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More Connected, Yet More Alone - Realization Of Pandemic Dysfunctional Cellphone Obsession Dawning?
iPhone Fingerprint Reader Means Government Business
Windows Phone Now A 'Real Adversary' To Android And iOS
What's Behind Apple's Shrinking Mobile Market Share?
Cell Phones for Soldiers Launches Fundraising Initiative to Support Troops and Veterans with an iPhone Buyback Program
More Connected, Yet More Alone - Realization Of Pandemic Dysfunctional Cellphone Obsession Dawning?
The New York Times' Nick Bilton reports that one of the week’s most popular YouTube videos is a two-minute piece by comedian and actress Charlene deGuzman entitled "I Forgot My Phone," which he says which has been viewed more than 15 million times. In the video Ms. deGuzman portrays a woman who stares silently while her boyfriend pays her no mind focuses on his his smartphone, then trakcs her through a day during which other people ignore her as they stare at their phones during various events and activities, and ends with her in bed with her boyfriend, who at the end of the day is still absorbed by his phone.
Bilton suggests that Ms. deGuzman’s video may have landed at one of those cultural moments when people start questioning if something has gone too far and start doing something about it.
Hey, d'ya think?
For the full commentary visit here:
http://goo.gl/hx7sMw
iPhone Fingerprint Reader Means Government Business
Some Apple observers, including this one, have been puzzling as to why a rumored fingerprint reader would be a feature priority for Apple in the iPhone 5S.
However, SeekingAlpha contributor Alex Colcernian sheds some possible light, noting that the rumor gains plausibility in context with to Apple's $356 million acquisition of AuthenTec in July 2012 - a company operating in the access control market working with fingerprint readers.
Colcernian suggests that if a fingerprint reader is embedded in the new iPhone, Apple could quickly become the de facto leader in mobile device security, with both enterprises and governments around the world likely looking to add iOS devices to their networks.
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/iH3TD3
Windows Phone Now A 'Real Adversary' To Android And iOS
BetaNews's Mihaita Bamburic says that while one usually doesn't see Windows Phone linked to being a "key player" on the smartphone market, according to a new report from Kantar Worldpanel Comtech, it appears that Microsoft's operating system has established itself as a "real adversary" to Android and iOS.
KWC notes that between May and July 2013, Windows Phones accounted for 8.2 percent of all smartphone sales in five major European markets -- France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK, nearly doubling its sales metric from the same time-frame from last year when it had 4.9 percent market share), and growing by 3.3 percentage points, or 67.34 percent.
With Microsoft's announced acquisition of Nokia's phone business, it's reasonable to speculate that Windows Phone will now have the solid hardware backing for even more substantial advance.
For the full report visit here:
http://goo.gl/0It68I
What's Behind Apple's Shrinking Mobile Market Share?
CNN Money's Julianne Pepitone notes that the iPhone and iPad make up more than two-thirds of Apple's overall sales, but once-skyrocketing demand for both devices has begun to stall, and Apple needs to find new ways to stay on top.
Ms. Pepitone notes that the iPhone's share of the smartphone market peaked at nearly 24% in the holiday quarter of 2011, according to research firm Gartner. But Apple's share dropped to 21% the next holiday season, and again to 14% last quarter, while Android now dominates the market with a 79% share.
Meanwhile, she reports, the iPad is losing its grip on the market even more quickly, with data from tech consultancy firm IDC showing the iPad scored more than 76% of the market when it debuted in 2010, but its share plummeted to 33% last quarter, while during the same period, Android tablets nearly tripled their share from 23% to 63%.
She notes that one element of Apple's problem is that the company hasn't launched a new smartphone or tablet in about a year, while rivals release new devices far more frequently, but contends that Apple also has an innovation problem.
For the full commentary visit here:
http://goo.gl/jUZKOX
Cell Phones for Soldiers Launches Fundraising Initiative to Support Troops and Veterans with an iPhone Buyback Program
Founders of Cell Phones for Soldiers, Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, announced Tuesday the launch of the Cell Phones for Soldiers Apple iPhone Buyback program, a fundraising initiative that allows supporters to sell an iPhone and generate valuable funds to support the charitys mission.
Founded in 2004, Cell Phones for Soldiers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free communication services to active-duty military members and emergency financial assistance to veterans. Through this new program, supporters can sell an iPhone to Cell Phones for Soldiers and receive payment for the device. Consumers also have the option to donate up to 100 percent of the phones value to Cell Phones for Soldiers and, in addition, receive a tax deductible receipt.
This is an easy way to make a large impact on the charity and also receive a benefit, said Cell Phones for Soldiers Co-founder Robbie Bergquist. Its a win-win for everyone involved. The donor benefits, the charity benefits and most importantly, the Cell Phones for Soldiers iPhone Buyback program will allow the charity to assist more troops and veterans.
The charity has partnered with one of the leading e-commerce buyback companies, Mindful eCycling LLC, to execute the program. Cell Phones for Soldiers uses one pricing model, so consumers know the value of the phone prior to mailing it.
Supporters can access the iPhone buyback program and view the list of estimated values of iPhones from the Cell Phones for Soldiers website:
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Once the consumer provides basic contact information online, a prepaid envelope is immediately shipped.
The charity still relies on monetary donations and donations of gently-used mobile phones, said Cell Phones for Soldiers Co-founder Brittany Bergquist. However, this provides donors with another way to support Cell Phones for Soldiers and our active-duty military members and veterans.
Initially, the program will only accept iPhones but will expand to support other smartphone models in the near future. All other types of gently-used cell phones can be donated to the charitys cell phone donation program. Prepaid shipping labels can be requested directly from Cell Phones for Soldiers website.
For the past nine years, the charity has accepted donations of gently-used cell phones, along with monetary donations, to support its programs for troops and veterans. Since 2004, the charity has kept more than 11 million cell phones out of landfills and provided more than 192 million minutes of free talk time to deployed military members.
For more information, visit:
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Follow at:
http://www.facebook.com/
JoinCellPhonesforSoldiers or via Twitter @CPFSOfficial.
Cell Phones for Soldiers Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing cost-free communication services to active-duty military members and veterans. Based in Norwell, Mass., Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004 by Robbie and Brittany Bergquist, then 12 and 13 years old. The organization has provided 192 million minutes of free talk time to deployed military members. Beginning in 2012, Helping Heroes Home provides emergency funds for returning veterans to alleviate communication challenges as well as physical, emotional and assimilation hardships. For more information, visit:
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
http://www.helpingheroeshome.org
or:
http://www.facebook.com/JoinCellPhonesforSoldiers
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