Paypal Holdings Inc (PYPL): Xoom Acquisition A Positive Longterm Catalyst

Yesterday Xoom shareholders approved the company’s merger with Paypal that would give the latter a much-needed edge to effectively tackle growing competition in the online payments segment






Xoom’s merger with Paypal Holdings Ltd (NASDAQ:PYPL) was finalized yesterday after shareholders of the former voted in favor of the agreement proposed two months ago. In a meeting held specifically to discuss the matter stock holders representing more than 95% of the company’s holdings voted yes to the merger with Paypal.

The completion of the deal hinges upon to the waiver of closing conditions by customers and the acceptance of particular consents in connection to the money transferring licenses held by Xoom. Back in July Xoom and Paypal in a joint announcement revealed that the latter would acquire the former for $890 million. This translates into roughly $25 per share.

The announcement was made just three weeks before Paypal was officially spun off from eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY). Xoom’s deal with Paypal is said to officially close out in the fourth quarter of this year.

As per the terms of the deal Xoom will run as a separate service within Paypal. Through this acquisition Paypal can expand its international business by leverageing on Xoom’s extensive network when it comes to cross-country money transfers. Xoom reportedly had around 1.3 million active US customers that transferred $7 billion to people across 37 countries, in the March quarter this year. Paypal CEO Dan Schulman had earlier stated that the move would allow it to strengthen its foothold in emerging markets such as China and India where Xoom has a huge presence.

While the deal does stands to serve as a long-term growth catalyst for Paypal, it seems that it is not fully reflected in the company’s stock price that has shown considerable decline over the past couple of weeks. Paypal stock in the past month alone has underperformed the market amidst a broad sell-off in US equities. The stock has lost 12% compared to the NASDAQ and S&P 500 both of which fell 8%. While much of the fall was the result of macroeconomic concerns relating to the ongoing economic downturn in China, some investment firms think that there are some grave concerns with the company as well.

CLSA analyst Tom McCrohan initiated coverage on Paypal two days ago, with an underperform rating and a $36 price target. Mr McCrohan noted that Paypal will considerably lose out on its market share as the online payments service space becomes overcrowded. The analyst said that for PayPal to achieve mid-20% total payment volume growth, it will have to introduce discount offers to differentiate its offering from alternative srvices. Consequently Paypal shares slumped as much as 6% yesterday closing below CLSA’s price target at $34.29.

Xoom’s acquisition could address these concerns however as it gives the company a much-needed competitive edge to maintain its relevance against newer services. Bidness Etc believes the current pullback is a lucrative opportunity to build long positions on the stock.

Mastercard Inc (MA) Outperform Rating Reaffirmed At Bernstein

Bernstein analysts maintained their bullish stance on Mastercard stock, ahead of its investor day on September 9






Bernstein analysts have reiterated an Outperform rating on Mastercard Inc. (NYSE:MA) stock, with a 12-month target price (TP) of $108, ahead of its investor day on September 9. Bernstein believes that the global payments company will disappoint investors with its new long-term guidance, primarily due to its lack of commitment to additional margin expansion.

Mastercard’s commitment issue about additional margin expansion can ultimately bring down the earnings per share (EPS) growth objectives. However, the analysts expect Mastercard to deliver 18% EPS growth in absence of any margin expansion, which is mainly because of the expected volume growth tailwinds.

Recently, the company announced its intentions to acquire Applied Predictive Technologies for $600 million. Bernstein analysts expect the company to spend more time on the strategic and financial expectations for its recent acquisitions, which are not directly linked to its core business.

Mastercard reported its second quarter of fiscal 2015 (2QFY15) results on June 29; its adjusted EPS was $0.85, which came achingly close to beat its earnings estimate of $0.853. Furthermore, revenues were $2.39 billion, and missed its revenue estimates of $2.41 billion.

Jefferies analysts also weighed in on the stock, and reiterated an Outperform rating, with a $112 TP. They analysts believe that the event will primarily focus on its updated three-year constant currency outlook.

Of the 42 analysts who cover Mastercard stock, 34 suggest to buy, 6 recommend to hold, whereas the rest favor selling it. The 12-month consensus TP is $107.48. The stock closed down 1.28% on Friday, and rose approximately 4% compared to Dow Jones Index, which fell 10% since the start of the year.

Is This The Best Time To Trade In Your Apple iPhone 6?

As the launch of iPhone 6s nears; Bidness Etc explains why its a good idea to trade in the old iPhone soon






Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is expected to announce the launch of the iPhone 6s, at The Apple Event on September 9. Consumers anxiously await the latest edition of Apple's flagship device. As the iPhone 6s launch nears, the key question in the minds of many iPhone users is; is it the right time to trade in the old iPhone? Bidness Etc presents some of the reasons why it makes sense to trade in the old iPhone.

iPhone holds a greater amount of value than other smartphones such as Google Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android and Microsoft Corporation’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Lumia Series. The reason is not because it’s an Apple product but because it runs on an unusual variety of hardware components that are more reliable than those used in other smartphones. The latest iOS software will be available for different iPhone, iPod and iPad products. Just as the iPhone’s older version has its features, so the latest version has its strengths which should presumably trump the older technology.

The new iPhone has not been launched officially as yet. Once the iPhone 6S is launched; the price of previous iPhones will fall as many consumers switch to the latest smartphone. Gazelle, a phone recycling company, is due to offer an amazing deal to those consumers who want to give their old iPhone 5S, 6 or 6 Plus as a trade-in. The company intends to offer a deal whereby users can trade in a 16 GB iPhone 6 for $300 to $390, depending on the condition of the device and the network it operates on.

The offer by Gazelle ranges between $325 and $400 for a 16 GB iPhone 6 Plus; while a 16 GB iPhone 5s is priced between $165 and $200, by Gazelle. Apart from this, phone carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T Mobile also offer trade-ins. However, none of the wireless providers currently offers a deal as sweet as Gazelle's offers. Apple also intends to offer gift cards to customers who trade in their old iPhone at Apple Stores.

Apple iPhone 6s And 6s Plus: Here’s What Credit Suisse Has To Say

Credit Suisse reiterates Outperform rating, price target of $145 on Apple stock; cites long-term sales growth






Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will sustain the momentum of its sales in China over the long term, assures Credit Suisse, in a sell-side report issued today. The investment firm reiterates it target price of $145 as well as an Outperform rating on the stock.

The report comments on the volatility of the iPhone supply chain, amid concerns of an imminent slowdown in demand in China. However, it highlights that this slowdown in the Chinese economy has not scathed demand for Apple products thus far. It attributes the perseverance in demand to Apple's product quality and brand image.

The report states that the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will feature certain improvements in specs and functionality that could drive sustained share gains, as the iPhone-installed base in China is still in expansion mode. Credit Suisse also asserts that Apple’s exclusive ecosystem, a high retention rate, and a moderate product portfolio will help sustain sales over the long term; especially given the company's free cash flow of $64 billion per year.

Total iPhone sales are projected at 234-241 million units for the calendar year 2016, albeit slower growth. The current installed base of iPhones is estimated at 400 million units which continues to grow. Sales are projected to peak at 241 million units, provided the replacement cycle stretches to 29 months.

Credit Suisse believes the iPhone 6S will measure 4.7 inches and 6S Plus will measure 5.5 inches; and that the smartphones will be released on September 9. The specs upgrades expected are 2 GB memory, force-touch technology, an aluminum uni-body casing, and 12 mega pixel (MP) camera lens.

However, the report warns about the possibility of supply bottle-necks. These concerns are primarily on account of the supply chain in Asia because of factory production control component constraints, as a result of low yields. Assemble volumes could suffer if yield does not improve which would in turn, lead to a supply-demand imbalance. Yet Credit Suisse is optimistic about the huge total addressable market for large-size smartphones. Among risks highlighted in the report are; failure to launch innovative products that do not receive traction and competitive pressure from global consumer electronics companies.
Valuation and Price Target

Credit Suisse’s price target is based on a multiple of 13.5x to the earnings per share (EPS) for calendar year 2016. Its calculation includes $12 per share of net cash to be returned by the end of FY16.

41 out of 54 analysts who provide coverage on the stock; recommended a Buy rating. 11 analysts recommend a Hold while two analysts maintain a Sell rating. The consensus 12-month price target is $145.26, which reflects an upside potential of 31.3% over the current price of $110.6.

