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Apple CEO Steve Jobs takes medical leave (AP) : Technet |
- Apple CEO Steve Jobs takes medical leave (AP)
- Goldman Sachs limits Facebook private offering (AP)
- Groupon CEO apologizes to Japanese customers (AP)
- Rumors point to dual-core processors, improved graphics for new iPad, iPhone (Ben Patterson)
- Steve Jobs taking another medical leave, COO Tim Cook in charge (Ben Patterson)
- CES 2011 wrap-up (Digital Trends)
- The Week in iPhone 4 cases: CES edition (Macworld)
- New app will give voice to Sept. 11 oral histories (AP)
- Facebook's Ad Revenue Hit $1.86B for 2010 (Mashable)
- Jobs takes medical leave from Apple; Cook steps in for day-to-day operations (Appolicious)
- Consumer Reports Wary Of 'Middle-Aged' Verizon iPhone (NewsFactor)
- Goldman to exclude U.S. investors from Facebook offering (Reuters)
- HP Launches Live Improv Comedy Show on YouTube (Mashable)
- Asian tech shares rally on recovery prospects (Reuters)
- HP Will Show 'Future of webOS' with Tablet and More (NewsFactor)
- Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Targets Salesforce (NewsFactor)
| Apple CEO Steve Jobs takes medical leave (AP) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 03:16 PM PST SEATTLE – Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs, the charismatic frontman for the company that overturned the smart phone industry and invented a new category of tablet computers, is taking a second medical leave of absence in two years. In the last decade, Jobs, 55, has survived a rare but curable form of pancreatic cancer and undergone a liver transplant. The news that he will again step down from his day-to-day role raises serious questions about the CEO's health. But analysts believe the company Jobs shepherded from garage startup to a $65 billion technology trendsetter is in good hands with the current slate of talented executives — even as Apple, now the Silicon Valley player to beat, faces increasing competition. Jobs has played the role of industry oracle, seeming to know what consumers want even before they do. He is also known as a demanding and hands-on leader who is involved in even the smallest details of product development. Investors have pinned much of their faith in the company on Jobs himself, sending shares tumbling on every bit of news or rumor of his ailing health. For now, very little is known about Jobs' current condition. Apple did not provide any information beyond a six-sentence note from Jobs to employees announcing his leave, leaving unanswered questions about whether the CEO is acutely ill, whether the leave is related to his 2009 liver transplant or whether he is at home or in a hospital. Unlike Jobs' 2009 leave of absence, when he vowed to return to work in just under six months, Jobs did not say in the note made public Monday how long he would be on leave this time. He said he will continue as CEO and will be involved in major decisions. Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook will be responsible for all day-to-day operations. "I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can," Jobs wrote. "In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy." The company announced Jobs' leave a day before the company is set to report quarterly earnings. U.S. stock markets were closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. In Europe, investors reacted sharply and Apple's shares closed in Frankfurt a staggering 6.6 percent lower at 243 euros ($323.02). While some analysts expect Apple shares to sink Tuesday in the U.S., many believe the company can function successfully even without Jobs in the corner office full-time — even with Apple at the forefront of a new revolution in personal computing. In 2010, investors seemingly grew accustomed to Jobs' extreme thinness, focusing instead on the early success of the iPad with consumers. Shares increased 53 percent last year to top $300. With Apple no doubt polishing the second version of the iPad and competition among tablet makers expected to heat up this year and next, some stockholders may fear that without Jobs, Apple could lose its lead to tablets running Google Inc.'s Android software or Microsoft Corp.'s Windows. Analysts believe Apple has plans for several years' worth of products in the pipeline. And Cook, who is seen as a logical eventual successor to Jobs, is no stranger to investors. He ran the Cupertino, Calif.-based company for two months in 2004 while Jobs battled pancreatic cancer, and again in 2009 during Jobs' most recent medical leave. Apple chugged along smoothly then, releasing a new version of the iPhone and updated laptops on schedule. Since Cook, 50, began with Apple in 1998, he has been credited with tuning Apple's manufacturing process to solve chronic product delays and supply problems. "Steve is clearly still the visionary behind Apple," said Tim Bajarin of Creative Strategies, who has been covering Apple for decades. But, Bajarin said, Cook "understands the way Steve thinks, how Steve manages. He understands Steve's vision and probably more important than anything else, he understands Apple. And I don't see any changes in direction or vision or execution even though Steve's not day-to-day." Apple's products can command a premium in part because of the design and the materials, choices made by Jonathan Ive, Apple's top design executive, and his team. Ive has been with Apple since 1996 and has overseen the industrial design of the iPod, the aluminum-body Macbook laptops, the iPhone and the iPad. "He's responsible for the look and feel of the stores, the products, the software. And no slight to Tim (Cook), but we think he's the most important person in the company," said Shaw Wu, an analyst for Kaufman Bros. Without more information about Jobs' medical condition, it's impossible to say when the CEO might be able to return to work — if at all. Apple has a history of extreme secrecy when it comes to the iconic CEO's health, disclosing major illnesses only after the fact. The company waited until after Jobs underwent surgery in 2004 to treat a very rare form of pancreatic cancer — an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor — before alerting investors. That type of cancer can be cured if diagnosed early, unlike the deadlier and more common adenocarcinoma. By 2008, Jobs had lost a noticeable amount of weight, but Apple attributed his gaunt appearance to a "common bug." In January 2009, Jobs issued a statement saying the weight loss was caused by a hormone imbalance, and that the treatment was simple. He backtracked less than two weeks later, however, announcing a six-month medical leave. During that time, he received a liver transplant that came to light two months after it was performed. Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in Memphis, which performed Jobs' 2009 transplant, said Monday that he is not a patient. It declined to comment on his current condition. Medical experts who do not treat Jobs can make some educated guesses. Dr. Michael Poryako, medical director of liver transplantation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, listed a slew of conditions that might be affecting Jobs, including jaundice and kidney and vascular problems — not to mention side effects from the immunosuppressant drugs patients take following an organ transplant. However, he said it's unlikely Jobs' body is rejecting his liver two years after the transplant. "If the liver is functioning appropriately, people tend to return to normal muscle mass and normal physiologic functioning, which makes them feel better and look better," he said. Dr. Roderich Schwarz, director of surgical oncology at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center, said it is possible cancer has invaded Jobs' new liver. Schwarz, who also has not treated Jobs, said it's possible the CEO is also having problems linked to his initial surgery targeting the pancreas, which controls key digestive enzymes. Apple's board members approved Jobs' request for medical leave. Most did not immediately return messages seeking comment. Arthur Levinson, chairman of Genentech, declined to comment. Millard Drexler, CEO of J. Crew Group, was unavailable for comment, according to a spokeswoman. Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore referred a reporter to Apple's press office. ___ AP Technology Writers Dana Wollman in New York and Rachel Metz in San Francisco and AP Business Writer Sandy Shore in Denver contributed to this report. |
| Goldman Sachs limits Facebook private offering (AP) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 02:20 PM PST NEW YORK – Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has prohibited U.S. investors from participating in a private offering expected to raise up to $1.5 billion for social networking site Facebook, citing widespread media coverage that could run afoul of securities guidelines. The investment bank said Monday it decided to restrict the fund to prospective shareholders in Asia and Europe because it determined that the news coverage could be inconsistent with the laws that govern private placements. In a statement, Goldman Sachs said it made the decision on its own and "believes this is the most prudent path to take." Although Goldman Sachs did not specify which laws it was concerned about, the Securities and Exchange Commission has guidelines that regulate the amount of solicitation and publicity that is allowed in connection with a private placement. The development comes after Goldman Sachs and a Russian investor invested $500 million in the privately held social networking site earlier this month. The bank set up the offshore fund, which initially was to have been available to investors in the United States. Goldman Sachs has declined to specify when the offering may close. It is expected to raise as much as $1.5 billion for the privately held Facebook, the world's largest Internet social network. The Wall Street Journal, which reported the decision to exclude U.S. clients from the private offering on Monday, said about $7 billion in orders have been received, citing a person who was familiar with the situation who was not identified. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, 26, has been in no hurry to take the company public, partly because he hoped to preserve a free-wheeling culture. |
| Groupon CEO apologizes to Japanese customers (AP) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 06:33 AM PST TOKYO – The chief executive of Groupon, the rapidly growing online coupon provider, apologized to Japanese customers Monday for a New Year's deal gone wrong that highlighted the difficulties the company faces in managing its global expansion. In a subtitled video message uploaded onto YouTube, the company's founder and CEO Andrew Mason acknowledged that the company had "really messed up" and outlined steps it was taking to rebuild its tarnished image in Japan. Mason attributed the latest misstep to similar growing pains that the Chicago-based company has felt in the U.S. Groupon has expanded quickly since launching two years ago. It owns the Internet's largest ad network and its daily discounts now reach about 50 million subscribers in 35 countries. Last week it secured a nearly $1 billion investment to fund its growth. "We created Groupon to help enrich people's lives by bringing new exciting experiences to them," he said. "So when we do the opposite, as we have in this case, it really hurts." The blunder that prompted Mason's apology involved a deal for delivery of "osechi," which is a traditional New Year's meal. Osechi usually includes a variety of Japanese dishes painstakingly prepared and beautifully presented. Unfortunately, some customers who paid 10,500 yen ($127) for this particular bargain were left feeling like they had been duped. Many of the 500 osechi sets sold arrived late, while others' meals were in "terrible condition," Mason said. In an explanation earlier this month, Groupon Japan said the sets didn't match the picture or description provided by the restaurant, Bird Cafe, which was overwhelmed by the volume. Angry customers took to the Internet, posting pictures of the underwhelming delivery on message boards, triggering a slew of criticism and bad publicity for the company. Groupon subsequently refunded customers' money and offered them vouchers worth 5,000 yen. Groupon — a fusion of "group" and "coupon" — combines social media with collective buying clout to offer deals on products, services and cultural events in local markets. Promotions are activated only after a certain number of people in a given city sign up. Last week, it completed its biggest deal so far: a $950 million investment that will help finance further growth and enrich its current shareholders, including some of its employees. The infusion came less than two weeks after the company outlined its plans to raise the money in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Mason said Groupon has developed capacity planning formulas to help businesses determine just how many customers they can handle and how many deals they should offer. The system is available in the U.S. and other countries but had not been introduced in Japan. "Basically because the popularity of Groupon Japan has grown so quickly it took us off guard," he said. "We weren't expecting to run into this problem so quickly." Groupon entered the Japanese market in August when it bought Qpod Inc. for an undisclosed price. Mason said his company has begun teaching its Japan staff on capacity planning and will implement similar training in other countries "as soon as we launch." |
