Google today acquired Dealmap, a San Francisco-based start-up that aggregates local and daily deals, in a push to further its efforts in the fiercely-competitive mobile payment market as to Forbes.

Dealmap, started in May 2010, announced the deal but didn’t disclose the terms of the deal. The company has over two million users and 85 million monthly users on its network of Web, mobile social and e-mail products.

“In Google we’ve found the perfect partner that shares our passion — helping people save money while having great local experiences,” a Dealmap spokesman said. “We believe that joining Google will help us innovate in new and unexplored areas of commerce.”

For now, Google said it will support Dealmap’s partners, but the Internet search giant is pushing ahead with its mobile payment plans. Google is expected to integrate Dealmap into its “Google Offers” service, to deliver discounts to online customers from local businesses.

Groupon famously rebuffed Google’s $6 billion offer last year. Since then, the Mountain View, Calif.-based company introduced “Google Wallet,” a service that lets Android owners buy goods and services by tapping or swiping their devices at a merchant’s payment reader, using near-field communications, or NFC, technology. Google is testing Google Wallet in New York, San Francisco and Portland this summer.

Once up and running, Google Offers will work with Google Wallet. The combination will let users search for, and redeem, online coupons at the point of sale.

The combination of Google Wallet and Offers marks a serious push by the search engine giant into mobile payments, an emerging market already filled with competitors. Some, like the Isis initiative between major credit card companies and AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, mirror Google Wallet’s approach of NFC-based point-of-purchase transactions.

Others, like the recently announced partnership between Verizon and American Express, rely on software and apps to store financial information that can be used anywhere connected to the Internet.

Amid mounting competition, Google’s suite of services may gain a foothold, especially if its Offers feature gains steam with consumers enamored with daily deals. The addition of Dealmap’s technology to Offers to aggregate the burgeoning slate of local coupon services may create an enticing entry point for Google’s mobile financial services, enabling it to build a strong user base.

Dealmap was founded by Jennifer Dulski, a former Yahoo executive, and Chandu Thota, the lead programmer on Microsoft Virtual Earth.

Source: Forbes

Apple® today updated the industry-leading MacBook® Pro family with next generation processors and graphics, high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime® HD camera. Featuring the very latest dual-core and quad-core Intel Core processors, the entire MacBook Pro line is up to twice as fast as the previous generation.*

“The new MacBook Pro brings next generation dual and quad Core processors, high performance graphics, Thunderbolt technology and FaceTime HD to the great design loved by our pro customers,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Thunderbolt is a revolutionary new I/O technology that delivers an amazing 10 gigabits per second and can support every important I/O standard which is ideal for the new MacBook Pro.”

Starting at $1,199 the new 13-inch MacBook Pro offers amazing value and performance in a compact design. The highly portable 13-inch MacBook Pro features Intel Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors up to 2.7 GHz and Intel HD Graphics 3000. The powerful 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models feature quad-core Core i7 processors up to 2.3 GHz and AMD Radeon HD graphics processors with up to 1GB of video memory for high performance gaming, pro video editing and graphics intensive applications.

MacBook Pro is the first computer on the market to include the groundbreaking Thunderbolt I/O technology. Developed by Intel with collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt enables expandability never before possible on a notebook computer. Featuring two bi-directional channels with transfer speeds up to an amazing 10Gbps each, Thunderbolt delivers PCI Express directly to external high performance peripherals such as RAID arrays, and can support FireWire and USB consumer devices and Gigabit Ethernet networks via adapters. Thunderbolt also supports DisplayPort for high resolution displays and works with existing adapters for HDMI, DVI and VGA displays. Freely available for implementation on systems, cables and devices, Thunderbolt technology is expected to be widely adopted as a new standard for high performance I/O.

