Sep 12

Broadcom buys NetLogic Microsystems for $3.7b in cash, hopes to add more processors to lineup

Posted in: industry, merger, network, networking, processor, Today's Chili

You’ve probably never heard of NetLogic Microsystems, but you can bet that its technologies may very well end up in your next smartphone, tablet or vehicle. Broadcom has just announced its intentions to pick up the aforesaid company for a cool $3.7 billion in cash, with the “definitive merger agreement” already approved by the boards of both. According to Broadcom, the deal will extend its portfolio with “a number of critical new product lines and technologies, including knowledge-based processors, multi-core embedded processors, and digital front-end processors,” and according to a televised CNBC interview with president and CEO Scott McGregor, he’s hoping to extend Broadcom’s reach in the automotive industry. His view? We’re getting dangerously close to streaming television (and more) to a serious quantity of motorcars, but beyond wild aspirations, there doesn’t seem to be too many hard plans being made public. The full release is hosted up after the break.

Continue reading Broadcom buys NetLogic Microsystems for $3.7b in cash, hopes to add more processors to lineup

Broadcom buys NetLogic Microsystems for $3.7b in cash, hopes to add more processors to lineup originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 12

HTC chairwoman Cher Wang: we might buy a mobile OS, if it feels right

Posted in: business, HP, HTC, industry, intel, meego, merger, mobile os, MobileOs, mobilepostcross, operating system, OperatingSystem, palm, sense, Software, Today's Chili, webos

Samsung seems to be the go-to company these days when it comes to mobile OS acquisition rumors, but now it looks like HTC’s on the proverbial hot seat. According to an interview by The Economic Observer in China, chairwoman Cher Wang has affirmed that HTC is at least mulling the idea: “We have given it thought and we have discussed it internally, but we will not do it on impulse.” The report goes on to make strong mention of HP’s recently-backstabbed webOS platform, but stops short of suggesting that it’s the only OS in the running. Continuing on, Wang stated: “We can use any OS we want. We are able to make things different from our rivals on the second or third layer of a platform. Our strength lies in understanding an OS, but it does not mean that we have to produce an OS.” Of course, that’s a cheerleading session surrounding the outfit’s polarizing Sense overlay, and we’re guessing that webOS would eventually look a heck of lot different under HTC’s control. On second thought, maybe Wang’s actually trying to acquire iOS — she sure seems to love those Apple stores!

HTC chairwoman Cher Wang: we might buy a mobile OS, if it feels right originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TheNextWeb, Focus Taiwan  |  sourceThe Economic Observer  | Email this | Comments

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Sep 10

AT&T files response to DOJ suit, says regulators just don’t understand

Posted in: att, government, industry, lawsuit, merger, mobilepostcross, t-mobile, TMobile, Today's Chili
AT&T&T

It’s no secret or surprise that AT&T is unhappy with the DOJ’s decision to try and block its merger with T-Mobile. But issuing public statements is one thing, officially filing papers in court is another. Ma Bell submitted a 25-page document arguing that the Justice Department’s claims represent a misunderstanding of the market and dismisses competition from “innovative upstarts,” like MetroPCS and US Cellular. AT&T’s lawyers point out that T-Mo, currently the fourth largest provider, has been losing customers for years and it’s German parent company may not be inclined to invest much in improving it. By contrast, AT&T has spent $30 billion over the last two years to boost network quality and capacity, yet still struggles to keep up with demand. We can’t say the arguments are without validity, but the government’s fear of a market dominated by just three companies with little incentive to innovate or drive down prices also seems well founded. Well, the pageantry officially gets underway on September 21st, when the US District Court hearings begin.

AT&T files response to DOJ suit, says regulators just don’t understand originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 06

AT&T may get a discount if T-Mobile bid concessions prove too expensive

Posted in: att, business, carrier, government, industry, legal, merger, mobilepostcross, money, t-mobile, Today's Chili

When the DOJ blocked AT&T’s deal to snatch up T-Mobile, did you think Ma Bell would end up shelling out some ridiculous sum to lock things up? Well, the opposite may be the case — according to Bloomberg, the company can get a reduced rate if regulator’s requests become too pricey. A discount of sorts would be available to AT&T if the remedy to-do list surpasses 20 percent of the deal’s original $39 billion price tag (about $7.8 billion). Also of note here: the company could leave the proverbial table altogether if the concessions top the 40 percent mark, only owing a break-up penalty… and shelling out the $3 billion contingency fund to Deutsche Telekom AG.

AT&T may get a discount if T-Mobile bid concessions prove too expensive originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 06

AT&T fires back against Sprint over T-Mobile acquisition suit

Posted in: att, lawsuit, merger, mobilepostcross, Sprint, t-mobile, Today's Chili

Well, that didn’t take long. Sprint today revealed that it has filed a suit against AT&T’s proposed T-Mobile purchase — and now AT&T is hitting back with some less than flattering words. An AT&T spokesperson told Engadget, “this simply demonstrates what we’ve said all along — Sprint is more interested in protecting itself than it is in promoting competition that benefits consumers.” AT&T went on to promise a “vigorous fight” and reiterated that such a merger would ultimately prove beneficial to the industry and consumers, improving wireless service and solving spectrum concerns.

