Will LG be another competitor, beside Samsung to Apple? Or it will help by taking some of Samsung market share of Android phone?
LG to boost smartphone sales by 52%
SEOUL — LG Electronics intends to boost smartphone shipments by 52 per cent this year after a shift away from basic devices ended a streak of two straight annual losses at its phone-making division.
The company plans to sell 40 million smartphones this year, helped by rising demand in emerging markets, Mr Park Jong Seok, head of its mobile-communications division, said ahead of the Mobile World Congress, which starts today in Barcelona.
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/lg-boost...e-sales-52
The competition continue... now LG will soon to join the party.
Samsung confirms Galaxy SIV to launch on March 14
NEW YORK — Samsung has confirmed speculation that it is to launch its new smartphone – the much-anticipated Galaxy S IV – at an event in New York on March 14.
The Samsung Galaxy S IV model will step up competition in the crucial United States mobile phone market, and will be the first US launch of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy phone in three years.
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/gadgets/...h-march-14
Never ending negative story of Apple...
Apple to hand out iTunes credits in settlement
SAN JOSE (California) - Apple has agreed to give more than US$100 million (S$124 million) in iTunes store credits to settle a lawsuit alleging that the iPhone and iPad maker improperly charged kids for playing games on their mobile devices.
The 2-year-old case centers on allegations that Apple did not create adequate parental controls to prevent children from buying extra features while playing free games on iPhones and iPads in 2010 and 2011. Parents who filed the lawsuit in 2011 said they did not realise their children were racking up the charges until they received bills or other notifications after the purchases were made. The games that had been downloaded were designed for kids as young as 4 years old, according to the lawsuit.
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/apple-ha...settlement
Looking forward for the great stuff
Apple CEO to investors: ‘We have some great stuff coming’
CUPERTINO (California) — Apple CEO Tim Cook sought to reassure shareholders worried about the company’s sagging stock price that the iPhone and iPad maker is on the verge of inventing more breakthrough products that will prove it hasn’t lost its creative edge.
“The company is working as hard as ever, and we have some great stuff coming,” Cook told shareholders Wednesday before taking their questions during Apple’s annual meeting at its Cupertino, California, headquarters.
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/apple-ce...uff-coming
Apple named Fortune’s ‘most admired company’ for sixth year
NEW YORK — Apple has topped Fortune’s most admired companies list for the sixth consecutive year, with Google second and Amazon third.
Fortune said Apple “remains a financial juggernaut, posting US$13 billion (S$16.1 billion) in net income last quarter, making it the most profitable company in the world during that period. The company has its fanatical customer base, and it still refuses to compete on price”.
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/apple-na...sixth-year
Judge cuts Apple award from Samsung by more than 40 per cent, sets new damages trial
NEW YORK — Apple had a major setback in its ongoing mobile patents battle with Samsung on Friday, as a federal judge slashed a US$1.05 billion (S$1.3 billion) jury award by more than 40 per cent and set a new trial to determine damages.
Apple won the award last year against Samsung in what was the biggest and highest-profile of a number of legal trials around the world, centered on the use and alleged abuse of patents in a highly competitive mobile market.
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/judge-cu...ages-trial
More and more competitors are joining the party... Will Huawei make it to overtake Apple and Samsung?
Huawei plots to overtake Apple and Samsung
BARCELONA — In Barcelona last week, the annual Mobile World Congress had halls packed full with glossy stands from the world’s biggest technology brands.
More than 72,000 people filed past enormous booths from Samsung and Sony, as well as from those who make the innards of the mobile phones and tablets that are shaping a generation.
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/huawei-p...nd-samsung
Sony is the next one joining the party... beside Huawei
Sony aims for No 3 spot in smartphones
TOKYO — Sony said it aims to win third place in smartphone markets around the world behind Apple and Samsung, pitting it against Chinese companies Huawei Technology and and ZTE that are looking to become the third big player in mobile devices.
Sony will alter smartphone development for each market, Mr Kunimasa Suzuki, the head of Sony’s mobile business, said at a roundtable briefing in Tokyo, indicating that the Japanese company may produce cheaper models for developing nations.
http://www.todayonline.com/tech/sony-aim...martphones
395 mil - 137 mil = 258 mil
last profit 53 mil
think market is pricing in some really low growth.
Apple value falls below S$400 billion, as Warren Buffett says ‘ignore critics’
NEW YORK — Apple’s value fell below US$400 billion (S$497 billion) for the first time in a year yesterday, as the prominent investor Warren Buffett said the company should ignore its critics and stick to running its business.
At the close of business in New York, the tech giant’s stock price stood at US$420.05, a 52-week low, fuelling the demands of those who say it should pay back some of its US$137 billion cash pile to shareholders. The share price continued to fall in after-hours trading.
http://www.todayonline.com/business/appl...re-critics
As some critics have put it, Google has stolen Apple's Mojo.
Apple is going the Sony way, it started as market changer ( sorry i dont count it as an innovator) but now they have lost their vision with the loss of Steve Jobs. I dont see it going beyond $500 unless there is a major shift in how the company works. $137 billion in stash for an IT company which only spends less than 5% on R&D. something is not right!