The MacBook Pro now includes a built-in FaceTime HD camera with triple the resolution of the previous generation for crisp, widescreen video calls. With Apple’s innovative FaceTime video calling software, the new camera allows high definition video calls between all new MacBook Pro models and supports standard resolution calls with other Intel-based Macs, iPhone® 4 and the current generation iPod touch®. FaceTime is included with all new MacBook Pro models and is available for other Intel-based Macs from the Mac® App Store℠ for 99 cents. The MacBook Pro lineup continues to feature its gorgeous aluminum unibody enclosure, glass Multi-Touch™ trackpad, LED-backlit widescreen display, illuminated full-size keyboard and 7-hour battery.**

As the industry’s greenest notebook lineup, every Mac notebook achieves EPEAT Gold status and meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements, setting the standard for environmentally friendly notebook design.*** Each unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. Mac notebooks contain no brominated flame retardants, are PVC-free and are constructed with recyclable materials.

Every Mac comes with Mac OS® X Snow Leopard®, the world’s most advanced operating system, and iLife®, Apple’s innovative suite of applications for creating and sharing great photos, movies and music. Snow Leopard builds on more than a decade of innovation and includes multiple features for portable computing such as Multi-Touch navigation, advanced wireless networking, easy file sharing, automated data backup and intelligent power management. The new iLife ’11 features iPhoto® with stunning full screen views for browsing, editing and sharing photos; iMovie® with powerful easy-to-use tools to transform home videos into fun theatrical trailers; and GarageBand® with new ways to improve your playing and create great sounding songs.

Pricing & Availability
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro, 15-inch MacBook Pro and 17-inch MacBook Pro are available through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The 13-inch MacBook Pro is available in two configurations: one with a 2.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 and 320GB hard drive starting at $1,199; and one with a 2.7 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,499. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro is available in two models: one with a 2.0 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6490M and 500GB hard drive starting at $1,799 and one with a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive starting at $2,199. The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a 2.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, AMD Radeon HD 6750M and 750GB hard drive and is priced at $2,499.

Configure-to-order options include faster quad-core processors up to 2.3 GHz, additional hard drive capacity up to 750GB, solid state storage up to 512GB, more memory up to 8GB DDR3, antiglare and high-resolution display options and AppleCare® Protection Plan. Additional technical specifications and configure-to-order options and accessories are available online at www.apple.com/macbookpro.

*Testing conducted by Apple in February 2011 using preproduction MacBook Pro configurations. For more information visit www.apple.com/macbookpro/features.html.

**The new Wireless Web protocol testing was conducted by Apple in February 2011 using preproduction MacBook Pro configurations. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. For more information visit www.apple.com/macbookpro/features.html.

***EPEAT is an independent organization that helps customers compare the environmental performance of notebooks and desktops. Products meeting all of the 23 required criteria and at least 75 percent of the optional criteria are recognized as EPEAT Gold products. The EPEAT program was conceived by the US EPA and is based on IEEE 1680 standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products. For more information visit www.epeat.net.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Mobile applications depend on networks that are smart, scaleable and of superior performance, and networks need the innovation coming from the apps culture, said Hans Vestberg, President and CEO of Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), in his keynote address to the GSM Association at the Mobile World Congress 2011 in Barcelona.

“Apps are transformative – not only for consumers but also for enterprises” says Vestberg, and cited smart grids as one example of how applications can change business models. He said: “Take the power sector, which in its process of making power, stands for a fair share of global CO2 emissions. But with mobile apps on top of the smart grids, CO2 savings can be achieved.

“The app is just one part of the whole chain, built on top of mobility and broadband leading us into the networked society” said Vestberg.

The CEO said Ericsson is prepared to assist operators and businesses in four ways: process efficiency and automation; to increase efficiency for mobile workforces; enable companies to provide new value propositions, and to enable services to help people reach each other better in everyday situations.

“The combination of mobility, broadband and cloud, with applications added on top, means major business opportunities for the consumer market – and maybe more importantly, for the enterprise market. We as an industry can tap into new revenue streams and drive transformation in other industries. We can be the industry of industries” said Vestberg.

Ericsson’s ConsumerLab found in a study that the habit of downloading applications was adopted more quickly into people’s daily lives than anyone imagined. “Twenty percent of app phone users answered that they downloaded apps daily, and they keep doing so” he said. Last year, people downloaded nearly 11 billion mobile apps to smartphones.

