Friday 2 October 2015
Thursday 1 October 2015
Apple sells record 13mn iPhones in weekend launch
WASHINGTON: Apple said Monday it sold 13 million of its new iPhones over the weekend, in a record-breaking launch for the latest model of its iconic smartphone.
The California tech giant began selling the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus in nine markets, including China, on Friday.
On Monday, the company said the devices will be available in 40 additional markets October 9 including Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Taiwan.
"Sales for iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus have been phenomenal, blowing past any previous first weekend sales results in Apple's history," said chief executive Tim Cook.
Apple has also unveiled new lease and finance terms for US customers, which analysts said could boost sales and shorten the upgrade cycle, at a time when carriers are moving away from smartphone subsidies.
The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus have the same overall dimensions as the last version, with new technologies under the hood.
One of the key new features is called "3D touch," which responds to the level of pressure exerted on the screen, allowing users to apply light pressure to peek at messages and applications, and to press a little deeper to open them.
The 6S has the 4.7-inch (about 12-centimeter) display of its predecessor and the 6S Plus -- which updates one of the more popular handsets in the "phablet category" -- has the same 5.5-inch screen.
But the devices have more powerful processors that allow for improved graphics, harder glass and a new aluminum body. Pricing will be kept at the same levels as the earlier versions.
The record launch outpaced last year's release of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus which sold more than 10 million, but did not include China, which was among the markets for the newest iPhone launch.
Analysts at IHS Technology project that Apple will ship 236 million iPhones this year, up 22 percent from a year ago.
IHS analyst Ian Fogg said Apple is likely to have another blockbuster quarter or two but could have trouble sustaining momentum next year.
"By the middle of next year, this look and feel will be almost two years old," Fogg told AFP.
For its next model, he said, "Apple is going to have to find a way to reinvent the iPhone, and it is hard to find something that is radically new."
Apple's new phone also features upgraded operating system iOS 9, which the company says offers "more intelligence" while taking up less space.
Apple said that it will roll out the new devices to more markets in the coming weeks and that they would be available in 130 countries by the end of the year.
Afridi Eyeing Series Win Today
Today, the second Twenty20 between Pakistan and Zimbabwe will be played at the Harare Sports Club. Captain Shahid Afridi is eyeing series win against Zimbabwe. Pakistan have won first T20 match against Zimbabwe restricting them at 123 runs but their batting line seems weak.
According to local media report, “The batsmen need to take up their responsibility,” said Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi after Sunday’s victory, looking forward to the second game, although he was pleased with his bowlers as they restricted Zimbabwe to 123.
“The bowlers used the pitch, and I am very happy with the bowlers, especially Imran Khan in that last over. Imad displayed some extraordinary skill and he can be an alternate to Ajmal,” said the skipper.
Pakistan will look forward to win the two-match Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe after beating Zimbabwe by 13 runs in the first Twenty20 international on Sunday at the same venue
Pak-BD women’s captains predict exciting series
KARACHI: Rival captains Sana Mir of Pakistan and Salman Khatun of Bangladesh predicted exciting women's Twenty20 and One-day series between the two countries.
"Except me and Asmavia, rest of the team members will be playing their first international in Pakistan," Sana Mir told reporters in a pre-match press conference here at the Southend Club Hall on Tuesday.
Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in their opening T20 internationala on Wednesday starting at 10 a.m.
"It will be good prepartions for us ahead of the tour of West Indies and USA," she said.
Sana said majority of the people will be watching women cricket for the first time.
She thanked Bangladesh team for coming over to Pakistan and playing series.
"We were looking for this tour for long time and finally it was happening," Sana Mir, commented.
She said that one can not compare Pakistan's men team with womens.
Bangladesh captain Salma Khutan said they are happy to be in Pakistan and hoping for good fight from his team.
She said Pakistan is good team as they got some good batters and bowlers.
However, she said, their team have improved in batting and bowling departments despite not playing international cricket after losing to Pakistan in the final of Incheon Asian Games in South Korea last year.
Responding to a question, Ms. Khutan said they are not thinking of any revenge from Pakistan after losing to them in the final of Asian Games.
Earlier unveiling of trophy and log was held and attended by two captains and Head of PCB women wing Shamsa Hashmi, team manager Ayesha Ashar, Shafiqul Haq Manager Bangladesh team and represenative of sponsor Fasial Hidyatullah of Al-Karam Studio.
In meantime Bang;adesh underwent s strenuous three hour training session at the venue while Pakistan team have one-hour training session in the afternoon.
Pakistan Qualifies For ICC Champions Trophy
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the top eight teams which will participate in the Champions Trophy 2017 and Pakistan is one of them.
According to media reports, With 90 points, Pakistan came just two points above West Indies who failed to make it to the top eight in the ICC ODI Team Rankings on September 30, 2015 cut-off date. Bangladesh made it to the tournament for the first time, ranking above Pakistan at number seven with 96 points.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 will be a 15-match tournament, with teams split into two groups of four, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the semi-finals. The groups and the schedule for the ICC Champions Trophy will be announced shortly, said the ICC.
Pakistan made it at number 8, just making it to the teams qualifying for the 2017 tournament.
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