| Rumors point to dual-core processors, improved graphics for new iPad, iPhone (Ben Patterson) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 01:26 PM PST Even as the tech world came to grips with the troubling news Monday that Steve Jobs will take his second leave of absence in just two years, the iOS rumor mill continues to grind, with new, dual-core versions of the iPhone and iPad still expected to arrive in the coming months. The latest word has it that new versions of the iPhone and the iPad are in line for a souped-up, dual-core version of Apple's A4 system-on-a-chip, with AppleInsider reporting that the new chipset will boast far more processing and graphics power than the original — perfect, it would seem, for powering a new 2048-by-1536 iPad display (as per MacRumors), not to mention 1080p video and HDMI support for the iPad and iPhone, and perhaps even for a third-generation Apple TV. While details about the expected iPhone 5 and a new Apple TV are still sketchy for now, Engadget recently repeated many of the whispers we've heard about the still-unannounced iPad 2 — namely, that it will probably be "thinner, sleeker" and add features like dual cameras, FaceTime video chat, and a slot for SD memory cards. The Engadget bloggers also add that a new iPhone is undergoing testing, and that a revamped Apple TV is indeed in the works. None of these details have been confirmed by Apple, of course, but the latest rumors â€" including the chatter about dual-core processors and GPUs for the iPad and iPhone â€" make sense, given all the dual-core Android smartphones and tablets we saw at CES a couple of weeks ago. In its original post, Engadget also noted that it "seems likely" that the iPad 2 (or whatever it ends up being called) is on track to arrive in April, about a year after the first iPad went on sale. Of course, that was before we learned the sad news Monday that Steve Jobs will be taking another medical leave of absence. But with Tim Cook, Apple's capable COO, set to take charge of Apple's day-to-day operations (as he did the last two times Jobs took medical time off), and with major devices like the iPad and iPhone typically seeing product cycles measured in months and even years — meaning it's a good bet that the next-generation iPad is pretty much finished at this point — my guess is that the iPad 2 and the revamped iPhone will be unveiled on schedule, although perhaps not by Steve Jobs himself. Related: — Ben Patterson is a technology writer for Yahoo! News. |
| Steve Jobs taking another medical leave, COO Tim Cook in charge (Ben Patterson) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 06:22 AM PST Almost two years to the day after Steve Jobs took a six-month medical leave from the company, the Apple CEO has requested — and was granted — another leave of absence from Apple's board of directors. Jobs will stay on as CEO, but will give Tim Cook, chief operations officer at Apple, the reins in terms of "day-to-day" operations. The startling news hit the wire Monday morning, a day before Apple's quarterly earnings call, with the company issuing a statement with an e-mail from Jobs to Apple employees:
It wasn't immediately clear what prompted Jobs to take another medical leave, with Apple issuing no details as to the CEO's condition. That said, it's obviously no secret that the 55-year-old Jobs has looked frail—sometimes alarmingly so—in the past few years, with the Apple co-founder taking an earlier leave of absence back in January 2009, leaving Cook in charge. That medical leave ended up lasting six months, with Jobs returning to work in June 2009 after undergoing a successful liver transplant. Jobs had already had surgery for pancreatic cancer back in August 2004, with Cook again minding the store during Jobs' month-long recovery. Unlike the last time Jobs announced he would take medical leave, Monday's announcement didn't give a timeline for when Jobs might return. All eyes—and ears—will undoubtedly be on Apple's upcoming quarterly earnings call, slated for 5 p.m. ET Tuesday, when analysts and investors are sure to pepper Apple execs with questions about Jobs' health. The last time Jobs made a major public appearance was back in October, when he took the stage in San Francisco for a preview of Mac OS X "Lion" and to unveil Apple's revamped MacBook Air. Many had wondered if Jobs might make the trek to New York for last week's announcement of the iPhone finally coming to Verizon. Instead, Apple COO Cook, who's now in charge of day-to-day operations in Cupertino, was dispatched to do the honors. Jobs' absence didn't raise too many eyebrows at the time, since Verizon's new iPhone is little more than the current iPhone 4 retooled for the carrier's CDMA network, rather than a brand-new device warranting the full Steve Jobs treatment. The event was also hosted by Verizon, not Apple, which had tempered expectations of Jobs making a cameo. Jobs had also been expected at an event in San Francisco to help take the wraps off News Corp.'s coming iPad newspaper, dubbed "The Daily," as early as this week. But the event was reportedly delayed, ostensibly so Apple and News Corp. could "work out some kinks" in setting up a digital subscription service through iTunes. Correction: In my original post, I wrote that Monday's announcement marked Steve Jobs' second official medical leave from Apple; in fact, it's his third, including a month-long leave in 2004 following his treatment for pancreatic cancer. Apologies for the error. — Ben Patterson is a technology writer for Yahoo! News. |
| CES 2011 wrap-up (Digital Trends) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 03:38 PM PST
It's hard to believe that another year has gone by and we're back on our annual trek to Las Vegas to pay homage to the consumer electronics industry. The Consumer Electronics Show is always a fun adventure, showcasing some of both the best and the most peculiar devices imaginable. Last year we were bombarded with 3D; this year it was all about connected TVs and tablets.
