Firefox Favors Yahoo in New Partnership

Some would say that the introduction of Google Chrome in 2008 was a direct conflict of interest to their ongoing relationship with Mozilla, with whom they had been the default search engine for four years. Now, as their tenth contractual year comes to a close, Mozilla has officially announced that they will not be renewing their relationship with Google, opting instead to sign a five-year deal with Yahoo.

Though the strain caused by Chrome (whose users now outnumber Firefox) seems clearly significant, Mozilla CEO Chris Beard insists that the severing of ties with Google is instead contributed to the pursuit of new competitive options, stating:

“Google has been the Firefox global default search engine since 2004. Our agreement came up for renewal this year, and we took this as an opportunity to review our competitive strategy and explore

our options. We are adopting a more local and flexible approach to increase choice and innovation on the Web, with new and expanded search partnerships by country.” – Mozilla CEO Chris Beard

Expanded partnerships by country indeed! Though the United States will be switched to Yahoo, Firefox users in China will be routed to Baidu search and users in Russia will be directed to Yandex. Despite the changes, Mozilla has gone on record stating that all Firefox users will still have the option to choose Google as their default search engine.

Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo expressed her excitement about the new deal, stating on her blog, “Mozilla is an inspirational industry leader who puts users first…This is the most significant partnership for Yahoo in five years and we’re so proud that Mozilla has chosen us as their long-term partner in search”.

The potential for Yahoo’s growth in the search market is as unlimited as it is needed, with the company currently only accounting for 10% of US searches. In an effort to accommodate their new partner, CEO Mayer has confirmed that Yahoo is creating a new search engine for Firefox that will feature a “clean and modern” design. The new look is scheduled for release early next year.

(Omnie Solutions is an enterprise application development company providing custom web and enterprise mobile application development services to global business. Omnie Solutions has extensive experience and expertise in app development for smart gadgets like Google Glass. Follow Omnie Solutions on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for technology updates).

Apple Pay: Adaptation of Mobile Payment on The Rise

Gone are those days when we used to make payment by exchanging something in the form of materials like gold, etc. Technology is changing very fast and it’s making payment method easier day by day. Making payment via mobile device is in trend these days. We all know that mobile tech has completely changed our way of communication and business. A mobile device has become an essential part of our lives. In coming days it is for sure, we can’t imagine life without mobile phone.

Companies that are working in mobile industry are very much aware of the fact that there is much more new yet to emerge in the mobile. In coming days, with the advent of the internet of things age, mobile will be used as a key device to perform multiple tasks like checking if your home is closed or not, to close and shut down the car door and many more. Keeping this point in mind tech companies have introduced the method of making payment via a mobile device easier for users and businesses as well.

Although many companies are working on this technology but the leader in this field is Apple which has already created a buzz around this. Apple has provided as a feature called Apple Pay in its latest mobile operating system iOS 8.1. Users can use this feature on iPhone 6 which Apple had launched last month with support at over 220, 000 stores operated by participant merchants, including Apple stores, American Eagle, Aeropostale, Bloomingdale’s, Champs Sports, Chevron, McDonald’s, Nike, Office Depot, Radio Shack and Walgreens. Initially, number of supportive retailers is limited but now it continues to grow.

Many companies have gained maximum profit in the mobile payment. A recent information listed on New York Times, Whole Foods, the high-end grocery chain, said it had processed more than 150,000 Apple Pay transactions since this service started. Walgreens says its mobile payments have doubled, while McDonald's says that Apple Pay now makes up half of its tap-to-pay purchases.

Source: New York Times

From another source, users can use Apple Pay for parking and rent as well. Chicago-based start-up SpotHero updated its app earlier this week with support for Apple Pay mobile payments.

Other companies who provide same service like Google and Softcard said they have off course noticed an increase in the users due to increased awareness of tap-to-pay services.

