The short-term narrative for Nokia (NYSE:NOK), as far as it relates to releasing a phone using Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Phone 7 platform is whether or not they can get a smartphone released earlier than expected.
According to Wedge Partners analyst Brian Blair, the company is “ahead of schedule in terms of development,” and could release one before 2012.
As to the overall outlook Blair states, “While we continue to feel the next three to four quarters will reflect the company’s transition away from the Symbian OS and show a marked drop in quarterly units for Nokia, we remain positive on the longer-term outlook for Nokia given the Microsoft partnership. It is our view that Nokia Window’s smartphones will become the fourth major player in the smartphone space, following Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android, Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS and RIM’s (NASDAQ:RIMM) Blackberry OS.”
Blair expects the first phone offered by Nokia on the Windows Phone 7 platform could be debuted a the “Nokia World” conference, which usually is scheduled in the last quarter of the year.
Nokia was trading at $8.51, down $0.10, or 1.10 percent, as of 11:17 AM EDT.
Showing posts with label Google Android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google Android. Show all posts
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Nokia (NOK) Results Beat Expectations, But Loses Market Share
For the first time in over 10 years, the global market share of Nokia (NYSE:NOK) dropped below 30 percent, even as the company beat analysts' expectations for the latest quarter.
Net profit for the quarter fell from euro5 million to euro344 million ($499 million) from the same quarter last year. Revenue grew 9 percent to euro10.40 billion.
Revenue and earnings beat estimates, giving the company shares a boost in earlier trading, although it has pulled back on weaker guidance associated with the transformation to Windows Phone 7 (NASDAQ:MSFT) and effects of the earthquake in Japan, which will impact the performance of the company in the current quarter because of parts shortages.
Nokia sold 24 million smartphones in the quarter, a 13 percent increase over 2010, but its market share for the devices fell to 24 percent from 39 percent last year, according to Strategy Analytics market research.
Nokia sold 108.5 million devices in the first quarter, above the Strategy Analytics estimate of 105 million, and the average selling price of its handsets continued its growth to euro65, from euro62 a year earlier, indicating it is selling more top, expensive models.
"Volumes were better than expected and pricing was stronger," said Neil Mawston, an analyst at Strategy Analytics . "But it's clear that competition is still tough."
This is actually better news than most realize, as the market is growing for smartphones and basic mobile phones, and even if Nokia drops in market share, it is gaining by growing along with the overall market.
So to lose market share isn't that relevant for them, it's how they're growing along with the expanding market.
Competition will continue to be tough from Google Android (NASDAQ:GOOG), Apple iPhone's (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Blackberry's (NASDAQ:RIMM). But if Nokia responds as they should, it'll make them a better company and competitor over the long haul.
If Nokia can keep up this type of performance until they release significant volumes of smartphones based on Windows Phone 7, and those phones sell well, the company will surprise a lot of people.
Nokia was trading at $8.60, gaining $0.01, or 0.06 percent, as of 1:41 PM EDT.
Net profit for the quarter fell from euro5 million to euro344 million ($499 million) from the same quarter last year. Revenue grew 9 percent to euro10.40 billion.
Revenue and earnings beat estimates, giving the company shares a boost in earlier trading, although it has pulled back on weaker guidance associated with the transformation to Windows Phone 7 (NASDAQ:MSFT) and effects of the earthquake in Japan, which will impact the performance of the company in the current quarter because of parts shortages.
Nokia sold 24 million smartphones in the quarter, a 13 percent increase over 2010, but its market share for the devices fell to 24 percent from 39 percent last year, according to Strategy Analytics market research.
Nokia sold 108.5 million devices in the first quarter, above the Strategy Analytics estimate of 105 million, and the average selling price of its handsets continued its growth to euro65, from euro62 a year earlier, indicating it is selling more top, expensive models.
"Volumes were better than expected and pricing was stronger," said Neil Mawston, an analyst at Strategy Analytics . "But it's clear that competition is still tough."
This is actually better news than most realize, as the market is growing for smartphones and basic mobile phones, and even if Nokia drops in market share, it is gaining by growing along with the overall market.
So to lose market share isn't that relevant for them, it's how they're growing along with the expanding market.
Competition will continue to be tough from Google Android (NASDAQ:GOOG), Apple iPhone's (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Blackberry's (NASDAQ:RIMM). But if Nokia responds as they should, it'll make them a better company and competitor over the long haul.
If Nokia can keep up this type of performance until they release significant volumes of smartphones based on Windows Phone 7, and those phones sell well, the company will surprise a lot of people.
Nokia was trading at $8.60, gaining $0.01, or 0.06 percent, as of 1:41 PM EDT.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Sprint (S) Now Offers Market Carrier Billing for Android Users
Sprint (NYSE:S) has entered the market carrier billing segment, now offering Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android users the option of purchasing products from Android Market and having them put on your monthly bill.
Google said, "We believe that Direct Carrier Billing is a key payment option because it lets users purchase and pay for apps more easily. It's also important because it offers a convenient way to buy in regions where credit cards are less common."
With many regions of the world very light on credit card use, this will presumably give users options outside of America and Japan, where credit card usage is ubiquitous, assuming it is rolled out to those regions.
Sprint customers should be offered the new billing options sometime in the next several days.
