The Tech Journal

Category: Industry News

Financial Post Reports Apple Has More Liquid Cash Than US Government
Apple has more money today than the U.S. government and there’s even crazy talk about how Steve Jobs might have to bail out Uncle Sam, the way that J.P. Morgan did in the mid-1890s. pple will share that hard-earned money from selling so many iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, and Macs over many years, but stranger things have happened during financial panics over the years. The operating balance in Washington is at US$73.768 billion and Apple has US$75.876 billion……………

Apple has more cash on its hands than the cash-strapped US government which is struggling to raise its debt limit before the August 3 deadline and avoid a default at the same time. Business Insider nails it down, saying “the world’s largest tech company has more cash than the world’s largest sovereign government”. Apple sat on a cash pile of $76.2 billion at the end of the June quarter, the sum which is comprised of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Per this statement from the US Treasury, the government had an operating cash balance of $73.8 billion at the end of Wednesday, July 27. As Asymco’s Horace Dediu commented, Apple’s cash hoarde “is now nearly 16 percent higher than three months ago, the amount added last quarter is higher than the amount on hand 4.5 years ago and the cash added is higher than Google’s overall revenues in the quarter”. And unlike the US government, which owes a lot of money to creditors, Apple owes nothing to banks and has paid its debts in full when Steve Jobs re-energized the company back in the 1990s. It also helps that Apple does not pay dividends. Company executives suggested the company is stashing all this money for times of uncertainty and strategic acquisitions, which makes sense for a company that had once been so badly wounded that it was just 90 days from bankruptcy. So far, Apple’s been spending modestly and snapping up smaller startups rather than go all out with multi-billion dollar mergers and acquisitions, like its ex-pal Google.

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August 1, 2011
Microsoft Has To Pay $70M To Alcatel-Lucent For Patent Infringement Claim Back In 2003
Microsoft has been ordered to pay US$70 million to networking vendor Alcatel-Lucent in a years-old patent dispute that at one time could have cost Microsoft $1.5 billion and the suit was brought by Lucent in 2003, before it merged with Alcatel. The patent was originally applied for by engineers at AT&T, covers a method of entering information into fields on a computer screen without using a keyboard and an earlier trial involving the same parties found Microsoft guilty of infringing on that patent in the company’s Outlook e-mail software, Windows Mobile, and Microsoft Money…………….

Microsoft must pay $70 million for infringing an Alcatel-Lucent patent used in versions of Microsoft’s Outlook program and two other applications and Alcatel-Lucent, France’s largest maker of telecommunications equipment, asked for as much as $75 million in damages. Microsoft’s lawyers asked jurors to limit the award to $5 million. The technology, called the Day patent was described in court during the as involving a touch-screen form entry and Microsoft argued it’s simply a date-picker function and isn’t used with e-mail, the most popular function on Outlook. Paris-based Alcatel-Lucent described the technology as a tool that “plays a central role in the entire operation” of Outlook. “Alcatel-Lucent is obviously pleased with the verdict and the jury’s recognition in the value of the Day patent that Microsoft infringed,” Luke Dauchot, a lawyer for Alcatel-Lucent, said after the verdict. A different jury in San Diego in 2008 found that Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft had infringed the patent and awarded $358 million in damages. An appeals court, upholding the infringement verdict, overturned the damages award, finding the calculation lacked sufficient evidentiary support. The case was sent back for retrial on damages only. We continue to maintain that current law requires a genuine apportionment of damages when the infringement is directed to a small feature of a feature-rich product,” David Howard, Microsoft’s deputy general counsel, said in an e-mail today. “We are reviewing the verdict in that light and considering next steps.” Dauchot told the jury in his closing argument the patent was “pervasive in the affected programs and helped provide “an easy, fast, reliable way of using Outlook.”Microsoft attorney Juanita Brooks told jurors that Alcatel- Lucent is trying to win money for a patent that is of little significance to Microsoft because the company’s patent portfolio was not making enough money.

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July 31, 2011
Google Purchased 1K Patents From IBM To Save Android From Apple
Google has purchased more than 1,000 patents from IBM in an effort to build up its intellectual property portfolio and possibly with an eye to fending off the increasing number of IP lawsuits the search giant faces from competitors such as Microsoft. The new purchase boosts Google’s intellectual property portfolio which currently has just 700 patents and the loss of Nortel patents was a big blow to Google as the search engine was willing to pay any price to beef up its bank of patents. IBM has just enough patents to give Google some ammunition to fend off lawsuits and Google can buy enough patents to put the lawsuit genie back in the bottle………….

