America replies Nigeria, releases details of aid to Nigerian military in war against Boko Haram

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="126" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/p75x225/10352343_666095320171025_2923561459881797927_n.jpg?oh=90fc4d5bde7b59d00a763f08218b7f53&oe=54E94171&__gda__=1424823798_dd940f9c61d02d82d354f204fd545120" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">danglingwar</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> The United States has faulted the claim by the Nigerian #government that it is standing in the way of the Nigerian military’s quest to procure weapons to strengthen its war against the extremist Boko Haram sect.<br /> <br /> Answering questions during a press briefing, the U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Jen Paski, said Wednesday the American government has been supporting the Nigerian military in the area of intelligence sharing, training of soldiers and other measures in combating the insurgency.<br /> On Monday, the Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S., Ade Adefuye, had accused the U.S. of letting Nigeria down in its hour of need by refusing to help the country procure weapon to combat Boko Haram.<br /> “We find it difficult to understand how and why in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly,” he said.<br /> <br /> He said the U.S. was standing in the way of the Nigerian military procuring lethal equipment that would have helped the country end the deadly insurgency mounted against Nigeria by Boko Haram.<br /> Dismissing the claims that the Nigerian military were involved in human rights violations, Mr. Adefuye also flayed the U.S. government for the manner it’s sharing intelligence with the Nigerian military, arguing that despite the claim by the Americans that things have improved in that aspect, “it is still there”.<br /> However, during Wednesday’s briefing in Washington, the Department of State spokesperson said the U.S. has actually increased its support for the Nigerian military, especially in the last six months.<br /> <br /> She said her government has improved intelligence sharing with the Nigerian military and has actually approved and sold some military equipment to the Nigerian military.<br /> “Let me just lay out the facts of our assistance. Over the past six months, the United States has started sharing intelligence with Nigeria, began training a new army battalion and held numerous high-level discussions with Nigerian authorities on additional measures to best address the Boko Haram threat.<br /> “We have also provided and approved sales of military equipment to its armed forces. These decisions are made, of course, after careful scrutiny to ensure they conform with United States law,” she said in response to a question about Ambassador Adefuye’s claims.<br /> <br /> She explained that the U.S. refused to sell some Cobra attack helicopters to the Nigerian armed forces early this year because it was concerned the military had no capacity to operate and maintain it.<br /> Ms Paski said there were also concerns over the protection of civilians during military operations.<br /> “We shared those concerns with Nigeria before this decision and subsequent to it,” she said.<br /> She said that the Nigerian military has however purchased helicopters from other sources and that the U.S. government did not prevent such purchases.<br /> <br /> “Nigeria has purchased helicopters that originated in countries other than the United States, and nothing in our decision prevents Nigeria from obtaining weapons and equipment from other sources.<br /> “We’ll continue to look for ways to deepen our cooperation with Nigeria to help it acquire the systems and skills needed to restore peace and security. But obviously, we’ve provided a great deal of assistance over the past several months.”<br /> Ms Paski said the U.S. would continue to urge the Nigerian military to investigate allegation of abuses by soldiers and to do more in the area of training the country’s security forces to improve its effectiveness.<br /> “We wouldn’t be raising that concern if we didn’t feel and others didn’t feel that they were warranted,” she said.</div>

America replies Nigeria, releases details of aid to Nigerian military in war against Boko Haram

danglingwar The United States has faulted the claim by the Nigerian #government that it is standing in the way of the Nigerian military’s quest to procure weapons to strengthen its war against the ex…

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Nigeria vs America, says U.S has let Nigeria down in war against Boko Haram

