Kcell offers free transfers to Ogo card
KAZAKHSTAN 1 FEB 2024

Kcell offers free transfers to Ogo card

Kazakhstan mobile operator Kcell has introduced a promotion to new users of the Ogo payment card. Customers are offered free transfers from their mobile account to the card balance, and up to 99.99 percent cashback in bonus points under the loyalty programme for purchases with the card.

Apple to reduce App Store fees, open up iOS distribution options under new EU law
EUROPE 26 JAN 2024

Apple to reduce App Store fees, open up iOS distribution options under new EU law

Apple has announced changes to its App Store and iOS in order to comply with the EU's new competition law, the Digital Markets Act taking effect in March. App developers will have more freedom to offer iOS apps on alternative platforms, but Apple is hoping to hold on to some of its control over the quality of apps and part of its commission for the App Store. 

Orange Poland offers new 5G router from ZTE
POLAND 23 JAN 2024

Orange Poland offers new 5G router from ZTE

Orange Poland has introduced a new indoor 5G Wi-Fi router, the ZTE T5400. The router is available under the package ODU IDU 5G from ZTE, along with the 5G antenna ZTE MC889.

Last week in telecoms: Samsung tries AI to win back smartphone crown, Vodafone gets closer with Microsoft
GLOBAL 22 JAN 2024

Last week in telecoms: Samsung tries AI to win back smartphone crown, Vodafone gets closer with Microsoft

Big news at the top of the smartphone chain this week. Samsung launched its latest flagship series, packed with AI features, in the hope of seizing back the market lead from Apple. The latter meanwhile was forced to adapt its app store terms, as the regulatory net tightens around the tech giants. Microsoft had a better week, signing a major deal with Vodafone for cloud and IoT services, as well as launching sovereign cloud services with Orange in France. 

Apple offers remedies to address EU competition concerns over Apple Pay
EUROPE 19 JAN 2024

Apple offers remedies to address EU competition concerns over Apple Pay

Apple has agreed to open up the NFC element on iOS devices to other payment apps, in order to put an end to a competition investigation by the European Union. The commitments would remain in force for ten years and be monitored by a trustee reporting regularly to the European Commission, the latter announced.

Samsung to upgrade 100 million smartphones with Galaxy AI by year end
GLOBAL 19 JAN 2024

Samsung to upgrade 100 million smartphones with Galaxy AI by year end

Samsung said it is planning to expand the availability of Galaxy AI to more than 100 million Galaxy smartphones this year. President and head of the mobile business division Roh Tae-woon told media at the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose that he also expected to see double-digit growth in sales of the Galaxy S24 series compared to the Galaxy S23. He said despite the smartphone market treading water, the premium end of the market is still growing.

NFC Forum ramps up new sustainability initiative
GLOBAL 11 JAN 2024

NFC Forum ramps up new sustainability initiative

NFC Forum, the near-field communication standards body, has launched a sustainability programme to guide manufacturers toward regulatory best-practice on emissions reductions. However it warned this is likely to be a "decades long effort", with only initial preparations currently underway. The first phase will seek to refine sustainability outcomes for NFC-equipped products in today's marketplace, hopefully providing a template for circular economy use cases.

MTS Belarus names iPhone 13 its best-selling smartphone in 2023
BELARUS 2 JAN 2024

MTS Belarus names iPhone 13 its best-selling smartphone in 2023

MTS Belarus has announced a list of the bestselling devices in its online shop in 2023. The Apple iPhone 13 128 GB led its list of smartphones, followed by the Redmi 10 2022 4/128 GB, Redmi Note 12 6/128 GB, Redmi 12 8/256 GB without NFC and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro 8/256 GB. The Huawei Watch Fit 2 Classic was the favourite among smartwatches, followed by the Huawei Watch GT 3 42 mm, Redmi Watch 3/Watch 3 Active, Huawei Watch Fit 2 Active and Xiaomi Watch S1 Active.

Realme C67 NFC goes on sale in Brazil
BRAZIL 22 DEC 2023

Realme C67 NFC goes on sale in Brazil

Realme has launched its latest budget smartphone, the Realme C67 NFC, in Brazil. It has a 108MP main camera, a Snapdragon 685 processor, up to 256GB of storage, 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with 90Hz refreshment rate, 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging, and Android 14 OS with Realme UI 4.0. The Realme C67 NFC is available for pre-order in Brazil for BRL 1,599.

Car Connectivity Consortium hits ignition on NFC key certification programme
GLOBAL 12 DEC 2023

Car Connectivity Consortium hits ignition on NFC key certification programme

Smart vehicle alliance the Car Connectivity Consortium has formally launched its certification programme for digital automotive access keys. CCC's initiative targets auto security locks powered by NFC (near field communications). These products enable the owner of the vehicle to enter with either a digital tag or their NFC-enabled smartphone.

Xiaomi brings Poco C65 smartphone to Poland
POLAND 5 DEC 2023

Xiaomi brings Poco C65 smartphone to Poland

Xiaomi has started sales of the smartphone Poco C65 in Poland, reports Telepolis.pl. The device featuring a 6.74-inch IPS screen and NFC is offered for PLN 599 with 6/128 GB memory or PLN 699 with 8/256 GB. A PLN 100 discount is offered when buying the devices during a promotional period.

Giffgaff provides refurbished handsets to Big Issue for cashless payments
UNITED KINGDOM 28 NOV 2023

Giffgaff provides refurbished handsets to Big Issue for cashless payments

UK street newspaper group The Big Issue has announced a phone partnership with UK MVNO giffgaff. This will see giffgaff provide Big Issue with 250 refurbished phones for distribution to new vendors to help them accept cashless payments.

Apple, Google back new Aliro smart locks standard developed by CSA
GLOBAL 13 NOV 2023

Apple, Google back new Aliro smart locks standard developed by CSA

The Connectivity Standards Alliance, the industry group behind the Matter smart home protocol, has announced the name Aliro for its new standard on smart entry systems. The aim is to have a common wireless communication protocol across mobile devices and access control readers, supporting greater adoption of new connected home and building systems.

Prototype mobile payment system for Aurora OS launched in Russia
RUSSIAN FEDERATION 9 NOV 2023

Prototype mobile payment system for Aurora OS launched in Russia

Russia's National System of Payment Cards and the company Open Mobile Platform (OMP), a subsidiary of Rostelecom, have launched a prototype of the mobile payment service SBPay for the Aurora mobile OS, reports Telecomdaily.ru. The developers said that payments over NFC and QR will be available for users after completion of a pilot project. 

STMicroelectronics debuts new generation NFC controller
GLOBAL 9 NOV 2023

STMicroelectronics debuts new generation NFC controller

STMicroelectronics (ST) has introduced a new NFC controller and secure element IC that is designed to enable mobile devices like smartphones, smart wearables and tablets to access security-protected contactless ticketing and payment services through the STPay-Mobile platform.

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