Microsoft launched a redesigned MSN portal optimized for mobile phones on Sunday, stepping up its offering at a time when more powerful devices increase the demand for richer content on handsets.
U.S. mobile Internet use still represents only a fraction of computer-based Web usage, but technology heavyweights like Microsoft see increasingly powerful mobile phones and faster networks opening the door for new services and content.
Microsoft's new MSN Mobile portal -- http://mobile.msn.com -- offers news, sports information, entertainment features and access to services like e-mail, search, maps and instant messaging all on one page.When a user accesses the portal, the MSN platform detects the handset and optimizes the site for that device, adjusting things like font sizes for different screens.
The number of U.S. mobile Internet users is expected to more than triple to 110 million in 2011 from the current 32 million, according to Sterling Market Intelligence and Opus Research.
Microsoft faces a lot of competition in the space.Its Web competitors Google and Yahoo are trying to establish a mobile Internet presence while wireless carriers want to keep their consumers close with portals of their own.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
iPhones only at AT&T, Apple stores
Customers clamoring to get their hands on Apple Inc.'s highly anticipated iPhone better make sure they're at the right store.
The combination cell phone, media player and wireless Web device will only be sold at stores owned by Apple Inc. and AT&T Inc., which has an exclusive deal to offer service for the device when it's launched June 29. The device goes on sale at 6 p.m. local time in each U.S. market.
AT&T spokesman Fletcher Cook said the limited availability will only be for the initial launch. Later, it will be sold on the Internet and through other outlets.
AT&T owns 1,800 retail stores -- which it has been rebranding from Cingular since taking over complete ownership late last year -- but thousands of other franchise outlets carry the AT&T or Cingular name. In all, AT&T has 8,000 franchise outlets and retail carriers, though retailers usually carry AT&T competitors as well.
Cook said the AT&T-owned stores are branded that way, whereas other franchise outlets still carry the Cingular name.
The device, which uses a touch-sensitive screen rather than a keypad, has been hotly anticipated with more than 1 million people signing up with AT&T to receive notice when the device is available. Apple has not indicated how many units will be available at launch
The combination cell phone, media player and wireless Web device will only be sold at stores owned by Apple Inc. and AT&T Inc., which has an exclusive deal to offer service for the device when it's launched June 29. The device goes on sale at 6 p.m. local time in each U.S. market.
AT&T spokesman Fletcher Cook said the limited availability will only be for the initial launch. Later, it will be sold on the Internet and through other outlets.
AT&T owns 1,800 retail stores -- which it has been rebranding from Cingular since taking over complete ownership late last year -- but thousands of other franchise outlets carry the AT&T or Cingular name. In all, AT&T has 8,000 franchise outlets and retail carriers, though retailers usually carry AT&T competitors as well.
Cook said the AT&T-owned stores are branded that way, whereas other franchise outlets still carry the Cingular name.
The device, which uses a touch-sensitive screen rather than a keypad, has been hotly anticipated with more than 1 million people signing up with AT&T to receive notice when the device is available. Apple has not indicated how many units will be available at launch
Thursday, June 7, 2007
How key Telecom stocks are performing...
Most telecom stocks declined on Thursday amid a downturn in the broader market. Shares of AT&T Inc. fell more than 2 percent, after the prediction on Apple's iPhone sales. AT&T is the exclusive carrier for the iPhone.
Given the global buzz going into the iPhone launch, it is expected that competing U.S. carriers to launch a series of promotions to prevent users from switching to AT&T. Like Verizon, Sprint has increased the marketing of its music phones ahead of the iPhone launch, which is scheduled for June 29.
Given the global buzz going into the iPhone launch, it is expected that competing U.S. carriers to launch a series of promotions to prevent users from switching to AT&T. Like Verizon, Sprint has increased the marketing of its music phones ahead of the iPhone launch, which is scheduled for June 29.
Here is how some key telecom stocks performed Thursday:
AT&T, down 86 cents to $39.52
Sprint Nextel Corp., down 77 cents to $21.85
Verizon Communications Inc., down 33 cents to $42.59
Motorola Inc., down 44 cents to $17.69
Nokia Corp. American Depositary shares, down 55 cents to $27.67
Palm Inc., up 12 cents to $18.08
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Apple hits high on iPhone prediction
Shares of Apple set an all-time high on Tuesday after the speculation that the company's iPhone will be a hit because of its superior technology.
The iPhone, a combination cellular phone, digital music player and Web browser, will go on sale June 29. Robert Semple of Credit Suisse said consumers will "trade up" to the device because of its technology, multiple uses and trendiness. Those factors will overcome the $500 price tag, he said. According to him Mac operating system is the great differentiator in the iPhone, establishing an entirely new set of features and capabilities unavailable to current mobile phone customers today owing to the poor quality of existing operating systems.In his view, iPod buyers made a similar decision when buying the music player.
It is estimated that 5 million iPhones will be sold this year, and 15 million, worth $2.2 billion in revenue, in 2008. Apple has raised its price target to $140 per share from $120, implying the stock will rise more than 15 percent in the next year.
Shares gained 69 cents, to $122, and peaked at $122.68
The iPhone, a combination cellular phone, digital music player and Web browser, will go on sale June 29. Robert Semple of Credit Suisse said consumers will "trade up" to the device because of its technology, multiple uses and trendiness. Those factors will overcome the $500 price tag, he said. According to him Mac operating system is the great differentiator in the iPhone, establishing an entirely new set of features and capabilities unavailable to current mobile phone customers today owing to the poor quality of existing operating systems.In his view, iPod buyers made a similar decision when buying the music player.
It is estimated that 5 million iPhones will be sold this year, and 15 million, worth $2.2 billion in revenue, in 2008. Apple has raised its price target to $140 per share from $120, implying the stock will rise more than 15 percent in the next year.
Shares gained 69 cents, to $122, and peaked at $122.68
Monday, June 4, 2007
France Telecom's India Plans
France Telecom has shown interest in acquiring Mumbai based GTL's Enterprise Network and Managed Services businesses. France Telecom has very limited presence in India as of now and intends to make its corporate services business very big in India in the near future.
Apple's iPhone in the market on June 29
Apple's highly anticipated iPhone will be available from June 29 in the US. The combination cell phone, media player and wireless Web-surfing device will retail for $499 - $599 depending on the configuration. It will be offered exclusively in the US by AT&T's wireless division, formaerly known as Cingular. The iPhone sports no keypad but instead a touch-sensitive screen
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