Editor’s Note: Related tickers: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is in talks with several cable companies over a comprehensive TV service, a plan which has been going back and forth for quite some time. According to former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Lessin, the company plans on pitching a premium TV service that allows not only the streaming of live cable but will also allow users to skip through commercial breaks via their Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) TV set-top box or TV. The project has been slow-moving over the course of a year with Apple seeking the rights from cable companies and television networks for a TV service. How does Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) plan to clear add skipping with cable providers and ad companies? Simple, it will be paying the cost of all skipped commercials out of its pocket.
Apple To Buy Company Responsible for Microsoft Kinect Technology for $280 Million (HNGN)
It appears Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is looking to make a move toward 3D sensor technology, or at least that’s the idea people are getting form its latest plan to acquire Israeli based fables semiconductor company Primesense, best known for making the technology behind Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Xbox’s Kinect. According to local newspaper Calcalist, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has offered to buy the company for $280 million following discussions over the embedding of its technology inside Apple products. In the past, Primesense has worked with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) to include its technology, chips and designs inside the first Kinect accessory for the Xbox 360. Since that time, the Xbox’s Kinect has taken off and become a pillar of in-home entertainment as well as the focal point of the new Xbox One design with almost full integration of Kinect into every aspect of the next generation console’s workings.
$3.7M tablet? CEO of Russia’s largest company wants one (WralTechWire)
OAO Gazprom, Russia’s biggest company, ordered a tablet computer for Chief Executive Officer Alexey Miller, with a maximum price tag of 119.7 million rubles ($3.7 million). OOO Gazprom Inform, a unit of the Moscow-based natural-gas exporter, has announced a tender to design a tablet based on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS operating system, that matches the functionality as Miller’s desktop personal computer, Gazprom said in tender documentation, posted on its website today. The gadget should be guaranteed to start within no more than five seconds as well as support 3G, GPRS and Wi-Fi.
BlackBerry may now be stuck in a no-win situation (BGR)
With Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s comeback momentum seemingly stalled, many analysts have started coming up with ideas for how the company can survive if its current plan to take on iOS and Android with BlackBerry 10 falls apart. Barron’s points us to a new research note from Nomura Equity Research analyst Stuart Jeffrey, who says that the company may have painted itself into an unprofitable corner because its longtime business model simply doesn’t give it the flexibility to remake itself. In particular, he says that Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s current market share will never be enough to attract enough app developers and, unlike Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), the company doesn’t have the resources to simply pay off developers en masse to bring over their apps.
BBM Voice now available for all BlackBerry users (TheMobileIndian)
Along with the launch of Blackberry Q5 smartphone in India, Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) has also announced the availability of Blackberry Messenger Voice (BBM Voice) for all Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) smartphone users. The users of BlackBerry smartphones with Blackberry OS 5 and above will now be able to use BBM Voice for free. BBM Voice is the voice-enabled chat messenger, which essentially allows a user to talk or send voice messages to any of his or her BBM contacts over WiFi. This announcement is a good move by Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) for users who are still using older generation Blackberry smartphone and also for the sales of Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) smartphones based on OS 7.
Nokia Lumia 1020 pre-order goes live in the US (DigitalSpy)
Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)‘s Lumia 1020 smartphone, which boasts a 41-megapixel camera, has now gone live for pre-order on AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) in the US. The device, which is pegged for a July 25 launch in the US, is still to have a UK release date confirmed. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)’s order page lists availability of yellow, black and white versions of the phone, all with 32GB of internal storage. The Nokia Lumia 1020 uses a cutting-edge 41-megapixel camera, which apart from Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)’s own previous release PureView 808, is unparalleled in the world of smartphones. Pricing for the phone is currently listed without a contract at $658.99, which translates to roughly £440, although UK pricing is still to be confirmed.
Nokia to offer relevant innovations to maintain momentum (ET)
Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) on Tuesday said it would continue to offer relevant innovations to the 18-24-year-old consumers at affordable price points to maintain momentum in the smartphone category. Launching Nokia Asha 501, the new generation of smartphones to run on Asha Platform, Viral Oza, Director Marketing, Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) India said the digital consumer would get a better experience through the new offering. The handset that works on the principle of fast swipe has majority of applications developed by Indian developers.