AT&T fires back against Sprint over T-Mobile acquisition suit originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 06

Sprint files suit to stop AT&T / T-Mobile merger

Posted in: att, lawsuit, merger, mobilepostcross, Sprint, t-mobile, Today's Chili

Looks like the US government isn’t the only party looking to stand in the way of AT&T’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile. Sprint today announced that it has filed suit in federal court in the District of Columbia against AT&T, Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile. The filing outlines the carrier’s concern that the proposed deal would harm consumers, corporate customers and carriers (such as, you know, Sprint), while transforming AT&T-Mobile and Verizon into a “duopoly.” Of course, this isn’t the first time the carrier has let the world know that it’s not particularly pumped about the whole proposal. See the full litigious press release after the break.

Update: Right on cue, AT&T has fired back with a predictably laughable response.

Continue reading Sprint files suit to stop AT&T / T-Mobile merger

Sprint files suit to stop AT&T / T-Mobile merger originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 04

Switched On: The accidental handset company, Part 2

Posted in: Apple, business, cellphone, column, Google, industry, merger, mobilepostcross, motorola, smartphone, switched on, SwitchedOn, Today's Chili

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Last week’s Switched On discussed why Google’s ownership of Motorola is unlikely to bring major changes to the balance of power among Android licensees. But Motorola also has significant interests in the set-top market. And, of course, there’s the question of Android’s main licensed rival, Windows Phone 7. In both of those cases, though, there is also unlikely to be noteworthy change, reinforcing the acquisition as a purely defensive move. Read on for more.

Continue reading Switched On: The accidental handset company, Part 2

Switched On: The accidental handset company, Part 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Sep 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 02

Engadget Podcast 254 – 09.02.2011

Posted in: att, hdpostcross, HTC, lenovo, merger, mobilepostcross, podcast, podcasts, samsung, t-mobile, tablet, tablets, Today's Chili, Toshiba

We like to call this edition of the Engadget Podcast The Engadget Podcast Without Borders because we just don’t care where the news comes from. If it smells like news, we’ll be there, no matter where there is, and we’ll come together every right here to boil it all down for you. It’s that simple. It’s the Engadget Podcast, now with more Richard.

Host: Tim Stevens, Brian Heater
Guests: Richard Lawler, Richard Lai
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Dancing With Myself

01:25 – Engadget NYC Reader Meetup recap
02:30 – We’re live from IFA 2011!
02:41 – Toshiba announces AT200 tablet, 10.1-inch display and only 7.7mm thick
03:25 – Toshiba AT200 hands-on (video)
06:10 – Lenovo announces IdeaPad A1, the $199 Android tablet, we go hands-on (video)
13:49 – Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 hands-on (video)
18:42 – Samsung Galaxy Note announced: 5.3-inch display, built-in-stylus, custom ‘S Pen’ apps
21:30 – Samsung Galaxy Note hands-on (video)
30:30 – Toshiba’s glasses free 3D TV launches in Europe as the ZL2 this December
32:50 – Sony HMZ-T1 headset hits IFA, we go hands-on (video)
34:53 – Lenovo announces U300s Ultrabook, U300 and U400 IdeaPads, we go hands-on (video)
38:30 – Toshiba’s Portege Z830 is an ultraslim, ultrasexy Ultrabook
41:00 – HTC’s 10-inch Puccini tablet gets official as Jetstream, brings LTE and laughable price to AT&T
42:00 – Exclusive: HTC Puccini in the wild, AT&T LTE support confirmed!
43:07 – Sony Tablet S preview
50:00 – Sony officially renames the S2 the Tablet P, opens up about the software (video)
54:22 – US government files to block proposed AT&T / T-Mobile merger (update: companies respond)
57:13 – Offline Google Mail hands-on
58:21 – Listener questions

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Engadget Podcast 254 – 09.02.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sep 02

AT&T willing to make concessions to save T-Mobile merger, sources say

Posted in: att, business, carrier, government, industry, legal, merger, mobile, mobilepostcross, money, t-mobile, Today's Chili
Now that the US government has moved to block its merger with T-Mobile, AT&T is gearing up for a long and potentially pricey legal battle with the Department of Justice. According to Reuters, however, the provider is also working on a settlement offer, in the hopes of bypassing the courtroom altogether. Sources close to the matter say AT&T will soon present its proposal to antitrust regulators, who are concerned that the company’s purchase of T-Mobile may hinder market competition. Details on the proposal remain vague, though it will likely include promises to keep T-Mobile’s low-cost data and calling plans, along with pledges to sell off some of its own assets. But some insiders say the carrier may have to sell up to 25 percent of T-Mobile’s business in order to put regulators’ minds at ease. AT&T has yet to comment on the report, though one of Reuters‘ sources claims that its lawyers are “pretty determined that they can find a solution, and they are pretty confident.”

AT&T willing to make concessions to save T-Mobile merger, sources say originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aug 31

Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi confirm plans for government-backed LCD joint venture

Posted in: Japan, LCD, merger, minipost, sony, Today's Chili, Toshiba
We had a pretty clear indication that some official word was coming soon, and Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi have now confirmed that they intend to pool their LCD manufacturing efforts and form a new joint venture (expected to be completed by the spring of 2012). That effort is getting a $2.6 billion shot in the arm courtesy of a Japanese government-backed investment fund, which itself will own 70 percent of the new company — to be dubbed Japan Display — while Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi will each get a 10 percent share.

Sony, Toshiba and Hitachi confirm plans for government-backed LCD joint venture originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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