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Archived news of: February 2012
2012-02-01
Rhapsody acquires Napster to compete against Spotify
Rhapsody has completed the acquisition of Napster International, a move which it hopes will help the company to compete with rival firm Spotify in the Europe.
Rhapsody has completed the acquisition of Napster International, a move which it hopes will help the company to compete with rival firm Spotify in the Europe.
The internet merchant account, which offers online music subscriptions, has enjoyed success in the US. However, its latest buy will allow it to go head-to-head against Spotify, which currently dominates the European market.
It will operate under the Napster name in the UK and Germany and is hoped to increase the number of paid subscribers using the service outside of the US.
Rob Wells, president of Universal Music Group, claimed that Rhapsody has played a pivotal role in defining legal music streaming services.
"I welcome Rhapsody's arrival in Europe, where I am eager to see them duplicate their success attracting paid subscribers in the US," he went on to add.
read more 2012-02-01
Sky 'planning to launch on-demand TV service'
Sky has revealed plans to launch a new on-demand service, allowing customers to watch popular content online.
Sky has revealed plans to launch a new on-demand service, allowing customers to watch popular content online.
The digital broadcaster is looking to take advantage of the growing rise in mobile devices, while also branching out into a multi-platform format.
Online payment processing fees will be required for consumers who do not currently subscribe to a pay TV service in order for them to receive simple access to a range of Sky content.
The service will launch in the first half of 2012 and will also allow anyone in the UK with a broadband connection to receive access to hundreds of films from Sky Movies.
With regards to payments, the broadcaster assures that there will be no minimum contract lengths, meaning that customers are free to pay for unlimited access or use pay-as-you-go methods.
The service has been created to work with a range of digital connected devices, including PCs, Macs, laptops, tablets, games consoles and internet-connected TVs, making it accessible to a wide consumer base.
"Alongside the continued growth of our satellite platform, this will be a new way for us to reach out to consumers who love great content, but may not want the full Sky service," commented Jeremy Darroch, Sky's chief executive.
Mr Darroch claimed that the new service would help Sky to "meet the needs and demands of an ever wider range of consumers" and will extend the firm's options for continued digital growth during 2012.
The British Sky Broadcasting group has also recently released its financial results for the six months ending December 31st 2011.
Revenue was shown to have increased by six per cent over the period, reaching £3.4 billion in total.
read more 2012-02-02
Star Wars: The Old Republic boasts impressive subscriber growth
Despite only being released six weeks ago, Star Wars: The Old Republic has already gone on to become the fastest growing subscription-based massively multiplayer online (MMO) game ever.
Despite only being released six weeks ago, Star Wars: The Old Republic has already gone on to become the fastest growing subscription-based massively multiplayer online (MMO) game ever.
It has sold over two million copies worldwide and boasts an impressive 1.7 million active subscribers who are each paying monthly online billing solutions-based payments to access the much-anticipated title.
The game developed from BioWare and LucasArts has reaped huge success largely due to the quality and reliability of its online service, as servers are available for more than 99.5 per cent of the time, unlike many other popular games.
"We're truly honoured and humbled by the incredibly strong support from our players who are enjoying Star Wars: The Old Republic," commented Dr Ray Muzyka, co-founder of BioWare and general manager of Electronic Arts' BioWare label.
Dr Muzyka praised the storyline and HD graphics as being part of the game's early success.
"Our entire team worked very hard over the holidays to deliver a smooth experience at launch, and the resulting response to the game from our fans and critics has been exceptionally gratifying," he added.
The new Star Wars title has helped lay to rest the current debate surrounding subscription-based games, with some industry commentators arguing that the market prefers the new micropayment system.
This week, Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online maker Turbine told Eurogamer that subscription MMOs are not dying, however offering a single method of payment processing could dissuade some online gamers.
Adam Mersky, Warner Brother's (Turbine's owner) director of digital communications, told the online games site explained that consumers want to be given a choice in how they pay for their online games.
"The idea of forcing a player to only have one option for having to consumer your content - that's probably dying," he noted.
read more 2012-02-02
Data encryption 'essential across devices'
Internet merchant account sites have been urged to encrypt all sensitive data, especially when dealing with the current bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend in the workplace.
Internet merchant account sites have been urged to encrypt all sensitive data, especially when dealing with the current bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend in the workplace.
Graeme Batsman, director of Datadefender.co.uk, recommended that an automated approach, "which allows automated port control, device control and can remotely delete or lock data," is the best option.
Partial data encryption on BYODs can mean that personal data is left alone, while business data is placed in an encrypted folder on a mobile device or USB.
"Automated methods and data leak prevention software are really the way forward," Mr Batsman argues, before warning that without an encryption policy or proper enforcement businesses "are asking for trouble".
Data encryption was also recently used in the US by a woman attempting to hide personal information on her laptop.
However, a Colorado judge last week ordered her to decrypt the information, after a criminal investigation into her illegal activities.
read more 2012-02-03
Credit card payment processing 'poised to become more competitive'
Credit card payment processing services look likely to become more competitive as online payments increase, according to recent research.
Credit card payment processing services look likely to become more competitive as online payments increase, according to recent research.
A survey conducted by the Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG) shows that credit cards currently make up 49 per cent of all online payment processing transactions.
Payment processors account for over 20 per cent of online purchases, with consumers citing a number of reasons why credit cards are their preferred web payment cards.
Some 36 per cent of respondents believe that purchases are more secure with credit cards, while the ability to earn rewards when spending with them was also cited as a major plus for a third of consumers.
Having a credit card nearby when using online billing solutions or knowing that a card has a good interest rate were other factors found to entice consumers into using their plastic.
"Rewards programmes are a key area of opportunity for credit card issuers to maintain market share and top-of-wallet status over the upcoming years," claimed Mark Jackson, director of ACG.
Mr Jackson went on to say that: "We expect the issuers that invest in both rewards programmes and the development of benefits tailored to the needs of the online consumer will be posed to better compete."
With the prolific use of credit and debit cards for online spending, security is an important issue for consumers, with internet merchant accounts and banks expected to protect sensitive data from leakages or cyber criminal attacks.
A report from the BBC this week has suggested that hackers have discovered how to bypass the latest generation of banking security devices.
Account holders using chip and pin devices could now be vulnerable to a new web scam, which offers people training in a new upgraded security system and proceeds to surreptitiously move money out of the account.
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