Target launches first scannable mobile coupon program,

Target Launches First-Ever Scannable Mobile Coupon Program

(Press Release) -- MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Target is the first national retailer to offer a scannable mobile coupon program that allows guests to receive exclusive offers directly on their mobile phones. Coupons are redeemed by scanning a barcode on the phone at checkout.

"At Target, we know that mobile phones are an integral part of our guests' lives, and mobile coupons are just another way we're providing convenient, on-the-go shopping solutions"

"At Target, we know that mobile phones are an integral part of our guests' lives, and mobile coupons are just another way we're providing convenient, on-the-go shopping solutions," said Steve Eastman, president of Target.com.

Guests can opt-in to the program on their PC at Target.com/mobile, on their phone at m.target.com or by texting COUPONS to 827438 (TARGET). After opt-in, guests receive a text message with a link to a mobile Web page that contains multiple offers, all accessible through a single barcode. Offers are single use and expire on the date listed.

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Leaked Dell Streak flyer shows multitude of color options, confirmed specifications

[via engadget]

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Google announces business app store for Google Apps

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Google is bringing the app store concept to business cloud computing, giving software developers a storefront for Google Apps customers.

The Google Apps Marketplace will allow Google Apps users to purchase third-party applications to run atop the Google Apps suite, said Vic Gundotra, vice president of engineering for Google. Developers will have to pay a one-time $100 fee to list their applications in the store, and Google will get a 20 percent cut of all applications sold through the store, he said.

Google's interest in such a store was first revealed last month by The Wall Street Journal. The idea is that although Google has an army of capable software developers, it can't hope to anticipate the needs of every single Google Apps users. Third-party developers can fill those gaps and make Google Apps more useful to businesses with unique needs that don't quite fit into the Google Apps suite.

Take payroll, for example. Google isn't in the enterprise-resource planning software market (yet), but Intuit is, said Martin Gates, chief technology officer for online payroll at Intuit. He demonstrated how Google Apps users can integrate an Intuit-developed Web-based payroll application that's linked with Google Apps, allowing employees to download their pay stubs simply by clicking on an icon in their Google Calendars.

Scott Farquhar, CEO of software tools company Atlassian, showed how Google Apps can be integrated directly into his company's software development tools. For example, software developers using Atlassian's project-management tools can have Gmail, Google Calendar, and Gchat applications integrated directly into the software development tool, so they don't have to leave that window to check their e-mail or chat with colleagues. [Via Cnet]

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Windows Phone 7: A complete reset

(Cnet) -- Microsoft on Thursday confirmed that its new phone operating system is as different under the hood as it is to the eye.

In a blog post and at an event with a handful of journalists, the software maker said that those developing software for Windows Phone 7 Series devices will do so using either Silverlight or XNA, the toolset used to create Xbox games.

The all-new look for Windows Phone 7 series isn't the only thing that's new. Developers will also use new tools--Silverlight and XNA--to write apps that work on the devices.

(Credit: Microsoft)

"Overnight those developers have become Windows Phone developers," said Charlie Kindel, the Microsoft executive in charge of the mobile developer strategy. "One of our principles is to build on the shoulders of giants."

Microsoft announced its plans for the new phones and showed off the user interface at last month's Mobile World Congress. However, it had been mum on what it would take to write software for the phones although speculation had centered on Silverlight and XNA.

While the move brings the phone closer to Microsoft's Web and gaming efforts, it also marks a pretty distinct break with past versions of Windows Mobile.

"In some cases, some work can be done to get those apps to run, but it's fundamentally a different platform," said Todd Brix, another member of the Windows Phone team.

The company also confirmed that it has no current plans to allow any current Windows Mobile phones to run the new OS, which is due to start shipping on new devices by this year's holiday season.

That the new OS is such a complete break with past versions is a relatively new development in the multi-year history of its development. Roughly 18 months ago, a largely new team of engineers and executives came in as part of what one employee termed "a complete reset" of the project.

