Dec 31
Aside from some recent smartphone related rumors, much of the HP related chatter has surrounded the Chromebook 11. Or more specifically, the recall for the charger. While the rumor remains … Continue reading
Sep 29
Interbrand: Apple now most valuable brand, worth estimated at $98.3 billion
Posted in: Today's Chili
Coca-Cola’s 13-year tenure as “Best Global Brand” is over, however the new leader shouldn’t really surprise you. Apple knocked Penelope Cruz’s favorite soft drink from the number one spot on Interbrands’ annual valuation report, but after posting massive revenues time and again — including a company-record $54.5 billion in January — this isn’t too startling. Cook and friends started their ascent at the eighth spot in 2011, and climbed to second place in 2012 before stealing the top prize in the latest list. Interbrand pegs Cupertino’s brand valuation at $98.3 billion, which isn’t exactly pocket change. Don’t cry for the Sprite-maker though, it’s still on the podium according to The New York Times, but behind another tech-powerhouse: Google.
Via: The New York Times
Source: Interbrand
Aug 15
Microsoft reportedly funding Blake’s 7 remake for Xbox Live TV content push
Posted in: Today's Chili
According to the Financial Times, Britain’s other blockbuster sci-fi series may finally be remade, thanks to Microsoft’s growing interest in television. Blake’s 7, the Terry Nation-created show about a band of renegades fighting for survival, is believed to be part of Xbox Live’s push for original and exclusive TV content to rival both traditional media and services like Netflix. Persons familiar with the matter have claimed that after cable channel SyFy withdrew its funding, Steve Ballmer and former CBS Chief Nancy Tellem opened up Microsoft’s secret checkbook. Naturally, none of the parties are willing to confirm the deal, but that won’t stop us humming the classic series’ theme for the rest of the day.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Via: The Register
Source: Financial Times
Aug 07
Apple‘s attempts to extricate itself from Samsung reliance for components have ironically seen the Cupertino firm increase orders for some parts, new research suggests. Samsung supplied more full-sized iPad panels for Apple than LG Display did in two out of the three months of Q2 2013, NPD DisplaySearch says, and in fact has seen a […]
Jul 26
The White House’s main telecom adviser, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has issued a first draft of a mobile apps code of contact, with the goal of giving consumers more control of their privacy. It was created over several years in cooperation with privacy advocates, app developers and gatekeepers like Apple, Google and Blackberry. If adopted, publishers will be required to provide “short form notices” telling consumers whether or not their data is being collected and how it’s being used. Such data would include biometrics, browser history, phone or SMS logs, contact info, financial data, health, medical or therapy info, user files and location data.
The document was backed by the American Civil Liberties Union, though it wasn’t crazy about the amount of time the process took, saying that “comprehensive privacy legislation” was also needed. It’s worth noting that major app store operators already agreed recently to put new privacy policy standards in place that conform with California’s Online Privacy Protection Act. There’s also the irony of the US government pushing for more consumer privacy, while perhaps being the largest abuser via PRISM. Dig into the source for the full read.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Via: TNW
Source: NTIA
Jul 24
ARM sees more double-digit growth in Q2 2013, takes big hit from patent litigation
Posted in: Today's Chili
This UK chip designer is accustomed to steep growth in demand for its Cortex mobile processors, and although we’ve seen hints that it faces new challenges ahead, for now it’s mostly all gravy. Revenue in Q2 2013 soared 26 percent year-over-year to £171.2 million ($264.3 million), while profit before tax was up 30 percent £86.6 million (in “normalised” terms). Mobile devices remain the largest market for the company, but embedded devices (including wearables, Raspberry Pi and printers) is the fastest growing segment, expanding by 25 percent in the last year. The future continues to look rosy for ARM, with new Samsung Exynos 5 chipsets arriving based on ARM’s Cortex-A15 and Cortex-A7 cores in big.LITTLE configurations.
The only hint of negativity in the earnings report was a huge expense of £41.8 million incurred by a patent attack from an unnamed “third party”, which was probably MIPS (see More Coverage), and which contributed to a much lower IFRS profit of £15 million — although this represents ARM’s contribution to a “full and final settlement”, which presumably means it’s a one-off thing.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile
Source: ARM
Jun 27
According to the WSJ, Google is currently developing an Android-based video game console and an Android-based ‘smartwatch’. More Android in more places means more fun. Less interestingly though, Google is also supposedly developing a second version of the Nexus Q.
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May 22
In recent years, Sony’s state of the union report has made for wince-inducing reading, but one year into Kaz Hirai’s “One Sony” strategy we seem to be seeing hints of a turnaround. The company is trumpeting its return to profitability after several loss-making quarters, thanks to boosts in its film and financial services units — not to mention some aggressive asset sales. Unfortunately, Sony still has the weak heart of its consumer electronics business to nurse, but promises that aggressive cost-cutting in its TV department will see it back in the black shortly.
Sony has also announced plans to “significantly expand” its business model around the PlayStation 4 and promises to speed up smartphone development to incorporate the company’s hardware and imaging know-how. With one eye on those dwindling PC market figures, Sony will look to make profitable machines rather than chasing market share. The company has also said that, aside from its successful Mirrorless ILC division, will shift focus on its imaging business from consumer electronics to medical and security. With all of this change, let’s just hope that no-one forgets to buy someone in the PR department a wider camera lens.
Filed under: Sony
Source: Sony
May 16
We doubt recent earnings reports at Dell have been met with balloons on the quad and sheet cake in the cafe. And that’s likely the case this time around as well. The PC maker reported revenue of $14.07 billion, but earnings of just $372 million or 21 cents per share — a bit shy of estimates. The company’s stock price is hovering around the $13.65 mark, the amount shareholders have been promised once the firm goes private later this year. As you might imagine, Dell’s books won’t be open to public scrutiny once that transaction closes, making this one of the very last earnings reports. Things may not be looking so good for Q1 2014, but will the company end its public streak on a high note? We’ll find out soon enough.
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops, Dell
Source: MarketWatch, Dell (Business Wire)
May 14
If you’ve been following the trends, Gartner’s mobile phone market figures for the first quarter of 2013 won’t surprise. The research firm estimates that Android was on 74.4 percent of all smartphones sold in the period, with Samsung the key beneficiary of such dominance. While the Korean behemoth doesn’t release solid sales figures, Gartner believes its market-flooding strategy has paid off, topping the league with 30.8 percent market share — Apple has a firm grip on second place, with 18.2 percent, which is well ahead of LG, which has 4.8 percent. Samsung is also king of the mobile phone space, owning 23.6 percent of the market, ahead of Nokia, which has fallen to 14.8 percent share. Gartner’s research also found that feature phone sales are slowing, so we guess that it’s only a matter of time before the humble candybar goes the way of the netbook.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung, Nokia, LG
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Gartner
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