Apple Inc. Retina Moniker Trumped By Sony Corp 4K Smartphone

Sony appears to have taken all the attention away from the upcoming iPhone 6s, after the Japanese company unveiled the world’s first 4K smartphone






Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) currently leads the smartphone industry with its iPhone and is likely to do so in the future as fans anxiously await the launch of its latest model. Apple is expected to introduce major under-the-hood upgrades in the upcoming iPhone 6s, however, the upgrades might not match what Sony Corp. (NYSE:SNE) has in store for us with its latest flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z5.

Sony might be the king of the gaming world with its PlayStation but it has struggled on the smartphone front. Although the Xperia series has high-end specs but it fails to compete with the likes of Apple, and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (OTCMKTS:SSNLF). This might be because its smartphones have failed to deliver the promises made in terms of performance.

Sony now aims to deliver a major blow to Apple and other major smartphone manufacturers by introducing the world's first smartphone with a 4K display. The new Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is without a doubt a phablet-sized smartphone, which is well-equipped to trump any competition in its way.

Xperia Z5 supports a design which is fairly similar to previous Xperia models i.e. glass on both sides with a solid metal frame. The 5.5-inch 4K display is the main attraction of the smartphone. The allure to have a 4K screen in your palms is likely to win over many smartphone users.

The phone runs on Google Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android 5.1 and could be upgraded to Android Marshmallow once it is available. It has a Snapdragon 810 processor together with 3GB of RAM. We hope Sony has managed to solve the overheating issues which surfaced on Xperia Z4, as the company is likely to use the same processors in Xperia Z5 Premium.

The best is expected from Sony in terms of cameras. The device will feature a powerful 23MP rear camera, with hybrid auto-focus system which allows it to focus an image in less than 0.03 seconds. The device packs a 3430mAh battery unit. We are yet to see how long it lasts and if it is able to support 4K display.

The upcoming iPhone 6s Plus will go up against the Xperia Z5 Premium and we already see a winner in what appears to be a one-sided battle for now, unless of course Apple manages to pull something unexpected out of the hat.

Google Inc Docs Improved With Voice Typing, Editing History and Explore Option

Bidness Etc looks at the crucial features added to Google Docs; Voice Typing is supplemented by new templates, forms, editing-viewing options and Explore and Research features






Google has officially announced additions to Google Docs as a part of its educational Google Classroom venture. The new additions are useful for everyone, not just students. The most notable addition is Voice typing, a feature that allows users to dictate and enter documents to Google Docs, which will then transcribe them in a text form. Other key additions include a Research tool, Explore tool, new forms and a history tracker that keeps track of all the changes made to a document by various users. Furthermore, users can input their thoughts and even compose entire documents without pressing a single key on the keyboard. Chrome users, on Google Docs, can enable Voice typing from the Tools menu. A simple tap on the microphone button activates the feature which supports over 40 languages. Surely, this feature can save a lot of time, and those who are not habitual of using a keyboard will benefit most from the new Google offering.

Explore in Sheets is, effectively, a substitute for pivot tables in MS Excel. This function automatically creates graphical presentations of data, giving users a real insight into the way that they can manage their crucial data. Users who had to learn the functions of pivot tables might find this update fairly useful. It does not do everything for users but helps create basic graphical representations.

Another crucial addition is the See new changes feature which keeps track of all new changes made to an online Google Docs document. If a certain user has shared a set of documents with multiple users online then the feature enables all of them to modify the docs. This can be extremely helpful for online users who collaborate with each other on some project, but if someone has changed anything crucial in a particular doc, it is possible that the composition or idea is no longer descriptive for readers. Therefore, the new feature allows users to ensure that no unnecessary (or damaging) changes are made to any online document.

The new Research tool has been added to the Android version for Google Docs, allowing users to find crucial information on an article without leaving the Docs app. Google says that this feature is particularly useful for students who want to find facts, images and quotes to enrich their document or thesis. While there is a lot of information available on the Internet, yet not everything is true. So it is best for users to double-check the facts before entering them in a file on Docs.

The new Google Forms make surveying and getting opinions easier, with a variety of new colorful themes which can improve the visual appearance of the form. Users can also insert their own photos or logos, and Google will even pick out the matching color palette for the image. The forms have not changed that much, but the new customizable themes provide users with something new to work with. The feature is similar to the new templates for things such as resumes, reports and portfolios added to the documents, slides and sheets to create better overall documents.

All of this helps reinforce Google’s Classroom, which was upgraded recently, and is a part of the Google in Education initiative. Google has also launched the Share to Classroom extension for Chrome which will allow users to undertake the company’s Classroom initiative. As pointed out by Tech Crunch, Google is perhaps targeting young customers in the same way Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) have done. The idea is to reach young customers early to establish brand loyalty, allowing users to increase with the company.

This is something that many young adults in the US will remember from the days when Apple struck partnerships, and was basically everywhere. Google hopes that integration into the Docs format will help students who excessively use laptops and tablets particularly for Google Docs. Effectively, the Google Docs are looking to replace Microsoft Office, which has been the standard tool for most office and school environments. But given Microsoft’s diverse Education initiatives such as those with Minecraft in Education and its Hololens augmented reality tech, the software company apparently will not give up ground in the education space without competition.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Rolls Out Skype 6.0 On Android, iOS

Microsoft has announced an upgrade for its Skype app on iOS and Android in a blog post






In a blog post today, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) announced an update for its Skype application on Android by Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) and iOS by Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL). The upgraded Skype app can be downloaded on Google Play and Apple App Store, with specific enhancements rolled out for the iPad.

On Android, Skype 6.0 has been upgraded with a fresh and more attractive design, while bringing the app in line with the software’s overall appearance. The new Skype now includes a floating action button, similar to the one observed in the Gmail app on Android.

The small blue circle with the plus sign in the lower-right corner of Skype on Android, can be tapped to view numerous available options, such as recording a video message, chatting, or starting a video or voice call. Skype says the revamped app makes it easier for the user to view the number of unread messages at a glance.

Skype for the iOS, on the other hand, brings improved navigation options. Users can now scroll through conversations with more ease. Swipe gestures have been added for making calls and managing conversations. Swiping left to right on a contact shows calling options, while swiping in the opposite direction shows terminating options, such as deactivating message notifications for a specific contact or conversation, deleting a conversation, or to mark a message as unread.

The major upgrade in Skype though, is for the iPad. It makes it easier to send and receive photos and videos, share locations, and display emoticons that are larger in size than the ones on the iPhone. The upgraded Skype app on the iPad will most likely attract many users who were beginning to find it monotonous.

The enhancements have come only for the iOS and Android, although Skype 6.0 is also rolling out to other mobile devices. The reason Microsoft is upgrading its technologies and services is probably because of its plan to make a comeback on smartphones.

After the acquisition of Nokia's (NYSE:NOK) mobile business, the software maker has struggled with the smartphone side of things. In the past year, Microsoft lost its position as the world’s third biggest smartphone retailer. Since Windows 10 was rolled out as the standard operating system for all computing platforms, the company is possibly planning its comeback in smartphones through this. As the tech giant develops apps and enhances others, it is safe to assume that the company has tricks up its sleeve, after the mobile version of the new Windows is rolled out this fall.

The New Google Inc Street View App Makes Creating 360-Degree Videos A Breeze

Google has finally launched a standalone Street View app that captures 360-degree panoramic photos, with the option of uploading these photos to Google Maps






Google took to the official Google Maps blog to announce its new Street View app. The app takes the place of Street View from Google Maps app on Android and the Photo Sphere Camera app on the iOS; with the iTunes and Google Play versions of the app available for download from today onwards. The app is the latest addition to Google Maps which allows users to snap their own 360-degree view of their surroundings, and even publish the captures of famous places onto Google Maps.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) released the app to help boost its own Street View offering. Street View helps provide a more realistic, free-form view of the world for users to explore and immerse themselves in. Users can now submit contributions to Google Maps, uploading restaurant and hotel interiors and outdoor scenery around key landmarks in the area. The photo spheres are all assembled into Street View collections and users can explore the gallery of photo spheres and content from Google Maps.

Street View allows users to submit their own photo spheres from their iPhone or Android smartphone, while it can also connect to spherical cameras to port in the image from those cameras. Given that Google relaunched Map Maker and has been encouraging users to upload photographs on Google Maps, it comes as no surprise that the newest photography feature is not something that Google just came up with. The Wall Street Journal spoke to the Street View team, who said that even though Street View has been a part of Google Maps, the company has been looking at making it a standalone app for a while.

