Nokia has published results for the second quarter of its 2012 financial year. Total net sales reached 7.5 billion Euro, up 3% from the previous quarter but down 19% year-on-year.

Mobile device shipments were down 5% year-on-year to 83.7 million, consisting of 10.2 million smart devices (down 39%) and 73.5 million other mobile phones (up 2%). Lumia smartphone sales reached 4 million units.

Mark Bridge writes:

I spend much of my time writing about telecommunications and technology. I spend a fair amount of time dealing with big technology-related companies. Yet although I understand many aspects of telecoms, I certainly wouldn’t want to run one of those businesses. It’s a question of relevant experience.

UK rapper Professor Green will be the official ambassador for ZTE in 2012, having originally partnered with the Chinese telecoms business last year.

The renewed partnership has seen Professor Green featured in the official unboxing video for ZTE’s new dual-core Grand X smartphone, which was launched this week.

Wireless technology company Qualcomm Incorporated has announced financial results for the third quarter of its current financial year. The figures, which cover the three months until 24th June 2012, show revenue and profit up year-on-year but down from the previous quarter.

Sales of devices with Qualcomm chips were slower than expected, although they’re expected to pick up towards Christmas.

card.io, a California-based company that enables mobile developers to capture credit card information within their apps by using the camera on a smartphone, has been acquired by PayPal.

The two companies worked together on the PayPal Here mobile app, which enables business owners to take payments via their mobile phone or tablet.