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img height="138" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/s370x247/10353585_666100790170478_8488934730808257566_n.jpg?oh=55a7163821e80f2012136ca93985285d&oe=54EC10C8&__gda__=1427856632_2e3a6ba1e8ce0c5a9f0b1c4ecc236bf6" width="200" /></div> <br /> Disappointed by the refusal of the United States to help Nigeria procure #military weapons to combat Boko Haram, the federal government has now openly expressed its dissatisfaction with the American government decision, arguing that the Americans were letting Nigeria down at her hour of need, Empowered<br /> <br /> Speaking Monday while receiving a delegation of the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Professor Ade Adefuye said both the Nigerian people and the government feel abandoned by America.<br /> According to Mr. Adefuye “I am sad to inform you that the Nigerian leadership: military and political, and even the general populace, are not satisfied with the scope, nature and content of the United States’ support for us in our struggle against terrorists.”<br /> Continuing, the Nigerian envoy stated that “we find it difficult to understand how and why in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly”.<br /> <br /> Reviewing the situation further, Mr. Adefuye said that at first, Nigeria had problems with the manner in which intelligence was being shared, adding that even though the U.S. Government claims that the problem has been addressed, “it is still there”.<br /> Categorically, Mr. Adefuye stated that “the U.S. Government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of the allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested.”<br /> <br /> Indeed the US government had equally explained that it would not be selling military weapons to Nigeria due to human rights allegations against the Nigerian military.<br /> But Mr. Adefuye, in his meeting with the Council on Foreign Relations, dismissed such allegations.<br /> Mr. Adefuye noted that Nigeria and the United States have had a long standing and healthy relationship reinforced by existing economic and geo-political realities. However he said in recent times “Nigeria has had reasons to complain about the style, nature and manner with which some United States’ policies are implemented with particular reference to terrorism in Nigeria.“<br /> He said the United States was the first to respond to Nigeria’s call for support in its battle against terrorists and has remained a major pillar of support in the struggle against the terrorists.<br /> <br /> But he said it is a sad commentary that right now inspite of the U.S. presence and help in Nigeria Boko Haram is becoming more deadly.<br /> Alleging that the US might have been reacting upon claims from the opposition media with sympathy for opposition parties, Adefuye insisted that the allegations could not be substantiated as many of the allegations were meant to “embarrass the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.”<br /> <br /> Professor Adefuye further emphasised that allegations of human rights violation are based on rumours, hearsays and exaggerated accounts of clashes between the Nigerian forces and Boko Haram fighters.<br /> He cited an example of an incident that happened in Baga in 2013, when human rights groups and the opposition press reported that based on pictures taken from satellite, over 1600 houses were destroyed in a village that has less than 600 houses.<br /> Besides, Mr. Adefuye stated regarding the video reports of human rights violations involving attacks on women and children purported to have been carried out by Nigerian soldiers in Boko Haram affected areas that those activities were carried out by Boko Haram members wearing stolen Nigerian army uniforms.<br /> <br /> He explained that disguise and subterfuge are standard practices of insurgent groups; and that the Chibok abduction of our school girls by Boko Haram succeeded because the girls thought that they were being carried to safety by soldiers of the Nigerian army.<br /> The Nigerian Ambassador said opinions on human rights violations by Nigerian defence forces are biased and are not subjected to the necessary verification.<br /> He went on to say that the Boko Haram issue is becoming heavily politicized especially with the approach of the general elections in 2015. Opposition media, he said, provide half-truths, exaggerated accounts which are then aired by the foreign media, forming the basis of reports sent to the capitals of Western nations.<br /> He, therefore, implored the embassies of western nations based in Nigeria to check and re-check their facts, and not use half-truths and rumours as the basis of their reports and recommendations to their capitals.<br /> <br /> He argued that the alleged violations are unfortunately the basis of U.S.’ refusal to sell necessary lethal equipment to Nigeria in order to fight Boko Haram.<br /> The Nigerian ambassador then implored the Council on Foreign Affairs to put pressure on the US State Department and the US Department of Defence to re-examine the basis of their refusal to sell equipment to Nigeria, insisting that Boko Haram threatens Nigeria’s corporate existence and territorial integrity.</div>

Nigeria vs America, says U.S has let Nigeria down in war against Boko Haram

Disappointed by the refusal of the United States to help Nigeria procure #military weapons to combat Boko Haram, the federal government has now openly expressed its dissatisfaction with the American …

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Shocking!! Dismissed officer earned salaries from 15 police commands, IGP tells court