Users can shoot their photo spheres by clicking on the orange camera icon. An orange dot guides users on the direction in which they should point their phone. The dot should be aligned with the center of the shot, when a picture is snapped. The app directs the user from dot to dot in every direction until pictures covering all directions have been shot. The app then uses a photo-stitching software to stitch the pictures, which can then be saved on the phone, on the Google Photos account, or sent to the Street View team. The Street View team will review the submission, ensure that it adheres to Google guidelines, and will then make it public.

The company encourages submissions from users across the globe, which can be viewed in the Explore tab. The Collections tab categorizes these submissions based on interests, such as sports or museums. The Profile tab shows the images that users themselves have submitted to Google Maps, while a Private tab stores all the images that a user has not submitted to the mapping service. The app does not currently allow users to follow others who made public submissions to Google Maps.

All in all, the service can be extremely useful in providing individuals with an opportunity to see famous places around the globe and has the potential to create stunning 360-degree photographs that perfectly capture the shooter’s perspective. Nothing will replace real-life traveling, but viewing pictures snapped through this photography mode might just be as good as being there. Street View is available in over 65 countries, but has yet to roll out globally. When it does, the app has the potential to represent things such as popular tourist destinations all across the globe.

Apple Inc. Tipped To Launch 4K iMac Next Month

Apple is expected to launch a new 21.5-inch iMac with 4K display, after the company’s September event. The new devices might release during the holiday season at the end of year






Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) may have its hands full with its upcoming September event, however, reports are that the company won’t just stop there and is believed to introduce more offerings by the end of October this year. Apple is expected to launch a 21.5-inch Mac with 4K display, according to latest reports.

Although news of a 21.5-inch Retina iMac with 4K display has surfaced repeatedly in the recent past, after the codes in the upcoming OS X El Capitan pointed in the direction of a 21.5-inch Mac with a resolution of 4096 x 2304 pixels. The code snippets also gave an insight on the hardware we’re likely to see in the upcoming iMac. It could include Broadwell chips with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200, and AMD Radeon M380 - M395X discrete graphics. Although the codes in the upcoming OS point toward Broadwell chips but we won’t be surprised if Apple turns to Intel’s Skylake processors for the new iMac models.

Sources close to the company believe Apple is ready to introduce the new iMac next month and will make it available to buyers by November this year, pointing toward the possibility that the devices could release during the holiday season at the end of year.

Apple might have updated its 27-inch Mac to a 5K display but its smaller desktop models remain unchanged with a lower resolution screen. It is surprising that Apple hasn’t yet made the upcoming devices more appealing to users by getting them certified to work with 4K/UHD content from the likes of Amazon and Netflix. If the company wishes to drive up sales of its 5K and upcoming 4K iMac then a viable decision would be to make sure the devices support the content.

The current 5K model is priced at $1,999 while the lower resolution 21.5-inch iMac will start at $1,099. Hence, the upcoming 4K iMac is likely to be priced around the $1,299 mark. We will cover more news on the upcoming 4K iMac in the future. As of now, all the focus seems to be on the company’s September event where it is expected to launch new iPhone models and its Apple TV service.

Apple Inc. iPhone 6s Could Face Competition From More Affordable LG Nexus 5X

Google’s upcoming Nexus 5X, which is being manufactured by LG, will be available at affordable prices. The new smartphone could challenge other manufacturers with its high-end features and an affordable price tag






Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) is expected to announce its next-gen Nexus smartphones on September 29 in San Francisco. The company is expected to introduce two Nexus phones i.e. a 5.2-inch smartphone manufactured by LG, and a 5.7-inch by Huawei.

At present, Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhones are the most popular in the smartphone market. Its sales are expected to rise after the launch of its latest iPhone 6s. Apple’s fiercest competitor is Samsung Group. (OTCMKTS:SSNLF). It has also slashed prices on its flagship device. LG and Google are to release the second-gen Nexus 5, and we are looking at a smartphone which can potentially grab the market away from the upcoming iPhone 6s.

The LG-made Nexus might be dubbed “Nexus 5X,” according to Android Authority. The phone is expected to be available on affordable prices, even though it’ll be slightly higher in price than its predecessor. Sources reveal that the 16GB model will be priced at $399, while the 32GB variant will cost $449.

Leaked pictures of the LG Nexus 5X show a circular fingerprint scanner on the back of the device, a raised camera and a dual LED on the side. The device is also expected to feature a USB Type-C port and is likely to be available in different colors i.e. white, black, and light blue. Meanwhile, no details on the Huawei-made Nexus have surfaced yet.

The new smartphones will operate on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, feature a display of 1440 x 2560 pixels, and a fingerprint scanner. Android Authority says the two new devices will be made available on Google Store, after September 29 announcements.

The above mentioned details on the phones are speculations and may vary, however, the advanced features on the more affordable Nexus phones might affect Apple's sales in the future.

Insider Selling: Twitter Inc (TWTR), Ciena Corporation (CIEN), Tableau Software Inc (DATA)

Bidness Etc highlights recent insider selling at Twitter, Ciena, and Tableau Software








Bidness Etc sheds light on recent insider selling at Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN), and Tableau Software Inc (NYSE:DATA). The financial details of the trades are reported as follows.
Twitter

Senior VP of Engineering, Alexander Roetter, sold 12,361 shares (1.35% of his stake in Twitter) for $341,350 through one transaction dated September 1. After making this sale, Mr. Roetter owns the leftover 902,997 shares, valued at $25,554,815 as of Thursday.

Secretary and general counsel, Vijaya Gadde, sold 16,940 shares (2.44% of her stake in Twitter) for $462,291 via one transaction on September 1. Following this, Ms. Gadde now controls the remaining 678,095 shares, priced at $19,190,088 as of Thursday.

Twitter shares ticked up 1.73% and traded at $28.30 on Thursday’s close. According to a recent revelation made by cofounder Jack Dorsey, the social media network’s 140-character limit was unintentional, as it took on from the 160-character limit in short message service (sms).
Ciena Corporation

Chief technology officer and senior VP, Stephen B. Alexander, sold 3,750 shares (2.62% of his stake in Ciena) for $82,275 through one transaction dated September 1. Following this sale, Mr. Alexander has 139,182 shares, priced at $3,198,402 as of Thursday.

Ciena stock rose 2.18% and closed at $22.98 on Thursday, following its disclosure of third quarter fiscal '15 (3QFY15) earnings yesterday that topped the Street’s earnings estimates.
Tableau Software

CFO Thomas E. Walker sold 20,000 shares (25.38% of his stake in Tableau Software) for $1,861,600 through one transaction on September 1. After making this sale, Mr. Walker now has 58,785 shares, valued at $5,589,278 as of Thursday.

Tableau Software shares fell 0.44% and traded at $95.08 on Thursday’s close. The company’s stock was upgraded from a Buy to a Strong-Buy rating at equity firm Vetr on Tuesday.

Twitter Inc (TWTR) Target Price Slashed To $40 At Canaccord

Analysts at Canaccord maintained a Buy rating on Twitter stock, highlighting its recent integration as a positive catalyst









Canaccord has reiterated a Buy rating on Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) stock along with the downward revision in its 12-month target price from $45 to $40. The micro-blogging platform has fallen approximately 22% since the start of fiscal year 2015, as compared to S&P, which is down by only 5% mainly due to an 18% move down the day after second-quarter earnings were released.

Twitter has been in the news a lot lately, especially after its former Chief Executive Officer, Dick Costolo revealed his intentions of leaving the company to make way for its co-founder, Jack Dorsey. Several investors voiced their opinions due to the increasing uncertainty and the strategic direction of the company.

The micro-blogging platform managed to beat consensus for its previous quarter. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.07, surpassing its estimate of $0.04. Additionally, revenues clocked in at $508.3 million, beating its estimate of $482 million. Despite of reporting better-than-expected results for the quarter, stock slipped in the after-market trading session as the company missed its monthly active users (MAU) estimates.

According to the sell-side firm, as advertising story remains solid with the second-quarter revenue beat and reacceleration in average revenues per unit (ARPU), the company must focus on user growth. Additionally, analysts at Canaccord believe that Twitter’s mobile search penetration has improved to more than 90% after being available for only four months.

The search engine behemoth, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) previously announced that all the real-time “tweets” will be included in mobile and desktop results. This recent development can easily help Twitter in attracting more users and increasing its monthly active users.

Out of the 42 analysts polled by Bloomberg, 15 rate Twitter stock a Buy, 25 recommend a Hold, while the rest tag it as a Sell. The 12-month consensus target price is $39.14. The stock is currently down over 0.78% in the pre-market trading session and has fallen approximately 43%, as compared to Dow Jones Index that fell approximately 4% in the last 12 months.

