FirstNews
Former Google CEO Shares Vision in Tech Treatise
April 22, 2013 9:59 am | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Some illuminating books already have been written about Google's catalytic role in a technological upheaval that is redefining the way people work, play, learn, shop and communicate. Until now, though, there hasn't been a book providing an unfiltered look from inside Google's brain trust.
Beleaguered Caregivers Getting Help from Apps
April 22, 2013 9:56 am | by Jim Fitzgerald, Associated Press | News | CommentsNEW YORK (AP) — As her mother and father edged toward dementia, Nancy D'Auria kept a piece of paper in her wallet listing their medications. It had the dosages, the time of day each should be taken and a check mark when her folks, who live 10 miles away, assured her the pills had been swallowed.
Petition Urging Verizon to Drop Contracts Nears 100,000 Signatures
April 19, 2013 10:48 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsA petition on Change.org that urges Verizon Wireless to do away with two-year contracts has notched nearly 100,000 signatures in less than two weeks. Mike Beauchamp, Verizon customer and blogger for online tech store Zagg, wrote that he does not anticipate leaving the carrier but that he wants that choice for himself.
First News Briefs for April 19, 2013
April 19, 2013 10:39 am | News | CommentsLaird Technologies has launched a new series of Bluetooth Smart modules and is showcasing them at DESIGN West, Laird announced today. Laird will feature its BL600 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) modules in booth #1042 of DESIGN West, April 23-25, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in California...
Google Posts $14B in 1Q Revenue, Struggles with Mobile
April 19, 2013 10:35 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsGoogle's first quarter revenue was up 31 percent annually to $14 billion, while net income reached $3.9 billion, but the company is still trying to sort out how best to capitalize on mobile. Shares of Google were up nearly 3 percent immediately following Thursday's earnings call. That trend continued...
Microsoft’s 3Q Beats Street, Company Announces Smaller Tablets
April 19, 2013 10:02 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsThe fervor over the PC market going down in flames and how that will affect PC giant Microsoft can settle a bit after the company’s third quarter 2013 beat analyst estimates. The company posted revenue of $20.5 billion on $0.72 EPS, marking an 18 and 20 percent increase annually, respectively. That’s compared to analyst expectations of $20.1 billion on $0.68 EPS.
Blackstone Drops Out of Race to Buy Dell
April 19, 2013 9:23 am | by Associated Press | News | CommentsBlackstone Group is dropping its effort to acquire the computer maker Dell, citing slumping personal computer sales and Dell's "rapidly eroding financial profile." Blackstone and its partners said in a letter to Dell Inc. that they have ditched a plan to buy most of Dell's outstanding stock...
IBM 1Q Net Income Slips, Results Miss Expectations
April 19, 2013 9:09 am | by Barbara Ortutay, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsIBM Corp.'s first-quarter net income and revenue declined due to delays in closing several of the technology company's large software and mainframe computer deals. The results fell short of Wall Street's expectations, sending IBM's stock lower in after-hours trading...
FCC Looks to Give VoIP Providers Direct Access to Wireless Numbers
April 18, 2013 12:40 pm | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsThe FCC is asking for comment on a new plan to make wireless phone numbers available to online voice providers. Such a plan would allow users of online service like Google Voice and Skype to call wireless phones directly...
First News Briefs for April 18, 2013
April 18, 2013 10:40 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsBluegrass Cellular, a Kentucky-based wireless carrier, today announced the launch and planned expansion of its second 4G LTE network and the release of its wireless Internet GetSetGo branded broadband product and services. Using the company’s lower 700 MHz spectrum licenses, Bluegrass Cellular plans to serve a coverage area of more than 700,000 people by June of 2013.
Nokia Cuts Losses but Sales Continue to Plummet
April 18, 2013 10:32 am | by Matti Huuhtanen, Associated Press | News | CommentsAlthough the Finland-based company managed to reduce its first-quarter net loss to 272 million euros ($357 million) from a loss of 928 million euros a year earlier, mainly thanks to cost cutting, net revenue dropped to 5.8 billion euros from 7.4 billion euros in the same period last year.
Sprint CEO Announces LTE Roaming Agreement With C Spire
April 18, 2013 10:20 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsSprint CEO Dan Hesse, speaking at the Competitive Carrier Association’s Global Expo in New Orleans, opined on the virtues of a competitive mobile market. “We’re all going up against Goliaths,” he said, speaking about the uphill battle Sprint and other carriers, many also members of CCA, face in catching up with Verizon and AT&T.
