Japan’s Rakuten buys Viber for $900 million

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• Japan’s Rakuten buys Viber for $900 million
• Microsoft considers enabling Android apps for Windows & Windows Phone
• Telenor brings free WhatsApp for all prepaid customers
• QMobile introduces Dual SIM 7-inch Tablet
• PTCL Free EVO 3.1Mbps offer for DSL Broadband users
• Zouhair A. Khaliq quits his job at Wateen Telecom
• E-Office System to be rolled-out soon in all Federal Ministries & Divisions
• Nokia’s first Android smartphone will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress

Japan’s Rakuten buys Viber for $900 million Posted: 14 Feb 2014 11:01 PM PST Rakuten, an e-commerce and internet company based out of Tokyo has announced a $900 million deal to buy Viber; a mobile voice and instant messaging company. It merits mentioning that Rakuten has also acquired Canada's ebook platform Kobo, Spanish video service Wuaki.tv, and Viki; it aims to be world’s number one internet services company. Viber has rocketed in popularity in the recent years, and has more than 300 million registered users. The Viber application is available for iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Windows, Mac, Linux, BlackBerry and many other mobile and desktop platforms. Besides providing Rakuten access to new markets, the deal will offer new potential markets for Viber through Rakuten users. Rakuten’s founder & CEO Hiroshi Mikitani said in a statement: Viber understands how people actually want to engage and have built the only service that truly delivers on all fronts. This makes Viber the ideal total consumer engagement platform for Rakuten. Source The post Japan’s Rakuten buys Viber for $900 million appeared first on The Giga Web.

Microsoft considers enabling Android apps for Windows & Windows Phone Posted: 13 Feb 2014 11:22 PM PST A recent report from The Verge indicates that Microsoft is considering to bring Android applications support to Windows and Windows Phone operating systems. The planning is on going and still at very early stage, Inside Microsoft some favor the idea of enabling Android apps while other believe that it could lead to the death of Windows Phone platform, just like BlackBerry. The major complaint about Windows Phone OS is the lack of popular apps, It merits mentioning here that despite all the efforts Microsoft failed to attract developers to create applications for Windows Phone platform. iOS & Android are still the favorite for app developers. Some believe that running Android apps on Windows Phone could help them gain a fair market share but it didn't for BlackBerry, so Microsoft has to decide very carefully. Reportedly Nokia (Now a Microsoft Subsidiary) is also going to introduce an Android phone very soon and If it goes well and receive positive feedback, Microsoft may shift its focus towards Android. The post Microsoft considers enabling Android apps for Windows & Windows Phone appeared first on The Giga Web.

Telenor brings free WhatsApp for all prepaid customers Posted: 13 Feb 2014 11:01 PM PST Here is a good news for Telenor talkshawk and all prepaid users, now they can use unlimited WhatsApp for free. There are no activation or daily charges for this offer. Offer Details: This offer is available for all talkshawk customers irrespective of their package. To activate it you need to dial *345*991# from your mobile phone. If you don't have internet settings activated you can get them by sending "internet" to 131. Keep in mind that you have to subscribe to this offer daily as the offer expires 12am every night. Terms & Conditions: This offer is valid for all prepaid Telenor subscribers (Talkshawk, Djuice & Business Prepaid). Free WhatsApp has no volume limit. It is unlimited. Subscriber can be charged only if he shares his location from WhatsApp other than that all WhatsApp usage will free. Customers will not be able to avail Free WhatsApp if they have Zero balance.  Subscribers will be informed when the bundle expires at midnight. The post Telenor brings free WhatsApp for all prepaid customers appeared first on The Giga Web.

QMobile introduces Dual SIM 7-inch Tablet Posted: 13 Feb 2014 02:03 AM PST After bombarding the market with many low cost smartphones, QMobile has turned its focus towards the tablets segment. Last month the company introduced a mid-range 8-inch quad-core tablet, and now they are offering a low end device with Dual-SIM capability. The key features Q Tab Q300 are as follows: 7-inch screen size with 800 x 600 pixels resolution 1.3GHz dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM 8GB Internal storage, supporting microSD card upto 32GB 5-megapixel camera with LED flash, 2-megapixel front facing camera Dual-SIM active, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPRS & FM Radio 2800 mAh Battery Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS The tablet specifications looks very good on the paper, considering its price is just 15,000 Rupees, however battery capacity is a little low as compared to the competition. Q300 takes most of its design inspiration form Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, not sure about the build quality but it looks good in the render images. This tablet costs a little more than the chinese brands like Ainol and Apex, but considering its Dual-SIM capability the price is justified. What do you think of this tablet, Do share your opinion in the comments section below. The post QMobile introduces Dual SIM 7-inch Tablet appeared first on The Giga Web.

PTCL Free EVO 3.1Mbps offer for DSL Broadband users Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:16 AM PST The latest promotion from PTCL brings EVO 3.1Mbps for all broadband customers at the rate of Rs. 500 per month, EVO device itself is free of cost. Offer Details: PTCL is now offering free EVO 3G dongle to all broaband customers which you can also plug into your WiFi router in case the Broadband DSL goes down. The monthly charges of EVO service other than regular DSL charges are Rs. 500. But here is the catch, unlike Broadband DSL, EVO has monthly download limit of 10GB. To get this offer visit nearest PTCL One Stop Shop or dial 0800-80-800 from your landline number. Terms and Conditions: This promotion is valid for all existing Broadband customers, irrespective of their package plan. The monthly charges of EVO service will be included in the Telephone bill along with regular DSL package charges. Rs 1,000 will be charged in case of disconnection of Evo Package on customer request before lapse of 12 months since purchase. Disconnection of Package after a period of 12 months at the request of the customer will not be charged. EVO connection will be disconnected if the PSTN connection is terminated. The post PTCL Free EVO 3.1Mbps offer for DSL Broadband users appeared first on The Giga Web.