Today's Show:Other:
CES 2011It's hard to believe that another year has gone by and we're back on our annual trek to Las Vegas to pay homage to the consumer electronics industry. The Consumer Electronics Show is always a fun adventure, showcasing some of both the best and the most peculiar devices imaginable. Last year we were bombarded with 3D; this year it was all about connected TVs and tablets.For pictures of everything we saw and did, check out the live blog Ara was updating as we walked the show: http://www.htguys.com/ces2011 Some of our favorite stuff came from these companies: Vivitek Vivitek showed a projector capable of converting any 2D content to 3D. Kinda neat, but we wouldn't run out and buy one. They also showed a tiny HD projector called the Qumi capable of 300 lumen output. It will sell for under $500 and looks like a fun little device. Here are the specs:
In addition to the HD projectors Optoma is known for, they also showed a portable projector/iPhone dock combo unit that looks good. It's basically a pico projector with an iPhone/iPod dock and some built-in speakers. Called the Neo-i, it should be available soon and sell for under $500. And the specs:
JVC had a great demo of a 3D camcorder displaying live on a big 3D LCD TV. It was one of the more fun demos to participate in. Reaching out at the camera actually came out of the TV. One of the better uses of 3D at the show, but still active glasses, so be prepared to shell out $100-$200 per person to show your home movies to friends and family. Panasonic Panasonic showed their next generation plasma panels, the VT30 line, at the show. They won't be available until summer 2011, but they looked excellent. No word on pricing, but still available in 55″ and 65″ models, nothing bigger on the horizon. Specs:
LG had two concepts that really grabbed our attention. First, they were showing a whole slew of connected TVs that are somehow based on the Plex media server. Although LG didn't say the software was based on Plex, they did say that any app written for Plex would work the the LG Smart TV technology. You can draw your own conclusions. LG also showed our favorite use of 3D at the show – passive glasses! The 3D actually looked pretty good. It wasn't as good as the 3D on a Panasonic plasma, but let's be fair, what is? It was pretty good, pretty smooth and very cheap glasses. They were giving them away like candy. Now there's a way to make 3D appealing to the masses. LG showed a glasses-free 3D demo as well. Standing in the right spot, it actually did pretty well. But off angle viewing was rough. Samsung Samsung was on the connected TV bandwagon as well. They showed a pretty cool integration of a lot of the existing apps out there. The next generation of Samsung connected TVs and Blu-ray players will allow you to search for a movie and see every service where it's available, and the price, across services like Netflix, Vudu, Blockbuster, Amazon, etc. It lets you pick what you are willing to pay and what quality you'd like to see it in. There's also some social integration aspects that allow you to get recommendations from friends and the like. Of course Samsung is also in the Android phone and tablet game, so that was on display as well. Braden, being the Android fan boy that he is, thought the Galaxy Player puts the iPod touch to shame. Of course, Ara doesn't see it. It's available in Korea with no current plas to bring it to the US. Motorola Motorola has some really big Android announcements. They announced two next generation android phones, both with dual 1Ghz processors. One for AT&T and one for Verizon. And of course everyone is still waiting for a real, honest iPad competitor, so Motorola is hoping they found that with their Xoom tablet. It's the first Android 3.0 device and boasts some pretty impressive specs. Should be out this quarter on the Verizon network, but only on 3G; 4G comes later this year. Specs:
Yahoo! Yahoo! showed the next generation of their TV widget offerings, but these widgets are alive. They can interact with the content on live TV to really meld the traditional broadcast TV format with the new, connected TV phenomenon. This could be exciting, or it could be really annoying, we'll have to wait and see. Intel Everyone is in the tablet game, and Microsoft and Intel had to get into it as well. Check out a video of the tablet from the live blog. |
| The Week in iPhone 4 cases: CES edition (Macworld) Posted: 14 Jan 2011 11:55 AM PST Last week, the formidable International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) ravaged the Las Vegas Convention Center, leaving behind a devastating trail of cutting-edge consumer electronics...and a whole lot of new iPhone 4 cases. Fortunately, we're here to pick up the scattered pieces and neatly arrange them for your convenient digestion. As you can see, there's no shortage of new iPhone 4 cases on the market—and this roundup doesn't even take into account the recent flurry of cases for the Verizon iPhone. (Yes, the Verizon iPhone 4 will require its own version of many cases—we'll cover those in the near future.) BaseOneLabs BaseOneLabs's Impactband ($25) is, according to the company, "quite possibly the toughest bumper case available for the iPhone 4." The super-dense, shock-absorbent case features a 360-degree raised lip around the front and back to protect your iPhone from face-down and face-up falls. If you want proof of this case's abilities, check