Apple?s head of iOS software to depart in company reorganization
Apple announced a series of executive management changes this week, including that Scott Forstall, head of its iOS software division, will leave the company next year. Mr. Forstall will serve as an advisor to CEO Tim Cook in the interim. His departure is speculated to be the result of the recent flap over Apple Maps, which has not met customer expectations.

Several Apple team members will assume Mr. Forstall?s previous responsibilities.

Jony Ive adds responsibility for human interface in addition to his role as the leader of industrial design. With all online services being placed in one group, Eddy Cue will take on the responsibility of Siri and Maps.

Craig Federighi will lead both iOS and OS X while Bob Mansfield will lead a new group, technologies. The new group combines all of Apple?s wireless teams across the company in one organization with the goal of fostering greater innovation.

Also leaving the company is John Browett, who heads up the company?s retail division and only joined the company earlier this year.

Nokia Lumia 822 available exclusively from Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is introducing an exclusive Windows Phone 8 smartphone from Nokia ? the Lumia 822.

The high-end smartphone features an 8MP camera and a host of tools for enhancing photos. These include Smart Shoot, which lets users remove moving objects; Cinegraph, which turns photos into animated GIFs and Creative Studio, which enhances pictures with creative effects.

Other features include Nokia City Lens, a new augmented reality experience that enhances Nokia Maps, an exchangeable shell design that supports wireless charging and Nokia Drive +, a turn-by-turn voice navigation solution.

The Nokia Lumia 822 also comes with Nokia Music, an ad-free music streaming app.

Vodafone to launch NFC-enabled mobile wallet next year
British wireless carrier Vodafone Group will begin offering NFC-enabled payments services to customers next year, with mobile wallet capabilities provided by U.S. company CorFire.

CorFire?s technology will enable Vodafone customers to tap their smartphone to pay for purchases, redeem coupons and use the transit system.

Vodafone?s customer base spans across more than 30 countries, making this one of the largest implementations of NFC and mobile payments globally.

The move comes as European retailers and other businesses are beginning to roll out contactless point-of-sale systems enabling consumers to tap a contactless payment mechanism such as a smartphone to securely complete a transaction.