Google has purchased technology patents from International Business Machines (IBM) as the Web-search giant stocks up on intellectual property to defend itself against lawsuits. “Like many tech companies, at times we’ll acquire patents that are relevant to our business,” a Google spokesman said in a statement. The purchase was reported earlier by the blog SEO by the Sea, which said Google in mid-July recorded the acquisition of more than 1,000 patents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The patents involve the fabrication and architecture of memory and microprocessing chips, computer architecture including servers and routers and online search engines, among other things. SEO stands for search engine optimization or the practice of structuring websites and content so they rank well on search engines like Google. The Google spokesman declined to comment on the purchase price. It wasn’t immediately clear which of the patents might be useful to Google to shield against lawsuits. Google faces patent lawsuits for many of its services, including its Android mobile-device operating system, which has become a bigger target as its world-wide popularity has risen. It is unclear whether any current lawsuits pose a threat to future revenue generated by Google’s new technologies. Google has nearly $40 billion in cash, giving it the flexibility to make purchases. But it was outbid earlier this month when a coalition of companies that compete with Android, including Apple and Microsoft, agreed to buy a portfolio of some 6,000 patents owned by Nortel Networks Corp. for $4.5 billion. That price was five times the $900 million Google had initially offered in an early bid for the patents. Google, of Mountain View, Calif., has been in talks to buy InterDigital Inc., a company that owns thousands of patents and licenses them but doesn’t create products, people familiar with the matter have said. Such an acquisition would cost several billion dollars.