out the company's Website for a video of a guy dropping his Impactband-encased iPhone off a pretty high ledge onto the concrete below. BioSerie Bioserie's new iPhone 4 case ($35) is, like the rest of the company's cases, made of biodegradable and environmentally friendly materials—the "bioplastic" is based on plant material. Along with providing impact and scratch protection for your phone, the Bioserie case also boasts a specially designed opening for the phone's flash that claims to prevent hues and unwanted coloring during flash photography. Bluetrek Despite it's rather depressing name, Bluetrek's LostDog series of cases ($27 each) sport some rather uplifting graphics. The 1mm-thin, hardshell cases are built from lightweight, "2H Scratch-resistant," recyclable plastic and feature artwork by French artist Aurele, who's responsible for The LostDog's namesake. Case-Mate If your idea of a customized case involves more than a custom printed graphic, Case-Mate's iPhone 4 Stacks Case ($35) could help bring out your inner Warhol. The case, designed by industrial designer Erik Arlen, consists of six modular sections that stack together to create a slim, protective shell for your iPhone. While the top and bottom pieces have to stay in their respective places, the four middle pieces can be arranged to your liking. You can also order additional color sets for additional creative flair. EFO The EFO iPhone 4 Power Pack ($28) snaps onto the back of your iPhone and doubles your battery time while adding only a few millimeters of thickness. It prioritizes power consumption, drawing power from its Lithium-ion battery first, before using your phone's battery, in order to maximize the life of the iPhone's internal battery. iChair iChair's iPhone 4 Case ($34) is a slim, plastic slider case that sports a kickstand that flips out and props up your iPhone in both portrait and landscape orientation. The case is rubber-coated for an easy grip and velvety feel, while a microfiber lining on the inside keeps your iPhone scratch-free. To help keep your iPhone looking as pretty as its case, the iChair iPhone 4 Case comes with front and back screen-protector films, a dust cloth, and a squeegee for applying the film. InnoPocket While most cases will protect your iPhone from dust, InnoPocket's Amphibian All Weather Case for iPhone 4 ($30) adds sand and water to the list of conditions it can withstand. The waterproof case boasts a 2-in-1 design, with an inner polycarbonate shell that can be used for standard impact and scratch protection, and a silicon outer "jacket" that adds waterproof protection while still permitting use of your iPhone's touch screen. Joy Factory Joy Factory's Valet Suction Mount for iPhone 4 ($50) uses a suction cup to mount itself and your iPhone to your car's windshield, allowing for hands free calling—for the Bluetooth impaired—or easy navigating while on the road. The Suction Mount comes with an iPhone case that doubles as a stand and can quickly snap into the suction mount via Joy Factory's patented Snap-n-Roll design. When mounted, you can easily adjust your viewing angle, or rotate your iPhone for portrait or landscape viewing. You can even remove your iPhone and use the soft inside of the case to clean your screen. LennTek Vinyl is alive and well in the 21st century, and Lenntek is here to prove it with the VintageVinyl for iPhone 4 ($35) case. The high-grade polycarbonate case sports finely machined record grooves on its back, complete with three shiny song dividers that are slightly raised to protect the record grooves. You also get two adhesive "record labels" that are ready to write on. Bring the Noise! OtterBox The OtterBox Reflex Series Case ($45) draws its design inspiration from the crumple zone of a car. The case—made of polycarbonate molded with TPE rubber—surrounds your iPhone with a cushion of air for extra impact absorption, and features heavily protected "reflex zones" on each of its corners to protect against drops. The bottom half of the case slides off for easy docking, and the case also comes with a self-adhering clear screen protector. Nuu If you love the iPhone's touchscreen, but still have a hankering for physical keys for typing, Nuu's MiniKey ($69) could give you the best of both worlds. Set for release in February, the Minikey is a plastic case that boasts a slide-out, backlit Bluetooth keyboard. Though the iPhone's virtual keyboard works fine for most users, a physical keyboard can increase typing speed and accuracy for some—and at the very least, it can free up your iPhone's display by eliminating the need for an onscreen keyboard. The keyboard also includes navigation keys, a Shift key, a Command key for copy and pasting, and a Function key for typing a range of commonly used symbols. Finally, a toggle button lets you quickly switch between the MiniKey keyboard and the on-screen keyboard. Combined, these features could make typing and editing on an iPhone much more effective for those, say, migrating from a BlackBerry. Phojojo The Photojojo Polaroid iPhone Decal ($6) might not provide any impact protection for your iPhone, but man does it look cool. The retro decal transforms your high tech phone into an old-school, Rainbow OneStep Polaroid Land camera, while also protecting its backside from scratches. The decal is designed to be easy to apply and remove, and it shouldn't leave a sticky residue behind—but really, who would ever want to take one of these off? Play Hello Looking for a case that's "unique, stylish, cool or cute!"