Apple buys Israel’s PrimeSense November 18, 2013 Apple has bought PrimeSense, an Israeli maker of chips that enable 3D machine vision, for $345m (£213m), the Israeli financial newspaper the Calcalist reported yesterday. PrimeSense has raised $85m from Israeli and US venture capital funds such as Canaan Partners Global, Gemini Israel and Genesis Partners, Calcalist said. “We do not comment on what any [...]
Samsung to launch three-sided display phone November 15, 2013 Next year Samsung plans to launch a smartphone with a three-sided display, according to reports by Bloomberg. The phone will be designed so messages, emails and possibly share prices and notifications, can be read from any angle. The new handset will use an upgraded version of its Youm series of flexible OLED screens. Each side [...]
It’s time for tech firms to end their insane global patent wars November 14, 2013 IT is welcome news that a US federal court ruled last night that Google can continue to build a digital library by scanning more than 20m books. Intellectual property rules need updating for the 21st century: authors’ and owners’ property rights must be respected but what consists “fair use” needs to be reworked to account [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 15 November 2013 November 14, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Ofgem clashes with energy firms Network charges, identified by energy suppliers as a reason for inflation-busting price rises, are not going up as much as companies say, according to the UK’s energy regulator. Energy suppliers have blamed higher bills on rising costs in three areas: the wholesale energy they buy on international markets; [...]
New Burberry boss shakes up management November 14, 2013 BURBERRY’S new boss Christopher Bailey unveiled a fresh management structure yesterday to help reassure investors that he is the right person to lead the luxury goods group. Bailey, who has been at Burberry for 12 years, will replace Angela Ahrendts when she steps down next year to take up a new role with Apple. However, [...]
Burberry gets revenue boost as it prepares for Ahrendts’ exit November 14, 2013 Burberry has reported a 17 per cent jump in revenue, to £1,031m, for the six months ended 30 September. The fashion powerhouse, which is readying itself for new leadership under chief creative officer Christopher Bailey, saw adjusted profit before tax of £174m – above original guidance and 2012's £173m. This is the first time Burberry's [...]
Moto G targets the low-end for Motorola November 13, 2013 MOTOROLA, Google’s mobile handset division that reported a $248m (£154m) loss last quarter, is betting that low-cost smartphones will rejuvenate its struggling business. The Moto G is Motorola’s latest effort to take back the consumer smartphone business, but it’s a device that shuns the high-end price tag of competing devices from Apple and Samsung. “You [...]
10 energy efficiency gadgets November 13, 2013 Never mind the price hikes with these nifty gizmos British Gas App Free The British Gas App for iOS and Android makes it easy to keep on top of your energy consumption and payments. It’s never been simpler to submit your meter readings, view your balance, track your energy usage or book an engineer. play.google.com [...]
Wine with oysters? Here are five of the best November 12, 2013 Ranald Macdonald, owner of Boisdale at Canary Wharf, chooses the perfect pairings for his Rock and Native Oysters Bouzeron Aligote 2009 Racy and lemony with plenty of depth and structure, this wine goes down well with the soft texture and gentle flavour of native oysters. Price: £15.40 justerinis.com Blanc de Blancs, Diebolt Vallois This light, [...]
Apple launches Retina-display iPad mini, supply worries begin November 12, 2013 Apple's Retina-display iPad mini is now on sale, after a surprise launch this morning. Although the news is encouraging – many thought that the delay on the launch, which was expected to be at the end of November, would be longer – there are now worries over supply. Apple said in a statement today that [...]