Source
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July 30, 2011
RIM Introduce BBM 6 Delivers Revolutionary Social App Experience
RIM has bring something special when it comes to BlackBerry Messenger with over 45 Million users and 2 Million new users on a daily basis. BBM 6 has finally been unleashed upon the world. The new functionality means programs for real-time project collaboration are possible, as are new types of social gameplay. RIM delivers revolutionary Social App experience with the introduction of BlackBerry Messenger 6 today for the users. Now you can chat within apps and both view and download your friends’ favorite apps from lists on their BBM profiles. Checkout the press release for more.
Press Release
RIM Delivers Revolutionary Social App Experience with BBM 6
Apps become social experiences once users can interact with their BBM friends
Waterloo, ON – BBM™ (BlackBerry® Messenger), one of the largest mobile social networks in the world is now enabling a new and revolutionary social experience. Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced the availability of BBM version 6 (BBM 6), which provides support for “BBM connected” apps, allowing users to easily interact with each other from within the BBM connected app.
BBM connected apps integrate the popular functionality of the BBM service and offer users the ability to interact with their friends from within the app itself. For example, with a BBM connected game app, users can invite their BBM friends to join them in a game and then chat with one another in real time while the game is being played – without ever leaving the game app.
BBM 6 launches today and a selection of BBM connected apps are already available on BlackBerry App World™.
“BBM 6 marks the beginning of an even greater social experience for BlackBerry smartphone users,” said Alistair Mitchell, VP, BBM Platform & Integrated Services at Research In Motion. “It also represents an incredible opportunity for developers to leverage the viral nature of the BBM service and we have already begun working with various developer partners who will be bringing their BBM connected apps to BlackBerry App World this week, offering users highly engaging app experiences.”
Some of the additional functionality users can expect to see with BBM connected applications include the ability to:
• Share app experiences with friends – When a user discovers a great new BBM connected app, they can instantly let their friends know about it. Users can simply select a BBM contact directly within the BBM connected app they are using.
• Have a BBM chat within apps – Users can simply pull up their BBM contact list directly from within the BBM connected app and start chatting. For example, the functionality can enable everything from enhanced social game play to collaboration through productivity apps.
• Discover apps through friends – Users can also discover new apps by viewing the list of apps that are posted to a BBM friend’s profile. They can also click on an app within the list, and instantly download it from BlackBerry App World.
The BBM 6 software will be available later today at www.blackberry.com/blackberrymessenger. A selection of BBM connected apps will also be posted on BlackBerry App World this week, with many more expected over the coming months.
Quotes/Partner Highlights:
“One of the keys to viral game sales is to allow users to easily invite their friends to join them in playing the games they love,” said Keith Pichelman, CEO, Concrete Software. “Integrating BBM into Pocket Ants has allowed the game to do just that.”
(Concrete Software)
“RIM is a fantastic partner. We’re thrilled to be working with them to provide a better experience to millions of foursquare users around the world by integrating foursquare with BBM,” said Holger Luedorf, VP of Mobile and Partnerships for foursquare.
(Foursquare)
“The Huffington Post, a leader in implementing social features to reach and interact with its network of readers and bloggers, integrates the BlackBerry Social Platform to create a place where our users can continue to engage in up-to-the-minute news stories, blogs, and analysis,” said Paul Berry, CTO of the Huffington Post Media Group. “As a BBM connected app, we make it simple for our readers to easily share and discuss the news. BBM 6 allows The Huffington Post to continue to reach its audience in a new way when they are on the go, and without having to compromise on the quality of their experience.”
(Huffington Post)
“Unvired Workflow for SAP enables approval of SAP workflow requests directly from the BlackBerry smartphone. Unvired leverages the BlackBerry message list and BBM to provide a familiar BlackBerry user experience,” said Srinivasan Subramanian, CEO, Indience InfoSystems Pvt Ltd. “The BBM platform has been smartly integrated to enable employees to collaborate seamlessly. If the user has some queries while approving the workflow, they can BBM their colleague or Manager, transfer a screenshot of the workflow item and clarify. They can then approve or reject the workflow request. The BBM chat can also be emailed to maintain an audit trail. The BBM integration with Unvired ensures quick turnaround and collaboration between employees, not just for workflow but other usages like checking discounts for a customer, escalating a customer grievance and much more.”
(Indience InfoSystems Pvt Ltd)
“Jingu users are engaging with BlackBerry Messenger in an exciting new way,” said Pankaj Gogia, Founder, Jingu Apps. “With BBM 6, ease of use is greatly enhanced with capabilities like updating your BBM profile picture directly from within the application. Jingu is dedicated to creating social networking applications built on the BlackBerry Messenger Social Platform that leverage the new capabilities of BBM 6 and bring enriched and vastly immersive experiences to end users.”
(Jingu Apps)
“Players have always been able to play Backgammon King against real opponents but playing against your friends took a lot of time and effort,” said Troy Johnson, Director Strategic Initiatives, Magmic. “Your BBM contacts are your friends and BBM 6 is making it incredibly easy to share Backgammon King with them and invite them to play in real-time. The ease of access to our product, the ease of sharing and the ease of player engagement are each major breakthroughs. Combine those attributes of BBM 6 with Magmics’ industry leading in-game chat design and you have an incredibly entertaining experience. Trash talking your best friend over a game of backgammon has never been easier and more fun. It’s no exaggeration to say, for Backgammon King, BBM 6 is a real game changer.”
(Magmic)
“PowWow uses BBM 6 integration to enable real time social event coordination,” said Kathryn Lahrs, Founder, Lahrs Apps. “Users are directly invited and notified of events that are created with our application. With PowWow, the latest information is available and BBM chats can quickly be started if any further communication is desired. Through BBM 6 PowWow users can share their location information, which is displayed in BlackBerry Maps. There is also an option to check your contact’s availability directly from their calendars and to create an event with this information; this is a very useful tool in event planning and saves time in the process.”
(PowWow)
“I don’t know anyone who doesn’t immediately react to the ‘chime’ of BBM,” said Margaret Glover-Campbell, VP Marketing & PR of Poynt Corporation. “Being able to leverage BBM 6 to share search results provides a tremendous advantage to our BlackBerry smartphone user base who can now easily and quickly coordinate their social activities. The ability to share the app download directly within BBM is also exciting for us, given the immediacy and viral nature of the platform. From a development perspective, we see tremendous possibilities for future integration around connecting people while they’re on the go.”
(Poynt)
“Following sports is inherently social – fans are extremely passionate, and like to trash talk, comment, and generally share their opinions on whatever they’re watching,” says Dale Fallon, VP Digital Products, Score Media. “By integrating BBM 6 functionality right into the ScoreMobile experience, we enable our users to enjoy the game with their friends even when they’re not together. In a nutshell, BBM 6 integration allows sports fans to be social without having to leave the ScoreMobile app.”
(ScoreMedia)
“Telmap, a global location-based services leader, is very focused on serving all users’ needs by constantly enriching and optimizing their on-the-go experiences,” said Motti Kushnir, Telmap Chief Marketing Officer. “The integration between BBM 6 and the Telmap Mobile Location Companion significantly enriches conversations and interactions through BBM with users’ real-time locations. Telmap views this integration as an important pillar of our vision to provide a richer, more comprehensive experience to our users. We work hard to integrate our application with popular and useful platforms like BBM, to ensure added value to users who can now add location information to their interactions with friends.”
(Telemap)
“BBM 6 is the underlying mobile social network making Wikitude on the BlackBerry platform a very unique experience. An augmented reality (AR) browser with millions of interesting places is already a very compelling and new proposition, but bringing it to life with millions of people who can chat, meet and share in an AR environment has the potential to revolutionize how we interact with one another. With BBM 6 and Wikitude preloaded on upcoming BlackBerry smartphones our AR browser will be truly going social for the very first time,” says Andy Gstoll, CMO of Wikitude.
(Wikitude)
Opportunities for BBM App Developers
BBM app developers can submit their applications to the BlackBerry Partners Fund Developer Challenge. The competition for social apps – “Most Addictive Social apps using BBM Social Platform” – is now open for submissions until September 23, 2011. For more information please visit: www.blackberrypartnersfund.com/challenge.
Additional information about the Hackathon is available at: http://www.bbmnyc.com/05_winning.html
Quick Links
• BBM 6 download on BlackBerry App World https://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3729
• BBM web site: www.blackberry.com/blackberrymessenger
• BBM connected apps videos:
o Wikitude: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bmqN3DZC5c
o Score Mobile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtbOUMoTPHU
o FourSquare: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqdJLCLvhoY
• BBM Social Platform SDK for developers: http://www.blackberry.com/developer/bbm
About Research In Motion
Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.
###
Media Contact:
Marisa Conway
Brodeur Partners (PR Agency for RIM)
mconway@brodeur.com
212-336-7509
Investor Contact:
RIM Investor Relations
investor_relations@rim.com
519-888-7465
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend,” “believe”, and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of RIM’s Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM’s forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.
