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The impact of mobile technology on the financial services industry (Promoted)

Guest Blogger
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With technology being utilized in every industry imaginable, it’s hardly surprising that it’s made an appearance in the financial services industry as well. With the use of mobile technology in particular, investing has become more seamless than ever, with people having more flexibility when it comes to trading. Due to the transformational effect that mobile, cloud and other new technologies are having on our financial services industry, a huge amount of investment is happening to allow businesses to thrive off of these technological changes. In both the B2C and B2B space businesses are dedicating resource to fostering new start-ups based off these technologies, such as Unilever Foundry, NEX Opportunities, and Barclays Accelerator. Below, we’ve explored the main ways in which mobile technology has transformed the financial services industry.

Trading Can Be Done Anywhere at Any Time

Before mobile technology emerged, the process of trading could often be a lengthy process, meeting up with the opposite party at a time that suits both them and yourself. However, with just the few clicks of a button on our smartphones, trades can be done whenever, regardless of how busy the trader is. Because of this, the financial markets are more accessible than ever, making business easier for experienced traders who need to secure deals on a daily basis.

Access To Data Driven Money Management

It isn’t always the most practical to travel to an ATM to receive information about your cash flow or recent transactions. In fact, compared to the new money management features that we can access on our smartphones, there’s a lot that ATM’s can’t do! Whether you’re running a small business, or you just want to keep a close eye on your spending habits, data driven money management now allows customers to make smart decisions about their investments and how they spend their money. These mobile apps use infographics to allow customers to understand what their banking data represents, and thus represent a huge technological shift in the financial services industry, as understanding the latest trends of mobile technology can provide better service for consumers.

There Are Fewer Legal Barriers

Since 2010, over 25 companies have been granted banking permissions, or are instead applying to operate in the retail banking market, and it’s estimated that 80% of the start-up institutions go to markets with a mobile-first or mobile-only offering to consumers. Plus, with 5 major banks holding 80% of current accounts with fewer regulator barriers, we could expect to see a huge transformation in the financial services sector. Within the financial services industry, changes in regulation are designed to stimulate competition within the market, as well as provide customers with better value. However, staying on top of mobile regulatory changes is often challenging for financial services markets, as the changes are usually very significant and often cost quite a lot of money. Regulation has decreased over the years, although this hasn’t yet translated into a large number of customers switching banks – only time will tell.

Use of AI

The priority for financial services organisations is to ensure that all customer service facilities are of a high quality. By using AI, these companies can provide pristine services to their clients without the need of frequently training their staff – instead, they just need to programm a robot! Due to the extensive technology that resides within AI, these robots are able to retain huge amounts of data regarding financial services, streamlining the consumer’s customer service experience. With chatbots present on mobile apps and websites, customers are able to receive an instantaneous answer to their queries, providing them with higher satisfaction.

New tech in note-taking technology (Promoted)

Guest Blogger
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Whether you are a small business owner or a corporate executive, taking and synchronizing notes across different platforms and devices is essential. The notes may have been sourced from contacts gathered during a networking event, reminders scribbled on scraps of paper, or a summary of talking points following a seminar.

The overall goal of note taking is to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Fortunately, there’s a variety of established and emerging note-taking technologies that’ll take you beyond the limits of a paper planner or standard notebook. The following are the ones that have taken the market by storm.

Microsoft OneNote

OneNote is a robust organization and note-taking app that’s free to use. It’s ideal for business managers and entrepreneurs. Since it’s part of the Microsoft Office Suite, chances are you already have it on your device. If you do not, download it for free. The OneNote mobile app is a scaled down version of the full Windows OneNote application. However, it still has the majority of core features.

You can run the OneNote app on any Android, iOS and Windows smartphone or tablet. It is intuitively modeled around a physical notebook. There’s no limit to the number of notebooks you can create. Use the built-in tabs to label the different notebooks. Take notes by drawing with your finger or cursor, using a stylus or conventional typing. Embed online videos, screen clips, audio files, photos and spreadsheets.

