Apple Reports Third Quarter Results-2013 : Beats Market Expectations

Apple Reports Third Quarter Results-2013 : Beats Market Expectations

Apple 23rd July 20:00 GMT

Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2013 third quarter ended June 29, 2013. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $35.3 billion and quarterly net profit of $6.9 billion, or $7.47 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $35 billion and net profit of $8.8 billion, or $9.32 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 36.9 percent compared to 42.8 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 57 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

The Company sold 31.2 million iPhones, a record for the June quarter, compared to 26 million in the year-ago quarter. Apple also sold 14.6 million iPads during the quarter, compared to 17 million in the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 3.8 million Macs, compared to 4 million in the year-ago quarter.

Shares of computer and smartphone maker Apple rose nearly 5% in after-hours trading after it reported better-than-expected profits for the third quarter.

Apple has seen lots of competition recently from Samsung and other brands and lack of Innovation from Apple has eroded the share value from its highs. The spotlight now is on the latest innovations  from Apple which everybody is awaiting.

Nokia Lumia 1020 with 41 Megapixel Camera Launched Priced at $299.99

Nokia Lumia 1020 with 41 Megapixel Camera Launched Priced at $299.99

Nokia established a new benchmark in smartphone imaging with the arrival of the Nokia Lumia 1020, boasting a second generation 41 megapixel sensor. Unlike any smartphone in the market today the Nokia Lumia 1020 reinvents zoom, enabling people to discover more detail than the eye can see. With Nokia's innovative PureView technology, including optical image stabilization, the device is able to produce some of the sharpest images possible by any digital camera.

While the resolution is top-notch -- you'll be able to take 34 and 38MP pictures, depending on your desired aspect ratio -- the 1020 will also simultaneously take 5MP oversampled shots that are much more friendly for Facebook and SkyDrive sharing

The Nokia Lumia 1020's 41 megapixel sensor features leading ZEISS optics with six physical lenses, plus optical image stabilization, delivering crystal clear pictures even in low light conditions. It also captures blur free videos with stereo sound even at the loudest concerts thanks to Nokia Rich Recording, which handles sound pressure levels six times louder than conventional smartphone microphones.

Nokia Lumia 1020 Specifications :
Display size: 11.43 cm
Display technology: ClearBlack, AMOLED
Touch screen technology: Super-sensitive touch
Main camera sensor: 41 MP, PureView
Flash type: Xenon flash
Talk time (2G): 19.1 h
Talk time (3G): 13.3 h
Music playback time: 63 h
Wireless charging: Yes, with accessory cover
Processor name: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ S4
Processor type: Dual-core 1.5 GHz
Windowa OS 8

The Nokia Lumia 1020 will arrive first on U.S. shores exclusively with AT&T, with sales expected to start on July 26 at a price of USD 299.99 on a two-year contract.

The Nokia Lumia 1020 is then expected to arrive in China and key European markets this quarter. Nokia plans to ship an exclusive variant of the device with Telefonica to select European and Latin American markets. The Nokia Lumia 1020 will be available in yellow, white and black.

It mostly confirms to the Nokia Lumia 1020 Leak shots we earlier released.

Nokia Lumia 1020 Leak Shots , Specifications ahead of Launch

Nokia Lumia 1020 Leak Shots , Specifications ahead of Launch

The Nokia Lumia 1020, which is due to be announced later today, rumors of a 41-megapixel camera with the new handset also featuring a 4.5-inch AMOLED HD+ display with a 1280 x 768 resolution wrapped in Gorilla Glass 3.

The phone will be released under Pureview branding.Nokia's PureView camera on the Lumia 1020 will include a Xenon flash and F/2.2 lens, alongside a new Pro Camera application and the company's OIS stabilization. The camera app will provide access to white balance, ISO, focus, shutter speed, and other settings through a radial menu-like interface. We understand that Nokia's camera app is feature heavy, with options to toggle aspect ratio on photos and the ability to enable a "dual capture" mode that takes images at different resolutions at the same time.

Inside the phone will use a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, although which exactly still remains to be seen. Then there is 2GB of RAM to play with and 32GB of internal storage. 7GB of SkyDrive space will also be included.

Keep tuned to get more on the 1020 later today, with Nokia's dedicated event starting today in UK.

Shazam gets $40 million backing from tycoon Carlos Slim

Shazam gets $40 million backing from tycoon Carlos Slim

Smartphone app developer Shazam has found an unlikely ally in the form of Carlos Slim, one of the world's richest men, who is investing $40 million to back the development of the start-up best known for helping music fans identify catchy songs.