Source: 1, 2
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July 28, 2011
After Money Losing In Q1, Logitech Reduce The price of Revue From $249 To $99 During Q2
Logitech Announces First Quarter Results for FY 2012, Company Takes $34M Q1 Charge for Planned Price Reduction on Logitech Revue. With an increase in Asia of 29 percent, an increase in the Americas of 1 percent, and a decrease in EMEA of 14 percent. OEM sales decreased by 16 percent. Logitech’s loss in Q1 was compounded by the significant impact of the decision to reduce the price of Logitech Revue from $249 to $99 during Q2. The action was taken with the goal of accelerating adoption of the Google TV platform by removing price as a barrier to broad consumer acceptance. Checkout more details bellow in the press release bellow.
Press Release
Logitech Announces First Quarter Results for FY 2012
Company Takes $34M Q1 Charge for Planned Price Reduction on Logitech Revue
FREMONT, Calif., July 27, 2011 and MORGES, Switzerland, July 28, 2011 – Logitech International (SIX: LOGN) (Nasdaq: LOGI) today announced financial results for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2012.
Sales for Q1 FY 2012 were $480 million compared to $479 million in Q1 FY 2011. Excluding the favorable impact of exchange rate changes, sales declined by 4 percent year over year. The Company posted an operating loss of $45 million, compared to operating income of $12 million in the same quarter a year ago. Included in Logitech’s Q1 FY 2012 operating loss is a $34 million charge to cost of goods sold due to a planned price reduction on Logitech Revue with Google TV. The net loss for Q1 FY 2012 was $30 million ($0.17 per share) compared to net income of $20 million ($0.11 per share) in Q1 of FY 2011. Gross margin for Q1 FY 2012, reflecting the charge related to repricing of Logitech Revue, was 26.1 percent, down from 35.3 percent one year ago
Logitech’s retail sales for Q1 FY 2012 were flat year over year, with an increase in Asia of 29 percent, an increase in the Americas of 1 percent, and a decrease in EMEA of 14 percent. OEM sales decreased by 16 percent. Sales for the LifeSize division grew 34 percent.
In Q1, Logitech achieved strong growth in Asia, driven primarily by China. Also notable for the first quarter was continued sales momentum by the LifeSize division and a positive initial reception of the Company’s new tablet accessories.
While Logitech is making progress in improving operations in the Company’s EMEA sales region, the Q1 performance reflects sustained weakness in the region. The Company also experienced minimal sales growth in its Americas region, primarily due to very weak sales in the Digital Home category. Logitech’s loss in Q1 was compounded by the significant impact of the decision to reduce the price of Logitech Revue from $249 to $99 during Q2. The action was taken with the goal of accelerating adoption of the Google TV platform by removing price as a barrier to broad consumer acceptance.
In a separate announcement today, Logitech said that Chairman Guerrino De Luca has assumed the additional role of acting president and chief executive officer, succeeding departing CEO Gerald P. Quindlen.
“I resume my former role as CEO, on an acting basis, with unwavering commitment to Logitech and strong confidence in the Company’s future and growth potential,” said Guerrino De Luca. “My priorities will be to pursue our many opportunities with a strong sense of urgency and to renew the confidence in Logitech among all stakeholders.”
Outlook
For Fiscal Year 2012, ending March 31, 2012, Logitech has lowered its sales outlook from approximately $2.6 billion to approximately $2.5 billion. The Company has lowered its FY 2012 target for operating income from approximately $185 million to equal to or greater than FY 2011 operating income of $143 million.
Prepared Remarks Available Online
Logitech has made its prepared written remarks for the financial results teleconference available online on the Logitech corporate Web site at http://ir.logitech.com. The remarks are posted in the Calendar section on the Investor home page.
Financial Results Teleconference and Webcast
Logitech will hold a financial results teleconference on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time and 14:30 Central European Summer Time. A live webcast of the call, along with presentation slides, will be available on the Logitech corporate Web site at http://ir.logitech.com.
About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech’s combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).
Source
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July 28, 2011
Motorola Solutions Reports Second-Quarter Hits By Sales Of $2.1 Billion
Motorola Solutions, Inc. announced today their second-quarter 2011 results highlighted by sales of $2.1 billion, up 6 percent from the second quarter of 2010. Government segment sales were $1.3 billion, up 4 percent and $747 million for enterprise, up four and 11 percent from the year-ago quarter. The company now expects full-year revenue growth of 5.5 to 6 percent with operating earnings of approximately 16.5 percent of sales. Checkout more details bellow in the press release.
Press Release
Motorola Solutions Reports Second-Quarter Results
Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE: MSI) announced today its second-quarter 2011 results highlighted by sales of $2.1 billion, up 6 percent from the second quarter of 2010 and driven by solid demand across both its Government and Enterprise segments.
In addition, the company announced today that its board of directors has authorized the initiation of a regular quarterly dividend of $0.22 per outstanding share of the company’s common stock. The first dividend will be payable on Oct. 14, 2011, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Sept. 15, 2011. As part of a broader return of capital plan, the company’s board has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $2.0 billion through the end of 2012. The company may repurchase shares from time to time in the open market or in other privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions.
Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions, said: “Our solid revenue growth and improved operating leverage further demonstrate the strength of our business. Based on this performance, we have raised our full year outlook. Additionally, the dividend and share repurchase program reinforce our commitment to return capital to shareholders while maintaining strategic flexibility.”
GAAP operating earnings in the second quarter of 2011 were $170 million or 8 percent of sales, compared to $161 million or 8 percent of sales in the second quarter of 2010. GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations** were $0.17, compared to $0.01 in the second quarter of 2010.
Non-GAAP*** operating earnings in the second quarter of 2011 were $315 million or 15 percent of sales, compared to $267 million or 14 percent of sales in the second quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations were $0.57, compared to $0.37 in the second quarter of 2010. Non-GAAP financial information excludes after-tax benefits of approximately $0.40 per diluted share related to stock-based compensation expense, intangible assets amortization expense and highlighted items. Details on these Non-GAAP adjustments and the use of Non-GAAP measures are included later in this press release.
During the second quarter of 2011, the company generated $102 million in operating cash flow from continuing operations. The company also retired $540 million in debt and ended the quarter with total cash* of $6.7 billion.
Government segment sales were $1.3 billion, up 4 percent from the year-ago quarter. GAAP operating earnings were $111 million or 8 percent of sales compared to $117 million or 9 percent of sales in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP operating earnings were $174 million or 13 percent of sales compared to $158 million or 13 percent of sales in the year-ago quarter.
Government highlights:
Received $56 million award to implement a 700 MHz LTE Broadband Data System for the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission
Secured multi-million dollar public safety contracts in Bucks County, Pennsylvania; Fort Worth, Texas; Lower Saxony, Germany and Shenzhen, China
Recognized for APX 7000XE P25 portable radio product design with Gold International Design Excellence Award (IDEA®), which fosters understanding of the impact of design excellence on the quality of life and the economy
Enterprise segment sales were $747 million, up 11 percent from the year-ago quarter. GAAP operating earnings were $59 million or 8 percent of sales compared to $44 million or 7 percent of sales in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP operating earnings were $141 million or 19 percent of sales compared to $109 million or 16 percent of sales in the year-ago quarter.
Enterprise highlights:
Continued strong growth in the regions and vertical markets, especially in retail with major mobile computing contracts such as Macy’s in North America, a leading Russian retailer, a major supermarket in the Netherlands and two major retailers in France
Received “Strong Positive” rating in Gartner’s Rugged Handheld Computer MarketScope†
Expanded and scaled WiNG 5 wireless LAN portfolio by introducing a powerful NOC controller and high-performance 802.11n access points that help enterprise and government customers support rapid growth of wireless devices and multimedia applications in their organizations
Results from Discontinued Operations
Second-quarter net earnings from discontinued operations were $291 million, which substantially relate to operations of the Networks business that Motorola Solutions sold to Nokia Siemens Networks on April 29, 2011 for net cash proceeds in excess of $1 billion.
Third-Quarter and Full Year 2011 Outlook
The company expects to see growth across both government and enterprise segments. Third-quarter sales are expected to grow between 7 and 8 percent over the third quarter of 2010 with EPS from continuing operations of $0.56 to $0.61. This outlook excludes stock-based compensation expense, intangible assets amortization expense and charges associated with items of the variety typically highlighted by the company in its quarterly earnings releases. The company now expects full-year revenue growth of 5.5 to 6 percent with operating earnings of approximately 16.5 percent of sales.
Source
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July 28, 2011
Sprint Make Partnership With LightSquared
Sprint and LightSquared have signed a network-sharing deal that promises to transform the 4G wireless landscape and for the wireless carrier, LightSquared gives Sprint an option for LTE. The LightSquared deal falls under Sprint’s Network Vision plan and Sprint said it will outline its 4G strategy Oct. 7 at its investor day. LightSquared has been moving fitfully since the company began its ambitious plan to offer a network of combined satellite and wireless broadband that will cover over 250 million Americans…………..

