Channel Beat: The New Target On Apple's Back

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Apple and Samsung are going head to head again -- this time it’s in the mobile payment space. Samsung will purchase LoopPay, a mobile payment system that will set the vendor up to compete with Apple Pay.

LoopPay allows consumers to tap their smartphones against magnetic strip reader machines at checkouts, and features password and PIN-protection security.

The terms and price of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Microsoft will integrate its Office apps with longtime rival Apple’s iCloud platform, the company said this week.

Microsoft Office users with iOS 8 will now be able to edit and back up files to iCloud, to the surprise of Apple partners. In November, Microsoft unveiled a similar partnership with Dropbox. This program also allows third-party services to integrate their browser-based apps with Office online.

Verizon Enterprise Solutions added Ingram Micro mobility as a partner this week. With the move, Verizon is aiming for a huge expansion in the number of solution providers in its base.

Right now Verizon has 1,000 partners, and would like to add OEMs, ISVs and system integrators to that base. Sources say the partnership was born at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, and although the partnership only extends to the U.S. right now, Verizon would like to add European agents, resellers and distributors in the near future.

PUBLISHED FEB. 20, 2015