Saying something about the future of Apple Pay is little bit tough but the way companies are seeing the increase in mobile payment it is for sure going to change the landscape of payment system.

Microsoft Makes Moves For the Future – Open Source and Cross Platform

Microsoft has been busy lately! The software giant has just released a string of new announcements marking the commencement of a few unexpected, but so far, very well received efforts.

Office 365 has long been Microsoft’s claim to fame, and through the years the company has diligently strived to keep that software at the forefront of the ever changing and evolutionary technology development industry. To that end, Microsoft has previously released Office mobile in an attempt to satiate markets outside of PCs.

Though Office mobile has been available for some time now, there have been distinct issues with the functionality and more specifically, the cohesiveness of the App. Previous criticisms of Office mobile pointed out that the programs were often wildly differentiated, making it difficult for consumers to adjust to the different platforms.

In response, Microsoft is endeavoring to improve Office’s mobile presence with the following:

- An Updated Office for iPad App

- New Office for iPhone Apps

- An Office for Android Tablets Preview

The new offerings are all available for free, and they are centered on retaining the loyalty of Office users, with the company’s VP, John Case, stating, “With Office on nearly every device, it’s incredibly important to us that customers have a consistent experience and the ability to do more- anywhere and everywhere…”

Also recently unveiled is Microsoft’s plan, in partnership with Mono, to open source.net, releasing it to the popular web hosting service, GitHub. This decision marks a departure from Microsoft’s previously exclusive nature, and it signals a changing tide in the way developers may choose to build their future applications. As a follow up to the release, Microsoft also plans to fully open source all of the .Net server stack, which would enable developers to build cloud applications on several platforms.

And if that were not enough, Microsoft has also revealed that they are in the midst of creating a brand new Visual Studio Community App. The tech empire has stated that this free edition will replace previous versions with its wider list of functionalities and claims that “…no matter the platform you are targeting or the app you are creating, Visual Studio…will help you be successful.”

Despite Microsoft’s obvious financial success, the brand has struggled intermittently with their popularity amongst consumers. Tell us, do you think the company’s latest strategic moves will help to turn the tide?

Not Just for War - Changing the Perception of Drones

Unfortunately, drones are probably most commonly associated with the nightmarish scenarios playing out on everyday news. Reports of violence and political turmoil seem to plague these sophisticated machines which is really quite an injustice considering how useful they can be. Fortunately, not all is lost on the potential surrounding drones, and now more than ever they are finding acceptance and purpose within everyday society. Drone applications are plentiful, and the enthusiasm surrounding their use is stemming from just about every angle imaginable! Here are some of the creative ways drones are being used for good:

Delivery

Amazon is reportedly clamoring to capitalize on this technology, launching efforts to create a drone doorstep delivery system. This ambitious goal would need to solve several roadblocks, like coordinating and gaining permission from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) as well as extending the current battery life of the average drone. Even so, several companies seem up to the challenge, with big names like Google and Dominoes joining in on the drone delivery bandwagon!

Search and Rescue

SAR is a volunteer organization which is dedicated to search and rescue missions. The group passionately touts the lifesaving potential of drones, citing their video cameras and live feed capability. Capable of surveying large areas of land and reporting specific grid details, drones are also able to deliver crucial life support, like food and water. In addition, drones can theoretically be used to help alleviate the tremendous cost of a traditional search and rescue, which leaves a very large finance and resources footprint.

Photography & Video

Drones have opened up new doors in the creative and practical sides of photo and videography. Photographers, amateur and professional can both enjoy the benefits of an eye in the sky. It captures angles and moments that would have otherwise been missed, and this high tech photo op is becoming an increasingly favored feature at weddings and other memorable social events. The video and picture capability can also be used practically, as a diagnostic tool to help with home improvements and other large projects.

Recreation

Despite all its functionality, you can’t overlook the sheer “cool factor” of owning your very own drone. They have the same appeal as any RC gadget, but kind of on steroids. Racing and outmaneuvering other drones has become a popular hobby and even if racing isn’t your thing, casually flying a drone through the park while checking the live feed can be a lot of fun!