LightSquared enters into a Spectrum Hosting and Network Services Agreement with Sprint that is expected to result in substantial savings for LightSquared and accelerate completion of LightSquared’s nationwide 4G-LTE network. Sprint has option to purchase 4G capacity from LightSquared and they announced that they ave entered into a 15-year agreement that includes spectrum hosting and network services, 4G wholesale and 3G roaming. This spectrum hosting arrangement leverages Sprint‘s investment in its innovative, multi-year Network Vision plan. Under the agreement, LightSquared will pay Sprint to deploy and operate a nationwide LTE network that hosts L-Band spectrum licensed to or available to LightSquared. As a wholesale-only carrier with separate core network operations, LightSquared can sell its 4G broadband capacity produced through this spectrum hosting relationship to Sprint, other wireless carriers, and retail partners. Under the terms of the agreement, during an 11 year period, LightSquared will make payments to Sprint of approximately $9 billion in cash for spectrum hosting and network services as well as LTE and satellite purchase credits which are currently estimated to be valued at approximately $4.5 billion. The agreement also provides Sprint the opportunity to purchase up to 50 percent of LightSquared‘s expected L-Band 4G capacity. The wholesale purchase credits will provide Sprint the option to obtain cost-competitive access to 4G capacity by offsetting Sprint‘s purchases of 4G capacity from LightSquared, should Sprint elect to incorporate the L-Band LTE capability as part of its 4G offering.