You can assign permissions to each notebook. Create private notebooks that only you will see or shared notebooks that can be accessed by members of your team. Anyone with access can edit a shared notebook and the changes reflected immediately. Compatibility with Microsoft Outlook means you can create and assign tasks using employee email addresses. You can also create an Outlook task from within the OneNote app.

Google Keep

The Google Keep app is a convenient tool for organizing your personal and professional life. You won’t find it preinstalled on most devices but it’s free to download. Google Keep’s features are not as extensive as OneNote’s but it does serve the purpose for simple note taking, checklists and organization. As a web app, Google Keep can be used on laptops, desktops, Android and iOS phones and tablets, and wearables such as the Samsung watch.

The user interface is simple and inviting. The main page shows your most recent notes in either a single column or multicolumn view. One peeve of the Google Keep interface is the difficulty in reading longer notes or searching for older items. For checklists and short notes, reading and note-taking is fairly easy to do. If your device has a camera, you can capture and embed images in your notes. The app also extracts editable text from photos and other images.

Label and color-code notes, or share them with colleagues. The people you share the notes with can make changes that are reflected instantly. You can also create a to-do list with appropriate reminders to complete in the future.

Evernote

Evernote is not really new. Launched in 2008, it is actually one of the oldest note-taking apps still in the market today. Despite a plethora of competitors entering the fray over the last 10 years, it has remained popular. The basic Evernote account is free but can only be used on one device. If you want to use the app on two or more gadgets, you’ll have to pay for it.

As an app that’s been around for a while, it’s perhaps not surprising that it works on nearly all types of devices. This and the ability to sync across multiple platforms and gadgets is at the core of its widespread use. The interface is easy to navigate with many helpful menu options. You can download and install third party add-ons as well. It’s fairly easy to create multiple notebooks and search through or tag them as needed.

There are multiple ways of note-taking in Evernote. Type, use a stylus, sketch tool or finger. The app allows you to save and embed video, audio, photos and documents. For added security, password-protect private notes while sharing and leaving open only notebooks you’d like the rest of your team to read.

If you are running a large team, consider signing up for Evernote Business. It provides additional collaborative features including single workspaces, team projects and feedback mechanisms.

Note-taking apps are not created equal. Finding the right app is about identifying not just the one that has the functionality you require but also one that’s most convenient.

OnePlus celebrates its 4th birthday with epic prizes, exclusive bundles

Alexandra Arici
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OnePlus was founded on 16 December 2013 with the mantra of “Never Settle” and since then the multi-national has been striving to deliver the best devices they can without compromise.

Their first smartphone, the OnePlus One cause quite a bit of a shake-up in the affordable Android phone market. It ran CyanogenMod, came with good hardware and had a reasonable price. Four years later, the OnePlus is still catering to the affordable flagship-niche with the OnePlus 5T.  Now the company is preparing to celebrate its 4th anniversary by awarding fans epic prizes and offering discounts and exclusive bundles.

The celebrations kick off on 16 December, which is when the first exclusive bundle will be revealed. While we wait on that, OnePlus has discounted up to 30% some of its accessories. For example, the OnePlus 5T Silicone Protective Case is now available for $19.75 (previously $21.95), while the OnePlus 5 Sandstone Protective Case can be yours $15.36 (down from $21.95).

What’s more, OnePlus is also hosting an Anniversary Lucky Draw which will award lucky winners some amazing prizes. We don’t know what they are right now, but check back on December 17 to find out.

Hopefully, OnePlus will give away one of its stylish, new Lava Red OnePlus 5T smartphones which is set to hit the market on the same date.