? Look no further, because Japan-based Play Hello's iShoes ($28) fits the bill—though it probably won't fit your feet. The zany silicone case mimics the look of a sneaker, shoelaces and all. If you really want to get into iPhone shoe fashion, you can purchase several of these cases with different shoe and lace color, and mix and match them to your heart's content. Proof Cases Proof Cases's Cliq case ($30) is a polycarbonate shell with soft texture coating that keeps your iPhone scratch-free while in the case. Proof Cases also sells styluses ($9) that can be used to increase your accuracy on your iPhone's touchscreen. SlickWraps Skateboard enthusiasts, meet the SlickWraps Skateboard Series case ($20). This hard-plastic case is coated with real skateboard Grip tape that, combined with the case's woodgrain vinyl edge wrap, makes your iPhone resemble a miniature skateboard. SlickWraps does advise you, however, not to slide the case around on furniture or other surfaces you don't mind scratching up—skateboard tape isn't exactly known for its softness, after all. SmallWorks SmallWorks's BrickCase for iPhone 4 ($20) let's you "brick" your iPhone the only way anyone would ever want to: with Legos! When it's not busy protecting your iPhone from life's daily hazards, the Lego-compatible, high-impact plastic case functions as a building platform for your Lego creations. Just be sure to turn your phone off of vibrate mode, lest there be an earthquake in Lego land. (Hat tip: John Gruber) Speck Speck has had a busy few weeks, adding two new additions to its popular CandyShell case lineup, as well as a handful of other new designs. The CandyShell View ($40) features a spring-loaded retractable kickstand that pops out for hands-free FaceTime and video viewing. The kickstand is designed to add minimal bulk to the case, and can support viewing in both portrait and landscape modes. The CandyShell Card ($40) sports a side-loading card slot that lets you keep essential cards with you when you want to leave your wallet at home. The case is designed to keep a low profile, and it prevents your cards from slipping out by maintaining constant soft pressure on them. The card slot is also separated from your iPhone to keep your cards from scratching the back of your iphone, and there's a convenient thumb-release slot for easy removal of your cards. Speck has also released the ToughSkin ($40) and ToughShell ($50) cases, which boast durable plastic and textured rubber designs to provide impact protection and improved grip. And finally, while the mention of see-through satin might make you think naughty things, Speck's SeeThru SATIN for iPhone 4 ($30) is neither lewd nor lascivious. The suggestively titled polycarbonate case sports an inoffensive minimalist design, while its soft-touch satin coating adds a luxurious in-hand feel. USBFever Whoever claims that the iPhone's camera doesn't work with other lenses has clearly never seen USBFever's 12X Telescope with Hard Case ($40). This most uncommon of hardshell cases comes with a detachable 12X telephoto lens that fits over your iPhone's camera. Though the lens's zoom is fixed at 12X, it can be manually focused by turning a ring in front of the scope, and it can also be mounted to a tripod, which ought to yield some of the finest iPhone photos imaginable. VoBack Looking to modify your iPhone's appearance without relying on a clunky case? VoBack's replacement back panels ($24-$29) let you do just that. The company sells a variety of panels that you can install on your own using only a Philps #00 screwdriver (included with panel purchase). Though these panels don't actually protect your iPhone, they could be great for replacing cracked backsides, or just for giving your phone a more personal touch. Wahoo Fitness If you like to use high-tech gadgetry to help you stay in shape, the XShot iPhone 4 Case ($30) is a hard-plastic case that protects your iPhone from bumps and scratches and features a detachable tripod adapter that lets you mount your iPhone to a standard tripod while in the case. The tripod adapter supports your iPhone in both landscape and portrait mode, and the case even comes with a mini flex tripod—similar to Joby's Gorillamobile—so you can get steadier shots even if you don't own a traditional tripod. |
| New app will give voice to Sept. 11 oral histories (AP) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 11:49 AM PST NEW YORK – Their voices tell their stories — witnesses and first responders recounting where they were and what they saw when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center. Now, a web startup called Broadcastr is putting those oral histories on the Internet and on smart phones for the world to hear. When it opens to the public next month, Broadcastr will already be a repository of thousands of audio clips linked to specific geographical spots. The National September 11 Memorial & Museum, meanwhile, has collected some 2,000 oral histories of witnesses, first responders and others who shared their experiences of Sept. 11, 2001. Thanks to their partnership, the memorial's oral histories will become available to ground zero tourists and on the Web. "This is a way to get these stories out to people who are visiting the city or who are halfway around the world," said Joe Daniels, president of the foundation that is building the memorial. "It's