This agreement is expected to lower network capital and operating expenses for LightSquared by more than $13 billion over the next eight years in comparison with the cost of a stand-alone network build. LightSquared expects the deployment of the nationwide 4G-LTE network to be completed more than one year ahead of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate to cover 260 million Americans by 2015. LightSquared has also entered into a 3G nationwide roaming agreement with Sprint. With access to Sprint’s 3G nationwide network, LightSquared‘s wholesale customers will be able to offer combined 4G/3G data services as soon as LightSquared launches its first 4G markets in 2012. “This spectrum hosting agreement with LightSquared allows Sprint to more efficiently use its Network Vision platform,” said Steve Elfman, president of Network Operations and Wholesale for Sprint. “In addition to improving our cash flow, it provides additional options and flexibility in how we meet our customers’ future capacity needs.” “This agreement gives LightSquared a rapid and cost-effective radio access network build,” said LightSquared Chairman and CEO Sanjiv Ahuja. “With our next generation satellite already operational and our independent core network build underway, LightSquared is now well positioned to meet the fast-growing market demand for wireless broadband services with its wholesale-only integrated 4G-LTE and satellite network.” The agreement is subject to LightSquared‘s obtaining resolution and FCC approval of certain interference issues involving terrestrial use of the L-Band spectrum.
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July 28, 2011
InterDigital Sues Nokia, Huawei And ZTE For 3G Patent
InterDigital has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission against Nokia, Huawei Technologies and ZTE accusing the cellphone makers of infringing seven InterDigital technology patents and the hammer’s been forged from seven patents for various WCDMA and CDMA2000 technologies allegedly found in those companies phones, broadband dongles and tablets. InterDigital said it has tried to negotiate licensing deals with the companies but has failed to reach an acceptable resolution and InterDigital has around 1,400 U.S. patents but claims to have a patent portfolio of 19,000 issued patents and patent applications worldwide…………

InterDigital announced that its wholly-owned subsidiaries InterDigital Communications, LLC, InterDigital Technology Corporation and IPR Licensing, Inc. (collectively, “InterDigital“) have filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) against Nokia Corporation and Nokia Inc. (collectively, “Nokia“), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. and FutureWei Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Huawei Technologies (USA) (collectively, “Huawei”) and ZTE Corporation and ZTE (USA) Inc. (collectively, “ZTE” and together with Nokia and Huawei, “Respondents”). The complaint alleges that the Respondents have engaged in unfair trade practices by making for importation into the United States, importing, and selling after importation, certain 3G wireless devices, including WCDMA and cdma2000 mobile phones, USB sticks, mobile hotspots, and tablets, and components of such devices that infringe seven of InterDigital’s U.S. patents. The action also extends to certain WCDMA and cdma2000 devices incorporating WiFi functionality. In conjunction with the ITC filing, InterDigital has also filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware alleging that Respondents’ 3G wireless devices infringe these same InterDigital patents.”Over the past thirty years, InterDigital has invested nearly one billion dollars in the development of advanced digital cellular technologies, creating important innovations, and helping to drive an industry creating billions of wireless connections”

InterDigital’s complaint with the ITC seeks an exclusion order that would bar from entry into the U.S. any infringing 3G wireless devices (and components) that are imported by or on behalf of Respondents, including wireless mobile phones, USB sticks, mobile hotspots, and tablets capable of operating with a 3G WCDMA or 3G cdma2000 system. InterDigital’s complaint also seeks a cease and desist order to bar further sales of infringing products that have already been imported into the United States. The complaint asserts U.S. Patent Nos. 7,349,540, 7,502,406, 7,536,013, 7,616,970, 7,706,332, 7,706,830, and 7,970,127. “Over the past thirty years, InterDigital has invested nearly one billion dollars in the development of advanced digital cellular technologies, creating important innovations, and helping to drive an industry creating billions of wireless connections,” said Lawrence Shay, President of InterDigital’s patent holding subsidiaries. “During that period, we have signed dozens of license agreements with manufacturers, giving them access to a patent portfolio of approximately 19,000 issued patents and patent applications – among the largest wireless portfolios in the world,” continued Shay. “The vast majority of our agreements have been reached without the need for litigation. However, despite having engaged in good faith efforts to license our patents to Nokia, Huawei and ZTE, we have not been able to reach an acceptable resolution. As a result, to protect our intellectual property and the interests of our licensees, we made the decision to bring legal action against these parties.” By statute, the ITC has 30 days from the filing of the complaint to decide whether to formally institute an investigation. As of June 30, 2011, the company’s patent portfolio consisted of approximately 1,400 U.S. patents and approximately 8,000 non-U.S. patents. In addition, as of June 30, 2011, the company had approximately 1,250 pending applications in the U.S. and approximately 8,250 pending non-U.S. patent applications. The patents and applications comprising the company’s portfolio relate predominantly to digital wireless radiotelephony technology (including, without limitation, 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies).
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July 27, 2011
Qualcomm Adding Gesture Recognition IP
Qualcomm acquires gesture recognition IP from GestureTek and moving into the gesture recognition field with the recent purchase of some of GestureTek’s assets. The motive for Qualcomm is to integrated gesture recognition technology into its current and next-generation Snapdragon processors and it could be one that signals a shift in the way chip makers are looking out for themselves. Qualcomm says that the new technology will add to its smartphone product portfolio and allows to launch products that include gesture recognition for giving OEMs the capability to produce smartphones, tablets and home entertainment devices with user interfaces based on natural human gestures……………..