Sprint closed Wednesday at $4.81, gaining $0.01, or 0.21 percent.
Google said, "We believe that Direct Carrier Billing is a key payment option because it lets users purchase and pay for apps more easily. It's also important because it offers a convenient way to buy in regions where credit cards are less common."
With many regions of the world very light on credit card use, this will presumably give users options outside of America and Japan, where credit card usage is ubiquitous, assuming it is rolled out to those regions.
Sprint customers should be offered the new billing options sometime in the next several days.
Sprint closed Wednesday at $4.81, gaining $0.01, or 0.21 percent.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Smartphones Leaders (GOOG) (AAPL) (MSFT) (NOK) (RIMM) by 2012
Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android will soar to become an even more dominant force with smartphone by 2012, according to a report from Gartner, which sees them controlling about 50 percent of the smartphone market by then.
Smartphone users with Android platforms in 2012 will reach 310,088 million, based on Gartner estimates. That would account for 49.2 percent of the smartphone market.
This year Android should surge to about 38.5 percent of the market, after controlling about 22.7 percent of the market, Gartner said.
Microsoft is increasingly considered a dark horse in the smartphone race, increasing from a 4.2 market share in 2010 to 19.5 percent by 2015. Estimated users would jump to close to 216 million with that share. That will be driven by the partnership with Nokia (NYSE:NOK).
For Nokia, its Symbian platform is expected to drop to only 661 thousand users by 2015, a 0.1 percent market share. In 2010 it was the market leader with 37.6 percent.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) will remain somewhat level, increasing from 15.7 percent in 2010 to 17.2 percent in 2015. Gartner said it believes Apple will peak in 2011, when it reaches 90.56 million users.
Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) is projected to fall from 16 percent in 2010 to 11.1 percent by 2015. That would represent 122.86 million users.
In 2011 Gartner predicts smartphone sales will soar 57.7 percent over 2010, reaching 486 million units sold.
Smartphone users with Android platforms in 2012 will reach 310,088 million, based on Gartner estimates. That would account for 49.2 percent of the smartphone market.
This year Android should surge to about 38.5 percent of the market, after controlling about 22.7 percent of the market, Gartner said.
Microsoft is increasingly considered a dark horse in the smartphone race, increasing from a 4.2 market share in 2010 to 19.5 percent by 2015. Estimated users would jump to close to 216 million with that share. That will be driven by the partnership with Nokia (NYSE:NOK).
For Nokia, its Symbian platform is expected to drop to only 661 thousand users by 2015, a 0.1 percent market share. In 2010 it was the market leader with 37.6 percent.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) will remain somewhat level, increasing from 15.7 percent in 2010 to 17.2 percent in 2015. Gartner said it believes Apple will peak in 2011, when it reaches 90.56 million users.
Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) is projected to fall from 16 percent in 2010 to 11.1 percent by 2015. That would represent 122.86 million users.
In 2011 Gartner predicts smartphone sales will soar 57.7 percent over 2010, reaching 486 million units sold.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Google (GOOG) Vs. Apple (AAPL) in Smartphone War
There is no doubt Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android mobile platform is winning the smartphone war at this time, at least as it relates to market share, as the company gained a huge 7 percent in market share over the last three months, according to Comscore.
Google Android now has a 33 percent market share, with Research In Motion (Nasdaq:RIMM), maker of the BlackBerry, coming in second with 28.9 percent, followed by Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL) with 25.2 percent. Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) is in fourth with 7.7 percent share.
"The Android gains matter because technology platform markets tend to standardize around a single dominant platform (see Windows in PCs, Facebook in social, Google in search)," noted tech analyst Henry Blodget.
"And the more dominant the platform becomes, the more valuable it becomes and the harder it becomes to dislodge. The network effect kicks in, and developers building products designed to work with the platform devote more and more of their energy to the platform. The reward for building and working with other platforms, meanwhile, drops, and gradually developers stop developing for them."
Some will probably note that are bullish on Apple that they carry the premium segment of the smartphone market, meaning they are able to compete on price and wider margins, generating more earnings.
But that could change if Android starts to carry the day in an even bigger way, and also the response to iPhone 5 when it eventually is released. That has given some opportunity to Google and other rivals, which could hurt Apple over time.
At this time the growing consensus is Google will gain market share in the mobile market, and that will put downward pressure on Apple.
Google was trading at $573.70, gaining $4.61, or 0.81 percent, as of 1:14 PM EDT. Apple was trading at $338.75, falling $0.14, or 0.04 percent.
Google Android now has a 33 percent market share, with Research In Motion (Nasdaq:RIMM), maker of the BlackBerry, coming in second with 28.9 percent, followed by Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL) with 25.2 percent. Microsoft (Nasdaq:MSFT) is in fourth with 7.7 percent share.
"The Android gains matter because technology platform markets tend to standardize around a single dominant platform (see Windows in PCs, Facebook in social, Google in search)," noted tech analyst Henry Blodget.
"And the more dominant the platform becomes, the more valuable it becomes and the harder it becomes to dislodge. The network effect kicks in, and developers building products designed to work with the platform devote more and more of their energy to the platform. The reward for building and working with other platforms, meanwhile, drops, and gradually developers stop developing for them."