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-JyWilmTWANXA_Rn5CEEmZoXB0-3r8nV-NxG0BUxFVxV7m4j9F905SFUqLC19WSrn19NDKXeR4NL1iva7jSmTnEHZjndTCqoFU9ezEhG8yP_epQyFaI6cAerm-Uy5CUiR3COMlpnffA-/s1600/leave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-JyWilmTWANXA_Rn5CEEmZoXB0-3r8nV-NxG0BUxFVxV7m4j9F905SFUqLC19WSrn19NDKXeR4NL1iva7jSmTnEHZjndTCqoFU9ezEhG8yP_epQyFaI6cAerm-Uy5CUiR3COMlpnffA-/s1600/leave.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> THE Inspector-General of Police, Suileiman Abba, has revealed that a dismissed #police officer, Victor Afam Banor, has been earning salaries from 15 different police commands and also allegedly stole N20 million meant for salaries of officers of the Enugu State police command.<br /> <br /> This was made known at the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Wednesday, when the retired police officer’s alleged crimes were read out.<br /> <br /> It emerged that Banor was dismissed while serving at the Umunede police division in Delta State, for allegedly stealing an exhibit vehicle in a criminal case under investigation.<br /> He escaped from detention and resurfaced at the Enugu command with a falsified signature, claiming to still be a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).<br /> When the officer-in-charge (O/C) of the command’s Mechanised Salary Section (MSS) retired, Banor assumed office as the O/C MSS. It was while holding this position, that, in March 2011, he allegedly absconded with the said money.<br /> <br /> “Before absconding from office, the applicant (Banor) dropped a note stating that nobody should look for him, because he has resigned to join his militant groups at the creeks of the Niger Delta region,” Abba said.<br /> These were contained in a counter-affidavit filed in opposition to an application by Banor, praying the court to release him from police detention.<br /> <br /> The applicant said he had been held for over eight months without charge, and, therefore, prayed the court, presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, to either order his release or direct the police to charge him to a court.<br /> Banor said his continued detention violated his fundamental rights, as guaranteed in 1999 Constitution.<br /> In the counter-affidavit filed on Wednesday by the officer-in-charge of the Legal Department (O/C Legal), Zone 2, Mr Justin Enang, the police were urging the court not to release Banor, because investigation into his alleged crime is still ongoing.<br /> The police said several officers under Banor complained that their salaries were diverted and that he did not turn up until he was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State, on April 15.<br /> <br /> The police further found badges and insignia of a Deputy Commissioner of Police in his house, adding that he absconded from the Enugu command with a Police Barretta pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition.<br /> “Ongoing investigation revealed a barrage of forgeries leading to monumental fraud by the applicant, who opened more than 25 bank accounts, using fictitious names with which he had been collecting and still collects monthly salaries from over 15 commands’ payroll across the country,” the respondents said.<br /> Banor allegedly opened accounts in FirstBank Plc (four accounts), GTBank (three accounts), Skye Bank (two accounts), Access Bank (six accounts), Fidelity Bank (two accounts), Diamond Bank and UBA (two accounts).<br /> <br /> He allegedly opened one of the accounts in Onitsha, using police letter-headed paper with a Deputy Inspector-General of Police logo, claiming to be residing in the police barracks as a Superintendent of Police.<br /> Justice Aneke adjourned ruling on Banor’s bail application till November 21.</div>

Shocking!! Dismissed officer earned salaries from 15 police commands, IGP tells court

THE Inspector-General of Police, Suileiman Abba, has revealed that a dismissed #police officer, Victor Afam Banor, has been earning salaries from 15 different police commands and also allegedly stole…

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Argentine court summons Justin Bieber over alleged assault:

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">n #Argentine court has ordered pop star Justin Bieber to appear before it within two months to face questions about an alleged assault on a photographer at a Buenos Aires nightclub last year, state-run news agency Telam reported on Thursday.</span><img height="133" src="https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/l/t1.0-9/10689787_666227300157827_7503849235442100214_n.jpg?oh=02375ec8be2e1a2c86e4c85514c70a49&oe=54E19E93" width="200" /></div> <br /> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The photographer, Diego Pesoa, accused Bieber and one of his bodyguards of lashing out at him when he tried to take a picture of the Canadian singer as he left the club in the capital's trendy Palermo Hollywood neighborhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Telam said the magistrate, Facundo Cubas, had requested the assistance of Argentina's Interpol branch to help locate Bieber, who has had a string or run-ins with the law in several countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Bieber should be detained if he failed to appear or failed to explain why he was unable to present himself before the court, Telam cited Cubas as saying.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"Bieber has to come to Argentina, and it won't be to sing," Pesoa's lawyer, Matias Morla, told local TV channel C5N.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There was no immediate reaction from Bieber's representatives to the report.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Published by ettefreeguy<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> United State FTC asking Apple about health data protection<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is seeking assurances from Apple Inc (AAPL.O) that it will prevent sensitive health data collected by its upcoming smartwatch and other mobile devices from being used without owners' consent, two sources told Reuters.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The two people, both familiar with the FTC's thinking, said Apple representatives have met on multiple occasions with agency officials in recent months, to stress that it will not sell its users' health data to third-party entities such as marketers or allow third-party developers to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Apple said it works closely with regulators around the world, including the FTC, to describe built-in data protections for its services. "We</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ve been very encouraged by their support,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller told Reuters.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Apple developed its new HealthKit platform, which manages data from mobile health apps, to give consumers control over how their information is used and shared. "We designed HealthKit with privacy in mind," said Muller.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There are no indications that the FTC intends to launch a formal investigation or inquiry into the matter, but the dialogue underscores the agency's interest in how the increasing wealth of consumer-generated health and fitness data will be safeguarded.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> The FTC declined to comment.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The FTC is paying particularly close attention to Apple's upcoming smartwatch, which can track a user's pulse and potentially store health-related information, the two sources said.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Apple hopes its upcoming Apple Watch and HealthKit platform will become the lynchpins in a broad push into mobile healthcare, a potentially lucrative field that rivals Google and Samsung are also exploring.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">FTC Commissioner Julie Brill in May said the agency is concerned about the risks of health data that flows outside of a medical context, such as information collected via wearables and mobile health apps.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The agency also requested that Congress enact legislation to make the practices of data brokers more visible.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Most data that consumers store in mobile health apps is not covered by privacy rules known as HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. But the FTC has stressed that this data is still highly sensitive and is keen on investigating how any consumer-generated data gathered is shared, exchanged, and protected.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> The agency has made it a priority to examine whether mobile health developers marketing apps on Apple's iOS and Google's Android platforms are taking precautions to safeguard user privacy, the sources said.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The FTC also concluded in a recent study that many developers share or sell health data. The study found that developers of 12 mobile health and fitness apps were sharing user information with 76 different parties, such as advertisers.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Apple is turning to a team of outside experts, including health data protection lawyer Marcy Wilder, to respond on health issues, said one of the sources and another person familiar with the matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The company also is considering appointing an in-house health privacy czar, the sources said.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Some experts say Apple is setting a strong precedent for health data privacy. Apple requires that users must give consent before app developers are granted access to their health information, and that data logged by its smartwatch is encrypted on the device.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In late August, Apple tightened its privacy rules to ensure that personal data collected through HealthKit would not be used by developers for the purposes of advertising or other data-mining purposes. It also said apps that access HealthKit are required to have a privacy policy, although it remains to be seen how Apple will enforce this rule.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez praised Apple for taking a step critical to maintain consumers' trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Posted by ettefreeguy<o:p></o:p></span></div> </div>

