…while Google muscles in on its turf with iPhone maps app December 13, 2012 GOOGLE yesterday released a version of its mapping software for Apple devices, following widespread criticism of the iPhone maker’s own service. Apple replaced Google’s software with its own as the iPhone’s default maps application in September. However, the service was riddled with errors, leading chief executive Tim Cook to issue an uncharacteristic apology. The service [...]
Wall Street’s rally halts over economic fears December 13, 2012 THE S&P 500 ended its six-day winning streak yesterday, retreating as worries intensified that Washington’s “fiscal cliff” negotiations were dragging on with little progress. Anxiety about the drawn-out talks between Democrats and Republicans was enough to offset encouraging data on retail sales and jobless claims . There is concern that tax hikes and spending cuts, [...]
Lower royalty rates chip away at Imagination December 12, 2012 THE RISE of cheap smartphones in emerging economies has led to a leap in royalty payments to chip designer Imagination Technologies. The company, which is locked in a bidding war to acquire US-based chip designer MIPS, has seen a 66 per cent year-on-year rise in royalty revenues in the last six months, it said yesterday. This [...]
That’s capitalism, says Google chair Schmidt in tax response December 12, 2012 GOOGLE’S chairman Eric Schmidt has defended his company against criticism of its tax affairs, saying: “It’s called capitalism”. “I am very proud of the structure we have set up. We pay lots of taxes; we pay them in the legally prescribed ways,” he told Bloomberg. Google has been chastised by MPs for funneling $9.8bn (£6bn) [...]
This year buy tech gifts that will last December 12, 2012 Attacknid combat robot £49.99 This beast is sure to get more attention on Christmas morning than any other gift. With eight moving legs and an independently operated, foam disc-firing turret, it is as close to Robot Wars as most people are ever going to get. Realistically, it will probably end up in a cupboard by [...]
US stocks up as Apple’s shares lift the market December 11, 2012 US stocks rose yesterday, led by gains in technology companies, helping the S&P 500 end at its highest level since Election Day. A 2.2 per cent gain to $541.39 in Apple’s stock lifted the Nasdaq, as the largest US company by market value rebounded from a week in which investors took profits before a possible [...]
Old age Britain: An opportunity for firms to profit from demographics December 11, 2012 LONDON is booming. Figures from the 2011 census show the city has witnessed unprecedented demographic change since 2001. Over the last 10 years, its population increased by 11.6 per cent – from 7.3m to 8.2m in 2011. A full 10 of the 20 fastest growing local authorities in England and Wales are located in the [...]
Menus get the Christmas treatment December 11, 2012 WITH DECEMBER well and truly under way, it’s officially that time of year where your favourite eateries trade in their usual menus for something more festive. This season bars, restaurants and pubs are pulling out all the stops as far as their dishes are concerned so whether you’re after something traditional or want a modern, [...]
Fear of higher tax sparks end of year sell-off December 9, 2012 INVESTORS typically sell stocks to cut their losses at year end. But worries about the fiscal cliff – and the possibility of higher taxes in 2013 – may act as the greatest incentive to sell both winners and losers by 31 December. The $600bn (£374bn) of automatic tax increases and spending cuts scheduled for the [...]
Apple hit by Chinese iPhone sales worries December 6, 2012 APPLE’S market capitalisation fell below $500bn yesterday following news that the iPhone maker had fallen behind competitors in the crucial Chinese market. Although the stock recovered to finish slightly up yesterday, Apple has still lost more than eight per cent of its value this week, and is far below September’s $659bn value. Researchers IDC said [...]