Apple adds BlackRock founder Sue Wagner to board of directors upping financial clout July 18, 2014 Sue Wagner, a founder of asset management firm BlackRock, has been appointed to Apple’s board as a replacement for the tech giant’s longest serving board member, Bill Campbell, who is retiring. Wagner’s appointment adds some heavyweight financial clout to the board with significant experience in mergers and acquisitions, hinting at the direction Apple might be [...]
Apple’s iPhone 6 to begin production next week ahead of possible September UK release date July 18, 2014 Apple's new iPhone looks set to begin production next month, with Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd manufacturing the majority of the new handsets. The widely anticipated iPhone 6 is expected to come in two sizes, one with a 4.7-inch screen and another at 5.5 inches. According to Taiwan's Economic Daily News, which did not cite sources, [...]
Cloud and big data boost IBM as it announces Apple partnership July 17, 2014 IBM reported higher-than-expected quarterly revenue and profits last night, as it pressed ahead with its shift to higher-end businesses such as big data, cloud computing, and security and mobile services. The business technology giant’s total revenue fell two per cent to $24.4bn (£14.3bn) in the second quarter, above analysts’ average estimate of $24.1bn. Profit rose [...]
Google Play downloads soar as Apple holds on to app revenues July 16, 2014 Apple continued to dominate app store revenues during the second quarter with its iOS iPhone and iPad app store providing around 80 per cent more revenue than Google’s Play app store, according to research from app analytics firm App Annie. Google remained the most widely used platform, accounting for 60 per cent of downloads, up [...]
Wellbeing in the workplace: Get happy and thrive July 16, 2014 Remember the three Cs and you could see a boost in productivity. The idea that employee wellbeing can impact a company’s bottom line isn’t a new one. Back in the 1970s, the US Worksite Health Promotion movement campaigned for firms to think of staff health and happiness as an essential ingredient in productivity. [...]
Apple and IBM team up to create new business apps July 16, 2014 Apple and IBM are partnering up to co-develop business-centric apps for iPhones and iPads, which they intend to make available later this year. The new class of “made-for-business apps” will target specific industry issues and opportunities for clients in sectors such as retail, healthcare, banking, travel and insurance. The two companies intend to [...]
We know nothing about it, but revenues from Apple’s iWatch tipped to double Rolex sales in a year July 15, 2014 It doesn't even have a release date yet, but revenues from Apple's smartwatch could be twice as high as sales at watch making giant Rolex in its first year. That is what watchers of the Cupertino-based tech stalwart at investment bank Morgan Stanley believe, as they appear to have full confidence that Apple's attempt to [...]
Sheer satisfaction: Zendesk founder Mikkel Svane on providing better customer service July 13, 2014 Harriet Green talks IPOs, big data and radical taxis with Zendesk’s founder Mikkel Svane. An O2 survey last year found that 70 per cent of people wouldn’t forgive a company for bad customer service. Two thirds also said they’d share their experience with an average of eight friends and family members. Mikkel [...]
Burberry shareholders vote against Christopher Bailey pay deal July 11, 2014 Shareholders have struck a blow to Britain's iconic luxury fashion brand Burberry by voting against the proposed multi-million pound pay package for new chief executive Christopher Bailey. More than 50 per cent of those who voted at the luxury giant's annual general meeting today went against the directors' remuneration report. The lucrative package includes a [...]
Amazon hit with lawsuit from US regulator over unauthorised app downloads by kids July 10, 2014 The Federal Trade Commission is suing Amazon for allowing kids to make in-app purchases without parental consent resulting in millions of dollars of charges being incurred by parents. The lawsuit is seeking to make Amazon refund the money and prevent the retailer from allowing any purchases without a password on its Kindle Fire devices. Many [...]