TechCrunch
Xiaomi Launches Its Own Text Message Service
Users on Xiaomi devices will be able to send international text messages faster and more reliably, it said. The Chinese smartphone maker just announced its enterprise international SMS platform at the Mobile Asia Expo event in Shanghai.
The new service relies on a two-way direct coupling transmission channel. While it looks like it’ll rival Apple’s iMessage service in function, it appears to be based on different technology. Xiaomi’s service is built on SAP’s SMS 365 platform (which SAP acquired by purchasing enterprise messaging company Sybase in 2010 for $5.8 billion).
That means that while Apple relies on mobile data to transmit its messages, much like Whatsapp and other messaging services, Xiaomi’s may go through an independent gateway that doesn’t require data connectivity. It’s unclear, however, whether Xiaomi’s service is a subscription one, or whether it’ll work out different deals with telcos.
Prior to its acquisition, Sybase was one of the world’s largest SMS and MMS exchanges in the world. In 2010, it delivered messages at a rate of 32,000 per second.
This move follows Xiaomi’s recent launch outside of its home country to neighboring Taiwan and Hong Kong. The smartphone maker is known for its powerful but relatively low-priced smartphones. The company’s newly launched flagship, the Mi-2S, is priced at just $370 (RMB 2299).
Xiaomi reportedly makes 10 percent profit on its handsets, which exceeds the margins of other domestic players like Huawei, ZTE and Lenovo.
We’ve reached out to Xiaomi and SAP for more details on the new messaging service.
With New Initiative ‘Galactic,' PayPal Wants To Own Payments And Commerce In Space
In a slightly bizarre announcement today, PayPal is debuting PayPal Galactic, an initiative to own universal payments and commerce in space. Yes, outer space.
PayPal Galactic brings together leaders in the scientific community, including the SETI Institute and Space Tourism Society, to prepare and support the future of space commerce, and develop the galaxy’s first money transfer platform. PayPal is looking to address and solve the problems of what the standard currency looks like in a cash-free interplanetary society, and how banking, risk and fraud management systems will adapt to this. The payments giant is also exploring regulatory issues (ie what regulations, at this point).
The company says that there is already the need for a galactic payment system. Astronauts inhabiting space stations still need to pay for life’s necessities—from their bills back on Earth to their entertainment, like music and e-books, while in space.
In an interview with TechCrunch, PayPal president David Marcus explained that the creation of the space economy through flights, hotels and more will require a currency. “This initiative is designed to raise awareness and bring everyone around the table, ” he says. :We’re excted about this because there are no boundaries from old school payments.”
This move is a little outlandish for PayPal, but this isn’t the first time the talk of a space currency has come up. Back in 2007, scientists came up with the Quasi Universal Intergalactic Denomination to be the de facto physical currency. It’s clear that Marcus sees that there is potential for space travel to be commercialized and wants to make sure that PayPal is the potential go-to currency if this happens.
Separate from the space venture, there’s also the question of if and how PayPal is going to integrate Bitcoin. We know Marcus is definitely bullish on the P2P currency, but we haven’t seen any movement from PayPal yet.
Photo Credit/Flick/Kabsik Park
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