Interested in your own drone? It will still cost a pretty penny, but thanks to their popularity, there are affordable versions for those of us who just have to have our own! Have a look at below mentioned list of popular drones available in the market:

Storm Drone FF Flying Platform- $360.00

This fun drone boasts 9” x 4.7” rotors which helps steady the machine against wind. When equipped with a GoPro camera, it can record for up to seven minutes at a time and produce quality videos.

H-King Darkwing- $167.00

Living up to its name, the sleek design and lengthy wingspan of this drone is striking! Its construction is specifically meant for a stunning first-person viewing experience.

LaTrax Alias- $150.00

Beginners will find this manually operated drone to be a helpful introduction to flying. It’s durable construction means it won’t break easily and it’s still large enough to fit a small camera for the full drone experience!

Already own your own? We want to know- what do you use your drone for?

(Omnie Solutions is an enterprise application development company providing custom web and enterprise mobile application development services to global business. Omnie Solutions has implemented augmented reality based digital solution, 3D Digital Sand Model, for planning mission critical activities and monitoring the country borders on a 3 Dimensional Digital platform. Follow Omnie Solutions on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.)

FitBit’s Charge, Charge HR and Surge New Wearable Fitness Trackers to Lineup

Once upon a time, pedometers and good old-fashioned counting used to be the only options for tracking the amount of steps you took in a day. Of course, you’d probably appear a little “off” if you opted to use the latter approach; so most fitness buffs ultimately decided upon pedometers.

With the onset of wearable tech however, the humble pedometer began to see a lot of competition from smart wear, most commonly integrated into watch-like designs. Though there have been many companies and various designs that have been introduced to the market, one of the clearer standouts began to take hold of the industry in 2007.

Fitbit was founded on the idea that sensors and wireless technology had advanced to a point where it could make waves in fitness and health applications. With that vision they created a successful line of smart fitness bands that could not only count your steps, but also track your nutritional intake and sleeping patterns. The company scored a hit with their “Fitbit Force”, but a slight debacle ensued after the wristband caused allergic reactions, forcing the company to shelf their most popular product.

Now, Fitbit appears to be preparing for their comeback, as the company has slated three brand new models of wristbands for release. Whether you’re a Fitbit fan or just curious, here’s the scoop on their latest gear!

Charge

Essentially a reincarnation of the former “Force” line, the Fitbit Charge has retained the same design of its much-adored predecessor. It will log your activity and track your sleeping patterns, but the Charge will also provide workout summaries and send you message notifications. This new and improved model is the cheapest of the new lineup, and available for sale at affordable price $130.00. Oh, and this one promises not to leave welts on your skin.

Charge HR

While the Charge band is said to carry a battery life of seven hours, the Charge HR will only hold five. Everything boils down to opportunity cost however, because despite the HR’s shorter charge, this model offers both continuous heart rate monitoring and an attractive, alternative clasp that boosts the bands aesthetic considerably. Interested? You can purchase your very own Charge HR beginning early next year at a moderately priced $150.00.

Surge

For those who want it all, Fitbit has created Surge. Somewhat of a fitness band/smart watch hybrid, Surge will provide all the fitness, nutrition and sleeping capabilities the Charge and Charge HR has to offer, but it will also bump up the ante with advanced workout options. In addition, this model will contain smart watch extras like GPS and a customizable LCD face. Surge will also be made available early next year and it will cost roughly $250.00 to take one home.

So what do you think? Will Fitbit successfully overcome its mishap with their new trio of products? Tell us why or why not- we’d love to hear from you!

(Omnie Solutions is an enterprise application development company providing custom web and enterprise mobile application development services to global business. Omnie Solutions has extensive experience and expertise in app development for wearable devices like Google Glass and smart watches. Follow Omnie Solutions on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.)