What resulted was a product that resembles the Zune HD far more than any past version of Windows Mobile. Also gone was the notion of allowing both hardware makers and carriers a great deal of flexibility in customizing the phone.

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iPad to hit the U.S. on April 3

(Cnet) -- Eager for the Apple iPad? You'll finally be able to get your hands on the tablet in the U.S. starting Saturday, April 3.

Apple announced Friday that the Wi-Fi version of the iPad will launch in the United States on that date, followed by the Wi-Fi + 3G edition later in the month. Additionally, both versions will hit Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.K. in late April.

Starting March 12, consumers can preorder both the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models from Apple's online store or reserve a Wi-Fi version to pick up on April 3 at any Apple retail store.

When it unveiled the iPad in January, Apple had said it was shooting to make the tablet available in March.

"iPad is something completely new," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said Friday in a statement. "We're excited for customers to get their hands on this magical and revolutionary product and connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before."

The iPad's Wi-Fi only version will sell in the U.S. for $499 for 16GB of memory, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi + 3G edition will cost $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, and $829 for 64GB.

Prices in other countries will be announced in April, Apple said. The iPad will be available through Apple's online store, Apple retail outlets, and certain Apple authorized resellers.

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World Tech Update, March 4, 2010

On this weeks World Tech Update Apple slaps HTC with a patent infringement lawsuit, Sonys PlayStation Network hits a leap year glitch, Greenpeace criticizes Samsung for breaking a promise, North Korea develops its own version of Linux, at Cebit Intel introduces a new version of the Classmate PC, Asus tries its hand at e-book readers, Google attempts to convince users that Street View isnt evil and a German research group develops an extension for HTML that allows for 3D models to be included on websites.
Find out whats coming up on each weeks show by following us on Twitter (WorldTechUpdate) or check out our Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/worldtechupdate

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Google Releases Gesture Search for Android

Google Releases Gesture Search for Android

Posted using ShareThis

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Apple sues HTC over iPhone patents

(Cnet) -- Apple is suing phone maker HTC and has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission , alleging that the Taiwanese company is infringing 20 Apple patents related to the iPhone.

"We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it," Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, said Tuesday in a statement. "We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours."

The patents that Apple alleges HTC is infringing are related to the iPhone's graphical user interface, and the iPhone's underlying hardware and software design. The company is asking for a permanent injunction, which would prevent HTC from importing and selling infringing devices in the U.S. Apple also said that it is seeking damages, but it did not specify an amount.

HTC said it was caught off-guard by the legal action. In a statement earlier Tuesday, the company said that it had only heard of the complaints through media reports and Apple's press release. The company said it was reviewing the filings. Until it completes its review, a spokeswoman said she is unable to provide "comment on the validity of the claims being made against HTC."

"HTC is a mobile technology innovator and patent holder that has been very focused over the past 13 years on creating many of the most innovative smartphones," the company said in its statement. "HTC values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations. "

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Google acquiring Web-based photo editor Picnik

(Cnet) -- Picnik, which makes an online photo editor, announced on its blog Monday that the company is being acquired by Google.

The editor works directly with online photo libraries like Flickr, Facebook, and Picasa Web Albums. Users can also upload files to the service and download them again when they are done. The editing capabilities it offers are a natural complement to a Picasa, even though the technology appears to be a mismatch: Picnik works in Flash, while most advanced Google apps use the slower JavaScript. (Google, however, is working to improve JavaScript performance with its Native Client technology.)

Neither Picnik nor Google provided financial terms of the deal in their blog posts.

Flickr uses Picnik by default. It will be interesting to see how Yahoo, which owns Flickr, deals with the new owner of its preferred photo editor.

Picnik is a Webware 100 winner. It competes with Pixlr, Fotoflexer, and Aviary.

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World Tech Update - Feb. 25, 2010

On this weeks World Tech Update we take a look at a new fuel cell, cell phones from Mobile World Congress, Google trouble in Europe, an unusual wedding in New York, a 3D TV fashion show and more! Find out whats coming up on each weeks show by following us on Twitter (WorldTechUpdate) or check out our Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/worldtechupdate

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