Qualcomm Incorporated announced that it has acquired certain assets from GestureTek, a developer of gesture recognition technology. A leader in the gesture recognition field, GestureTek has more than 25 years of experience implementing gesture-based technologies in mobile devices, entertainment facilities, healthcare systems, retail locations, and public and private venues. The acquisition gives Qualcomm ownership of certain intellectual property assets related to gesture recognition, as well as key engineering resources. GestureTek is retaining other assets in continuation of its gesture-controlled public display and digital signage business. “Applications processors are enabling a range of new ways for consumers to interface with their home entertainment and mobile devices,” said Steve Mollenkopf, executive vice president and group president, Qualcomm. “Our acquisition of key technology and assets from GestureTek will strengthen Qualcomm’s smartphone product portfolio and enable our customers to launch products with new and compelling user experiences.”Gesture recognition technology will be integrated into Qualcomm‘s current and next-generation Snapdragon processors, giving OEMs the capability to produce smartphones, tablets and home entertainment devices with user interfaces based on natural human gestures.

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July 26, 2011
T-Mobile Teams Up With Angels For Fans Tablet Rentals
T-Mobile teams up with Los Angeles Angels offering fans unique tablet rental program and fan experience enhanced with customized content, game-day program, and access to America’s Largest 4G Network. Both T-Mobile and the Angels announced a program to allow fans to rent one of two T-Mobile branded tablets for the length of the game and T-Mobile proving there’s more interesting content online than what the Angels put on the field………………..
T-Mobile announced that the company has partnered with the Los Angeles Angels to provide fans with a unique tablet rental program, giving fans customized content designed to enhance their experience while watching their favorite team at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. “T-Mobile’s Android tablets, combined with America’s Largest 4G Network, give Angels fans customized content for an affordable price when they rent a tablet during Angels games,” said Darrin Silveria, vice president general manager, Southern California, T-Mobile USA. “We’re always excited to bring T-Mobile customers unique offerings that they can’t find elsewhere, and that’s exactly what we’re doing for Angels fans who rent a tablet.”T-Mobile began partnering with the Angels near the beginning of the season and has been fine tuning the company’s network inside Angel Stadium of Anaheim, running a beta program with fans providing feedback on their experience, and building partnerships with content providers, including Zinio and MobiTV, the provider of T-Mobile TV.

“There’s no question that baseball fans love stats, replays, MLB news and more,” said Angels chairman Dennis Kuhl. “We wanted to enhance the fan experience while viewing home games, and we’re excited to bring this partnership with T-Mobile to life. We see lots of possibilities and are really just at the beginning of this new offering for our fans.” “This is the kind of unique combination of hardware, fast mobile network speeds and rich content that has the potential to be transformative, not only for Angels fans, but for fans of all sports,“ said Jeanniey Mullen, global executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Zinio. “We see great possibilities for the future and are looking forward to bringing even more unique offerings to Angels fans as we develop our partnership with T-Mobile over time.” Fans who rent either a T-Mobile G-Slate or Samsung Galaxy Tab for $10 get the following unprecedented value:
- Free game-day program, optimized for viewing on the tablet — an instant $3 added value.
- Free content from Zinio magazine app, with the ability to read from a sampling of magazines during the game, including ESPN and many other popular magazines, drawing from Zinio’s library of more than 4,500 magazine titles.
- Free T-Mobile TV (on the T-Mobile G-Slate only), providing content from popular TV shows. All regular free content, plus the “Select” package, regularly $4.99, is available as part of the game-day tablet rental.
- Access to T-Mobile’s blazing-fast network, powering fast video chat sessions with friends and family at home, and blazing downloads of rich media content.
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July 25, 2011