Air Canada to use IBM apps on Apple mobile devices

Air Canada joins around 500 companies working with Apple and its enterprise partner IBM. This partnership was formed to help boost the stagnant sales of the iPad and to help make inroads in the enterprise market. Apple CFO Luca Maestri revealed details of this partnership during a call to discuss the company’s third-quarter earnings.

Maestri won’t divulge how many workers are using the apps. Although, for example, only a few Air Canada flight attendants could be using the Passenger+ app. This app lets them see passenger and flight information via an iPad. Other companies and even governments working with Apple and IBM include U.K. energy provider National Grid, Mexican bank Banorte, and American Eagle Outfitters. The companies are also working with the Japanese government for solutions to help care for its aging population. The partnership has yielded 35 apps and they still seem to be on track to meet the 100 apps they plan to release by the end of the year.

Source: ComputerWorld

Chinese regulator gives us first glimpse of OnePlus Two

Leaks of the OnePlus Two and its design have been circulating for a while now. But as was suspected, those were all just fakes. We now get a closer look at what the device looks like thanks to Chinese regulator TENAA (the Chinese equivalent of the FCC). The device looks rather similar to a Samsung one with its physical home button with silver accent, which we know will serve as a fingerprint scanner. The OnePlus One didn’t have any physical buttons before. There doesn’t seem to be a metallic bezel this time around so you get glass all the way in front. The device itself seems narrower and taller.

It seems the rear-facing camera has been moved further down with its dual-LED flash. There also seems to be a second sensor of sorts, which Cult of Android speculates could be something of a laser autofocus system like the one in the G3 and G4. There also seems to be a small groove on the bottom left of the device, which hopefully means the OnePlus Two’s back cover can be removed easier than its predecessor. There also seems to be a button placed at the left side of the device, it’s not clear yet what that additional button could be. Because it seems the power button might be under the volume rocker located at the right side.

Source: Cult of Android

Three German carmakers reportedly in talks to buy Nokia’s Here mapping service

Audi, BMW, and Daimler are reportedly in talks with Nokia to buy the company’s mapping service. The deal is estimated to be worth over US$2.71 billion. A source told The Wall Street Journal that Nokia has been talking exclusively with these three car manufacturers. The agreement could be signed within the next few days.

There is a possibility though that the car companies might invite other brands to buy stakes in this. According to the source, the goal is to make the service an open platform for everyone. So they don’t have to rely on third-party platforms like Garmin and Google. Uber was supposedly in talks to buy Here but they gave up on bidding several weeks back. Another possible outcome of the takeover is it’ll help companies develop self-driving cars.

Source: The Wall Street Journal | Via: Apple Insider

Nike+ app integrates Spotify Premium with Pace Stations

Here’s a quick update from Nike. Its Nike+ Running app on iOS now supports Spotify Premium. This means you can stream your favorite tunes right on the sports brand’s app. The two companies have collaborated to introduce Pace Stations. It draws music from Spotify’s library and helps keep you motivated for your run. It does this by having you put in your desired pace in the app and musical preference. The app will calculate beats per minute and create a 100-song playlist to push you to your pace. It’ll let you know if you’re stepping in beat. There’s no word yet though if Android users will also be getting this treatment.

Source: Nike | Via: Digital Trends | Download: Apple App Store (Free)