pretty powerful stuff." In one audio clip on Broadcastr's site, city police Detective David Brink describes the moment when the trade center's south tower collapsed. "I looked at one of the guys that was on my team. I said, 'Bobby, what the hell was that?' And he goes, 'Dave the whole tower is coming down.' I said, 'You've got to be kidding.'" Brink describes finding himself at the nearby St. Paul's Chapel, where he used holy water to wash the toxic dust out of his eyes. "All we wanted to do was find some clean air to breathe," he says in his just-the-facts-ma'am New York accent. Broadcastr is the brainchild of Scott Lindenbaum and Andy Hunter, who met in a creative writing graduate program and founded a literary journal called Electric Literature. Broadcastr seeks to make the human voice as ubiquitous as videos on YouTube or photos on Flickr. "It's the oldest form of communication, the oral tradition," Lindenbaum said in an interview. "Every person in the world participates in oral storytelling all day long. And yet social media is missing an oral storytelling component." Broadcastr.com has been open to invited users since last month and will be available to the public on Feb. 8. About a week later, it will be packaged as a free app for the iPhone and Android. Users can upload audio and "pin" it to a geographical location. When you visit a location either physically or with your web browser, you will be able to listen to stories pinned to that spot. "If you go the West Village and you're going to have brunch and you just want to hear love stories you can filter for love stories and just hear love stories the whole way," Lindenbaum said. "You'll be walking by a restaurant and suddenly someone will be telling the story of how they proposed to their fiancee at that restaurant." The startup has been working with staff members at the Sept. 11 Memorial to upload oral histories onto its site. Even before the memorial opens later this year on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, visitors to the trade center site will have access to the stories through their phones. "They'll plug into this invisible layer of history and memory," Lindenbaum said. He explained: "I can just filter for 9/11 stories, and then I put my phone in my pocket and I walk. And as I'm walking through the space and I get to the place in reality where the story's pinned virtually, it automatically plays." Visitors to Broadcastr's website will be able to hear the same voices by zooming in on a map of lower Manhattan. Brooklyn-based Broadcastr is operating with seed money from investors, Lindenbaum said. In addition to the Sept. 11 Memorial, its partners include UNICEF and the Shoah Foundation, which has collected testimony from tens of thousands of Holocaust survivors. ___ Online: |
| Facebook's Ad Revenue Hit $1.86B for 2010 (Mashable) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 02:19 PM PST According to recently released figures from eMarketer, Facebook's revenue for advertising alone -- which excludes revenue for virtual currencies and other sources -- came to an astonishing $1.86 billion for all of last year. Not bad for a web startup that's yet to see its seventh birthday. As we reported last month, Facebook was on track to reach the $2 billion mark for revenue in 2010. When other revenue streams are counted along with ad revenue, it's easy to imagine that the $2 billion revenue was achieved and possibly exceeded in the past year. As users spend more and more on Facebook Credits, which got an extensive roll-out through online and brick-and-mortar retailers throughout 2010, the virtual currency is likely accounting for an increasing amount on Facebook's balance sheets. After all, Facebook collects around 33 cents on the dollar for Credits spent within the Facebook ecosystem of apps and games -- games that grow more popular with each iteration. As for the ads, Facebook's serving more than 50 billion display ads per month and was on track to serve 1 trillion display ads for the year. And the company isn't satisfied with tried-and-true display ads served on the basis of user behavior and data, either; it's experimenting with local deals, crossing the line in the sand that lies between it and companies like Google, Groupon, Foursquare and other companies with an interest in location-based advertising. In an interview with AdAge, eMarketer analyst Debra Williamson said that around 60% of Facebook's 2010 ad revenue came from SMBs and that 60% of Facebook's ad dollars came through its self-serve ad platform. Around $740 million of Facebook's revenue in 2010 came from major brands such as Procter & Gamble or Coca-Cola. All told, Williamson said Facebook alone accounted for 5% of all online ad spend in 2010; she expects that number to rise to 8% in 2011. As Facebook continues its rather meteoric ascent as an ad medium, ever more urgency is put into the question, "But does that make Facebook a $50 billion company?" |
| Jobs takes medical leave from Apple; Cook steps in for day-to-day operations (Appolicious) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 10:58 AM PST |
