Metro by T-Mobile to Offer Insurance for BYOD Phones

In a recent press meet, Metro by T-Mobile announced that customers who bring their own device get insured for their eligible phones or tablets in July. Yes, you heard that right – customers can get device protection insurance even if they did not initially buy their device from Metro by T-Mobile.

The company has stated that this offer will be valid from July 1^st to 31^st; both existing Metro customers and those with Metro devices who did not register in device protection can get device protection in Metro stores. The customers can choose from more protection options than ever before, including T-Mobile's Premium Service Bundle. In addition, all customers will have up to 30 days from a device's activation to enroll in protection — giving you more time to decide what plan works best.

With Metro by T-Mobile's affordable choices for BYOD, insurance customers are happy knowing their favorite devices will be protected. The all-new BYOD Premium Service Bundle providesservices such as McAfee Mobile Security, Scam Shield Premium, Unlimited Directory Assistance, and device protection for $16 a month added to your Metro by T-Mobile plan cost.

 

Hiberunveils new satellite-based IoT asset tracking for organizations

Hiber, a Dutch-based IoT startup company, has announced that it has launched a satellite-based asset tracking system—HiberEasypulse, will be affordable enough for a broader variety of businesses and enterprises to track and monitor remote mobile and fixed assets. The company has introduced a "nano-satellite" network in 2019 and has launched several other IoT-related services.

The HiberEasypulse runs on a proprietary satellite network; the company said that it is the first satellite-based asset tracking service, although other GPS-based tracking services are available. As a result, HiberEasypulse can be used in various mobile tracking applications that include driver monitoring, predictive maintenance, and in sectors like oil and gas, forestry, mining, and the military.

The company further added no upfront device costs, no data subscription fees, and no additional data charges. It is an economic model, and it can make asset tracking more affordable for companies with smaller fleet sizes and tracking needs, not just those with massive national and international distribution of assets. The service is available for an introductory monthly fee of $12.50 per month or $0.40 per day, as per the Hiber press release.

 

MYCOM OSI and Oracle collaborate to offer Network Orchestration for 5G operators

MYCOM OSI, a leading provider of automation and analytics solutions to the world's largest Communications Service Providers (CSPs), in a recent announcement, has stated that it is working with Oracle. Both companies will focus on creating a business-focused approach to innovate automation that helps CSPs to leverage 5G networks at scale, offer compelling 5G-enabled services, and drive revenues from the vertical enterprise markets.

The company's recently launched Assurance Cloud Service™ is used to assure carrier-grade, differentiated network and service quality for global Tier-1 CSPs. This collaboration with Oracle will decrease human intervention for standard troubleshooting, make network configuration accessible across devices, and reduce inefficiency and inaccuracy of managing devices one at a time.

The Network Orchestration and Assurance collaboration will provide MYCOM OSI's award-winning assurance suite with robust and advanced support for telecommunication network technologies, including 5G Standalone, for which the company won the prestigious TM Forum Excellence Award and Telecom Review Excellence Award in 2020. At the same time, Oracle will offer EAA and ACS with Oracle's Service and Network Orchestration to MYCOM OSI's CSP customers as they roll out 5G and digital services.

 

 

Amazon Expected to Surpass Walmart as America's Largest Retailer

Recent reports and statistical analysis have reported that Amazon will surpass Walmart in total merchandise sales in the US. Besides, Walmart is growing its sales volume by more than 20 percent every year. An April report from e-commerce data company Edge reported that Amazon wouldn't pass Walmart until 2025. But J.P. Morgan analyst Doug Anmuth thinks Amazon will pass Walmart in US sales by the end of next year.

Amazon currently holds a market share of approximately 40 percent of all online sales in the US, which puts its gross merchandise volume to around $327 billion. Also, Amazon has a "small" physical retail operation that's brought in over $15 billion in revenue over the last four quarters. This makes the total retail volume around $340 billion. In contrast, Walmart US and Sam's Club generated a combined income of $439 billion over the last four quarters. Walmart also operates a third-party merchant marketplace.

So, as of now, Amazon is still about $100 billion behind Walmart. That's a big gap to make up in just seven quarters. But there are slight chances that Amazon's gross merchandise volume, excluding its physical stores, will climb to $377 billion this year and reach $457 billion in 2022. Henceforth, there is still a lot of room for e-commerce to take a share of total retail sales, which will lead to sustainable double-digit growth.

 

 

Microsoft Reveals New Xbox Wireless Controllers, Space Jam 2

Microsoft has unleashed its most anticipated Xbox wireless controller—'Space Jam 2: A New Legacy', and it will be available by July. Space Jam 2 is a limited-edition set of Xbox Wireless Controllers primarily based on the Looney Tunes film, which will be available before the film's premiere. According to Xbox, the all-new wireless controller will support iOS devices that will be introduced in the future.

The controller is powered by four AA batteries which last for up to 40 hours. Space Jam: A New Legacy will also be available for early access for players who have a Game Pass, according to Xbox. A New Legacy of Space Jam will be available in three types of Xbox Wireless Controllers: Tune Squad, Server-verse, and Goon Squad. The company has stated that by July 8, all three versions will be available for $69.99 each.

Customized controllers also cost $69.99, which is $10 more than the standard controllers.  The orders will be sent 28 days after they are placed. And the service for the new Space Jam 2 is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The controller also works with Windows 10 PCs and iOS and Android devices.