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HTC boosts its mid-tier offerings in Asia with the Desire 616, a $240 dual SIM smartphone

Jul07
by on July 7, 2014 at 7:02 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Asia, Gadgets, htc, Product Launches

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HTC is making a big play for emerging markets this year as it seeks to reverse its losses, and today it has rolled out a new dual SIM phone as it seeks to launch more devices with a variety of price points to capture more potential customers. The HTC Desire 616 was first launched in China over the weekend but is now on sale across North Asia, South Asia, China and Russia. There are no plans to release the device outside of Asia, a spokesperson told TNW. This comes after HTC launched a plastic variant of its flagship One (M8)…

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Expedia increases its presence in Asia Pacific with $658m deal to buy web travel firm Wotif

Jul07
by on July 7, 2014 at 5:58 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Asia, Australia, expedia

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US travel booking giant Expedia is expanding its presence in the Asia Pacific region after announcing a deal to buy Australia-based online hotel and travel booking company Wotif Group for A$703 million (US$658 million). The 13-year-old company is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, has offices in nine countries and counts Wotif.com, lastminute.com.au, travel.com.au, Asia Web Direct, LateStays.com, and GoDo.com.au among its businesses. The deal works out at A$3.30 (US$3.09) per share, which is around a 30 percent premium on the valuation of the company based on last week’s trading. The Wotif Group handled 3.2 million rooms during the second half of 2013 and counts over 29,000…

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South Korea forces Apple and Google to revise app store terms for easier paid app refunds

Jul07
by on July 7, 2014 at 5:33 am
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Asia, Google, South Korea

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South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has introduced new rules forcing Apple and Google to revise their app store terms, making it easier for users to get refunds and get notified about changes in contractual agreements (as spotted by Engadget). Google will have to let its developers set their own refund terms accordingly, switching over from the pre-existing non-refundable policy. The company must also prevent apps from automatically charging customers after the end of a free trial period. Meanwhile, Apple has to inform customers if it makes changes to its existing agreements. It is also supposed to increase the visibility of refund policies for in-app…

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