Argentine court summons Justin Bieber over alleged assault:

An #Argentine court has ordered pop star Justin Bieber to appear before it within two months to face questions about an alleged assault on a photographer at a Buenos Aires nightclub last year, state-…

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

(Top news) BlackBerry signs up Samsung, others, in new mobile services push

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img src="https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/1964769_666227296824494_4105407490926061602_n.jpg?efg=eyJvbGF0IjoxNjB9&oh=7350f418ccd22b9ab255f7d9caa09657&oe=54D8DA81" /></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> #</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">BlackBerry (BB.TO) announced partnerships with Samsung Electronics Co (005930.KS) and other high-profile tech players on Thursday, broadening the reach of its new mobile-device management and security platform, and sending its shares 7 percent higher.</span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry and Samsung, the world's No. 1 smartphone maker, will offer a "highly secure mobility solution" for Samsung's Android devices starting in early 2015. The system will wed BlackBerry's security platform with the South Korean company's own security software for its Galaxy devices.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"The partnership with Samsung is a very big deal," said John Jackson, a technology analyst at IDC. "It's hard to imagine a partnership with more significant practical impact potential."<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry said the tie-up is a long-term commitment.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"To make this Samsung partnership happen, we went to the highest levels of both companies, so this is a very serious relationship," said John Sims, BlackBerry's head of enterprise services, calling the deal "the tip of the iceberg."<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry also touted a string of improvements to its existing products, including mobile video-conferencing via its messaging app and the ability to divide usage costs between employer and employee.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry's Nasdaq-listed shares closed 7 percent higher at $12.06, their highest close since June 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">CONNECTING MACHINES<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The new platform, the BlackBerry Enterprise Service, or BES12, will allow corporations and government agencies to manage and make secure not only BlackBerry's mobile devices, but also those running operating systems such as Google's (GOOGL.O) Android, Apple's (AAPL.O) iOS and Microsoft's (MSFT.O) Windows platform.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For the first time, the platform will also be able to manage and make secure medical diagnostic equipment, industrial machinery and even cars.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The company also announced a BES12 deal with Brightstar, the world's largest wireless distribution company, and a tie-up with business software company Salesforce.com (CRM.N) that will let clients in healthcare and other regulated industries that use Sales force software securely access data via the BlackBerry platform.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"This plan is not different from what I laid out on day one, but it was hard for people to comprehend and believe me then as things were a mess then," BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen said. "The key message today is the ecosystem is coming back and the telecoms are very excited."<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The new products and services are the backbone of Chen's plan to turn around the smartphone pioneer, whose devices have lost ground to Apple's iPhone, Samsung's Galaxy devices and a slew of other gadgets powered by Google's Android platform.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">While still a player in the smartphone business, BlackBerry is pivoting its focus to services and the demands of a large base of enterprise clients that are increasingly grappling with data security concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Waterloo, Ontario-based company said its customers have registered for 5.1 million BES licenses since it launched a migration push in March, with some 30 percent of them moving from rival mobile-device management platforms.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BlackBerry also said it will launch its long-awaited Classic smartphone on Dec. 17 at events in New York, Frankfurt and Singapore. The device, which bears similarities to the once popular BlackBerry Bold, will go on sale immediately in launch markets and be priced at $449.<o:p></o:p></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> <br /></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">(Published by ettefreeguy)<o:p></o:p></span></div> </div>