Some will probably note that are bullish on Apple that they carry the premium segment of the smartphone market, meaning they are able to compete on price and wider margins, generating more earnings.
But that could change if Android starts to carry the day in an even bigger way, and also the response to iPhone 5 when it eventually is released. That has given some opportunity to Google and other rivals, which could hurt Apple over time.
At this time the growing consensus is Google will gain market share in the mobile market, and that will put downward pressure on Apple.
Google was trading at $573.70, gaining $4.61, or 0.81 percent, as of 1:14 PM EDT. Apple was trading at $338.75, falling $0.14, or 0.04 percent.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sirius (SIRI) Competitor Pandora Subpoenaed
Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) competitor Pandora has been subpoenaed in a federal investigation in reference to the sharing of personal information via smartphone apps, according to an SEC filing.
Apps in question operated on Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android and Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone platforms.
Pandora responded to the news saying there weren't a specific target in the investigation but part of an overall investigation of the industry in regard to the issue.
Evidently other subpoenas have been issued in relationship to the federal investigation, but haven't been identified or confirmed at this time.
Apps in question operated on Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android and Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone platforms.
Pandora responded to the news saying there weren't a specific target in the investigation but part of an overall investigation of the industry in regard to the issue.
Evidently other subpoenas have been issued in relationship to the federal investigation, but haven't been identified or confirmed at this time.
Monday, April 4, 2011
MIPS Technologies (MIPS) Pressured on "Deceptive" Article
Benchmark analyst Gary Mobley is maintaining a "Buy" rating on shares of MIPS Technologies (NASDAQ:MIPS), as he commented on an article written in Bloomberg Businessweek, which he asserted is deceptively written and suggests trouble for MIPS that might not actually be the reality.
The writers said that executives at various companies working on Android-based products have asserted that Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is attacking “willy nilly” development in the sector, with the goal of stemming fragmentation of the operating system.
Mobley’s issue with it is that it makes it sound like Android will become standardized around ARM’s chip reference architecture and that as a consequence, “MIPS, MIPS’ licensees and Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) will be precluded from the Android-based application processor market. The implications, if the details of the article were true, could be a negative for MIPS.”
He concludes that “Based on conversations with our contacts, MIPS has welcomed a defragmentation effort by Google’s Android.”
“If application development and hardware development for Android became more standardized by Google, the time it takes MIPS to port the newest version of Android could shorten.”
MIPS closed Friday at $10.47, falling $0.02, or 0.19 percent.
The writers said that executives at various companies working on Android-based products have asserted that Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is attacking “willy nilly” development in the sector, with the goal of stemming fragmentation of the operating system.
Mobley’s issue with it is that it makes it sound like Android will become standardized around ARM’s chip reference architecture and that as a consequence, “MIPS, MIPS’ licensees and Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) will be precluded from the Android-based application processor market. The implications, if the details of the article were true, could be a negative for MIPS.”
He concludes that “Based on conversations with our contacts, MIPS has welcomed a defragmentation effort by Google’s Android.”
“If application development and hardware development for Android became more standardized by Google, the time it takes MIPS to port the newest version of Android could shorten.”
MIPS closed Friday at $10.47, falling $0.02, or 0.19 percent.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Microsoft (MSFT) Targets Quality for Windows Phone 7
Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is talking the progress it has made on its Windows Phone 7 platform, saying it's focusing on quality rather than quantity at this time, as far as the number of apps it's serving up.
Even so, they're still steadily growing in that regard as well, with about 36,000 registered developers for the platform, with tools for developers being downloaded approximately 1.5 million times.
Also noted is the 11,500 applications being offered, with about 7,500 of them being paid applications.
Of course those are far behind Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL) and Google (Nasdaq:GOOG), although it's questionable as to value when you start getting into the number of app offerings and if they are profitable beyond a certain point for any of these companies.
Brandon Watson, Microsoft's senior director for Windows Phone, wrote in a company blog post, "For us, from the beginning, we have always been focused on quality over quantity. We recognize the importance of getting great apps on our platform and not artificially inflating the number of actual apps available to customers by listing 'wallpapers' as a category, or perhaps allowing competitor's apps to run on the platform to increase 'tonnage.'"
The comment on tonnage was a reference to Research In Motion's (Nasdaq: RIMM) decision to allow Android apps to run on its soon-to-be-released BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie mentioned that the strategy would boost the "tonnage" of apps available for the PlayBook on launch.
As for Microsoft apps, they claim they're adding about 1,200 developers a wee and users are downloading a dozen apps a month.
IDC recently said they see Microsoft becoming the second-largest smartphone platform in the world by 2015, based on their partnership with Nokia (NYSE:NOK).
Even so, they're still steadily growing in that regard as well, with about 36,000 registered developers for the platform, with tools for developers being downloaded approximately 1.5 million times.
Also noted is the 11,500 applications being offered, with about 7,500 of them being paid applications.
Of course those are far behind Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL) and Google (Nasdaq:GOOG), although it's questionable as to value when you start getting into the number of app offerings and if they are profitable beyond a certain point for any of these companies.
Brandon Watson, Microsoft's senior director for Windows Phone, wrote in a company blog post, "For us, from the beginning, we have always been focused on quality over quantity. We recognize the importance of getting great apps on our platform and not artificially inflating the number of actual apps available to customers by listing 'wallpapers' as a category, or perhaps allowing competitor's apps to run on the platform to increase 'tonnage.'"
