Microsoft shows business social networks are big news – which one is right for you? June 27, 2012 Microsoft is no stranger to throwing huge amounts of money at markets it wants to break into – it did it with the Xbox and it’s in the process of doing it with its new Surface tablet. But even in this context, the $1.2bn it has agreed to pay for enterprise social network (ESN) Yammer [...]
Judge halts sale of Samsung Galaxy Tab in US June 27, 2012 A US judge backed Apple Inc’s request to stop Samsung Electronics selling its Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet in the United States, giving the iPhone maker a significant win in the global smartphone and tablet patent wars. Samsung’s Galaxy touchscreen tablets, powered by Google’s Android operating system, are considered by many industry experts to be the [...]
Samsung calms investors with solid forecasts June 25, 2012 SAMSUNG executives leapt to reassure investors yesterday over the company’s performance after its shares fell by 4.4 per cent to a four month low. Since the launch last month of its latest smartphone, the Galaxy SIII, Samsung has been cursed with the blessing of overwhelming demand. But the South Korean firm revealed it expects to [...]
Google and Sony launch UK viewing platform June 25, 2012 GOOGLE will make its first foray into UK television next month with the launch of its long-awaited interactive TV service that allows viewers to browse the internet, watch films and play with apps. The tech giant, in partnership with Sony, announced yesterday its new internet TV set-top box, priced at £200, will be available from [...]
BlackBerry firm set to unveil further losses June 24, 2012 THE tech industry is bracing itself for Research in Motion’s first quarter results this Thursday, when the BlackBerry maker is expected to reveal further losses. The Canadian company has struggled to keep up with rising competition, in the form of Apple’s and Samsung’s popular smartphones, and last month announced the hire of banks to help [...]
Universal and Warner go head to head before the US Senate June 21, 2012 UNIVERSAL Music Group yesterday pitched the case for its £1.2bn takeover of EMI’s record label to a US Senate judiciary committee just hours after New Zealand authorities approved the bid. Universal chairman and chief executive Lucian Grainge and EMI boss Roger Faxon led the charge, arguing that the deal would benefit the debt-ridden music firm. [...]
Apple fined for false advertising June 21, 2012 Apple was fined A$2.25m (£1.45m) by an Australian court yesterday for misleading advertising of its latest iPad. The tech giant said its new iPad is compatible with 4G, which is not the case outside of the US. Apple is facing an investigation by the British advertising watchdog for the same incorrect claims about 4G.
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING June 20, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES Banks to get cheap money to lift UK lending The government’s new “funding for lending” programme, designed to boost credit for British business, will cut banks’ costs to as little as 1.2 per cent, according to people briefed on the scheme. The supply of such cheap money to the banks is supposed to [...]
Diving below Microsoft’s Surface June 20, 2012 Microsoft this week unveiled the Surface tablet PC, its biggest hardware project since that launch of the Xbox in 2001. The device will be released to coincide with the release of its completely revamped Windows 8 operating system. These are interesting times indeed for the tech giant. At present, specific details – including, vitally, pricing [...]
THE TABLET RIVALS WHAT IS THE COMPETITION LIKE? June 20, 2012 Samsung Galaxy Tab The number one rival to the all conquering iPad is the Galaxy Tab. The 8.9 inch version offers something Apple doesn’t – it will fit into your pocket. It’s a well built machine but the £400 price tag is steep. BlackBerry Playbook Blackberry promised much with the PlayBook, including true multi-tasking between [...]