst at IHS Technology.

Analysts said handset makers face a tough choice. Focus on the low-price segment, where sales volumes are large but margins become thin. Or focus on features which can differentiate their phones.

"We are moving towards a logic of segmentation and improvement, with a better camera or more autonomy for example, maybe some advances in virtual reality, but there will unlikely be any major innovation," said Thomas Husson, an analyst at Forrester.

Source: BSS/AFP

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Victoria's Secret reveals its newest Angel

 Congrats, Josephine Skriver!

The 22-year-old Danish model was named Victoria's Secret's newest Angel, it was announced Friday.

Skriver could hardly contain her excitement on Instagram, writing, "It's has happened!! I'm literally living my dream right now! Can't believe I get to share with you today that I'm #NewestAngel for @victoriassecret thanks to everyone that has helped to get me here! So humble and proud to be apart of such an amazing legacy!! THAAAAANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to everyone who believed in me!!"

"So overwhelmed with every happy emotion right now! I don't even know how to be in my own body! It still feels so insane the day is finally here," she wrote in another post. "Thank you so much to the incredible team of @victoriassecret @ed_razek @nikibaratta @michellepriano and all the rest! Thank you for making me part of the VS Family!!! Flying on happiness right now!"

View photos

 

"Josephine Skriver is a stunning young woman and a delightful person," Ed Razek, the brand's Chief Marketing Officer said in a statement. "She is so special and we are enormously happy to welcome her to the most exclusive club in the history of modeling, The Victoria's Secret Angels."

Skriver has worked with Victoria's Secret for the past few years and walked in the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. She was recently featured cover of the swim catalogue.

View photos

It seems that Skriver has already been getting to know her co-Angels! She shared a pic from a Super Bowl viewing party with several Victoria's Secret models, writing, "It's super bowl time with my angels."

Other random facts about Skriver: She loves to swim.

Enjoy this, Angel Jo!

Meanwhile, in December, Kendall Jenner was so overwhelmed at the prospect in walking in the Victoria's Secret fashion show.

Source: Yahoo

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