The comment on tonnage was a reference to Research In Motion's (Nasdaq: RIMM) decision to allow Android apps to run on its soon-to-be-released BlackBerry PlayBook tablet. RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie mentioned that the strategy would boost the "tonnage" of apps available for the PlayBook on launch.
As for Microsoft apps, they claim they're adding about 1,200 developers a wee and users are downloading a dozen apps a month.
IDC recently said they see Microsoft becoming the second-largest smartphone platform in the world by 2015, based on their partnership with Nokia (NYSE:NOK).
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Google (GOOG) Hasn't Been "Search" Company for Some Time
The idea that Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is primarily a search company has been left in the dust long ago by the focus and performance of the company, but investors and onlookers continue to think of Google as a search company, when in fact the portion of revenue they generate from search has fallen to about 70 percent, according to its latest earnings report.
In the past Google had generated about 90 percent of its revenue from search, but realized long ago it had to change that in order to survive and thrive.
They have other advertising platforms as well, such as the increasingly popular YouTube, which appears to be turning a profit,
Google doesn't break down all of its ad network, and so we don't know the specific story in detail, but we do know the company is growing beyond its search business, which is good news for investors, even as search revenue continues to be robust.
The other big leg to the revenue picture is the emerging Android platform, which has soared to be the leading smartphone platform as to market share, although it's not as profitable as Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone at this time.
There is of course also Google Apps, which is also growing quickly.
The point is, search, while a vital piece of the revenue and earnings puzzle for Google, is slowing giving way to a growing number of products and services which is creating a solid moat for the company in more than one business. Good news for investors.
Just don't think of Google as just a search company anymore, as it skews what they have in fact become.
Google was trading at $587.34, gaining $5.50, or 0.95 percent, as of 1:53 PM EDT.
In the past Google had generated about 90 percent of its revenue from search, but realized long ago it had to change that in order to survive and thrive.
They have other advertising platforms as well, such as the increasingly popular YouTube, which appears to be turning a profit,
Google doesn't break down all of its ad network, and so we don't know the specific story in detail, but we do know the company is growing beyond its search business, which is good news for investors, even as search revenue continues to be robust.
The other big leg to the revenue picture is the emerging Android platform, which has soared to be the leading smartphone platform as to market share, although it's not as profitable as Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone at this time.
There is of course also Google Apps, which is also growing quickly.
The point is, search, while a vital piece of the revenue and earnings puzzle for Google, is slowing giving way to a growing number of products and services which is creating a solid moat for the company in more than one business. Good news for investors.
Just don't think of Google as just a search company anymore, as it skews what they have in fact become.
Google was trading at $587.34, gaining $5.50, or 0.95 percent, as of 1:53 PM EDT.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Nvidia (NVDA) Shares Soar on Mobile Computing Outlook
Shares of Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) were hopping today on news JMP Securities upgraded the stock, citing a stronger outlook in the mobile computing market for the company.
JMP analyst Alex Gauna drew attention to Nvidia’s Tegra mobile computing chip as strengthening into a major player in the market for smartphones and tablet PCs.
Nvidia and its “ARM-based Android (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Windows (NASDAQ:MSFT) initiatives are in a position to re-accelerate financial performance in coming quarters and years,” Gauna noted.
“We believe Nvidia Tegra technology will continue to be in the lead reference designs for new Android operating systems," he wrote in a note to clients.
The Tegra processors produced by Nvidia are also in popular tablets and smart phones including those made by such companies as Motorola Mobility (MMI) and Samsung.
Gauna also noted that the proposed merger between AT&T Inc. (T) and the Deutsche Telekom-owned T-Mobile USA could work to the benefit of Nvidia, saying “it is likely to ignite subscriber retention/acquisition campaigns.”
“Nvidia’s position as the high-performance multi-core Apps processing leader will make it one of the cornerstones of these marketing campaigns,” Gauna said, adding that Nvidia is “largely agnostic to share shift among the carriers.”
Nvidia was trading at $19.50, up $0.87, or 4.64 percent, as of 2:49 PM EDT.
Source
JMP analyst Alex Gauna drew attention to Nvidia’s Tegra mobile computing chip as strengthening into a major player in the market for smartphones and tablet PCs.
Nvidia and its “ARM-based Android (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Windows (NASDAQ:MSFT) initiatives are in a position to re-accelerate financial performance in coming quarters and years,” Gauna noted.
“We believe Nvidia Tegra technology will continue to be in the lead reference designs for new Android operating systems," he wrote in a note to clients.
The Tegra processors produced by Nvidia are also in popular tablets and smart phones including those made by such companies as Motorola Mobility (MMI) and Samsung.
Gauna also noted that the proposed merger between AT&T Inc. (T) and the Deutsche Telekom-owned T-Mobile USA could work to the benefit of Nvidia, saying “it is likely to ignite subscriber retention/acquisition campaigns.”
“Nvidia’s position as the high-performance multi-core Apps processing leader will make it one of the cornerstones of these marketing campaigns,” Gauna said, adding that Nvidia is “largely agnostic to share shift among the carriers.”