Zouhair A. Khaliq quits his job at Wateen Telecom Posted: 12 Feb 2014 03:10 AM PST Zouhair Abdul Khaliq; a reputable name in Pakistan’s telecom industry, has stepped down as Board Member of Wateen Telecom. He was appointed by Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, to the Board of Wateen in December 2010. Zouhair led the restructuring effort as Chairman of the Board Executive Committee and enabled Wateen to emerge from a loss making entity to a stable company. He is currently based in the UK and continues to work in an advisory capacity in the Telecom and Technology sector where he has had a successful and productive career over the last 22 years. Show Press Release (252 More Words) Lahore: February 12, 2014 – Zouhair A. Khaliq has stepped down as Board Member of Wateen Telecom, Pakistan after completing a 3 year-tenure that led to the restructuring and reorganization of Wateen. It may be recalled that Zouhair was appointed by Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, to the Board of Wateen in December 2010.  Naeem Zamindar was appointed CEO at the same time and together this team brought in key new members to strengthen the management team and address the challenges at the Company. Zouhair led the restructuring effort as Chairman of the Board Executive Committee.  Working with the CEO and shareholders Zouhair played a key role in strengthening Board Governance bringing in additional independent members to the Board, and reorganizing the operational team, including the appointment of a Restructuring firm to successfully negotiate new financial terms with its lenders.  Telecom analysts opined, Zouhair's leadership consolidated and refocused Wateen's businesses leading the effort in carving out the WiMax business and planning a merger with QuBee. The Company went private by de-listing from the Stock Exchanges, strengthened the LDI business and charted a new strategy for its fibre business. His contribution enabled Wateen to emerge from a loss making entity to one which is generating positive EBITDA and is now viewed as a stable organization set to build on these successes, they added.  Zouhair is currently based in the UK and continues to work in an advisory capacity in the Telecom and Technology sector where he has had a successful and productive career over the last 22 years. The post Zouhair A. Khaliq quits his job at Wateen Telecom appeared first on The Giga Web.

E-Office System to be rolled-out soon in all Federal Ministries & Divisions Posted: 11 Feb 2014 09:17 PM PST A press release issued from Ministry of Information Technology states that E-Office system in all federal ministries and divisions will be deployed very soon. The acquisition of Data Center Facility, signing of contract for e-office and middle software with the vendors, gathering and analysis of ministries for configuration of basic parameters for the said system has already completed. The training of employees to use this system and network connectivity test are in progress. The Minister of State for IT, Ms. Anusha Rahman also directed to establish an IT Service Management Cell to register and address the issues of the end users of the system. It merits mentioning here that e-office system is already functional in Prime Minister Office, National Assembly Secretariat and Ministry of Information Technology. Show Press Release (303 More Words) The Minister of State for IT, Ms. Anusha Rahman chaired a meeting to review the progress of PSDP IT Project regarding the replication of e-office system here in Islamabad today. The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary (IT), Azmat Ali Ranjha, DG (PCB) and senior officials of MoIT and PCB. DG (PCB) apprised the Minister regarding the progress of e-office project at length. In this regard, multiple teams have been constituted in accordance with the nature of tasks and relevant to the human resource expertise. The DG (PCB) told the minister that acquisition of Data Center Facility for e-Office Hosting, signing of contract for e-office and middle software with the vendors, gathering and analysis of ministries for configuration of basic parameters for the said system has already completed. The Federal Ministries/Divisions have nominated their Focal Persons to liaison with PCB team for the implementation of the system simultaneously in their respective Ministries/Divisions. Moreover, above 75% network connectivity of Federal Ministries/Divisions through Optical Fiber Ring has been tested successfully. The master trainers are imparting the capacity building training to the trainers who will further train the employees of the Federal Government on e-office system to cater optimum results. The e-office system is already functional in Prime Minister Office, National Assembly Secretariat and Ministry of Information Technology. The Minister directed to establish an IT Service Management Cell to register and address the issues of the end users of the system. She further expressed that the said system will be a key tool to ensure efficiency, accuracy, effectiveness, good governance, transparency, and accountability in decision making. The Minister further added that the indigenous technological industry has been utilized for the development and implementation of e-office system to encourage the local industry and to maximize the usage of local IT HR as per the vision of the present government. The post E-Office System to be rolled-out soon in all Federal Ministries & Divisions appeared first on The Giga Web.

Nokia’s first Android smartphone will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress Posted: 11 Feb 2014 07:39 AM PST A report published by WSJ (Wall Street Journal) suggests that Nokia will introduce its first Android smartphone later this month. This Android device code-named Nokia Normandy will be unveiled during Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona as Nokia X. The phone will be running Google’s Android operating system but it won’t come with Play Store, instead Nokia is going to introduce its own Android app store with this phone. The UI is also a bit different from all other Android devices with major customizations closer to Windows Phone 8 tiles interface. The rumored specifications of this device include 4-inch display, Snapdragon dual-core processor, 512MB of RAM, 4GB internal storage and 5-megapixel primary camera. It will be a Dual-SIM phone and priced in line with low end Nokia Asha devices. So now we have to wait till 24 February to confirm all these rumors. The post Nokia’s first Android smartphone will be unveiled at Mobile World Congress appeared first on The Giga Web.

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