What the other papers say this morning – 14 February 2014
FINANCIAL TIMES
Apple to cut use of ‘conflict minerals’
Apple is extending its supply chain clean up beyond Chinese factories and into African mines, using name-and-shame tactics to cut the amount of “conflict minerals” that end up in its iPhones and iPads. As it touts fresh improvements to working conditions in the factories that produce its devices, Apple is now combining its might in electronics-component purchasing and marketing to pressure smelters to make their sourcing more ethical.
Lenovo confident in Motorola unit
China’s Lenovo Group said it would take between three and five quarters to turn around the loss-making Motorola handset business that it agreed to purchase from Google for $2.9bn (£1.7bn). Targeting a relatively quick recovery, the rosy sentiment was part of an effort by Yang Yuanqing, Lenovo chief executive, to assuage market concerns over the Chinese PC maker’s recent $5.2bn dealmaking spree.
GPS pioneer warns on security
The Global Positioning System helps power in-car sat navs and flight control, but its founder has warned that it is more vulnerable to sabotage or disruption than ever before – and its risks are being ignored. Impairment of the system by hostile foreign governments or cyber criminals has become “a matter of national security”, said Colonel Bradford Parkinson.
THE TIMES
SocGen rogue trader in last appeal
Jerome Kerviel, the rogue trader who brought Societe Generale to its knees when he lost almost €5bn (£4.1bn), made a final attempt to avoid jail yesterday. The 37-year-old went to France’s high court to overturn his conviction for breach of trust and fraud.
Vodafone warns of Delhi licence costs
Vodafone claimed last night that the price paid for India’s new telecoms licences would leave companies saddled with debts for years and harm consumers, after the government celebrated raising 610bn rupees, more than treble initial forecasts.
The Daily Telegraph
Google is world’s biggest dealmaker
Google has executed more deals than any company in the world over the past three years. Including acquisitions, investments and divestments, Google has been involved with 127 deals in the past three years. Intel fell to third with 121 transactions.
Harvard professor tweaks Blinkx blog
The Harvard professor at the centre of the row with Blinkx has amended his controversial blog again after it was pointed out that one of his key points was wrong. Ben Edelman has withdrawn that Local Weather, whose advertising practises he criticised, was “part of Blinkx”.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Apple in talks to revamp set-top box
Apple is talking to media companies and pay TV distributors about launching a revamped Apple-branded TV set-top box in coming months, according to people familiar with the matter. Previously the company had been trying to license content for its own internet-based service.
Uber taxi app expands in China
Uber, the car-hailing app in New York and London, outlined ambitions to serve China’s legions of passengers. Currently in Shanghai, Uber plans next week to start service in the Chinese cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou.