Author: Richard Atkins

Richard Atkins is a senior contributor at Tech Insider covering online media, online travel, and video games. Richard has been with Tech Insider covering companies in these industries since 2011 and has authored numerous industry reports, including "Internet Video: Field of Dreams or Nightmare on Elm Street," "The Next Leg of Online Travel," and "Pwned: How Casual Games Changed The Gaming Landscape." Atkins was recognized as the No. 2 stock picker and earnings estimator in the 2011 Financial Times / StarMine Internet & Catalog Retail category and was ranked in the 2010 Wall Street Journal "Best On The Street" for the Leisure Goods & Services category.
Finance, Internet

$FB Stock : Facebook Faces EU Tirade Again (NASDAQ FB)

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ FB) and WhatsApp deal might face a new challenge as the European Union antitrust officials have sent a detailed questions to the competitors and customers of the social networker and WhatsApp. The efforts are being made to understand the difference between a social network and the messaging application. Facebook and WhatsApp deal might go through some rough patches as EU antitrust regulators … Continue reading $FB Stock : Facebook Faces EU Tirade Again (NASDAQ FB)

Richard Atkins1 Comment
Finance, Software

Bitcoin Now Used Increasingly For Flight Tickets

Air Lituanica is now accepting bitcoin for flight tickets as part of its ongoing bid to embrace new and innovative methods of serving customers. With the news, the two-plane, Lithuania-based airline becomes the second airline, and second in eastern Europe, to add bitcoin payments following airBaltic’s July announcement.

In a blog post, Air Lituanica director of commerce Simonas Bartku illustrated the benefits bitcoin can bring to travel businesses, writing: “Bitcoin payments are highly beneficial for the aviation market – this currency helps to attract more buyers from abroad as bitcoins can be used anywhere in the world.”

News on Bitcoins

Air Lituanica’s statements provide the latest evidence that bitcoin is gaining traction beyond the airline industry in the wider global travel industry, and that a growing number of consumers and businesses in this sector are looking to tap digital currency as a solution.

Long term, digital currency proponents believe the technology can provide real convenience to travelers due to the hassles and high fees associated with currency conversion as well as the high risk of fraud international travelers face. Further, it seems a growing number of businesses are looking to help the community test its prediction.

In addition to appealing to existing travel companies like Air Lituanica, bitcoin is also helping savvy entrepreneurs gain a foothold in the space. For example, just last week, Bali-based travel booking agency BitcoinTour launched with the goal of making it easier for travelers to use bitcoin to visit the popular island.

Bitcoin News Video

Watch this video for more “News on Bitcoin”.

Continue reading “Bitcoin Now Used Increasingly For Flight Tickets”

Richard Atkins
Finance, Internet

Stock Highlights: Facebook FB Stock Downgraded

Shares of social media giant Facebook (NASDAQ FB) declined after the company got a rare downgrade from Janney Capital. Shares of Facebook were close to their all-time high, so a downgrade based on valuation concerns may not be too surprising to some. Janney Capital cut its rating on Facebook shares from Buy to Neutral. However, it is important to note that the analyst left his … Continue reading Stock Highlights: Facebook FB Stock Downgraded

Richard Atkins
Finance, Internet, Software

Stock Update: A Report on Google (NASDAQ GOOG) Self Driving Cars

Google Inc’s (NASDAQ GOOG) self-driving car may drive itself, but the conditions in which it can operate effectively are very limited. These observations come from an article in the MIT Technology Review. In some ways, the self-driving car is not self-driving at all. The research shows how easy it is for hype to get ahead of reality when new, widely watched products are launched. Included … Continue reading Stock Update: A Report on Google (NASDAQ GOOG) Self Driving Cars

Richard Atkins
AAPL NASDAQ AAPL Apple
Finance, Mobile

Apple AAPL Stock News: A Look at iWatch

It’s believed that Apple Inc (NASDAQ AAPL) will unveil the iWatch on Sept. 9 along with the iPhone 6. However, there have been rumors that the wearable device won’t be available until early next year. Some would think that this would be bad because Apple is getting in months after competitors’ latest models and more than a year after their first models. But on the … Continue reading Apple AAPL Stock News: A Look at iWatch

Richard Atkins1 Comment
Finance, Software

Active Stock MSFT: Microsoft (NASDAQ MSFT) Updates Xbox

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ MSFT) announced that it would be implementing some of the features requested by Xbox One players to improve their gaming experiences. A new feature involves the mobile purchase feature which allows Xbox One players to purchase games and add-on content using the Xbox SmartGlass or through Xbox.com. According to the company, it will roll out the next Xbox One System update to … Continue reading Active Stock MSFT: Microsoft (NASDAQ MSFT) Updates Xbox

Richard Atkins