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Tango messaging app now offers integrated shopping

May12
by on May 12, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web

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Tango, the mobile messaging service, has launched Tango Shop, a social shopping function targeted to US subscribers. The new initiative operates in conjunction with Walmart and AliExpress, a global marketplace owned by the Alibaba Group. The deal lets Tango members make purchases from Walmart.com and AliExpress without having to exit the Tango app. Tango gets a cut from every transaction. US Tango members can now choose from millions of products sold by the retailing giants. Meantime, Tango will also offer curated lists of products based on user preferences, while allowing customers to create their own sharable collections. “This is the first native shopping app in a…

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FiftyThree debuts Think Kit toolset for its Paper iPad app

May12
by on May 12, 2015 at 1:00 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web

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FiftyThree has launched Think Kit, a set of new tools for its Paper for iPad app that focus on quickly creating presentations and ideas. Think Kit specializes in drawing precise shapes and connectors to create visuals that can be exported to presentation software or shared with colleagues. Paper already provides instruments like a calligraphy pen, charcoal pencil, marker, ballpoint pen and watercolor brush. The addition of Think Kit augments them with Diagram, Fill and Cut tools letting users create polished-looking charts, diagrams, graphs, flows, wireframes and models. Think Kit is based on the company’s Intention Engine, a drawing recognition and rendering system that recognizes and corrects dozens…

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6 drivers that determine your revenue model

May12
by on May 12, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Entrepreneur, revenue model

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One of the first questions a potential investor is going to ask you is, “how do you plan to make money?”. It is critical you have a well-thought plan for the long term, even if revenues will be minimal in the short term. Revenue models can vary based on: (i) your industry; (ii) your product or service within that industry; and (iii) what your direct competitors are doing. And most importantly, you need to assess whether your revenue plan passes the sanity check for your business and prospective investors. What is Typical in Your Industry? Every industry has a certain…

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Verizon’s deal to buy AOL will make life uncomfortable for TechCrunch and Engadget

May12
by on May 12, 2015 at 12:10 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

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The news just dropped that AOL is being purchased by Verizon for $4.4 billion in cash, which means the company will own Engadget, Techcrunch and Huffington Post, along with a variety of other publications. The deal is a little concerning. Verizon was recently busy trying to quietly start a tech blog called Sugarstring that was banned from discussing net neutrality, US surveillance and other sensitive topics (at least until it was caught in the act and shut it down). Verizon’s press release says the purchase focuses on further driving “LTE wireless video and OTT video strategy” to “provide a platform from wireless to IoT.” With today’s purchase,…

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MakerBloks launches Kickstarter campaign for high-tech toy

May12
by on May 12, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Gadgets

makerbloksfeat
If any kids you know have a hankering for tinkering, there will soon be a new way for them to start building something of lasting value. MakerBloks – magnetic building blocks that let kids build, design and create objects with electric circuits — gives kids the charge of creating something familiar that actually works. Who knows what inventions it can lead to? The company is launching a Kickstarter campaign today to fund its first round of blocks production, alongside the development of companion iPad apps. The tablet apps feature visual recognition software, so as kids play with the blocks, the app follows their progress to reveal new challenges and creative…

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