Verizon Wireless recently said it’s happy with its smartphone lineup, but the rumor mills insist that Apple and Microsoft 
are planning devices for the wireless carrier. Verizon has confirmed talks with Apple and Microsoft has not disputed talks with Verizon, but any devices remain speculation.Earlier this week, news reports speculated that Apple might be developing two devices for Verizon. BusinessWeek cited sources “familiar with the negotiations” suggesting an iPhone lite with a lower price tag than the iPhone 3G AT&T sells, as well as a tablet-like media pad that might look like an iPod touch.
Next, a story emerged that Microsoft was preparing to launch a so-called iPhone-killer, the ZunePhone, through Verizon. The Windows Mobile device could be built by Sidekick, maker of the popular Danger phone. Microsoft acquired that company last year. Microsoft is not disputing talks with Verizon, with which it has a major mobile advertising deal, but said it’s not readying a ZunePhone.
Click here to read the rest of my story on CIOToday.
April 30th, 2009
In another positive earnings report for the wireless industry, Verizon Communications on Monday said its first-quarter profit rose 5.3 percent. Verizon’s wireless sales were up 29.6 percent, including gains from the Alltel acquisition. Adjusted for the acquisition, Verizon’s sales rose nine percent.The leading U.S. mobile-phone carrier added a healthy 1.3 million wireless customers in the quarter, not counting the subscribers it added when it acquired Alltel. Verizon’s subscriber wins in the first quarter outpaced AT&T’s 1.2 million, which surprised analysts given AT&T’s Apple iPhone advantage. Verizon ended the quarter with 86.6 million wireless subscribers.
In a possible further challenge to AT&T, USA Today reported Verizon and Apple were reported in talks about Apple’s iPhone. AT&T is the exclusive U.S. carrier for the iPhone, but only through next year.
Click here to read the rest of my story on NewsFactor.
April 29th, 2009
Amazon.com is setting the stage to take e-book readers to the next level. Lexcycle on Monday announced that it will be acquired by the e-commerce giant.Lexcycle is a year-old company that makes the iPhone e-book application Stanza. It’s a free application that works with the iPhone and the iPod touch and can be used to download a selection of more than 100,000 books and magazines. Lexcycle positions it as a wireless electronic library that stays open 24/7.
“It has been an amazing experience to see Stanza grow out of our brainstormed ideas into one of the most downloaded iPhone applications,” said Lexcycle founder Marc Prud’hommeaux. “Throughout this period we have attempted to listen to and innovate for our customers to provide a great e-book reading experience.”
Click here to read the rest of my story on NewsFactor.
April 29th, 2009
Microsoft on Tuesday released a private beta of its new Vine service. Vine aims to allow small groups of people to exchange important information quickly.Vine connects users to other people and places, lets them stay in touch with family and friends, and keeps them informed when someone needs help. Vine users can get involved to create neighborhoods, communities or causes. Users select the people and places they care about most, then rely on alerts, reports and a personal dashboard to stay in touch, informed and involved.
With Vine, Microsoft aims to create an inclusive network so anyone can ultimately participate through a social-networking application such as Twitter or Facebook or using e-mail, any computer connected to the Internet, or a mobile phone. Microsoft said it wants people to participate in the way that feels most natural to them and it will extend the tools on the site to accommodate user needs after the beta period. Currently, only a limited number of people can sign up for the beta testing.
Click here to read the rest of my story on NewsFactor.
April 29th, 2009
The For Sale by Owner (FSBO) industry took a 12 to 13 percent market share of real estate transactions nationwide in 2006, but in a weaker economic climate, every sell is a tough one, and going it alone may not be worth it.
Regardless of whether an agent’s 6 percent commission is at stake, South Florida remains one of the slowest markets in the nation.
Janice Leis, broker at Prudential Fox & Roach in Boca Raton, said a tough real estate market is no time for sellers to be penny pinchers.
“In a marketplace with a saturation of inventory, and a small window of opportunity seasonally, you want to stand out,” which a good agent can do better than most do-it-yourselfers, she said.
A recent report from Real IQ and Altos Research said the typical home in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties sits on the market for 193 days. Chicago is the second toughest market behind South Florida. The average home owner there posts a “for sale” sign in the yard for 180 days.
Click here to read the rest of my story on The Real Deal.
April 24th, 2009
