Smartphone maker HTC to cut 15 per cent of workforce after disappointing sales August 13, 2015 HTC announced today it would be axing 2,250 jobs, or 15 per cent of its workforce, after disappointing investors with yet another batch of sub-par results. The struggling Taiwanese smartphone maker’s sales missed expectations in the second quarter, and are forecast to drop further still in the months to come. Last week's earnings report reported [...]
Smartwatch stress test reveals security flaws in all devices from Apple Watch to Android and Pebble August 12, 2015 If you’re using a smartwatch, whether it’s an Apple Watch or a Pebble, the device is likely to be exposing your personal data to crooks, as a new stress test reveals smartwatches from all six big brands have significant security flaws. The biggest issue is that none of the watches have default password protection, or [...]
How Google is breaking the rules of corporate branding to get its Alphabet to pay off August 11, 2015 Google’s creation of its Alphabet parent is a future-looking, ambitious strategy that few others would have the boldness to do. But it’s bold for a reason: creating new challenges for Alphabet to make it a real success. What Google is doing breaks the normal rules of corporate branding. Read more: Three things you should know [...]
Newcastle sponsor Wonga named Premier League’s worst for fan engagement while Southampton’s Veho finishes top August 11, 2015 Southampton sponsor Veho is the model to follow for Premier League sponsors "wasting" their investment by failing to engage with fans, while Newcastle United sponsor Wonga is the worst example to follow. Read more: The Saints go marching on to profitability – Southampton’s David Bence is heading for a sustainable business model Veho, the Southampton-based electronics [...]
All Blacks’ Dan Carter becomes first rugby union player to reach 1,500 points in loss to Australia August 8, 2015 Dan Carter made history today by becoming the first player in Test rugby history to score over 1,500 points, but couldn't prevent New Zealand succumbing to their first loss to Australia since before the last World Cup. Read more: Nine incredible All Blacks stats The Kiwi star scored nine points from three penalties in his final [...]
Samsung share price slides as disappointing sales of Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge force tech giant to slash prices July 30, 2015 Samsung is dropping prices on its flagship smartphone models after a dip in sales caused the Korean tech giant’s profits to slide for the seventh consecutive quarter. The company reported operating profits falling four per cent to 6.9tn won (£3.9bn), in line with guidance released earlier this month, which warned sales of high-end smartphone Galaxy [...]
Smartphone battery life: Samsung has developed the first computer monitor that charges your phone wirelessly July 27, 2015 Forgotten your phone charger again? Smartphones with irritatingly short battery life mean we’re often forced to stare helplessly as the power dwindles over the course of a single working day. But help might be on the way – in the form of a new computer screen. Samsung has developed a desktop monitor, which at first [...]
Is Apple planning an iCar? Tim Cook hires Chrysler executive Doug Betts as it eyes Tesla, Google and Uber over electric cars July 21, 2015 Not content with taking over our ears (Apple Music) and wrists (Apple Watch) this year, Apple may now have its sights set on taking over our roads. Tim Cook has hired the an executive from Chrysler, fueling speculation that there may be an iCar coming down the road. Doug Betts, a former senior vice president [...]
UK patent applications dropping as Sweden files 3.5 times more patents than the UK July 17, 2015 Bad news: the UK’s attitude to intellectual property remains dismissive, as new figures show that the number of patents filed were not just below the EU average, but actually falling. In absolute numbers, by far most patent applications come from Germany. With 22,800 filed, the country had over 40 per cent of all European applications. [...]
Apple Pay in the UK: Like not laughing at a Michael Mcintyre gag, resistance is futile July 16, 2015 When Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook revealed its physical wallet-replacement service last September, I recall a tut and an eye roll at yet another Apple product announcement. A form of contactless payment, re-marketed as a physical wallet-replacement service, would be with us this summer. Where's the innovation in that? In many ways Apple [...]