Apple Inc. Receives Request to Rename iPhone 6s

Ad agency requests Apple to change the name of its newest smartphone






Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) looks all set to launch its new iPhone on September 9. It is just about certain that the new device will be called iPhone 6s. However, that is not the best news for an obscure marketing company; named 6S. The company is an advertisement agency based in New York and it has appealed to Apple, to change the name of its upcoming smartphone.

6S Marketing has rented several billboards in Times Square, to brandish an open letter to Apple. The message states; “Dear Universe, Please call it the iPhone 7. Sincerely, 6S Marketing.” More so, the company has also donned a truck with the same message and parked it outside an Apple Store; on 5th Avenue, New York City. The marketing company wishes Apple would notice these and reconsider their likely decision to name its new iPhone 7, as the iPhone 6s.

Some might perceive this campaign as a shameless publicity stunt. However, the billboards have caught the eyes of tens of thousands in US. The company has also attracted a lot of attention online, through social platforms. 6S Marketing has also posted an open letter on its official website to urge Apple to reconsider the name of its upcoming iPhone. The ad agency has been around since the turn of the millennium and complains that its search traffic has lately suffered a massive dip.

Even if Apple doesn’t actually consider its request; the marketing agency has gotten already attracted a lot of attention through this situation. Apple is unlikely to alter the name iPhone 6s and will likely go forth with its plans to launch it on September 9; with the same name.

The latest iPhone is believed to incorporate radical updates over its predecessor in terms of processor, cameras and also as first iPhone to feature a force-touch display. The device will be on shop shelves, by September 18. As for the marketing company; it is highly likely that the current attention due to Apple's new smartphone, will only help get more people to know about 6S Marketing as well.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) Releases Skype 6.0 for iOS and Android

Latest version of Skype promises further ease of use; better voice quality






Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has today released the latest iteration of Skype; version 6.0. The version is now available for operating system by both Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL). Skype emerged as a revolutionary means to connect and communicate. It is, arguably, the pioneer of its form of communication.

The new version promises to be better than ever; bugs such as low voice quality, associated with previous versions have reportedly been fixed. The new iOS version allows the use of swipe gestures. This means users can make calls, delete and amend call logs, in a quicker, more convenient manner.

The Android version also facilitates greater ease of use. In this app, the buttons are available at the bottom of the screen. This is a brilliant move by Microsoft as it diminishes the difference between the two versions, and will leave little room for argument as to which version is better. Reportedly, Microsoft also intends to launch another new version for Windows 10 Phones. This would be a masterstroke to attract users onto the company's new flagship operating system, for PC users.

Since its inception Skype remains a highly innovative venture which has been a trailblazer in communications. Its latest version appears to promise further innovation which positively affects the way people connect with each other.

Apple Inc. Fuel Cell Technology Can Power MacBook For Weeks

Apple files patent for new technology which utilizes a fuel cell system to power MacBooks






A patent published by the US Patent and Trademark Office yesterday, lists a fuel-cell system, to operate Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) products without a battery. Reportedly, the device is so far specifically meant to power MacBooks. It can keep a single device duly energized, for “days or even weeks.”

The patent surfaced just weeks after British firm Intelligent Energy claimed a smartphone breakthrough with the development of a prototype of an iPhone powered with a built-in hydrogen fuel cell. It contains both a patented technology and rechargeable battery which combined hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity.

However, the latest patent refers to a “portable computing device”, referencing Apple’s MagSafe system, which indicates that a MacBook is the product in question. Such fuel-cell systems require fuel replenishment every week which the patent suggests can be addressed with the use of removable cartridges; once fuel in the system is exhausted. The most likely implementation of such a system would use a combination of conventional batteries and fuel cells; in order to facilitate conventional recharge through a power socket as well as via the fuel cell whenever extended wireless use is needed.

Bidness Etc believes fuel-cell technology has unarguable merits. However, its commercial deployment in Apple's devices, may be quite tedious given that the added dimensions of the fuel cell would affect product design. Moreover, the cost fuel cell maintenance and their impact on the environment may prove to be limiting factors to the success of the new technology.

So far, there is no official confirmation nor any dependable estimate about the timeline associated with Apple's ability to launch the fuel cells, commercially in its notebooks. Companies file hundreds and thousands of patents; many of which do not end up as commercially viable products. So its early to confirm that the technology will feature in Apple Macbooks; any time soon.

The boon of modern-day smartphones is the lack of battery life and long recharge times. Clearly, improvements in display features and in processor speeds have outpaced enhancements in battery life.

Apple isn’t the only company to invest in battery tech. Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) also continues to explore the possibilities through Qnovo’s adaptive charging tech, confirms a report published yesterday. The company led an $8.6 million financing round with a software that analyzes how a battery charges and adapts its current in real-time to optimize the process. Chief Executive of Qnovo, Nadim Maluf believes the technology can be made available for multiple smartphones, by next year.

Apple Inc. Outperform Rating Reaffirmed At RBC Capital

RBC Capital maintained its bullish stance on Apple stock prior to its September 9 event






RBC Capital has reiterated an Outperform rating on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stock along with the 12-month target price of $150, prior to its September 9 event. The sell-side firm expects the event to be a positive catalyst for the company as it is expected to launch its new iPhone 6s with force touch technology, along with its updated processor and Apple TV.

According to the research firm, the September 9 event will provide investors and customers with better clarity around the upcoming product-line, along with an in-depth insight into the potential for this upgrade.

The sell-side firm expects the tech giant to launch its new Apple TV. However, the firm suspect this to be a hardware launch only, with its content and services to come online in fiscal year 2016 (FY16). The company will also release other new products at the event. This will include an app store, which will be Siri enabled.

Out of the 54 analysts polled by Bloomberg, 41 rate Apple stock a Buy, 11 recommend a Hold, while the tag it as a Sell. The 12-month consensus target price is $145.26. The stock is currently down over 1% in the pre-market trading session and has fallen approximately 2%, as compared to Dow Jones Index that fell approximately 9% since the start of FY15.

LinkedIn Corp Buy Rating Reaffirmed At MKM Partners

MKM Partners maintained its bullish stance on LinkedIn Corp, citing buying opportunity from scattered investor concerns






MKM Partners has reiterated a Buy rating on LinkedIn Corp (NYSE:LNKD) stock along with the 12-month target price of $282, as they believe that the scattered investor concerns following second-quarter earnings is creating a lucrative buying opportunity for investors.

LinkedIn Corp managed to deliver an upbeat performance in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.55, surpassing its estimate $0.30. Furthermore, revenues clocked in at $711.7 million, beating its estimate of $679.6 million. MKM Partners have highlighted the increased investor concerns around the implied second-half guide down, along with negative average revenue per unit (ARPU) comp and believes that the recent slump in its stock price offers a unique entry point for investors.

MKM Partners maintained its bullish stance on the stock as they believe LinkedIn will benefit from its healthy core business, along with contained weakness in other legacy areas. Furthermore, the sell-side firm believes that LinkedIn has a sufficient upside potential, highlighting its strong talent solutions.

Out of the 44 analysts polled by Bloomberg, 34 rate LinkedIn stock a Buy, seven recommend a Hold, while the rest tag it as a Sell. The 12-month consensus target price is $252.47. The stock is currently down over 0.5% in the opening hours of the trading session and has fallen approximately 23%, as compared to Dow Jones Index that fell 10% since the start of fiscal year 2015.

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) Need for Speed Unleashes Wild Side In New Trailer

The latest trailer of Need for Speed 2015 tells you how and what to do when getting behind the wheel










Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) reboot of "Need for Speed" is looking very promising despite the ‘always online’ requirement. The latest trailer (http://playit.pk/watch?v=y32dfdsznFc) hopes to sooth some nerves of those disgruntled by the annoying requirement. It’s around a 4-minute long trailer and gives gamers the entire lowdown of what to expect in the game, when they hit the streets of fictional Ventura Bay.

The new trailer pretty much guides you on how to get the best out of Need for Speed by going into detail on ‘5 ways to play’: speed, style, build, crew and outlaw. Speed is pretty much straightforward. Need for Speed is always about going fast on breakneck speeds. The faster you go the more advantage you have over your opponents. Style is pretty simple: it’s about those wild turns, drifts and pulling off moves on the car that no one else can. Build is all about customization. The key in Need for Speed is to maximize your rep as much as possible. With regards to Crew, it’s similar to "Need for Speed: Carbon" on how you and your crew work together as a unit. Outlaw is basically taking the fight to the cops who want to shut you down.