Nvidia was trading at $19.50, up $0.87, or 4.64 percent, as of 2:49 PM EDT.
Source
Google (GOOG) Migrating Towards Verifone (PAY) Mobile Payments
In a move that will provide a consistent revenue stream for Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), it's near field communications (NFC) chips in Android phones will allow customers to make purchases on credit and debit cards at stores with Verifone (NYSE:PAY) terminals using MasterCard (NYSE:MA) and Citibank (NYSE:C).
Other competitors already with plans in place are Verizon (NYSE:VZ) and AT&T (NYSE:T), which are going to use Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) in the same manner.
The Street said, "If everything goes according to plan, Google's near field communications (NFC) chips in Android phones will allow customers to make purchases on credit and debit cards at stores with Verifone(PAY) terminals.
"The move is just the latest that pits Google against its telco partners in a race to new mobile revenue streams. In Google's case however, the budding mobile payment technology may be more of an intelligence-gathering process for its advertising business."
Expectations are Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is also ready to enter this segment of the market as well.
Google was trading at $581.51, up $1.77, or 0.31 percent, as of 1:55 PM EDT. veriFone is trading at $55.35, gaining $2.55, or 4.83 percent. Mastercard was $252.16, rising $4.46, or 1.80 percent. Citigroup was at $4.43, up $0.03, or 0.78 percent.
Source
Other competitors already with plans in place are Verizon (NYSE:VZ) and AT&T (NYSE:T), which are going to use Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) in the same manner.
The Street said, "If everything goes according to plan, Google's near field communications (NFC) chips in Android phones will allow customers to make purchases on credit and debit cards at stores with Verifone(PAY) terminals.
"The move is just the latest that pits Google against its telco partners in a race to new mobile revenue streams. In Google's case however, the budding mobile payment technology may be more of an intelligence-gathering process for its advertising business."
Expectations are Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is also ready to enter this segment of the market as well.
Google was trading at $581.51, up $1.77, or 0.31 percent, as of 1:55 PM EDT. veriFone is trading at $55.35, gaining $2.55, or 4.83 percent. Mastercard was $252.16, rising $4.46, or 1.80 percent. Citigroup was at $4.43, up $0.03, or 0.78 percent.
Source
RIM (RIMM) Says PlayBook Will Support Google (GOOG) Apps
Research In Motion (Nasdaq:RIMM), as expected by some, has officially announced its PlayBook tablet will support Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android apps.
As Motley Fool noted, "The bad news for BlackBerry fans is that the PlayBook will run app-player software that runs Android. This "non-native" approach typically creates a noticeable performance drag. What's more, Android apps for the PlayBook will be available only through RIM's BlackBerry App World, which is reputedly not user-friendly. RIM management probably understands the limited appeal of this approach, because it also announced tools to make it quick and inexpensive to adapt apps to run natively on the PlayBook."
They concluded, "RIM's decision underscores the challenge that Hewlett-Packard's (NYSE:HPQ) and Microsoft's (Nasdaq:MSFT) mobile devices - which also have differentiated operating systems - face in competing with Android and Apple's iOS. To be sure, HP has also touted quick, easy porting of apps to its webOS. But that strategy is more likely to keep it in the running than to propel it to a leading position."
Research in Motion closed Friday at $56.89, falling $7.20, or 11.23 percent.
As Motley Fool noted, "The bad news for BlackBerry fans is that the PlayBook will run app-player software that runs Android. This "non-native" approach typically creates a noticeable performance drag. What's more, Android apps for the PlayBook will be available only through RIM's BlackBerry App World, which is reputedly not user-friendly. RIM management probably understands the limited appeal of this approach, because it also announced tools to make it quick and inexpensive to adapt apps to run natively on the PlayBook."
They concluded, "RIM's decision underscores the challenge that Hewlett-Packard's (NYSE:HPQ) and Microsoft's (Nasdaq:MSFT) mobile devices - which also have differentiated operating systems - face in competing with Android and Apple's iOS. To be sure, HP has also touted quick, easy porting of apps to its webOS. But that strategy is more likely to keep it in the running than to propel it to a leading position."
Research in Motion closed Friday at $56.89, falling $7.20, or 11.23 percent.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Will Nokia (NOK) Surprise with Low Expectations?
Once the deal with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) was announced by Nokia to use Windows Phone 7 as its smartphone platform, they quickly went out of favor with investors, who had for some reason hoped they would have chosen Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android as the platform of choice.
As expected, the shares of the company were punished, with short- and long-term expectations very low.
That may have set the company up for success for the long haul, as the quality of the phones they make hasn't changed and the Windows Phone 7 platform has been highly thought of by those trying it out.
And in the North American and most other mature markets, Nokia has nowhere to go but up with their smartphone sales, and any percentage gain of market share will help the company, while they continue to serve emerging markets with less robust, but not less important, phones.
Even if investors don't think Nokia will turnaround any time soon, they can enjoy the dividend yield of 5.4 percent while they wait.
Taking into account the love affair many users have with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google in this sector, Nokia could be positioned to surprise, and it's highly probable that they do as the attention remains on these two companies, and to a lesser extent on RIM (NASDAQ:RIMM) and Motorola Mobility (NYSE:MMI).
