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Archived news of: October 2011
2011-10-03
News Corp's online subscription sales 'failing'
Rupert Murdoch's online subscription sales are significantly falling behind expectations and failing to encourage online billing solutions users, according to reports.
Rupert Murdoch's online subscription sales are significantly falling behind expectations and failing to encourage online billing solutions users, according to reports.
In an interview with Bloomberg, John Nitti, executive vice president of Publicis Group SA's Zenith Optimedia, claimed that News Corp's iPad-only newspaper The Daily was witnessing extremely low reader numbers.
Bloomberg reported that the app was receiving only 120,000 users each week, which is comparable to small local papers and less than a quarter of what the company explained that it needed to be profitable.
Mr Nitti explained: "They won't tell us how many paying subscribers, but that's how many unique The Daily is getting."
He said that 120,000 readers would be a respectable figure for a fledgling publication and commented that The Daily's availability on Google's Android software later this month could help increase subscribers.
Back in February chief executive officer of News Corp, Rupert Murdoch, explained that the newly launched app would need 500,000 subscribers in order to break even.
read more 2011-10-03
Online banking 'used by 92% of Britons'
Online payment processing services could be increasing in popularity as a new study shows that 92 per cent of people in the UK use online banking services.
Online payment processing services could be increasing in popularity as a new study shows that 92 per cent of people in the UK use online banking services.
Despite these high figures, the research from McAfee showed that only a third of Britons who use online banking admitted to feeling "completely confident" that their details were secure.
Some 81 per cent of online bankers revealed that recent cybercrime attacks, such as the Sony PlayStation Network security breach had made them more fearful of using online billing solutions and transferring money over the internet.
Raj Samani, chief technology officer for McAfee Europe Middle East and Africa, claimed that it was more likely that cyber problems would be the fault of the consumer rather than the internet merchant account site or bank.
"It's more likely that people are unwittingly giving out their personal banking information to criminals via phishing scams and copycat sites, or their computers being infected with malware," Mr Samani explained.
Meanwhile in the US, the country is currently playing host to its National Cyber Security Awareness Month, designed to promote greater understanding of online threats and how to prevent them.
read more 2011-10-03
Sony's Uncharted 3 requires online code
High risk payment processing use will be required for users of the new Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception game to enable them to compete online.
High risk payment processing use will be required for users of the new Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception game to enable them to compete online.
Sony has confirmed that the game will use the company's PlayStation Network (PSN) Pass system, in an interview with Spanish language outlet The Vault.
Juan Jimenez, software manager for Sony Spain, explained to the site that the online pass restricted access was necessary "in order to tackle piracy".
Online passes require players to enter in a redemption code in exchange for access to multiplayer features and content.
Uncharted 3 will become only the second game released by Sony to use its PSN Pass system and follows the success of Resistance 3, which was released last month.
Web subscriptions have faced criticism in recent weeks, with many industry experts warning that in-game microtransactions could prove to be more profitable for internet merchant accounts looking to increase online gaming revenues.
read more 2011-10-04
Rhapsody partners with Napster for on-demand music distribution
High risk payment processing services could be in greater demand for the premium music subscription site Rhapsody after it penned an agreement with Napster.
High risk payment processing services could be in greater demand for the premium music subscription site Rhapsody after it penned an agreement with Napster.
The partnership, which is expected to be fully introduced in late November, will mean that Rhapsody acquires Napster subscribers and other assets.
"This is a 'go big or go home' business, so our focus is on sustainably growing the company," commented Jon Irwin, the president of Rhapsody.
"Our new members will have more places to connect to the music they love and to discover new favourites," Mr Irwin went on to add.
Rhapsody and Napster are currently the two largest on-demand music services in the US and allow users to listen to music from PC, laptop, TV, MP3 player and mobile phone devices.
Launched in 1999, Rhapsody gives subscribers access to over 13 million songs from major and indie record labels, while also providing expert and consumer reviews to help introduce music fans to new artists.
read more 2011-10-04
Managers 'should understand business security risk levels'
Internet merchant account security managers have admitted that there is a significant disconnect between the perception and reality of protection levels in web businesses.
Internet merchant account security managers have admitted that there is a significant disconnect between the perception and reality of protection levels in web businesses.
Almost two-thirds of respondents in the McAfee 2011 Data Center Security Survey reported that management staff believed that security was stronger than it actually was.
Only 22 per cent claimed that these senior professionals were aware of their company's true security preparedness.
"Management needs to seek out the truth when it comes to IT security and data centre management needs to be frank and honest when discussing the strengths and weaknesses of their security mechanisms," argued Dan Olds, principal analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group, which conducted the research.
A separate study by McAfee has found that 92 per cent of people in the UK are carrying out some form of online banking.
However, despite the high number of people willing to transfer money on the web and use online billing solutions, more than half are worried about security issues.
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