Why Google’s Play Store will win the great app store battle of 2018

AndroidGuys
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Android or iPhone? This debate has been on-going for years, ever since smartphones became mainstream. Mobile consumers have continually weighed the pros and cons between the different devices and the two major operating systems. That said, although there are notable advantages and disadvantages to each system, and while Apple’s App Store has frequently dominated in the industry due to aspects such as higher app revenue, Android could be stepping up to take the crown. In fact, there is a very good chance that not only could 2018 be a winning year for Android, but for the Google Play Store as well.

Here are some reasons why:

Android’s revenue anticipated to surpass iOS

According to app analytics firm App Annie, it is expected that Android app revenue will beat iOS app revenue this year. This would pave the way for a stronger 2018 for both Android and the most trusted and widely used Android application store, the Google Play Store. The spike in Android consumer spend that is projected to surpass iOS is credited to an increase in app installs from both the Play Store and third-party Android app stores, especially those in China.

Android Instant Apps

Google has introduced Instant Apps, a concept it announced last year at its I/O conference. Essentially, instant apps are a web version of a traditional app with all the fundamental features of the app with the exception that you don’t have to download or install the application on your device. Basically, you can instantly test drive an app first before installing, saving storage space and browsing data on our device.

Anyone can build and publish an instant app, and many developers are working to bring instant app versions of their apps to the Play Store. This evolution in app sharing is only expected to grow bigger. To try instant apps Android users simply need to click the “Try Now” button next to the install button. Example of available instant apps include: NYTimes – Crossword, Buzzfeed: News, Tasty, Quizzes, and dotloop.

Google to reduce Play Store fees for Android app subscriptions Following in the footsteps of Apple, which introduced a new policy for app developers back in 2016 to decrease the amount of money developers had to pay for mobile subscriptions processed through the App Store, Google also intends to lower fees for subscription app developers. Android developers who are selling subscriptions through the Play Store will be eligible for a
reduced cost as long as the customer has been subscribed for more than a year.

Google plans to implement this new policy in January 2018. This will help the company remain competitive with Apple, and help ensure that subscription services like Spotify, Kindle Unlimited, CrunchyRoll, Next Issue, etc. don’t try to avoid the Play Store just to avoid the fee. What’s more, both Google and Apple are reportedly pushing subscription apps because compared to in-app purchases, subscription apps offer them a more stable revenue stream.

Real money app restrictions have been lifted

Another way that the Google Play Store is trying to remain competitive with Apple is by lifting its restrictions on real money gambling apps. The Play Store now accepts real money Android apps, enabling remote gambling operators, targeting Android consumers, greater growth potential. This is because it makes it easier for these operators to be discovered by Android users, particularly those who trust and use the Play Store.

Examples of real money gambling apps you can download include PlayOJO, LeoVegas, Paddy Power, and 888. Real money apps are presently only available in the UK, France and Republic of Ireland Play Stores, but are expected to be rolled out across other territories in the future.

Combined, what these points show is that while Android continues to be extremely popular,
Google is working on implementing innovative features and new policies that will benefit
developers as well as improve user experience in the Play Store.

Google’s AR Stickers are now making their way to Pixel phones

Alexandra Arici
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Remember the AR stickers feature which Google demoed during its Pixel 2 event in October? Well, the search giant has released the AR Stickers app in the Play Store. It’s available for Pixel phones and require Android 8.1 Oreo to work – which is in the process of rolling out.

If you managed to make the jump to Android 8.1 Oreo, then Google says you should be able to see the new feature appear inside the camera app in the coming days. Taking advantage of new APIs available in Android 8.1 Oreo, the Pixel phones will now be able to superimpose 3D objects (cute creatures) onto the real world via the camera app. And Google’s new AR tech makes them look like they really belong in the scene.

In case you don’t remember ARCore is Google’s augmented reality platform, build upon the work Google previously did with Tango. But unlike Tango, ARCore doesn’t require the same special hardware.

The inaugural pack of AR stickers includes Stranger Things and Star Wars-themed stickers, as well as a handful of funny creatures including a doughnut, a coffee mug, and a sporty broccoli. The stickers can be resized and moved around for better effect.

