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Samsung confirms plans for Tizen-based smart TVs, will release SDK to developers in July

Jun01
by on June 1, 2014 at 4:03 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Asia, tizen

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Samsung is ramping up its preparations to release products based on the new Tizen operating system after it announced plans to introduce an SDK (software development kit) for smart TV products from next month. The Korean company has already shipped devices built on the Linux-based operating system — its Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo smartwatches — and the release of the beta of the Samsung TV SDK will give developers the chance to get hands-on with the software. Samsung says the beta includes a Smart Interaction feature, which allows hand gesture- and voice-based commands, and multi-screen options for linking up with…

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Airbnb testing in-app concierge feature that connects you with real people at your destination

May31
by on May 31, 2014 at 8:34 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web

Airbnb'S Value Estimated At $10 Billion After New Round Of Investments
Over the last few weeks, Airbnb has been testing a new feature called “Local Companion” that connects you with real people that live at your holiday destination and allows you to ask questions like ‘where’s the best sushi?’ The feature, which only appears for people who are invited to a private beta, appears in the Airbnb inbox for iOS and allows you to ask any questions, like a concierge service but instead connects you to normal people at your destination. From your Airbnb inbox, you’re able to ask anything such as “where’s the best place to eat” or “can you get me tickets…

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How to optimize discounts to pump up your sales volume

May31
by on May 31, 2014 at 6:00 pm
Posted In: Analysis and Opinion, Around the Web, Entrepreneur

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Yariv Dror is the CEO of StoreYa.com. Discounts work. Everyone likes them.                              Customers feel like they saved money, merchants increase their sales. Everyone is happy. Want quantitative proof? Just four months since our Coupon Pop marketing tool was launched, it is already responsible for 20 percent of our merchants’ sales. Merchants collect emails, fans and followers, customers are more engaged with stores and visit 2.5x more pages while seeking what to use their coupon on, and sales go up. But we are not the focus today. The focus…

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Getting leapfrogging right: Adapting the latest tech trends to developing nations

May31
by on May 31, 2014 at 2:00 pm
Posted In: Analysis and Opinion, Around the Web, Entrepreneur, Insider, Investigations

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Sara Agarwal is Director for International Finance Organizations at Hewlett Packard. Dr. Parag Khanna is a Senior Research Fellow at the New America Foundation, a non-partisan public policy think-tank based in Washington, D.C.. Since the rise of mobile communications and the Internet, movements have emerged to leverage such technologies to for economic growth, social equity, improved education and healthcare, and other public goods. Under the rubric of “Information Communication Technologies for Development” (ICT4D), donor agencies, NGOs, companies, industry coalitions and other players have clamored to launch initiatives to help countries to bridge the “digital divide” or “leapfrog” to the latest—or…

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The dreaded ‘P’ word: Five tips to make your pivot successful

May31
by on May 31, 2014 at 12:00 pm
Posted In: Analysis and Opinion, Around the Web, Entrepreneur

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Eddy Lu is the co-founder and CEO of Superb (formerly Grubwithus), a mobile app that helps people collect, share and experience must-try places with their friends. For many founders, “pivot” is a dirty word. It hints at uncertainty, even failure. But with three out of four startups flopping, we founders shouldn’t shy away from the word. We shouldn’t be afraid to acknowledge that change can be good; change gained from experience can benefit companies and users. With our initial concept, Grubwithus, our mission was to help users meet new people and make real world connections while dining at some of the hottest…

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