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Tablets
January 13, 2012
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Apple reportedly began iPad 3 production this month [updated]

By on January 13, 2012 at 4:16 PM.

Apple reportedly began iPad 3 production this month [updated]

Apple has reportedly already started production of its next-generation iPad 3 tablet. Bloomberg broke the news on Twitter on Friday afternoon, though it did not immediately provide any further details. The iPad 3 is expected to feature a slightly thicker case, twice the battery life of the current iPad 2 model, and a 1,536 x 2,048-pixel HD display. The most recent rumors have suggested that Apple will release the new tablet in March.

UPDATE: Bloomberg flushed out its preliminary report, claiming that the iPad 3 will support 4G LTE. The site also claims to have confirmed that the new iPad will feature a new HD display and a faster quad-core processor, in line with numerous earlier reports. Factories are also said to be running 24 hours a day in an effort to create as much stock as possible before launch.

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Business
May 17, 2011
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CenturyLink likely buyer of Sprint following AT&T-Mobile merger apocalypse

By on May 17, 2011 at 1:32 PM.

CenturyLink likely buyer of Sprint following AT&T-Mobile merger apocalypse

In a Congressional appearance last week, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse explained just why his company objects to the proposed $39 billion AT&T and T-Mobile merger. Aside from his previously expressed grievances — that the merger would create a wireless duopoly and stifle competition — Hesse also noted another possible paradigm: the deal could lead to Sprint being bought or acquired as well. “The most likely buyer is CenturyLink, the biggest company in telecommunications without a wireless unit,” writes Bloomberg, quoting industry analysts. Other potential Sprint buyers on the publication’s post-merger hit-list include Comcast Communications — a company that might be interested in bundling home internet, phone and cable services with wireless offerings. Most analysts agree that a Sprint purchase would come at least two full-quarters after the AT&T and T-Mobile deal has been finalized, although the idea of the Now Network being procured is still very speculative. Representatives from Sprint, CenturyLink, and Comcast all declined to comment on the report. More →

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Mobile
April 14, 2011
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New York City mayor dubs April 16th 'Foursquare Day'

By on April 14, 2011 at 8:01 PM.

New York City mayor dubs April 16th 'Foursquare Day'

Multiple cities have signed on to celebrate “Foursquare Day” on April 16th, but none as prominently as New York City. NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has declared April 16th “Foursquare Day” in New York City to celebrate the company and its success — but also to attract new startups to the area. “There is no better place than New York City to start a business,” Bloomberg’s office said. “We are the most exciting and most dynamic place on the market, an international capital of the arts, fashion, and finance. With Foursquare leading the way, we look forward to this generation’s innovators and entrepreneurs making their mark on our City in the years to come.” Foursquare was founded in New York City in 2007 by co-founders Dennis Crowley and Naveen Selvadurai, and the company currently keeps its headquarters there. The social network says it has over 8 million users worldwide and adds roughly 35,000 users each day. If you haven’t tried it yet yet, you’re not too late. The latest version launched early last month and added a ton of useful features, including better specials. Oh, and if you’re wondering why Bloomberg chose the 16th specifically, it’s because four squared is 16 (and April is the fourth month). More →

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Business
April 13, 2011
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Bloomberg: Nokia's retooling could lead to 6,000 lost jobs

By on April 13, 2011 at 1:39 PM.

Bloomberg: Nokia's retooling could lead to 6,000 lost jobs

A report filed by Bloomberg paints a grim picture for Nokia Oyj workers the world over. With an announced and looming restructuring in the works, the publication writes that “a reduction in research and development activities is set to be announced by the end of the month” and that “as many as 6,000 jobs” could be cut. Back in February — just days before Mobile World Congress — the company’s new CEO, Stephen Elop, announced that Nokia would adopt Microsoft’s recently released Windows Phone operating system on future smartphones. The announcement also noted that the company would begin to sunset development, support, and research activities centered around the Symbian and MeeGo operating systems — the two mobile operating systems currently utilized by Nokia phones. This reduction in activity translates into a surplus of unneeded, full-time job positions. At the close of 2010, Nokia employed 58,642 people in its handset organisation — 16,134 work in research and development. The company has over 16,000 workers located in Finland, and accounts for just north of 2% of that country’s total gross domestic product.