Even if there isn’t a lot of content available right now, Google plans to unveil even more AR Stickers soon, so keep an eye out.

LG V30 is available with $300 off at Verizon until December 13

Alexandra Arici
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Fancy the LG V30, but the phone is just too expensive for you? Fortunately, it’s that time of the year when it’s raining deals. Case in point, Verizon has one on the LG V30 which lets buyers shave $300 off its retail price.

For a limited time, you’ll be able to acquire the phone for $12.50/month for 24 months, which takes the cost of the phone down to $540. To take advantage of the discount, customers need to purchase the device on an installment plan. Once a few months go by, Verizon will apply the price cut as a bill credit every month until you get back your $300.

The LG V30 is a high-end phone that launched only a few months ago. The device boasts a 6-inch P-OLED display with 1440 x 2880 resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio. It’s the first LG smartphone to take advantage of a Snapdragon 835 processor and is also equipped with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

Like many of this year’s flagships, the LG V30 rocks a primary dual-camera setup which pairs a 16-megapixel sensor with f/1.6 aperture with a 13-megapixel one with f/1.9. On the front sits a 5-megapixel selfie camera. The device ships with Android 7.1.2 Nougat out of the box, but will be updated to Android 8.0 Oreo soon.

If you want to grab the LG V30 with a discount, you best hurry up as the deal is only unavailable until December 13.

5 reasons to buy the Vernee Active instead of the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active

Alexandra Arici
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Fancy the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, but you’re unable to fit it in your budget right now? Fortunately, there are alternatives out there, like the recently released Vernee Active, which in some respects is even better than the Galaxy S8 Active. Below you’ll find five reasons why the Vernee Active is actually a pretty worthy alternative to Samsung’s rugged handset.

More RAM and storage

The Vernee Active might not take advantage of a bezel-less display with the modern 18:9:5 aspect ratio, but it does bring more to the table in terms of RAM and storage.

While the Galaxy S8 Active includes 4GB of RAM + 64GB storage (microSD card slot included), the Vernee Active boasts 6GB of RAM + 128GB of storage (microSD card slot also included).

The phone bundles an octa-core MediaTek P25 processor under the hood, while the Galaxy S8 Active relies on the Snapdragon 835 processor to keep things running smoothly.

Bigger battery

On top of offering more RAM and storage, the Vernee Active also has a bigger 4,200 mAh battery which is said to be able to last up to 3-days with light usage, which in theory is achievable due to the 1080p display. The Galaxy S8 Active, on the other hand, benefits from a 4,000 mAh fuel cell, that guarantees the phone can live a full, uninterrupted 24-hours.

A sturdy phone, by most standards

The Vernee Active is IP68-certified as waterproof in up to 5ft of water and up to 30 minutes, as well as dustproof and drop resistant. What’s more, the phone boasts Kevlar protection on the back and improved corner defense.

However, the phone is not MIL-STD-810G compliant like the Galaxy S8 Active.

More widely available

Not so long ago, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active was an AT&T exclusive and only available in the US. Well, now two more carriers – T-Mobile and Sprint – have started offering the handset in the country.

In contrast, the Vernee Active is available even for those living outside the States, from online retailers like Aliexpress. What’s more, it sports LTE connectivity with no less than 28 supported bands, so buyers will be able to use SIM cards from AT&T or T-Mobile without a problem. But not Verizon and Sprint subscribers.

Better price

The biggest advantage the Vernee Active has over the Galaxy S8 Active is pricing. The phone is available for $319.99, plus you’ll be able to win a $500 prize if you join the commentfest on the official Vernee website.

In contrast, the Galaxy S8 Active is a lot more expensive. It’s available at AT&T and Sprint $849.99 outright, while T-Mobile sells it for $820.

