Blog articles from 01/2009

J&J, the world’s largest consumer and healthcare product company reported annual sales figures yesterday. CEO William Weldon told analysts that the company is prepared to make selected acquisitions to strengthen its position in the healthcare side. These are his words: “This economic environment creates opportunities we may never see again, so we need to be in a position to go after them.” To elaborate on his thoughts, Mr. Weldon indicated that two of the areas that...

Apple released its calendar year 4Q08 earnings this afternoon. Here is a quick recap of the numbers and growth I care most about: iPod: 22.7 million units for the quarter, slightly higher than my projected 21.9 million units. This gives Apple total sales of 55.3 million units in 2008, up 5% year over year. Average selling price dropped slightly from $150 to $149, indicating that holiday sales did not help Apple sell more high-end models. As a result, iPod revenues in 2008 dropped...

A free Web TV service, Babelgum Mobile combines the full-screen video quality of traditional television with the interactive and social networking capabilities of the Internet. Immediately launching a 6 month trial, Babelgum Mobile, a new Internet Mobile TV service allows Vodafone UK contract customers with mobile internet bundles to enjoy a wide range of video clips including film, music, comedy, animation, nature, travel and sports FREE of charge. This mobile application...

Technology leader in open content protection software, SecureMedia , will be providing the digital content protection for Sezmi's redefined TV stands out from the traditional television offerings with a highly personalized, intuitive user experience at an affordable cost. With a line-up of content from broadcast networks, cable networks, internet video, and on-demand movies and TV shows, Sezmi is the first to directly combine a broadband experience with traditional broadcast and...

Rallypoint's sports widgets for TV were one of the coolest things at the CES this year.Fantasy sports fanatics will find ultimate heaven in Rallypoint's solutions. Imagine getting real time updates on all of your fantasy players on your TV screen in real time as you watch your favorite show or game on television. Add on the ability to order pizza without leaving the comfort of your couch or letting go of the coveted remote. Users can also chat with their contacts via the widget....

V erizon Wireless is expected to offer femtocell products to its subscribers starting the 25th of this month. The product will likely be priced at $250 per unit without any contractual obligations. That seems to be a steep price to pay for just enhanced coverage. The details of what else would be included as a part of the femtocell purchase are not yet clear. If it is just better coverage and (possibly) unlimited calling for a monthly fee, I doubt VZ will get much traction with the...

Converged voice and data applications will reduce subscriber churn and increase operators’ ARPU-- A new report from Parks Associates finds worldwide growth in the number of 3G subscribers will motivate service providers, under pressure to maintain customer satisfaction and build revenues, to expand on traditional voice offerings to include converged fixed-mobile services. Fixed-Mobile Convergence: Consumers and Business Models predicts that the number of 3G subscribers will...

It looks like the home networking industry is partying like it's 1999 ... all over again. The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) has announced the creation of the ATIS Home Networking (HNET) Forum. With the Forum’s creation, ATIS now houses the single, centralized body responsible for comprehensively addressing home networking standards. ATIS’ HNET Forum is unique in that it’s the only body to holistically assess the wide variety of on-going home...