The more one combines the five ways to play, the better your rep in the game. Hopefully, it won’t take long to get a grip on things once gamers get behind the wheel of their ride in the reboot. Need for Speed is releasing on Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation 4, Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox One and PC on November 3, 2015.

2015 Really Is A Great Year for Video Games; The Hits Keep Coming!

Metal Gear Solid, Batman, Bloodborne, and Halo 5 and more; the year keeps getting better and better!








Every year, we see some great games and renewals in annual franchises, but 2015 is very special. This year alone, we have seen several top triple-A titles, including exclusives on both Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) Xbox One, making 2015 the year for video games. We at Bidness Etc look back at the year that has been so amazing hitherto, and look forward to what's in store for the next few months.

We started the year off with one PS4 exclusive called ‘The Order 1886’ which received lukewarm reviews and did commercially better in the UK+. Although it was not a serious flop, it wasn’t such a huge hit for Sony either, but the best was yet to come. Bloodborne was unleashed a little later that showed that the PS4 could also boast heavy hitters as exclusive titles. Bloodborne was a huge success helping the PS4 continue its dominance in the console market. The game was developed by From Software, famous for Dark Souls and Demon’s Souls series.

Up next, we look at the multiplatform role-playing hit ‘The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’ which became perhaps the biggest game of the year in terms of sheer size and the things one could do. It boasted an open-world with tons of activities to sink your teeth into. Developers CD Projekt Red have even decided to give 16 downloadable content packs for free. This game promises a lot of fun and no matter how much time you put in, it won’t be enough considering the amount of content.

Perhaps the first major multiplatform action title this year was Rocksteady Studios’ Batman: Arkham Knight. This was also the first entry of the franchise on PS4 and Xbox One. Despite the botched PC launch, current-gen console owners loved the game and it was more of a hit on the PS4 than on the Xbox One. Batman’s final outing in the beloved Arkham series puts him up against the evil Scarecrow and the mysterious Arkham Knight who has links to our hero’s past. The introduction of the Batmobile was welcomed as a serious sidekick of the Dark Knight. However, some of the insanely difficult tank missions were criticized for being ‘too much Batmobile’.

There was another hero waiting in the wings after Batman hung up his cape and cowl. That was none other than Snake aka Big Boss in Konami’s (ADR) (OTCMKTS:KNMCY) Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. The just-released mega action hit once again gives you a huge open-world sandbox to play in and director Hideo Kojima allows you to play the game you want to play it. This way, every player’s experience is unique. This game has already received top-10 ratings from IGN and Gamespot and is a blockbuster hit of September. One may say it’s even bigger than Batman: Arkham Knight.

The future is very bright. We have a few solid Xbox One exclusives on the way which include Halo 5: Guardians, Fable Legends, Rise of the Tomb Raider (timed-exclusive) and Forza Motorsport 6. Multiplatform titles such as Activision Blizzard’s (NASDAQ:ATVI) Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, FIFA 16 and Need for Speed all look promising.

2015 is a huge year for gaming and the hits just keep coming. Which was your favorite of the year so far? Let us know in the comments below.

2015 May Be Microsoft Corporation Xbox One’s Year But Sony PlayStation 4 Will Rule 2016

Xbox One looks set to conquer in 2015 but Sony looks to even the odds in 2016






  If you ask Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox One owners, they will boast that this year they have the chance to own or already own some awesome multiplatform hits as well as exclusive titles. This year, Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation 4 started off the year with two major exclusives, The Order 1886 and Bloodborne, but Xbox One plans to end it with a bang. We'll see a lot more exclusives on offer from Xbox One by the end of the year.

Halo 5: Guardians and Forza Motorsport 6 are two killer Xbox One exclusives. Master Chef returns in the fifth entry in the successful Halo franchise and Forza Motorsport 6 is looking to be a huge racing simulation when it releases later this year. If that’s not enough, Lara Croft returns in Rise of the Tomb Raider which is set to be a timed exclusive on the Xbox One. We also have seen multiplatform hits Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Batman: Arkham Knight, two heavyweight titles that everyone is hooked to, released recently.

On paper, it seems Xbox One has the year won but the PS4 has historically done well with multiplatform titles and also recently released an exclusive Until Dawn which looks like the sleeper hit of the year. For argument’s sake, we can say that 2015 is the year for Xbox One but what about next year?

Next year, we will see the usual multiplatform annual franchises return with new entries but the PS4 will see Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Street Fighter V which can easily make 2016 it’s year. Uncharted has been a very successful franchise that debuted on the PS3 and now looks set to make its debut on the PS4 next year. Nathan Drake’s adventures continue and fans will want nothing better than some of the same old platforming and exciting action that they enjoyed in previous games. What more can one say about Street Fighter V? The long-running fighting franchise will make its current-gen debut on just the PS4, so Xbox One fans miss out. This game is going to be huge and if the success of the previous games can be looked at, SF V looks to be even better.

Could 2016 be PS4’s year? Do let us know in the comments below.

Google Chrome 45 Less Memory-Intensive

The latest iteration of Google’s Chrome browser, version 45, will conserve battery power and memory, dramatically improving the overall experience











The Google Chrome blog announced a number of improvements in its new browser, Chrome 45, which will require less power and memory to operate. The battery, power and memory-saving features basically eliminate any unnecessary programs and tasks to ensure fast loading of webpages, while not compromising on the computer system’s speed either.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is utilizing its garbage dump collection technique to get rid of unused memory, ensuring that webpages not busy with other tasks are moved to the background. Additionally, the memory-saving technique ensures that the browser uses 10% less memory on average.

According to Google, complex web apps such as Gmail see a dramatic decline. In a YouTubevideo posted by Google’s Product Manager and Performance Promoter, Ryan Schoen, it was shown how the memory used by the browser and GPU processes was halved, while Gmail’s used-memory went down 25%.

Some new features will also allow users to reload tabs closed accidentally or intentionally, and allow them to continue where they left off. Chrome will restore tabs more efficiently by loading the most-recently viewed ones first. This loads the important tabs first, and if the computer is low on memory, the browser automatically stops loading the rest. They can still be restored for later access.

A different power-conservation method was already being utilized, as a recent update indicates. Google disabled the Flash media feature that automatically played video content on the browser window in the background. The once-popular online video player by Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ:ADBE) had become taxing on most browsers, and is slowly being phased out. Google now says that removing the auto-play feature ensures that batteries last as much as 15% longer, which may vary with the type of operating system used.

Google will ensure that the new feature is now the default setting for all Chrome users, with all the latest features set to be built into Chrome 45. Though this update did not confirm whether Chrome for Mac will receive special attention to resolve specific issues Chrome has on the Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AAPL) Macs, recent reports suggested that the longstanding Chrome-Mac issue will be resolved soon. It has to be noted that Chrome’s version 46 is still in beta mode.

The new updates that are rolling out with Chrome 45 should help address most of the issues. The browser started out as one of the fastest, almost marking Internet Explorer’s demise. The update is also likely to overcome the issues of “complex web apps” to once again make Chrome the ultra-fast browser we all know and love.

Microsoft Corporation Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Gets New Title; Changes To Xbox Live Reputation System

Changes to the Xbox live reputation are in the works, while Backwards compatibility gets a new title









Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has been in the spotlight since E3 this year, when it announced the big surprise of backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 on the Xbox One. Since then, Microsoft has been working hard to add popular games from the Xbox 360 era to the backwards compatibility list.

Recently, it was reported on Major Nelson’s blog that the critically acclaimed open world first person shooter, Borderlands by Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) is being added to the long list of backward compatible titles. The game should be available now for Xbox Preview Program members and should be available to everyone once Backwards Compatibility with Xbox 360 launches. Users who own a digital copy of the game should see it added to their download queue automatically next time they turn on their console. Those with a physical copy can download the game once they insert the disc in the console. As always, you will need the disc to be inside the console if you do not own the digital version of the game.

In other news, Mike Ybarra of Xbox, revealed on Twitter that the Xbox team is working to change Xbox Live’s reputation system to make it better. The reputation system on Xbox live currently has 3 levels; Good, Needs Work, and Avoid Me. The system gauges your reputation, based on the number of hours you play and if you are in the bad reputation zone because of repeated reporting, you will face penalties such as long matchmaking queues.

Microsoft said that it is working on a new system that will filter out bogus reports so that players who were incorrectly reported, do not face any penalties.