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Tablets
April 4, 2011
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Bloomberg: Sony Honeycomb tablet to launch in U.S. by summer’s end

By on April 4, 2011 at 8:52 PM.

Bloomberg: Sony Honeycomb tablet to launch in U.S. by summer’s end

Over the weekend, Bloomberg filed a very brief report stating that electronics manufacturer Sony will soon test the Android-tablet waters. Citing statements made by the company’s CEO to Japanese newspaper Nikkei, the publication writes: “Sony Corp. plans to release a tablet computer by the end of summer [...] the tablet will run Google Inc.’s Android 3.0 Honeycomb software, and will be sold in the U.S. market first.” The company, through its partnership with Ericsson, has plenty of experience with Android handsets. Whether or not Sony can break into the highly-competitive U.S. tablet market will be the $1 million question. More →

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Apps & Software
March 31, 2011
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Android loses more ‘open’ cred as Google fights fragmentation

By on March 31, 2011 at 8:27 AM.

Android loses more ‘open’ cred as Google fights fragmentation

According to a report filed by Bloomberg Businessweek, Google is beginning to shorten the proverbial leash that Android licensees are currently attached to. Citing “dozens” of industry executives working at “key companies in the Android ecosystem,” the publication writes that Google will need to approve the future Android-plans of its software partners in exchange for early access to upcoming builds of the mobile operating system. “There will be no more willy-nilly tweaks to the software,” reads the report. “No more partnerships formed outside of Google’s purview.” More →

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Mobile
March 30, 2011
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NFC-enabled Windows Phones could go on sale this year, report suggests

By on March 30, 2011 at 1:02 PM.

NFC-enabled Windows Phones could go on sale this year, report suggests

According to Bloomberg, Microsoft is working on a Windows Phone update that will bring mobile payments to its fledgling smartphone operating system. Citing two anonymous sources, the publications writes that the company “plans to include mobile-payment technology in new versions of its operating system for smartphones as part of an effort to narrow Google Inc.’s lead in handset software,” and “the first devices boasting these features may be released this year.” The report suggests that the company’s mobile payments solution will be based on NFC (Near Field Communications) technology, meaning that new phones with NFC hardware would also have to be released. The world’s largest phone manufacturer, Nokia, has committed to Microsoft’s smartphone operating system for future devices. The Finnish company has been experimenting with, and using, NFC in its phones for many years, which can’t hurt Microsoft’s chances of success. More →

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Mobile
March 14, 2011
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Bloomberg: Microsoft to discontinue the Zune

By on March 14, 2011 at 5:59 PM.

Bloomberg: Microsoft to discontinue the Zune

According to Bloomberg’s Dina Bass, Microsoft will discontinue selling its Zune music player sometime this year. Launched in 2006, the Zune was Microsoft’s response to Apple’s iPod music player and offered us our first look at the Metro UI — the user interface now present on Windows Phone devices. According to Bass, the company will refocus its efforts on the Zune software; working to improve its functionality and usefulness on devices running Microsoft’s new mobile operating system. Microsoft declined to directly comment on the device’s future. “We have nothing to announce about another Zune device,” said a company spokesperson. “Our long-term strategy focuses on the strength of the entire Zune ecosystem across Microsoft platforms.” Zune hardware — the Zune HD — was last refreshed in September of 2009. More →

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Apps & Software
March 7, 2011
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Microsoft paid more than $1 billion to keep Nokia away from Android?

By on March 7, 2011 at 5:11 PM.

Microsoft paid more than $1 billion to keep Nokia away from Android?