(Top news) BlackBerry signs up Samsung, others, in new mobile services push

 #BlackBerry (BB.TO) announced partnerships with Samsung Electronics Co (005930.KS) and other high-profile tech players on Thursday, broadening the reach of its new mobile-device management and secur…

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com

Samsung Introduces Virtual Reality Smartphone You Wear On Your Head

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaJ6RxMSs8a43ydqlGYf8mmPcHEI9TIIntT1NRejO3k5MU5v84unEJ_Th2arVgaUHQmbxXkSkMPEoMhtk91Y7jWwrLjsit8vuN6NbwxFEexduxx5czMvsn2gkwigdyacARQSSunu7cy-S/s1600/dm+of+danglingmedia.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaJ6RxMSs8a43ydqlGYf8mmPcHEI9TIIntT1NRejO3k5MU5v84unEJ_Th2arVgaUHQmbxXkSkMPEoMhtk91Y7jWwrLjsit8vuN6NbwxFEexduxx5czMvsn2gkwigdyacARQSSunu7cy-S/s1600/dm+of+danglingmedia.png" width="200" /></a></div> <br /> Virtual reality—almost as good as actual reality, but without those pesky smells. Okay, that may not be quite #Samsung's message, but the company is making a hard push for VR with two announcements out of its 2014 developer conference.<br /> <br /> The first is that its Gear VR headset, announced earlier this year, will ship in early December. Developed in partnership with virtual-reality-headset darling (and pending Facebook acquisition) Oculus, the Gear VR connects to Samsung's Galaxy Note 4, which the company says creates "an entirely new mobile category."<br /> <br /> Marketing hyperbole off the starboard bow! First of all, the Gear VR—which will be sold for an unspecified price—uses the Galaxy Note 4's 5.7-inch high-res screen for its VR capabilities, requiring you to actually snap the smartphone into the headset. That's all well and good, but as soon as you upgrade your phone the Gear VR seems like it'll just be another piece of expensive plastic that no longer fits the latest and greatest.<br /> <br /> Samsung's also attempting to woo consumers to the virtual side by partnering with a number of major names in software and entertainment to provide VR content. The list includes Cirque du Soleil, DreamWorks, Harmonix, Vevo, and Marvel, which will let Gear VR users explore Tony Stark's lab ahead of next year's sure-to-be-blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron. But most of the partners' ventures sound more like marketing gimmicks or proofs of concept than actual, useful applications.<br /> <br /> That said, Samsung is also making available an Oculus Mobile software development kit, letting developers create their own apps that take advantage of the interface. But the limited availability of hardware and small market niche means that there probably won't be rampant development in that space quite yet.<br /> <br /> To demonstrate its commitment to VR, Samsung also gave a sneak peek at a second device, called Project Beyond. It's a disc about the size of a medium-sized plate that contains "16 1" HD cameras that can capture a 360-degree view of a location and either store it or stream it live to someone wearing a Gear VR. It doesn't, however, record audio, which may lessen the feeling of actually "being there" and Gizmodo's Sean Hollister, who got to try it out at Samsung's conference, called it "abnormally grainy and ... a little bit awkward."<br /> <br /> Project Beyond Samsung<br /> Project Beyond is even less far along than Gear VR: Samsung says it's "not a product, but one of our many exciting projects currently under development." But if you snag a Gear VR, you'll be able to use it to view footage Samsung has captured with the 360-degree camera.<br /> <br /> Despite these announcements, virtual reality seems like it's still rooted strongly in the stuff of science-fiction rather than the practicality of the here and now. A headset linked to a specific smartphone and a prototype camera don't seem likely to catapult the technology into the mainstream.<br /> <br /> Published by ettefreeguy</div>

Samsung Introduces Virtual Reality Smartphone You Wear On Your Head

Virtual reality—almost as good as actual reality, but without those pesky smells. Okay, that may not be quite #Samsung's message, but the company is making a hard push for VR with two announcements o…

francisjohnsonofficial@Gmail.com