Facebook Inc (FB) Upgrades Conversion Lift To Gain Advertiser Support

Facebook springs into action after advertisers’ cite concerns over the efficacy of ad campaign on the social network








Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) unveils plans to raise its assistance to advertisers on its platform. In a recent blog post, the company informs it will upgrade its Conversion Lift advertisement tool which helps advertisers to accurately compare and evaluate various Facebook advertisements to determine which campaigns are most effective, for their respective businesses. The Conversion Lift tool was launched in January. Over the past nine months, Facebook let advertisers measure and observe whether their ad campaigns were effective by evaluating the growth of online and offline sales. The latest upgrade will allow similar analyses, in greater detail.

Previously, Conversion Lift analyzed two groups of Facebook users; one that is able to see the ad and others that cannot. It compares the conversion data from both groups which can be accessed in Facebook’s Custom Audiences pixel, or from an in-store point-of-sale (POS). The resultant analysis highlights the relative success of ads, in driving sales. The enhanced Conversion Lift tool will let advertisers conduct multiple tests on various control groups and then compare them. Advertisers can compare brand ads and direct response ads to see how mobile-based ads perform in comparison to the rest of the ad campaign. They can also compare photos of life-style formats against ads that show the product; to distinguish between different means of attracting users.

Basically, the improved Conversion Lift makes it possible for advertisers to compare multiple ad formats based on the same objective to assess which approach is the most effective for their cause. Aside from this, the tool will also check how ads contribute to in-app sales, so developers may boost revenues and downloads.

Facebook cites research by Wix; the cloud website platform, in its blog post. The referenced case study was conducted to check whether direct response ads bring in more premium subscriptions, alone; or when combined with other brand awareness techniques such as video ads. The conclusion was that a combination of formats yields better results.

Bidness Etc believes that Facebook aims to achieve to purposes with this tool Firstly, it wants to generate more business. Secondly, the company wants to act quickly to quell recent criticism by marketers who question return on investment (ROI) on ad spend on the social platform. Facebook wants to display that it cares about advertisers' concerns and is actively in pursuit of innovations that work for them.

Besides frequent updates to better engage Facebook users; the company also makes many efforts for third-party business and advertisers on its platform. It continues on efforts to make the social platform more connected, attractive and private. Facebook has partnered with several well-known publishers to open its news platform; similar to how Snapchat partnered with different channels to offer news, albeit on a much larger scale.

Recently, Facebook added a new feature that allows users to avail coverage of ongoing events as celebrities and politicians add their own captured material on the forum. Such growth in services and enhancement in technologies are quite frequent and serve to keep users entertained and logged on, for longer durations. Higher and more frequent usage of the platform means more ads can be viewed. In turn, this helps advertisers build brand recall and boost sales.

Facebook offers advanced online advertisement tools to its advertisers along with tips and other techniques that can help their purpose. The company continues to go the extra mile to attract advertisers. Its apparent willingness to bend over backwards for advertisers, warrants some suspicion. For example, recently the company agreed to test advertisements in GIF format on the social network. Its willingness to do so after nearly ten years of hesitation, is surprising. After all, the company's creator; Mark Zuckerberg has remained an ardent opponent of such ads for years. The sudden change in the company's stance towards ads in GIF format; comes on the back of an outcry from advertisers; not because of users' demands.

Facebook also recently added auto-play video ads for its partners in the Network Audience Developers group. The company's efforts to woe advertisers may be attributable to the fact that most advertisers still consider Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) to be the primary provider for virtual ad space which gets noticed. After all, Google is the biggest player on the web, at present.

Facebook is undoubtedly an emergent ad space to be, for advertisers. However, the company's incessant obsession with pleasing advertisers may not sit well with users of the social website. It is well known that the company shares a great deal of personal details about its users, with advertisers. In fact, a major strength of advertisements on Facebook is that they can be targeted based on users' profiles, preferences and online history. On the other hand, a plethora of recent researches highlight users' disdain for online advertisements.

Bidness Etc believes that improvements in tools that let advertisers assess the effectiveness of campaigns, are bound to please marketers. However, users usually perceive ads to be a nuisance; and the bombardment of these marketing communications can turn users off. Without users, tools to post ads and measure their efficacy; would be a fruitless endeavour indeed.

Intel Corporation Invests $50 Million In Quantum Computing Research

Intel pledges $50m to tackle barriers in expanding research findings










Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) is loosening its purse strings to increase funding for quantum computing, which is still twelve years from being a finished product. According to a report from Popular Mechanics, the company will provide Qu Tech, a Dutch research group at the Technical University of Delft, with $50 million in funding over 10 years, plus, more staff and equipment to support its efforts.

Quantum computing breeds the possibility of multiple breakthroughs in the chip space, with the possibility of new applications. Quantum units implement quantum bits, or qubits, which operate in parallel, and exist in several states. These computers are expected to replace present ones, which are powered by transistors and binary digits.

QuTech expects the agreement to facilitate the combination of its theoretical work with Intel’s manufacturing expertise, to manufacture quantum computing devices on a massive scale. Intel has chosen to partner with the research unit because of its extensive experience in the segment.

Although Quantum computing has been around for about a dozen years, it has just recently garnered the support of big tech companies. Google has a lab committed to quantum computing, which it operates alongside NASA. Lockheed Martin has bought a D-wave machine, whereas IBM, the current leader in the segment, has invested huge sums in the sector.

Intel's latest move suggests that Moore's law is on the edge, and new generation of computing is a need of the hour. Intel co-founder Gordon Moore first coined the term, which predicted that the number of transistors on a chip would double every two years. The computing industry has benefited from making smaller chips, with a steadily increasing number of transistors shoehorned into them. This has led to faster, smaller and cheaper computers.

Bidness Etc feels there are several practical limitations to overcome before commercial distribution of quantum computers is possible. Cooling concerns and building in larger volumes are just two of these. Its also uncertain as to how likely it is for quantum computing to become a vital component of next generation computing.

If quantum computing were to make it into the mainstream market, the possibility of cyber-attacks would grow exponentially. Machines that powerful could encrypt systems in a matter of seconds, something that would otherwise take years to accomplish. The NSA, in light of that threat, is starting to prepare for a move towards “quantum-resistant algorithms in the not-too-distant future.”

The semiconductor giants’ interest in quantum computing comes amid other projects from Intel’s venture arm, Intel Capital. It is investing in battery boosting technology that will incrementally improve battery life in devices. Given quantum computing would also require high stores of battery, Intel’s investment in Qnovo’s battery optimizing software could serve Intel very well in the future.

What To Expect From The Upcoming Electronic Art Inc. FIFA 16

Bidness Etc highlights what to watch out for, in the latest edition in the video game FIFA franchise











Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) is about to release FIFA 16 within days. The latest edition of the simulation soccer video game will be the twenty-third title in the FIFA series. It will be the fourth title in the series, to feature Lionel Messi as the athlete who adorns its cover. FIFA 16 will make a first in the series; as female athletes and women's football clubs, will make their maiden appearance in the video game.

EA has a whole host of other features in store for its latest offering. FIFA 16 boasts better animations, improved gameplay, better skills and an overall smoother experience, in the upcoming title. One notable feature, is that players' facial features, physical attributes as well as their reactions, will be closer to reality than in earlier versions of the game. Whether its the joy of victory, disappointment over a missed shot on goal or the frustration of injuries; players will now appear closer to their appearances in real life. Offense and defense systems will also incorporate many of the improvements suggested by fans of the game.

Among other notable upgrades is the introduction of the Swing Step Defender option which lets users pin defenders to skilled attackers. This is expected to enhance balance in the game. It also allows defenders to easily make the transition, as the attacker they mark, moves from one flank to the other. If the other team steals the ball in midfield; the defenders will move positions quickly to react.

FIFA 16 will also upgrade the Slide Tackle feature, with new animations and context; as players can now recover from a slide tackle to take possession of the ball. The game’s midfield has also been upgraded such that two players are able to interact simultaneously. Better interception logic has also been introduced to give it a more realistic experience. FIFA 16 will also allow gamers to make quick passes, from anywhere on the field. A new dribble technique; called No Touch Dribble, is also new to the game. It ties into skilled attackers who use body swerves and feints to dodge defenders. Players can use this feint in one direction and leave the ball behind; then return to get past even the most skilled defenders. FIFA 16 will be released on September 22 in North America for all major consoles.

PSD AS

Apple Inc. Grabs A Bigger Slice Of The US Smartphone Market: ComScore Report

According to the latest analytical report, Apple continues to raise its smartphone market share as the new iPhone is set to release next week









According to the latest analytical report by comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ:SCOR), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) appears to be growing its share in the US smartphone market. At the expense of rival smartphone manufacturers, especially Samsung Group (OTCMKTS:SSNLF), Apple seems to be increasing its dominance worldwide, particularly at home, and it will continue to do so as the next variant of the iPhone is expected to launch this week.

