Business

Google says Android is ready for work, launches Android for Work initiative

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 25, 2015

Google on Wednesday announced a new initiative aimed at making greater inroads in enterprise, where Apple's devices are by and large the preferred choice.

Dubbed ‘Android for Work,’ the program revolves around four key technology components: work profiles, the Android for Work app, Google Play for Work and a set of built-in productivity tools. As is its wont, Google has partnered with a number of technology and solutions provider on the initiative.

Third-parties will help ensure consistent enterprise mobility management, Google said, adding it's given devs ability to create a single version of any Google Play app which can then be securely deployed to any Android device without alterations or wrapping.

Apple may bring iPhone to Iran, beginning talks with distributors

Jake Smith ∙ October 29, 2014

Apple is in preliminary talks to offer its iPhone in Iran, perhaps one day marking the company's first entry in the country, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Cupertino-based company is said to be in contact with Iranian distributors in case "Western sanctions ease sufficiently" and it makes sense to enter the country for business.

Apple launches Maps Connect, a way for businesses to manage their Apple Maps listings

Cody Lee ∙ October 21, 2014

Apple has launched a new self-service portal for US businesses to add or edit listings within Apple Maps. Dubbed Apple Maps Connect, the portal aims to allow small business owners to ensure that their listings are up-to-date and accurate.

According to Search Engine Land, who has used the service, Maps Connect is free, and listings appear in Apple Maps on both desktop and mobile versions. You simply login with your Apple ID, and either create or claim your business listing.

Luca Maestri officially begins work as Apple’s new CFO

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 3, 2017

If you don't know the name of the guy in the picture, you should probably learn it. That is Luca Maestri, and he is Apple's latest Senior Vice President. Maestri used to be the company's Corporate Controller, and is now its Chief Financial Officer.

Apple announced in March that its long-time CFO Peter Oppenheimer would be retiring this year, and Maestri would be taking his place. And according to SEC paperwork filed today, he officially became Oppenheimer's successor as of May 29th...

Carl Icahn files proposal to put $150B Apple stock buyback program up for vote

Sébastien Page ∙ December 4, 2013

Carl Icahn knows what he wants, and he usually gets it. These days, what Carl Icahn wants is Apple to initiate a $150 billion buyback program of its stock. Although Tim Cook hasn't clearly expressed it, he's been reluctant to follow Icahn's request, which led him to file a precatory proposal.

A precatory proposal is a fancy term which, in clear English means a shareholder proposal for a stock buyback program to be voted on at Apple's next annual shareholder meeting...

Apple’s Volume Purchase Program expands to Macs with Managed Distribution

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 5, 2013

Early in the game, Apple took advantage of its Volume Purchase Program (VPP) to allow Business and Education customers to buy iPhone and iPad apps carried on the App Store in bulk and with volume discounts.

Following the free OS X Mavericks update earlier in the month, the company has now updated VPP rules to include Mac App Store apps as well. With this change, Education and Business customers can for the first time buy Mac apps in volume.

In addition, the company has introduced a new Managed Distribution feature for iOS 7 and Mavericks devices which lets businesses and education institutions easily assign and revoke app licenses to individual users. Previously, these high-value customers had to rely on redemption codes to distribute software in bulk...

iPhone Inc. is bigger than Microsoft, Coca Cola, Nike and many more

Sébastien Page ∙ September 26, 2013

We already knew the iPhone is Apple's number one revenue generator, but it doesn't help us visualize how big it really is until you compare it to something else. As a matter of fact, it is so big that comparing iPhone revenue to other companies' business units wouldn't paint a good picture. In order to really see how big of a business the iPhone is, you have to compare it to full size companies.

That's what the folks at Business Week did. So how big is iPhone compared to Microsoft, Nike or Coca Cola?

Apple revamps iPad in Business mini-site

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

And the flattening continues. First iOS 7, then Jonny Ive’s title, followed by the iCloud Beta website, and now the iPad in Business website has been revamped to match Apple's newly found approach to software design. Gone is the old column-based appearance, making way for a simpler one-column design which highlights specific benefits business users can expect from deploying Apple's tablet, such as paperless office, dynamic data reports, transaction processing and more...

Google launches new ‘Places for Business’ app for managing business listings

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

Good news for all of you local business owners out there today. Google has just released a new application called 'Google Places for Business' that should make managing business listings through its different services much easier.

The app allows business owners to update their business information (hours, address, contact info, description, etc.), as well as post pictures to their Google+ page and track web traffic for their listings right from their iPhone...

3 out of 4 phones in enterprise bear the Apple logo

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Remember the days when corporate IT departments looked at the iPhone as some kookie West Coast toy bound to mess up their networks? You know, when RIM - that is, BlackBerry - had a lock on big biz. Those days are definitely gone. Today, more than three out of four mobile phones in enterprises bear the Apple logo.

What's more, Android's presence in business has fallen to the point where Microsoft is nibbling at its heels. During the fourth quarter of 2012, Apple's corporate presence rose to 77 percent of mobile device, up from 71 percent during the same period in 2011, according to Good Technology. Even better for Apple executives, the iPhone and iPad took five of the top five mobile devices in businesses...

Foursquare for Business goes live on the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

If you own a business and spend time and money promoting it on the web, you should definitelly check out Foursquare's brand new iOS app. Released Tuesday morning, Foursquare for Business is a handy sidekick that promises to help you get more customers walking through the door. The app can be used to post photo updates as your business, activate and deactivate specials, view customer tips, access analytics and more...