Maps on Nokia Lumia 820

May 18, 2013 | Ammar Faheem | One Comment

Okay, so we received our test device from Nokia sometime back, the Lumia 820 smartphone powered by Windows Phone 8. Since we understand it has been quite a lot of time to be writing covering the handset from an ‘un-boxing’ point of view, we are coming straight down to writing about specifics.

The device is a stunner. While holding it first up and powering up the phone, you will fall in love. Then comes your turn to start installing all the cool apps, including maps. Read More

Ecommerce in Pakistan – Trends and Forecasts

May 17, 2013 | Ammar Faheem

eCommerce, as an industry, has become largely popular across the globe; it has currently passed the $100 billion mark and is known to have a growth rate of 70% year. With such tantalizing figures, many entrepreneurs have taken to adopting eCommerce for growth and expansion of markets.

These initiatives can now be seen in Pakistan as well; while technically ecommerce refers to buying and selling products/services online, complete with online transactions through credit card or digital cash- it seems like Pakistan is creating its own hybrid of e-commerce in adaptation to the issues it faces. Read More

BBM coming to Android and iOS

May 14, 2013 | Ammar Faheem

In a relief to many Blackberry users hooked to the device ONLY for the sake of this amazing Blackberry feature, the Blackberry Messenger (BBM), the smartphone manufacturer has announced that the application will be available, standalone, for Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS mobile operating systems.

This was the most exciting news coming out of BBLive, an event where Blackberry also introduced the mid-range Q5 QWERTY device based on its latest OS, Blackberry 10.

According to the official Press Release received, BlackBerry today announced plans to make its ground-breaking mobile social network, BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), available to iOS and Android users this summer, with support planned for iOS6, and Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or higher, all subject to approval by the Apple App Store and Google Play. BBM sets the standard for mobile instant messaging with a fast, reliable, engaging experience that includes delivered and read statuses, and personalized profiles and avatars. Upon release, BBM customers would be able to broaden their connections to include friends, family and colleagues on other mobile platforms. Read More

Blackberry Q10 in Pakistan by Mobilink

May 10, 2013 | Ammar Faheem

After the very recent launch of the much awaited Blackberry Q10 smartphone, Mobilink has taken the first step to launch it officially in Pakistan.

The Q10 features the new Blackberry 10 Operating System, one that has given a real chance to Blackberry to revive itself, and a full QWERTY keyboard unlike the Z10 – which was launched earlier and was a full touch phone. Read More

Monet expands: Meezan bank signs MoU with Monet and Warid

May 9, 2013 | Ammar Faheem

Meezan Bank will be launching its Branchless banking service in collaboration with Warid and Monet. A memorandum of understanding was signed in this regard between the three parties – Monet, Warid and Meezan Bank.

Monet is an initiative of the Abu Dhabi Group that aims to offer an interoperable and collaborative eco-system to banks in Pakistan to roll out branchless banking services. Its mobile banking platform is driven by Fundamo (Visa Inc). We understand that Meezan Bank too had acquired Visa’s mobile banking platform, Fundamo, for its mobile banking services as well.

According to news sources, Meezan Bank has joined Bank Alflah and Warid Telecom as founding member to create a Mobile Money Network, subject to approval by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) under the branchless banking regulations. Read More

Nimbuzz and Mobilink partner to launch a new communications solution in Pakistan

May 3, 2013 | Ammar Faheem

Nimbuzz, a leading cross-platform global communications solution and Mobilink have announced a partnership to bring the Nimbuzz Messenger app to Mobilink subscribers across Pakistan at an unbeatable price. Nimbuzz is one of the world’s leading mobile messenger applications, which is compatible with a wide range of mobile platforms.

The partnership will enable Mobilink subscribers to opt for a special, discounted ‘Nimbuzz Bundle’ that will allow unlimited internet usage via Nimbuzz app for subscribers to make full use of the many features. Mobilink subscribers will also become part of the 150 million strong global Nimbuzz fraternities and able to communicate freely with Nimbuzz users across the world. Read More

NIB to offer Internet Payment Gateway in Pakistan

April 25, 2013 | Ammar Faheem

In a refreshing development for Pakistan based businesses, NIB has announced it will be offering an Internet Payment Gateway to Pakistani merchants allowing them to process credit/debit card based transactions on their online stores.

The unavailability of a reliable payment gateway in Pakistan has been a major roadblock in the development and growth of internet based businesses in the country.

NIB, in collaboration with MasterCard, will be offering “MiGS” (Mastercard Internet Gateway Service) to its merchants, making it the first bank in Pakistan to acquire eCommerce transactions. Read More