Nokia closed Thursday at $8.45, gaining $0.07, or 0.84 percent.
As expected, the shares of the company were punished, with short- and long-term expectations very low.
That may have set the company up for success for the long haul, as the quality of the phones they make hasn't changed and the Windows Phone 7 platform has been highly thought of by those trying it out.
And in the North American and most other mature markets, Nokia has nowhere to go but up with their smartphone sales, and any percentage gain of market share will help the company, while they continue to serve emerging markets with less robust, but not less important, phones.
Even if investors don't think Nokia will turnaround any time soon, they can enjoy the dividend yield of 5.4 percent while they wait.
Taking into account the love affair many users have with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google in this sector, Nokia could be positioned to surprise, and it's highly probable that they do as the attention remains on these two companies, and to a lesser extent on RIM (NASDAQ:RIMM) and Motorola Mobility (NYSE:MMI).
Nokia closed Thursday at $8.45, gaining $0.07, or 0.84 percent.
Google (GOOG) Limiting Access to Next Android Version
When the next version of Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) hits the market, the company says in the beginning it will temporarily limit access to it, going against the grain of their previously stated open-source philosophy.
A Google representative said the software, which is dubbed Honeycomb and built specifically for tablets, won't be openly shared because it isn't yet ready to be altered and customized for a variety of devices.
The decision to delay the public release of Honeycomb will not affect device-making partners such as Samsung Electronics Co., Dell Inc., HTC Corp. and Acer Inc., which are expected to soon start releasing new tablets built with the software. Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. already launched the Xoom tablet last month.
"Google is trying to limit any damage potential by granting access to those companies that work well with Google in order to preserve the experience," Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said.
She said Google appears to be taking steps to protect its brand from low-cost hardware makers that might try to push aggressively into the tablet market by cutting corners and lowering prices.
Google closed Thursday at $586.89, gaining $4.73, or 0.81 percent.
Source
A Google representative said the software, which is dubbed Honeycomb and built specifically for tablets, won't be openly shared because it isn't yet ready to be altered and customized for a variety of devices.
The decision to delay the public release of Honeycomb will not affect device-making partners such as Samsung Electronics Co., Dell Inc., HTC Corp. and Acer Inc., which are expected to soon start releasing new tablets built with the software. Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. already launched the Xoom tablet last month.
"Google is trying to limit any damage potential by granting access to those companies that work well with Google in order to preserve the experience," Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi said.
She said Google appears to be taking steps to protect its brand from low-cost hardware makers that might try to push aggressively into the tablet market by cutting corners and lowering prices.
Google closed Thursday at $586.89, gaining $4.73, or 0.81 percent.
Source
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Amazon's (AMZN) Appstore Open for Business
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has launched is Amazon Appstore in the midst of some controversy, as it was sued by Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) over the use of the name App Store, saying it could confuse customers.
As for the store itself, Amazon will offer apps for smartphones and tablet computers running Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android operating system. The store offers paid and free apps from software developers of Android.
Aaron Rubenson, who heads up the Appstore's business operations, said the company decided on Android apps because of how quickly its growing.
Amazon also said they believe their experience at helping consumers find what they are looking for online will also help them to help customers find apps easier.
Amazon closed Wednesday at $165.32, gaining $2.72, or 1.67 percent.
As for the store itself, Amazon will offer apps for smartphones and tablet computers running Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android operating system. The store offers paid and free apps from software developers of Android.
Aaron Rubenson, who heads up the Appstore's business operations, said the company decided on Android apps because of how quickly its growing.
Amazon also said they believe their experience at helping consumers find what they are looking for online will also help them to help customers find apps easier.
Amazon closed Wednesday at $165.32, gaining $2.72, or 1.67 percent.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
HTC, Not (AAPL) (RIMM) (MMI) Top Smartphone Vendor in U.S.
In the fourth quarter there was a new company ruling the smartphone roost in the U.S., as Taiwan-based HTC surpassed major vendors like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), RIM (NASDAQ:RIMM) and Motorola (NYSE:MMI) with a 20 percent share of the market.
Apple and Blackberry fell to a market share of 19 percent each, while Motorola was fourth with a 16 percent market share, according to a report by NPD Group.
The remaining 26 percent U.S. smartphone share was spread among Samsung, LG, Nokia (NYSE:NOK) and HP/Palm (NYSE:HPQ), among others.
While HTC generated the majority of its sales in the fourth quarter from phones equipped with Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android platform, the thought is it was actually the debut of devices running Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Phone 7 that brought them to the No. 1 spot.
As for specific device sales, Apple is still No. 1, for 2010 with the iPhone 4 (16 and 32GB varieties combined) taking the top spot and its prior iPhone 3GS taking #2.
Apple and Blackberry fell to a market share of 19 percent each, while Motorola was fourth with a 16 percent market share, according to a report by NPD Group.
The remaining 26 percent U.S. smartphone share was spread among Samsung, LG, Nokia (NYSE:NOK) and HP/Palm (NYSE:HPQ), among others.
While HTC generated the majority of its sales in the fourth quarter from phones equipped with Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android platform, the thought is it was actually the debut of devices running Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Phone 7 that brought them to the No. 1 spot.