Making money in the world of applications is possible, for entrepreneurs and mobile operators, Vestberg emphasized. “The leisure apps, games and things, will always be there and people are sometimes willing to pay for them. But I think the real potential lies in apps for enterprises and in industries like health, power and logistics” he concluded.

Vestberg was joined by three other CEOs – Peter Chou of HTC, Peters Suh of WAC and Sir Martin Sorell of WPP – in discussing the world of mobile applications and their impact on the ICT industry.

Caption: Ericsson President and CEO Hans Vestberg presenting in Ericsson’s Hall 6 at the Mobile World Congress 2011.

* PRESS RELEASE

Nokia announced the launch of a new range of mobile applications and content tailored for Ramadan. The new range of Ramadan applications 2010 have now become available on Ovi Store, the updated mobile applications tailored for Ramadan can now be downloaded on the compatible Nokia devices for free directly from Nokia’s Ovi Store.

“The overwhelming response and feedback that we received from last year’s offering and the number of downloads that exceeded a million, allowed us to improve and expand this year’s application offering. Nokia users have now a single and easy access to many of the cherished experiences that Muslims like to be close to, and keep them connected to Ramadan. This year the  applications also support a wider range of devices including both touch and non-touch Nokia devices, and are available in more languages” said Haisam Jamal, General Manager – Nokia Levant.

This year’s Ramadan applications are feature packed, and include the Holy Quran, Prayer Times, Hadith, Boyoot Allah, Arabica, Mozzaker, and Makkah and Madinah. New features include Quran recitation from multiple recitors from which users can choose to download in MP3 format. Prayer timings and Qibla direction are provided for 1000 cities in 200 countries, along with the ability to add, remove, update and edit any location using the GPS.

The new Boyot Allah helps Muslims to locate the nearest mosque on Nokia’s free Ovi Maps and Navigation platform. The new mobile services also feature locations of Major mosques in the GCC and the world, such as the two holy mosques, Masjid Al Haram in Makkah and Masjid Al Nabawi in Al Madinah. Additionally users can also find locations of mosques all around the world using free Ovi maps available on Ovi store.

“This is a region that is greatly important to us and we have committed to ensure that we tailor solutions that meet the local needs, ” Jamal added. “Ramadan applications for 2010 are free and offer a variety of content from a range of global and local content providers ready to be downloaded for the widest range of devices.”

The Ramadan applications are developed by ASGATech, a Forum Nokia Premium Partner in the Middle East, with all content reviewed and approved by Al Azhar Al Shareef.

Ramadan applications for 2010 are compatible with a range of Nokia devices including Nokia N97 mini, Nokia E72, Nokia E52, Nokia X6, Nokia 5230, Nokia 5530, Nokia C5, Nokia 5235, Nokia 5800, Nokia E5, Nokia 6700 slide, Nokia 5233, Nokia X3, Nokia 6303i, Nokia 2710 and Nokia C3. The user interface for the applications is available in English, Arabic, Farsi, French and Urdu.

Nokia 2010 Ramadan Applications include the following:

- The Holy Quran: allows users to read, search, bookmark and listen to Quran recitation.

- Prayer Times: provides prayer timings and Qibla direction for 1000 cities in 200 countries, along with the ability to add, remove, update and edit any location using the GPS.
- Hadith: gives an easy and convenient way to read the Honorable Hadeeth from Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Riyad us-Saliheen, Holy Hadeeths and Arba’in An Nawawi.

- Boyoot Allah: helps Muslims locate the mosques in different cities using Ovi free maps around the world.

- Arabica: helps non-Arabic speaking Muslims to read and understand Quran, Hadeeth and Dua in Arabic by self-learning or with the help of online teachers through their mobile.

- Makkah and Madinah: offers a mobile guide with multimedia content and the most famous places that people can visit during Hajj and Umrah.

- Mozzaker: allows mobile users to listen, search and translate a large collection of daily Azkar and selected supplications. People can also download more Azkar and share with friends and family via SMS and MMS.