eBay 4.0 reimagines the pioneering auction site for mobile devices

eBay has been around for a long time as the pioneering auction site. While intially deisigned for the desktop web, most of today's users access eBay through mobile browsers or apps. eBay released released eBay 4.0 - what it calls, "a new, immersive experience for eBay core apps for iPhone and Android, as well as updates to the iPad. eBay 4.0 is designed to simplify the way eBay customers browse, buy and sell, and is another step in our journey to create a customized, personalized experience across all screens."

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Microsoft ending several Lumia mobile apps in preparation of Windows 10 on phones

As Microsoft moves towards a post-Nokia direction with Windows 10 on phones, it has decided to deep-six to get rid of various, once-innovative Lumia apps. So, we pour one out for Lumia Storyteller, Lumia Beamer, Photobeamer, Lumia Refocus, Lumia Panorama and Video Uploader which are no longer going to be available.

Moreover, these apps will no longer have online services available and will no longer be supported after October 30, 2015. While none of these apps will be forcefully dissapeared from exisitingd devices, the fact that they are dead to Microsoft simply means that they are just taking up space, so it is best to move on.

Too bad, though. These were some of the apps that made Windows Phone really special and different, but I guess they have no place in a world where Nokia can no longer make a plea for them to exist.

Source: Thurrott.com

Microsoft readying to lay off 7,800 workers from mobile phone unit

The reign of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been punctuated by massive change in management and massive layoffs - Photo from Microsoft

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

More change is afoot at Microsoft which has seen various departures in management due to recent restructuring, the ripple effect of these changes and compressions is the loss of jobs. Microsoft announced today that it will lay off 7,800 workers, majority of these coming from the declining smartphone unit, which it acquired from an already weakend Nokia just last year for US $7.2 billion. Microsoft is the third largest player in mobile behind Apple and Google, but it holds a tiny 2.5 per cent market share, with no indication of moving up.

These layoffs are separate and in addition to the expected 18,000 employees that Microsoft announced would be laid off a year ago as part of the larger restructuring plan. It must be remembered that Microsoft inherited 25,000 employees as a result of the Nokia acquistion last year. This latest development questions what the future of Windows on Mobile Phone will be. Microsoft also relayed it is writing off $7.6 billion related to its acquisition of Nokia and resulting restructuring costs which comes off as a loss for the company.

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Plastc's mighty morphin' payment card uses e-Ink, becomes all your cards

Offering an interesting take on simplifying mobile payments, Plastc's card can take the form of any credit or debit card and uses an e-Ink display to show the necessary information. Aiming to simplify payments, the card will use programmable NFC and RFID to enable payment and verification.

Aiming to be the only card you carry, you load virtually any other card into Plastc via the companion Plastc Wallet app and a low-energy Bluetooth connection the card can also imitate utility cards, such as RFID-based building access cards. This smart card needs to be recharged once a week using a wireless charging dock. This Apple Pay competitor can be ordered at plastc.com for $155, with shipping timed for next summer.

Source: Appleinsider