BUSINESS

Now that Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger has formally relinquished his papal duties as the 265th pope, all focus is now on who will emerge the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The anticipation is not only felt by believers of the faith but also by punters who aim to earn cash as the stakes go higher and higher at online betting forums.

Samsung will limit the colour variants of the Galaxy S4 to black and white, likely ditching the colourful flavour mixes that partly made the Galaxy S3 a global hit, a new report said.

Apple is wrapping the next generation iPad in a complete package, adding a magnetic stand for its leading tablet computer as shown by recently published patent application.

Apple intends to crash into the entry-level market but its debut will likely come next year via an iPhone built on polycarbonate material and priced $US330.

By Andrew NelsonIf China ever had an economic golden age, it was the 2000s. The poor moved to the cities, the cities sprung up like grass, the infrastructure reached many that were left in the hinterlands, millions were lifted out of virtual serfdom and per-capita GDP just about quadrupled.

By Peter Switzer, Switzer Super ReportWas Friday's market comeback of 38 points, after the 2.3% loss on Thursday, one of those sucker's rallies? Are we ripe for a pullback and is the US expert Dennis Gartman right when he tips a 7% slump in stocks is on the cards?Right now I am as popular ...

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed down 20 points, or 0.2%, while the S&P lost 0.1% to 1514 and the Nasdaq dropped 0.

The analyst principally responsible for the production of this research report is: Howard Humphreys, Director & Lead Research Analyst, Seismic ResearchAsian stocks mixed ahead of U.

The tone of global investment markets has continued to improve in the last day. Concern about the Italian political landscape has continued to ease. Investor support at an Italian bond auction overnight led to a better atmosphere amongst European participants.In the US, figures released continued to paint an encouraging picture of the US housing market with pending home sales rising 4.5% last month compared to an expected increase of 1.0%

Hancock Prospecting would likely appeal a Wednesday court decision in favour of Wright Prospecting over shares of the disputed Rhodes Ridge iron ore project.

In releasing the new Asus PadFone Infinity, its maker envisions the fusion of two gadgets in one premium package that commands an asking price of €999, in Euro because for the time being this gizmo is exclusive for Europe.

The latest version of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean has been recently released by Google and the Nexus device lineup would be the first to feel a new experience. Many Android devices are still not up-to-date including those from the LG lineup such as LG Optimus G. In October 2012, LG made a press release about the Jelly Bean update for Optimus G supposedly available two months after the announcement.

At 1900 GMT on Thursday, Feb. 28, the secular faith Roman Catholic Church enters a period known as "Sede Vacante" or Vacant See. Immediately, a senior cardinal, who will be referred as "camerlengo" or chamberlain, temporarily takes over interim powers of the Catholic Church until such time a new pope is elected.

At 1900 GMT on Thursday, Feb. 28, the secular faith Roman Catholic Church enters a period known as "Sede Vacante" or Vacant See. Immediately, a senior cardinal, who will be referred as "camerlengo" or chamberlain, temporarily takes over interim powers of the Catholic Church until such time a new pope is elected.

The MWC Congress is the stage for several smartphones and tablets, but there are some handsets that grab your attention.

The local sharemarket has opened higher today after upbeat economic data in the US lifted investor sentiment and better than expected bond auctions in Italy saw European markets rebound. At noon, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is up 34.6pts to 5087.7pts.

The lawyer of Samsung questioned on Wednesday if the technological features of devices that describe human-to-computer interaction could be the subject of a patent.

Nexus 4 is getting a new accessory, a wireless charging pad provided by its manufacturer, LG, which touts the WCP-300 as the world’s smallest charging pad. It works in other handsets too, possibly the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4.

A more affordable Galaxy Note 3 is on the way as Samsung adjust to current market dynamics in which competition is growing and price marks are plunging, approaching the $US200 mark.

Production of the iPad Mini 2 with Retina display technology is currently underway, a new report claims, pointing to a supply chain movement that saw Apple allegedly ordering display panels with 2048 x 1536 resolution for a 7.9 screen tablet.

Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook admitted to shareholders at the company's yearly meeting on Wednesday that he didn't like the downward trajectory of the company's share prices. He was responding to alarm by shareholders that Apple stocks are down 37 per cent since September 2012.

Apple, LG, ZTE and China Mobile are collaborating to deliver smartphones on a new network implement, TD-LTE, a variant of the emerging superfast internet infrastructure.

Mozilla finally reached smartphone level with their Firefox OS and the roll out of devices using the mobile operating system.

Samsung is making a big move in the United States, which explains the major New York launch of the Galaxy S4 on March 14. Part of the big plan is selling the new Android handset for $US200 or less.

By Mike Kapsch, Investment U ResearchThursday, February 14, 2013It's no secret uranium prices have plummeted since the Great Recession and Japan's Fukushima disaster.

Getting the Samsung Galaxy S3 is no sweat these days as Vodafone in the United Kingdom dangles the Android smartphone for free, that means no upfront payment is required to bring home the sleek handset.

By Jonathan BarrattWe have seen a break below US95.70 (West Texas Intermediate) from two weeks ago and this has culminated in a move lower for the commodity.

By Greg PeelThe Dow closed up 175 points, or 1.3% to 14,075, while the S&P gained 1.3% to 1515 and the Nasdaq added 1.

EADS reported a huge plunge in its full year profits and revenues for the year 2012 as sales were driven by increased deliveries at its Airbus division.