The data for the report published yesterday comes from MobiLens and Mobile Metrix, some of the biggest players in the world for digital media analytics. The publication shed light over the ongoing trend in the US smartphone space for the three months ended July 2015. Apple remains the market leader in the country, while Google Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android maintains its position as the most used operating system. The mobile app for Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) was ranked as the best smartphone application.

As per comScore, from April to July, Apple’s share of all smartphone subscribers in the US (191.4 million) rose 1.1 percentage points from 43.1% to 44.2%; in second place, Samsung, saw its market share decline from 28.6% to 27.3%. Next in line were LG, which saw its share rise from 8.4% to 8.7%, Motorola, which maintained its market share at 4.9%, and HTC that lost 0.2 percentage points from 3.7% in April to 3.5% in July.

While Android is still the most widely used mobile operating system in the US, as well as in the world, it suffered slightly in the latest analytics. For the ranking of the top mobile platforms, Android remained number one, although its market share dropped from 52.2% to 51.4%, while the iOS saw an 1.1% point rise. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) both saw their share of mobile platforms fall to 2.9% and 1.3%, respectively.

Apple’s share in the smartphone markets has been rising across the globe for a while now; the popularity increased exponentially after it launched the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The 2014 holiday quarter made new records in the company’s history, with nearly 74.5 million iPhone sales.


As the new iPhone comes out, prices for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will naturally experience a slight decline. We believe that this will ignite another aggressive quarter with respect to iPhone sales for Apple. As the iPhone 6 models get more affordable for the broader audience, it will bring in another tide of demand for the smartphone version.

As we reported yesterday, people have been shifting to the iOS more than ever in the US and China, the world’s biggest economies and Apple’s major markets. The company has also been progressing in Europe, as 27% of the Android users shifted to the iOS in the region. This, we believe, was exacerbated by Samsung’s failure to counter the iPhone 6 models with its Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge flagship products. As consumers were disappointed by Samsung smartphones, which were disappointing considering their high price tags, they naturally turned to Apple to get their money’s worth.

Bungie’s Destiny: Year One Moments Of Triumph Emblem Deadline Extended

Players now have more time to finish the challenges for the emblem, so if you were falling behind, this is your chance to catch up









Activision Blizzard Inc.’s (NASDAQ:ATVI) Destiny is almost here and as always, there is some new information on the game every day.

In the most recent weekly update from the game's developer, Bungie, they made new announcements regarding the upcoming DLC and the changes and features players can expect when it launches.

As we already know, the game launched almost a year ago and has seen players in large numbers playing actively almost every day. As a persona for the players who spent their time in the game in year one of the game, Bungie had released a list of challenges called “Moments of Triumph” which had to be completed by the players to get an exclusive Year One Emblem to signify their time spent in the game. These challenges had to be completed by September 9, and players who complete the challenges mentioned, will get the emblem when the upcoming expansion, The Taken King launches on September 15.

According to the recent weekly update, the deadline for completing the Moments of Triumphs has been extended and players now have up till September 14 to complete all the challenges. This is a smart move from Bungie since players will now have more time to complete all the challenges that are mentioned and now they will have until the release of The Taken King to complete the said moments.


To check on your current progress for completion of the Moments of Triumphs and/or to know about what the challenges actually are, you can head over the online portal for Destiny on Bungie.net and then log in with your respective Sony Corp. (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation Network or Microsoft Corporation’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox live account and then once you have your page loaded up, go into the Profile option from the Legend tab. From there, you can go into the triumphs tab to check on your status and the remaining challenges that you have to complete.

Now that you have until September 14 to complete the challenges, be sure to finish them off so that you can show off to the world the rare and exclusive emblem which will tell the tale of your adventures in Destiny’s Year One.

Physical Discs Still The Future Of Gaming

Shiny game discs games aren’t going the way of the dinosaur anytime soon; they will be around for quite a long time!










A lot of people have been predicting the end of physical media for years saying digital is the future. However, this generation has not seen a shift to digital media yet. One of the reasons is that console manufacturers also don’t want to force digital due to the limitations of internet connectivity worldwide and the huge size of games, which are now as big as 100 GB and console hardware also now sport 1TB hard drive space.

It’s very easy to fill up storage if you just download digitally and then micromanage space. If you delete digital content, you need to re-download it and then that may take any amount of time, depending on your internet connection. Physical discs are not internet dependent and you can just load the data off the disc as and when you please and delete it as often as you want. This makes micromanagement very simple.


Plus, physical media offers unlimited freedom to gamers in terms of ownership rights as it is easy to sell or buy used copies. The downloadable content code vouchers may have been redeemed by previous owners but one saves money buying used most of the time. It was Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) that first marketed this as part of the PlayStation 4 reveal and gamers loved the Japanese giant for this move. Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ:MSFT) initially did not support this for Xbox One but after a severe backlash, it followed suit. Also, midnight releases of games won’t be possible if stores won’t carry physical copies of games and fans are known to really enjoy picking games up in store at launch and meet other gamers as well.

Physical media clearly is the future. At the same time, collector’s editions come with awesome goodies along with the physical disc. When you pay $60 for each game, you want something tangible to represent it so physical discs really are awesome for that. Clearly, physical discs are still the future and it will be a long time before digital completely replaces them. As for now, both will co-exist and complement each other.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) New Goal For Windows 10: Become An Enterprise Darling?

Here’s a look into how Microsoft’s most valuable customers are taking on the arrival of Windows 10










Microsoft Corporation’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows 10 has been the most sought after operating system since its release on July 29, 2015. So far, it seems to be performing well and has become a major game changer for enterprises.

According to an article by IT Pro, 2% of 75 million users that downloaded Microsoft’s Windows 10 in the initial month of the launch, 1.5 million were businesses. This is a pretty decent number, although it might seem small.

Enterprises usually take long time to upgrade their business PCs because companies cannot upgrade all their machines altogether. It requires months to plan and test, taking a few more months to install and upgrade. Therefore, market researchers speculate that Window 10 will take time to become a huge success, mostly expected till next year’s second half or till 2017.

Furthermore, another reason why companies will take on Microsoft’s Windows 10 is the fact that from the company’s collaborators, such as Hewlett Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ), to its closest rival VMware, look forward to launching new services to help the businesses upgrade to the operating system.

Last year in June, HP and Microsoft had a clash as Microsoft was fighting for a spot against the Surface PC, which lead to unlikely events of HP to release PCs for Google’s Chrome OS and Android OS. As of now, it looks like both companies will be collaborating together. Eric Harmon, Senior Vice President, Global Practices & Transformation HP Enterprise Services said: “HP's unique relationship with Microsoft allows us to offer Windows 10 in a controlled manner integrated into the client's world -- giving both IT and the User the chance to experience the new operating system.”


According to Okta, a cloud security company that looks after 2,500 companies’ passwords that use cloud apps, provides a chart supporting Windows 10 kicked off at a good start. The company’s network shows that Windows 7 is used by 85% of Windows users. The chart reveals Windows 10 escalated rapidly in usage and surpassed even XP.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 is speculated to be successful in the future for enterprises. However, it has a long way to go for now.

Next-Generation Apple TV To Focus On Gaming

9to5Mac has reported that Apple Inc. is likely to enter the gaming industry with an upgraded hardware, including motion-control remotes, for the Apple TV

9to5Mac reports that the new Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) TV will be upgraded to compete with other major consoles. Sources close to the matter have told Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac that the next-generation Apple TV will have updated hardware, peripheral, and software to make the set-top box compatible for gaming. While it is not confirmed if the new device will be able to compete against consoles like Microsoft Corporation’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox or Sony’s PlayStation, more can be said when Apple announces the device details on September 9.

The publication adds that the next Apple TV will have a more responsive and proactive input from Siri. This has also been highlighted in Apple’s invitation for its event that tells users to ask Siri for a hint, to which she says that one should wait till September 9 to find out more.

Additionally, it states that Apple TV will likely have a full-blown version of iOS with a possible Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers to make apps and games for the set-top box. The company will also provide users with Bluetooth-connected game controllers, which will resemble the traditional ones. These remotes may also have touch-sensitive controls which may or may not incorporate Force Touch Technology.

The two dedicated buttons on the Apple TV remote will be accompanied with motion-controlled functions allowing users to select different functions on the TV, and dedicated Siri and Home Buttons for users' convenience. The remote will be connected to the set-top box with Bluetooth so having a pointed device is unlikely, akin to Nintendo’s Wii, which uses a sensor bar with infrared. The remote also comes with a replaceable battery.