As for specific device sales, Apple is still No. 1, for 2010 with the iPhone 4 (16 and 32GB varieties combined) taking the top spot and its prior iPhone 3GS taking #2.
Microsoft's (MSFT) Barnes & Noble (BKS) Lawsuit Could Hinder Google (GOOG)
The lawsuit filed by Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) against Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE:BKS) and two manufacturers over Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android-based Nook e-reader could end up slowing down Google's reach into the segment.
Microsoft Corp. broadened its attack on Google Inc.'s Android software, filing patent infringement lawsuits Monday against Barnes & Noble Inc. and two manufacturers over the Android-based Nook e-reader.
In the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Microsoft said it is seeking triple damages based on willful patent infringement of five patents, plus legal costs and an injunction against further infringement. Microsoft said it also filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission, which has the power to bar imports of infringing products.
Barnes & Noble's Nook and Nook Color devices, which compete with Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle e-reader and various Sony Corp. devices, are based on Android, system software developed by Google first for smartphones and then for tablet computers. Microsoft also sued Motorola, a maker of Android-based smartphones, for patent infringement in October 2010. Motorola counter-sued in November.
Microsoft's lawsuits don't go after Google directly, but they could still hurt the Web search leader if device makers decide they don't want to pay to license Microsoft's technology or risk a legal tussle with the deep-pocketed software maker.
Microsoft closed Monday at $25.33, gaining $0.53, or 2.14 percent. Barnes & Noble closed at $9.26, up $0.37, or 4.16 percent. Google closed the session at $576.50, gaining $15.44, or 2.75 percent.
Source
Microsoft Corp. broadened its attack on Google Inc.'s Android software, filing patent infringement lawsuits Monday against Barnes & Noble Inc. and two manufacturers over the Android-based Nook e-reader.
In the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Microsoft said it is seeking triple damages based on willful patent infringement of five patents, plus legal costs and an injunction against further infringement. Microsoft said it also filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission, which has the power to bar imports of infringing products.
Barnes & Noble's Nook and Nook Color devices, which compete with Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle e-reader and various Sony Corp. devices, are based on Android, system software developed by Google first for smartphones and then for tablet computers. Microsoft also sued Motorola, a maker of Android-based smartphones, for patent infringement in October 2010. Motorola counter-sued in November.
Microsoft's lawsuits don't go after Google directly, but they could still hurt the Web search leader if device makers decide they don't want to pay to license Microsoft's technology or risk a legal tussle with the deep-pocketed software maker.
Microsoft closed Monday at $25.33, gaining $0.53, or 2.14 percent. Barnes & Noble closed at $9.26, up $0.37, or 4.16 percent. Google closed the session at $576.50, gaining $15.44, or 2.75 percent.
Source
Blackberry (RIMM) Broken Says Sanford Bernstein
Citing the current strength in overseas sales shrinking, Sanford Bernstein analyst Pierre Ferragu said “BlackBerry (NASDAQ:RIMM) is a broken brand,” and maintains an "Underperform" on the company.
While he's looking for the company's next quarter to be good, as well as the 1st quarter afterwards, he sees full year revenue for RIM dropping to about $23.4 billion, under the consensus of $23.8 billion.
Revenue for the fourth quarter, expected to be reported on Thursday, is projected by Ferragu to reach the high end of RIM’s forecast for $5.5 billion to $5.7 billion.
Noting surveys from 2010 by Bernstein, Ferragu says only about 43 percent of Blackberry owners will continue on with the platform, in contrast to 92% of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone owners and 87% of owners of Google‘s (NASDAQ:GOOG) “Android“-based phones.
Research in Motion closed at $62.17 on Monday, gaining $1.26, or 2.07 percent.
While he's looking for the company's next quarter to be good, as well as the 1st quarter afterwards, he sees full year revenue for RIM dropping to about $23.4 billion, under the consensus of $23.8 billion.
Revenue for the fourth quarter, expected to be reported on Thursday, is projected by Ferragu to reach the high end of RIM’s forecast for $5.5 billion to $5.7 billion.
Noting surveys from 2010 by Bernstein, Ferragu says only about 43 percent of Blackberry owners will continue on with the platform, in contrast to 92% of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone owners and 87% of owners of Google‘s (NASDAQ:GOOG) “Android“-based phones.
Research in Motion closed at $62.17 on Monday, gaining $1.26, or 2.07 percent.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Apple (AAPL) Tops in Smartphone Revenue
Even though Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL) is far behind market leader Nokia (NYSE:NOK) in global market share for smartphones, they are the leader in revenue generated for smartphones in 2010, according to a report from research firm Strategy Analytics.
"Apple commanded just 16% of the world's smartphone market volume in 2010, Strategy Analytics said, but took in the lion's share of revenue - 29% of all smartphone revenue. Apple shipped roughly 46 million iPhones during 2010; the company charges roughly $600 for its iPhone 4 - putting the iPhone's selling price at the very high end of the market," noted Motley Fool.
"Nokia, which ended the year with 34% smartphone market share, captured 20% of 2010 smartphone revenues, and Research In Motion (Nasdaq:RIMM), which had 16.7% share, took in 15% of smartphone revenues. Combined, the three biggest firms generated 64% of all smartphone revenues."