Slim, ranked the world's top billionaire by Forbes magazine with a net worth of $73 billion, was brought in by one of Shazam's venture capital owners, Silicon Valley fund Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

British-based Shazam will use the funds to accelerate its expansion into television, where its recognition software can tune into an advertisement's soundtrack then link viewers directly to the brand's website.

Since its last round of funding in 2011, Shazam has achieved tremendous growth and expanded its service from music into television and advertising with the following results:

• The user base has more than doubled to 350 million people around the globe
• The number of monthly active users has tripled to over 70 million as people increasingly use Shazam on their mobile device to have a deeper experience of music, TV and advertising
• Sustained growth of more than two million new users each week.
• Sales of digital goods are now over $300 million a year through affiliate partners like iTunes, a figure that is doubling annually. 

 “Shazam’s expansion into television has moved the company into an entirely new phase of growth with interactive advertising generating new sources of revenue and partnerships with broadcasters encouraging a broader group of people to use Shazam more frequently.”  said Shazam CEO Rich Riley.  “We look forward to working with America Movil to launch these services in the region as we seek to increase our ubiquity throughout the world.”

Slim's investment takes the total backing that Shazam has secured since 2009 to $72 million.

Source : Reuters

JOBS : New Steve Jobs Movie

JOBS : New Steve Jobs Movie

Jobs is the New movie which is being made on the life of ex-Apple CEO Steve Jobs and how he became what he was.


The story of Steve Jobs' ascension from college dropout into one of the most revered creative entrepreneurs of the 20th century is touted as the one of the most awaited movies in the technology world.

The role of Steve jobs is played by Ashton Kutcher.

Director: Joshua Michael Stern

Writer: Matt Whiteley

Stars: Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, J.K. Simmons

The World’s Fastest Ship - Incat High Speed Ferry Excels

Australian ferry builder Incat Tasmania’s world first high speed dual-fuel vehicle and passenger ferry is now officially fast with a lightship speed of 58.1 knots - (107.6 kilometres an hour) and a thrill for the designers of the 99 metre high speed vessel Francisco (Incat hull 069).

This is certainly the fastest ship in the world......of course there’s a few speed boats that could surpass 58 knots but nothing that could carry 1000 passengers and 150 cars, and with an enormous duty free shop on board.

Courtesy : Incat

Firefox Marketplace : The Era of Firefox OS has Began

Firefox Marketplace : The Era of Firefox OS has Began

Firefox OS phones are launched, though not worldwide but it is a matter of time that they are launched across the globe. The support they are getting from the phone manufactures is awesome and people really want to see some new OS coming which can take them away from the regular Android and iOS.

Before the public launch later this year, Mozilla will be opening the Marketplace for user testing. And this is how it will look.

Using open Web standards and Mozilla-designed APIs, great app experiences can be delivered across multiple platforms, devices and operating systems — closing the gap between Web and native apps for the first time.Using open Web standards and Mozilla-designed APIs, great app experiences can be delivered across multiple platforms, devices and operating systems — closing the gap between Web and native apps for the first time.

There seems to be 1148 apps as of now in the store which will keep on increasing as the time passes on and the open web standards might make it the biggest marketplace.

If you are a App developer , you can go and submit you own App at https://marketplace.firefox.com/developers/submit/

The first impression i would say is good and lets see how things turn out in this ever competitive market.

Firefox OS: Telefónica, Mozilla and ZTE to launch Firefox OS in Spain on July 2

Telefónica, Mozilla and ZTE today announced the world’s first commercial launch of Firefox OS with the ZTE Open available at Movistar stores from 2 July priced at €69 (inc. VAT), including €30 for prepaid customers and the option of zero interest financing for post pay customers.

The launch marks a significant moment for the mobile phone industry with consumers able for the first time to buy a smartphone based entirely on open web standards. Firefox OS frees consumers and developers from the constraints of existing closed ecosystems by using the web as the platform for all functionality and applications.

Firefox OS features a revolutionary new search capability that allows the device to adapt to the user’s changing needs and is only built into Firefox OS. Swipe to the right from the home screen and enter a search term and the phone will customize itself to that search. For example, search for an artist and get results to buy songs, watch music videos, buy concert tickets and even listen to them instantly without having to download and install any apps.

The first looks of Firefox OS looks great and hope we get one in our hands soon. The Apps Market place will play the key role though for the widespread of the phone.