Sony forced to trim forecasts as demand for its devices plunges August 2, 2012 SONY yesterday slashed its forecast for 2012/13 operating profit and lowered its sales expectations for key products including its handheld PSP and PS Vita devices as new boss Kazuo Hirai battles to revive the fortunes of the electronics giant. Sony reported yesterday that operating profit for April to June fell a much steeper-than-expected 77 per [...]
Amazon launches iPad streaming August 1, 2012 Amazon.com launched a video application for Apple’s iPad yesterday, in its latest effort to get its digital content on as many gadgets as possible. The Instant Video app lets users stream or download movies and TV shows bought or rented from Amazon on their iPads.
Happy birthday to the Commodore 64 August 1, 2012 MITS ALTAIR 8800 The first home computers came as build-it-yourself kits, led by the MITS Altair 8800, launched in 1975. The technology, which was later sold as an assembled unit, was the inspiration for future PCs. APPLE II The Apple I had already been released as a kit computer but the Apple II was where [...]
Apple stock split rumours mount July 31, 2012 Shares in Apple yesterday rose 2.6 per cent – their biggest jump in two months – on rumours the company could split its stock and list on the Dow Jones. Research firm Bernstein said Apple is considering the move following its recent decision to pay a dividend. The 30-member Dow Jones index has not been [...]
US stocks take a breath ahead of Fed meeting July 31, 2012 US stocks fell yesterday with traders’ sights set again on today’s Federal Reserve statement on the economy and a possible new round of stimulus. The Nasdaq, which underperformed on Monday, was the smallest decliner among the three major US stock indexes in yesterday’s session, thanks in part to Apple shares’ gain of 2.6 per cent [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING July 30, 2012 FIANANCIAL TIMES Blackout in India hits millions A protracted blackout disrupted the lives of an estimated 300m people across northern India yesterday, as the aspiring superpower’s fragile infrastructure added to the woes of a government already struggling to manage a slowing economy, persistent inflation and the failure of monsoon rains. Punk band denies Putin charges [...]
EPISODE 62 – THE HANGING COMMITTEE July 30, 2012 The school year has ended. The children have dispersed, if only briefly. It seems that many of them will reconvene shortly in Tuscany, with splinter groups in Umbria and the Dordogne. Noel presented Mr Donnelly with a fine and very expensive teapot as his end of year gift. As recommended by Nick. It seems that’s [...]
Apple, Samsung patent trial set to kick off in US July 30, 2012 Jury selection is due to begin on Monday in the US in a high stakes patent battle between Apple and Samsung Electronics, the culmination of over a year of pre-trial jousting with billions of dollars in the balance. Apple and Samsung, the world’s largest consumer electronics corporations, are waging legal war around the world, accusing [...]
Patent cases treble in a year as downturn bites July 30, 2012 THE NUMBER of patent disputes lodged in Britain has almost trebled over the last year, as firms desperately vie to protect their market share in a dismal economic climate, research released today shows. Law firm EMW says the High Court in London saw 183 patent and design cases last year, compared with 65 in 2010. [...]
Smartphones power record $5.9bn Samsung profit July 27, 2012 Samsung Electronics, the world’s top technology firm by revenue, reported on Friday a record operating profit of $5.9bn (£3.7bn) for the June quarter, as rampant Galaxy S handset sales helped stretch its lead over Apple. September quarter mobile profits are expected to forge further ahead as the latest Galaxy model enjoys a sales boom before [...]