VimpelCom to bring easy payment solution for Windows Phone Apps

VimpelCom, Nokia and Microsoft Corporation have signed a deal which will enhance digital entertainment experience for VimpelCom customers across its markets. VimpelCom customers will be able to easily find, try and download apps or digital content available on the Windows Phone store and the price amount will be conveniently deducted from their prepaid credit or will come in their postpaid bill. There have been trials of services to provide such features by integrating it with payment options like credit card and utility payments with a single bill provided by the operator.

Windows Phone has not yet been able to gain much popularity like Android or iOS as it is still in its initial phases of maturity despite the agreements between Nokia and Microsoft to pledge their future together in the smartphone industry. Windows Phone has only 125,000 apps in its app store for 191 countries however, the operating system is beginning to gain attention within developers, with most popular applications now being created, or adapted, for Windows Phone.

VimpelCom will create its own ‘VimpelCom Shelf’ that will bring tailored content to Windows Phone smartphones using VimpelCom customers around the globe thus providing them with the most convenient way to access and pay for apps. In many of the markets in which VimpelCom is operating, the telecom giant will be the first to introduce the service.

Samsung MENA Forum 2013 to entice the attendees in Dubai

The Korean based global leader in consumer electronics, Samsung Electronics is holding a forum titled ‘Samsung MENA Forum 2013’ at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Dubai, UAE from February 18, 2013.

The Samsung MENA Forum will showcase the latest 2013 products and provide the guests with an opportunity to experience a dedicated B2B exhibition area. Attendees will further have the unique opportunity to interact and experience the latest products and services that express Samsung’s vision for the consumer electronics industry.  Samsung’s vision of the future pursues to permit customers to discover exciting new worlds of possibilities. Through its pursuit of discovery and its deep understanding of consumers’ lives Samsung will reveal its goal of creating a new experience for all.

Samsung has showcased its new line-up of televisions and has informed the guests about the astounding success it has had since the last year.

Google to open retail stores to showcase its hardware tech

After being renowned for its hold on the virtual world, Google is now planning on opening retail shops in the US before the start of the holiday season which starts from November and lasts till mid-January. Though it seems pretty absurd for Google, which has almost everything it needs in the cloud, to open up retail chains, they do have products that need showcasing to the general public and are hardware in nature.

The main purpose of Google is not to actually sell the products but to let users experience them before they actually buy them off the net. These retail shops will be on-hands experience centers for the general public and will showcase Google’s hardware products. At the moment, Google has quite a few personal hardware tech items in its arsenal such as Chromebooks as well as smartphones and tablets under its Nexus range.

The real fun would be when the electronic search giant launches its much-awaited Google Glass. Reports suggest that the decision to open retail shops was finalized as the company was working on the project. Those who are not tech geeks and do not scour the web for hints of latest gadgets and its specs will need to see what they are actually buying. And with the kind of ultramodern features the Glass is offering, even the tech nerds will want to try it.

Google will also be giving a demonstration of its upcoming X-Phone, X-Tablet, driverless cars etc. at these stores.

Skype to introduce video messaging feature

The success of its video calling feature calls upon Skype to introduce innovation and creativity in itsproduct in order to keep its users entwined in the software. In such an attempt, Skype is about to introduce a video messaging feature for Android, iOS and Mac. The messaging feature will allow users to send short video messages to their friends over Skype if they are unavailable for chat. The duration of the message can be as long as 3 minutes and for the time being, those with the latest version of Skype on Mac, Android or iOS can avail this new feature only if they are living in UK or US.

The new feature is yet not available to Windows users but Skype promises that Windows users will be able to use it by April this year. However those with other operating systems will still be able to receive the video messages. Soon enough, Skype will be bringing this feature across all platforms. Skype is currently awaiting feedback from its users on the feature before going big with it.

Wateen participates in Lahore Literary Festival

Wateen Telecom announces its support for the first ever Lahore Literary Festival (LLF). The Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) is being held on 23-24 February 2013 at the Alhamra Arts Complex. Its purpose is to revive the spirit of art and creativity in Lahore. The annual event assures the re-establishment of Lahore as the cultural hub of Pakistan and elevating the cultural experience of Lahoris by creating platform that would nurture and improve Lahore’s literary traditions.

Wateen as a part of its commitment will be providing the visitors and guests of the event with seamless high speed wireless broadband. Wateen also permanently donated the Wi-Fi equipment to the Alhamra Arts Complex for continued future use. Wateen will also be placing test kiosks designed specifically for the festival. The kiosks, which are named as “Freedom Booths” will include laptops with web cams which would serve as video log for the visitors who can express and record their opinions about their experience at the festival.

The festival will have exhibitions, stalls, musical programs, book readings, panel discussion and local cuisine. The two day festival will also be a place for a number of book launches both in English and Urdu literature.