We at Bidness Etc believe that Apple is likely to further expand its Apple TV services. In the age of smart homes, it seems Apple TV will ultimately be the device to allow users to control aspects of their homes without even moving. With Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) Echo, for example, smart home is connected with one hub. Apple’s HomeKit apps and products are also going to be connected seamlessly through the Apple TV.

Moreover, since Apple is considering entering into the gaming industry, there can be a possibility of an Apple-made console in the future. We believe that Apple TV is likely to only handle games that are already on the App Store for the iPhone and the iPad. Currently, the company is not capable to take on companies like Sony and Microsoft, which have products powerful enough to play heavy games. In addition, as it opens up the SDK to the developers, it will be a while till proper games are developed for playing with the appropriate remote and console.

Apple is likely to now provide regular hardware upgrades to the Apple TV, as it strives to update the product for more features and services each year. Currently, the closest thing that the company has to a connected TV is the Mac Mini. This is a mini machine which connects to a computer and provides users with an OSX experience, while being controlled by a keyboard and a mouse.


We believe that Apple wants to make this all-in-one, and that Apple TV is being updated at the right time. The company has also hinted at making original content to provide to Apple TV customers.

What’s more, Apple is likely to announce a range of products on September 9 at the Bill Graham Convention Centre in San Francisco. Possible products include the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iOS9, the Apple TV, and quite possibly, a new iPad.

Microsoft Corporation Xbox One Cannot Handle Competition As July 2015 Sales Data Revealed

Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 4 has increased its already substantial lead in the console wars

Sony Corp.’s (NYSE:SNE) PlayStation 4 has been the undisputed winner of this generation so far with the console offering the best value to gamers and being centered around gaming. Rival systems such as Microsoft Corporation’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Xbox One and Nintendo Co. Ltd.’s (OTCMKTS:NTDOY) Wii U have been coming in at a distant second and third respectively.

This is surprising, especially considering the fact that Xbox One has all the big exclusives like Square Enix Holdings Co Ltd.’s (OTCMKTS:SQNXF) Rise of the Tomb Raider, 343 Industries’ Halo 5 and Turn 10 studios’ Forza Motorsport 6 all coming in the third and fourth quarter of 2015. On the other hand, the PlayStation 4 does not have any major first part exclusives coming in 2015 while Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn and Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End being the only highlights of next year.

Despite all of this and also considering the fact that Microsoft has big exclusives in the pipeline for next year, it is surprising to see the PlayStation 4 still increasing its lead in total lifetime sales compared to rival consoles. According to sales data released by VGChartz, the PlayStation 4 has sold over 650,000 units in the month of July 2015, bringing the total lifetime sales of the console from Sony to 24.77 million units sold worldwide. The console has increased its already substantial lead in the console wars with the Xbox One coming in at second place, selling 314,867 units in the month, which brings the total sales of the console to 13.56 units sold worldwide. The third place obviously goes to the Wii U, which has crossed the 10 million units sold mark this month with 152,053 units in the month, bringing the total lifetime sales of the device to 10.13 million units sold worldwide. According to the data, when compared with the same month of the previous year, i.e. September 2014, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have increased their monthly sales with an increase of 69,513 units and 85,680 units, respectively. In the case of the Wii U, the sales are down in comparison by 66,493 units. This is surprising especially when you consider the fact that the Wii U beat the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One to the market by a whole year (the Wii U launched in November 2012 and the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launched in November 2013).


What this shows is that the PlayStation 4 is going to sell more and more units even though it does not have any worthy exclusives for the year. The initial backfiring of the DRM policies by Microsoft cost ita lot of credibility and while it is working very hard to build up again, it will take a long time to bring sales back on track against the reigning champion.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do sales matter when it comes to defining the champion of this console generation? Let us know in the comments below!

Apple Inc. Likely To Launch iPad Keyboard, Cheaper Apple Watch Edition On Sep 9

Apple is believed to be finalizing the “iPad keyboard” as well as new metal casings for the Apple Watch for September 9

It is no surprise that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been at the centre of attention for journalists for quite some time. We are only days away from the much-anticipated September 9 event, which is likely to see the company launch various products alongside the iPhone. Recent reports hint at the possibility of fans being greeted with the first-ever “iPad keyboard,” alongside a less expensive gold variant of its Apple Watch.

According to the New York Times, the company has much more in store for fans than just the iPhone , as reports indicate that the new metal finishes for the Apple Watch “may surface” at next week’s event. KGI Securities’ analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had predicted the same in March, claiming that Apple might introduce up to three different casing materials for its wearable in a bid to cater to this fall’s holiday shopping season.

The 18-karat Gold Apple Watch Edition is currently available through online and retail stores for a staggering $10,000. However, fans can expect a more affordable variant this Wednesday, if recent reports are to be believed. The different casing materials expected to be introduced include white gold, carbon fiber, titanium and even Hublot’s “Magic Gold.”

By far, the most surprising news is that Apple might detract from its usual timeline of launching new iPads in October every year, and introduce the rumored iPad Pro next week. This has been fueled by reports claiming that the tech giant is working on the first-ever iPad keyboard that could be launched in the near future.


Only recently a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing showed Apple to be working on a wireless keyboard alongside the latest model of its Magic Mouse. However, it is unclear whether the rumored keyboard is the same that had surfaced in the news earlier.

With the rumor mill doing overtime in recent weeks, Apple fans shouldn’t be surprised to see various new product launches. Bidness Etc will be covering the Apple event to be held at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, at 10 AM Pacific daylight time.

Polaroid Is Back In The Instant Photo Game With The Snap (Hands-On)

I'm not sure I would have believed you had you told me a week ago that Polaroid was going to have one of the biggest IFA debuts, but here we are, seven days later, and the Snap's got everyone talking. It's a return to form for the iconic company — something it should have done years ago.

All these decades later, after boatloads full of branded tablets and the like, the company's name is still synonymous with instant photography, and now, the company has embraced the concept using next generation technology.

The Snap is a plastic rectangle branded with Polaroid's rainbow strips. There's a pop-up flash at top but no view finder or display. You snap a shot, print it out via the on-board printer and that's that.




Unfortunately, we didn't get to see it in action at the show today, but the camera uses a technology called Zero Ink to — you guessed it — print without ink. The key lies in the paper, which features the requisite dyes, which are activated and colorized by the printer's heat.

The result is a 2x4-inch photo that prints out in around a minute or so. The camera is due out by year's end for $99.

Labor Day Sale 2015: Best Buy Slashes $100 Off Apple iPad Mini 3

As part of its four-day Labor Day sale, Best Buy is offering Apple's iPad Mini 3 for $100 off from its retail price.

The discount applies to most of the models of the iPad Mini 3, from the most basic 16GB Wi-Fi only model to the most expensive 128GB Wi-Fi and cellular model.

The discounted prices for the iPad Mini 3 from Best Buy, including the original retail price for the devices, are as follows:

16GB Wi-Fi only - from $399.99 to $299.99

16GB Wi-Fi and cellular - from $529.99 to $429.99

64GB Wi-Fi and cellular - from $629.99 to $529.99

128GB Wi-Fi only - from $599.99 to $499.99

128GB Wi-Fi and cellular - from $729.99 to $629.99











Surprisingly though, the 64GB Wi-Fi only version is the only model that did not get the same price cut as the other versions of the tablet. However, all colors of gold, silver and space gray are available for the iPad Mini 3 models that are offered with the $100 discount.

The iPad Mini 3 features a 7.9-inch Retina display and comes with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The tablet is powered by an A7 chip with an M7 motion coprocessor, and claims up to 10 hours of battery life.

Customers that are thinking of picking up an iPad Mini 3 should take advantage of the four-day Labor Day sale by Best Buy. Those that do so will be able to enjoy free shipping for the tablets, with the devices sent out the next business day after the order is placed.

It should be noted, however, that Apple is reportedly unveiling the iPad Mini 4 in its upcoming event on Sept. 9, along with the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPad Pro and the new Apple TV.

The iPad Mini 4 is expected to be adopting the design of the iPad Air 2, according to images of the device that have been leaked. The upcoming tablet is said to be packing a faster series-A processor and will have the capability to run apps on split screens, along with upgraded rear-facing and Facetime cameras.

The new and larger version of the iPad will reportedly be named the iPad Pro, with the tablet geared towards power users and will include support for a stylus using the Force Touch technology.