According to a report filed by Bloomberg, Windows Phone maker Microsoft will pay Finnish handset manufacturer Nokia more than $1 billion as part of the two companies “smartphone software agreement.” The publication cites “two people with knowledge of the terms,” and goes on to note that Nokia will be responsible for paying Microsoft a “fee for each copy of Windows [Phone] used.” It’s widely assumed that the purported agreement, and fee, were part of Microsoft’s campaign to keep Android off of Nokia hardware. The duration of the deal is being reported as “over five years.” Nokia’s CEO, Stephen Elop, has publicly stated that he wants Nokia branded hardware running Windows Phone software in market before the close of 2011. More →

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Mobile
February 10, 2011
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Apple working on smaller, cheaper iPhone model to compete with Android

By on February 10, 2011 at 5:13 PM.

Apple working on smaller, cheaper iPhone model to compete with Android

Bloomberg is reporting that Apple, Inc. is working on a smaller, cheaper iPhone model to compete with the army of affordable handsets currently utilizing Google’s Android operating system. The report cites several anonymous sources “briefed on the matter” and claims that the company is looking to sell this new device for around $200 unsubsidized. The article also notes that Apple could be working on “technology that makes it easier to use the iPhone on multiple wireless networks”; we presume this is the SIM-less iPhone that was rumored months ago. A $200, carrier agnostic iPhone? It doesn’t sound all that much like Apple, but then again… if the iMaker wants to thwart the mighty Android, they’re going to have to think different. More →

88 Comments
Gaming
January 19, 2011
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Bloomberg: PSP2 coming January 27th; Xperia Play in February

By on January 19, 2011 at 7:57 PM.

Bloomberg: PSP2 coming January 27th; Xperia Play in February

According to Bloomberg, citing “two people familiar with the matter,” Sony and Sony Ericsson will be releasing the PSP2 and Xperia Play smartphone in January and February respectively. The publication writes that the updated iteration of the company’s popular mobile gaming console will be released on January 27th; the company will also “outline a strategy to use its networked entertainment services to share games, movies and music among handheld products, TVs and other devices.” The article goes on to note that the Xperia Play handset, which has been anything but a secret, should get unveiled in February at Mobile World Congress. Unsurprisingly, Sony declined to comment on the report when contacted by Bloomberg. More →

12 Comments
Tablets
November 10, 2010
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Bloomberg: RIM to sell Playbook in Q1 2011, under $500

By on November 10, 2010 at 7:47 AM.

Bloomberg: RIM to sell Playbook in Q1 2011, under $500

Bloomberg is reporting that RIM’s Co-CEO, Jim Balsillie, indicated his company’s Playbook tablet would be available in North American markets in Q1 of 2011 for under $500. The $500 price point is notable for the industry as it is where Apple’s 16GB Wi-Fi iPad currently sits. The report also noted that “RIM may sell the Playbook through retail stores of Target Corp. and Best Buy Co.” and that the device would be available globally in Q2 of 2011. There you have it, a sub-$500, BlackBerry tablet waiting in the wings. Who’s excited? More →

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General
October 26, 2010
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Sergey Brin and Larry Page featured on Thursday’s ‘Bloomberg Game Changers’

By on October 26, 2010 at 12:29 PM.

Sergey Brin and Larry Page featured on Thursday’s ‘Bloomberg Game Changers’

If ever there were two contemporary corporate giants worthy of the title “game changer”, Google Co-Founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page fit the bill. Those interested in the story that started as a research project at Stanford University in 1996 and exploded into the behemoth Internet (and beyond) company we know, love and fear today, Bloomberg Television has you covered. Bloomberg TV’s original 11-part documentary series “Bloomberg Game Changers” will cover the two Googlers this Thursday at 9:00 pm ET in an hour-long special that includes interviews with Brin and Page’s college professors as well as Google’s first employee, Craig Silverstein. Hit the jump for a video preview and then set your DVR boxes post haste. More →

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