Soon you’ll be able to watch NFL games on your smartphone regardless of carrier

Alexandra Arici
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Verizon on Monday announced a game-changing partnership with the NFL which will bring football games on smartphones regardless of carrier.

So far, Big Red has held the exclusive rights to mobile streaming of live NFL events, but all that will change starting January. Come next month, anyone with a smartphone will be able to watch games airing on their local market. And of course, you’ll be able to watch nationally televised matches, including Thursday, Sunday and Monday Night Football games, and of course the Super Bowl 2018.

Customers will be able to stream NFL games on their handset by downloading the official NFL Mobile app, Yahoo Sports app, or go90 – which is Verizon’s own streaming service. Even with the new deal in place, Big Red says it will continue to sponsor the NFL and offer unique experiences to customers enrolled with Verizon Up rewards program during key NFL events such as the Super Bowl or Pro Bowl.

“The NFL is a great partner for us and we are excited to take its premier content across a massive mobile scale so viewers can enjoy live football and other original NFL content where and how they want it.”

Streaming NFL games on smartphones has been a Verizon exclusive (Verizon’s exclusivity did not apply on PCs or devices larger than a phone) ever since 2010, so this is certainly an interesting turn of events, one that might have something to do with the recent decline in viewers. By making streaming available to all mobile devices regardless of carrier, Verizon and NFL hope to boost these numbers up again.

Google Home Max goes on sale at Best Buy, Verizon for $399 [Updated]

Alexandra Arici
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The Google Home Max was announced back in October during the Pixel 2 event, and back then the search giant said the speaker will be available in December.

Well, it’s December alright and the device just went on sale at Best Buy. It’s available in either Chalk of Charcoal coloring options and you can snatch one for $399 a pop. But Best Buy isn’t the only place you can get the Home Max. The Chalk model is also up for grabs from Verizon, while the Charcoal one is currently listed as out of stock.

For those who don’t remember, the Home Max is a Google Assistant-power stereo speaker aimed at customers interested in getting superior audio quality. To that end, it takes advantage of 4.5-inch (114 mm) high-excursion dual-voice-coil woofers, as well as two 0.7-inch (18mm) tweeters. It also includes six microphones for far-field voice control and has Chromecast built-in.

The Home Max – which was developed in-house – benefits from Google’s Smart Sound algorithm which can use the microphones on board to adjust the speaker’s sound according to where it is placed in the room. It can also raise or lower the volume depending on what’s happening in the house. For example, it can raise the volume when a fan is on.

It’s interesting to note that at launch, Google said it would be giving away 12-months of YouTube Music (ad-free) with every Home Max purchase, but neither Best Buy or Verizon mention this in their listings.

Updated: It’s also available from the Google Store and Walmart.

Consumers favor software updates over buying new phones, report suggests

Alexandra Arici
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Is the new annual flagship smartphone worth your hard-earned money, or is your older phone worth a second look? According to a new report coming out of the New York Post, it seems customers these days prefer getting a software update packed with new features, rather than invest towards a new phone.

The rising trend might have something to do with the fact that carriers have stopped offering phone subsidies. Instead, customers are allowed to purchase a phone and pay it back over the course of 24 months or more in installments. So now more and more users are choosing to improve their phones via software upgrades, instead of buying a new phone every two years.

The phone that could bring back the 2-year update cycle?

According to Chetan Sharma, CEO of Chetan Sharma Consulting, the new behavior was prompted by the fact that customers are now paying the full price for new smartphones. The result is that users now tend to treat cellphones purchases like computer purchases and hold on to them longer.

The only hope for this developing trend to subside is a dynamic product coming from a major manufacturer like Apple. According to Sharma, a smartphone like the iPhone X might do the trick and have customers reaching for the wallets every two years. And to encourage the behavior, some device manufacturers have started programs which allow customers to trade-in previous-generation smartphones for new models.

So what do you think? Do you have a tendency to renew your smartphone every two years or prefer upgrading your older device with software updates? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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