Verizon Reports Strong 1Q, Looks to Maintain Record Margins
April 18, 2013 10:13 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsVerizon today reported a strong first quarter that was once again driven by wireless, with 677,000 retail postpaid net additions, up 35 percent annually. Margins were especially impressive. The company reported 32.9 percent operating income margin and 50.4 percent segment EBITDA margin...
LinkedIn Spruces Up Mobile App to Widen Appeal
April 18, 2013 9:26 am | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Online professional networking service LinkedIn is dressing up its mobile application to impress people who are increasingly scrolling through content on smartphones. The changes being unveiled Thursday mark LinkedIn Corp.'s first major overhaul of its mobile app in 20 months...
Earnings Preview: Google’s 1Q Hinges on Ad Market
April 18, 2013 9:23 am | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google' first-quarter earnings report, which arrives after the market closes Thursday, is likely to reveal how effectively the company is managing its dominance of the Internet search market as it expands into the mobile device market.
First News Briefs for April 17, 2013
April 17, 2013 10:59 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsBackblaze today announced that Backblaze Mobile for iPhone is now available in the App Store. Backblaze Mobile will allows customers to use their iPhone to access, download, experience, and share the files they have backed up with Backblaze. The app is free to all Backblaze customers...
Yahoo’s 1Q 2013 Sees Earnings Gain, Ad Sales Drop
April 17, 2013 10:56 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsYahoo’s first quarter numbers for 2013 show off GAAP net earnings of $390 million, marking a 36 percent increase annually. But those encouraging figures were dulled some by the number of display ads sold, which dropped 7 percent annually.
Sprint, T-Mo Customers Will Get First Shot at Galaxy S4
April 17, 2013 10:41 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsBoth Sprint and T-Mobile today announced that they'll be the first of the major U.S. carriers to get the Samsung Galaxy S4.T-Mobile's version of the S4 will be available online and in stores beginning April 24 for $149.99 down and no contract, but with monthly device payments...
Google’s Schmidt: More Than 750M Android Phones in Use Globally
April 17, 2013 10:06 am | by Ben Munson | News | CommentsGoogle chairman Eric Schmidt estimated the global number for Android phones in use today at around 750 million. He added that Google sees 1.5 million sales or activations worldwide of Android phones every day. Speaking at the D: Dive Into Mobile event, Schmidt estimated that Android phones in use worldwide would top one billion later this year and pass two billion by 2014.
Dish’s Ergen Says Sprint Debt Manageable
April 17, 2013 9:38 am | by Peter Svensson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsDish Network's combative chairman, Charlie Ergen, on Tuesday defended his $25.5 billion bid for Sprint Nextel, saying the debt load the deal would create for the combined company will be manageable. "We will take on more leverage than we have today," Ergen said...
Intel Meets 1Q Expectations Despite PC Slowdown
April 17, 2013 9:31 am | by Peter Svensson, AP Technology Write | News | CommentsIntel Corp., the world's largest maker of chips for PCs, is remaining steadfast amid a drastic slowdown in computer sales. Intel on Tuesday said it's keeping its sales and margin forecasts for this year, even as first-quarter PC sales plunged 14 percent from a year ago...
Facebook Bringing Limited Home Experience to iOS App
April 17, 2013 9:17 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsRumors that Facebook has been in talks with Apple and Microsoft about getting its new Home product on those operating systems prove at least slightly overblown. According to Facebook, the company will be updating its iOS app to include...
OpenWave Enables Unique C Spire Plans
April 16, 2013 10:27 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsWe've heard the drumbeat for more granular pricing of wireless services for some time now. Yesterday, C Spire went a long way towards realizing that promise with the announcement of its Choice and Shared data plan offerings. The new Choice plans, which enable a la carte purchases of premium data services...
Carriers Deny Cell Shutdown Following Boston Bombings
April 16, 2013 10:14 am | by Andrew Berg | News | CommentsWireless operators say they did not shut down cell service following the deadly bombings at the finsh line of the Boston Marathon yesterday. Amid the chaos and confusion immediately following the explosions, the Associated Press issued a report citing an unnamed source who claimed cell service had been terminated in the Boston...
First News Briefs for April 16, 2013
April 16, 2013 9:54 am | by Wireless Week Staff | News | CommentsReady Wireless, a MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) that powers devices, services, and systems on a multi-carrier wireless platform for resale to wholesale private label customers, announced the availability of real-time data metering for smartphones for its MVNO partners through Telespree Communications.