The research firm predicted that Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android smartphone sales will grow significantly in 2011, with players such as ZTE and Huawei crowding in with the likes of Samsung and HTC, particularly at the lower end of the market.
With the smartphone market still wide open and a lot of time to pass before the winners in the narrative emerge, there is already pressure on Apple in pricing, as Google enlarges its position with growing Android sales, which are lower in price and margins, but growing in numbers.
The global economy will be a big part of this story, as it continues to teeter, and appears to be worse than politicians around the world are willing to admit.
In that case, price will become a factor, and it could gravitate toward being more of a commodity sector, which would hurt Apple the most.
Apple was trading at $330.73, down $14.70, or 4.26 percent, as of 2:38 PM EDT. Google was at $557.63, falling $11.93, or 2.09 percent. Nokia was down to $7.90, dropping $0.16, or 1.99 percent.
"Apple commanded just 16% of the world's smartphone market volume in 2010, Strategy Analytics said, but took in the lion's share of revenue - 29% of all smartphone revenue. Apple shipped roughly 46 million iPhones during 2010; the company charges roughly $600 for its iPhone 4 - putting the iPhone's selling price at the very high end of the market," noted Motley Fool.
"Nokia, which ended the year with 34% smartphone market share, captured 20% of 2010 smartphone revenues, and Research In Motion (Nasdaq:RIMM), which had 16.7% share, took in 15% of smartphone revenues. Combined, the three biggest firms generated 64% of all smartphone revenues."
The research firm predicted that Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android smartphone sales will grow significantly in 2011, with players such as ZTE and Huawei crowding in with the likes of Samsung and HTC, particularly at the lower end of the market.
With the smartphone market still wide open and a lot of time to pass before the winners in the narrative emerge, there is already pressure on Apple in pricing, as Google enlarges its position with growing Android sales, which are lower in price and margins, but growing in numbers.
The global economy will be a big part of this story, as it continues to teeter, and appears to be worse than politicians around the world are willing to admit.
In that case, price will become a factor, and it could gravitate toward being more of a commodity sector, which would hurt Apple the most.
Apple was trading at $330.73, down $14.70, or 4.26 percent, as of 2:38 PM EDT. Google was at $557.63, falling $11.93, or 2.09 percent. Nokia was down to $7.90, dropping $0.16, or 1.99 percent.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Google (GOOG), Motorola Mobility’s (MMI) “Xoom” Sales Remain a Mystery
Conflicting reports on the number of sales of Motorola Mobility’s (MMI) “Xoom” tablet, which includes Google’s (GOOG) new version of its “Android” operating system, dubbed “Honeycomb,” continue to emerge, and it evidently won't be until earnings are reported by Motorola before we get the actual numbers.
Some have said sales are weak and others, like Verizon (NYSE:VZ), have said Xoom is selling "extremely well."
However, Trip Chowdhry with Global Equities Research today insists there’s a problem, writing that Xoom sales are “very weak,” with the tablet suffering from “poor software quality” in Honeycomb, and poor battery life.
As Chowdhry sees it, without citing specific sources for his conclusions, “Google Honeycomb is suffering from frequent application freezes and crashes,” and “the battery life is very inconsistent – lasts sometimes for 2 hours, and sometimes for 6 hours. The battery standby life is mere 10 – 12 hours vs. 30 days on Apple iPad.”
Further, Chowdhry sees numerous user interface issues: The “auto-wrap” on text is “completely missing” when text is magnified on screen, “which just shows, Google is missing attention to simple details.” i
Overall, the Honeycomb UI “is extremely complicated and confusing,” he writes, and, “users are frustrated” because the UI “just does not come naturally – you really have to work on it,” according to users he’s heard from.
Chowdhry’s conclusion is that Google’s approach of, “‘By the Geeks, For the Geeks, Of the Geeks’ will struggle to get mass adoption – probably will be relegated to Tech Community only.”
Motorola Mobility was trading at $26.93, down $0.23, or 0.86 percent, as of 12:48 PM EST.
Source
Some have said sales are weak and others, like Verizon (NYSE:VZ), have said Xoom is selling "extremely well."
However, Trip Chowdhry with Global Equities Research today insists there’s a problem, writing that Xoom sales are “very weak,” with the tablet suffering from “poor software quality” in Honeycomb, and poor battery life.
As Chowdhry sees it, without citing specific sources for his conclusions, “Google Honeycomb is suffering from frequent application freezes and crashes,” and “the battery life is very inconsistent – lasts sometimes for 2 hours, and sometimes for 6 hours. The battery standby life is mere 10 – 12 hours vs. 30 days on Apple iPad.”
Further, Chowdhry sees numerous user interface issues: The “auto-wrap” on text is “completely missing” when text is magnified on screen, “which just shows, Google is missing attention to simple details.” i
Overall, the Honeycomb UI “is extremely complicated and confusing,” he writes, and, “users are frustrated” because the UI “just does not come naturally – you really have to work on it,” according to users he’s heard from.
Chowdhry’s conclusion is that Google’s approach of, “‘By the Geeks, For the Geeks, Of the Geeks’ will struggle to get mass adoption – probably will be relegated to Tech Community only.”
Motorola Mobility was trading at $26.93, down $0.23, or 0.86 percent, as of 12:48 PM EST.
Source
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