| Consumer Reports Wary Of 'Middle-Aged' Verizon iPhone (NewsFactor) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 02:07 PM PST Ouch. No sooner did Verizon Wireless announce its CDMA version of Apple's iPhone than Consumer Reports magazine called it "middle-aged," suggesting that potential buyers might want to hold out for a younger model. The long-anticipated Verizon iPhone 4 unveiled in New York last week has two important changes from the one launched by Apple last summer: An antenna configuration likely to avoid reception problems that plagued the AT&T handset, and the ability to tether other devices as a Wi-Fi hot spot. Cooler Version? Other than that, at nearly seven months old, the iPhone 4 is over the hill, says the Consumer Reports Electronics Blog, and "may be quickly replaced by a newer, cooler version more quickly than is customary even for the die-young life expectancy of most smartphones." Apple has released a new iPhone every summer since 2007. To help clear older inventory, Apple and AT&T sometimes drop the price of older models, as they did last week, cutting the iPhone 3GS price by half to a just $49. But the iPhone 4, already a top seller, is expected to get another huge spike in sales with its release on a network with a high customer satisfaction rating. While noting that Verizon "remains among the most satisfying (among the major providers that offer contract service)" compared to AT&T, which Consumer Reports readers rated lowest, the magazine noted that the current iPhone is a 3G model in an increasingly 4G world, unable to navigate Verizon's much-touted Long Term Evolution network that is about to open to a limited number of smartphones. It also packs a puny 3.5-inch screen as a large share of smartphones are offering displays larger than four inches. CDMA phones, Consumer Reports noted, also can't surf and call at the same time and don't roam in foreign countries as well as a GSM device. It's the second slap against the iPhone by Consumer Reports, operated by the nonprofit Consumers Union of the United States, with more than seven million subscribers. Last summer, after testers experienced the reception problems that came to be known as Antennagate, it told readers "If you want an iPhone that works well without a masking-tape fix, we continue to recommend an older model, the 3GS." Reserving Judgment In its most recent post, the Consumer Reports Electronics Blog said the CDMA design (its stainless-steel band separates the cellular antenna from the rest of the band) probably eliminates the signal problem, but it reserved judgment until its researchers can get a crack at one. "[T]he phone's antenna remains external, like that of the AT&T iPhone 4, and we plan to test the Verizon version for signal loss to confirm that there are indeed no such issues with it," wrote bloggers Paul Reynolds and Mike Gikas. They also raised questions about the undisclosed pricing for iPhone data on Verizon and whether its 3G network can handle "an onslaught of iPhones." Verizon insists it can. Analyst Ken Dulaney of Gartner Research says many iPhone fans won't heed the advice to hold off. "If you aren't into fast networks and not into fast processing -- many users were very happy with the iPhone 2, for example -- and you want fewer dropped calls, then this phone is for you," said Dulaney. "Think about it. Most of the time you download over Wi-Fi and the apps don't take much horsepower." As for the expectation that the next round of smartphones will pack dual-core processors to maximize multitasking, Dulaney said, "Dual core is only going to matter to a certain degree on certain apps." Those who hold out for the cooler version described by Consumer Reports may end up disappointed, he added. "No one, not even Consumer Reports, knows what features will be offered," Dulaney said. "It could be that they wait on 4G until battery-life issues are resolved, and that could be beyond the summer." |
| Goldman to exclude U.S. investors from Facebook offering (Reuters) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 03:14 PM PST NEW YORK (Reuters) – Goldman Sachs will limit its private placement of shares of social networking site Facebook to investors outside the United States, citing "intense media coverage," the investment bank said. Goldman expects to raise $1.5 billion for Facebook, the wildly popular site used as a message board and for online social networking. The chance to buy a slice of Facebook ahead of any future public listing attracted widespread commentary and news coverage, which potentially could bring it under regulatory scrutiny. "In light of this intense media coverage, Goldman Sachs has decided to proceed only with the offer to investors outside the U.S.," the company said in a statement provided to Reuters. Goldman began notifying clients of its decision on Sunday. "We regret the consequences of this decision, but Goldman Sachs believes this is the most prudent path to take," Goldman said in the statement on Monday. Goldman said the decision not to conduct a private placement of the shares of Facebook, a closely held company, in the United States was solely its own and was not required or requested by any other party. That would include the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which is scrutinizing secondary market trading in Facebook shares. "Once this event received widespread publicity, it conceivably could be argued that Goldman was benefiting from a general solicitation, via news reports of its efforts on behalf of Facebook," former SEC Chairman Harvey Pitt said. "My impression is that Goldman is using that as an excuse to save face, given the SEC investigation that has been publicized in the press, as a result of this proposed transaction," said Pitt, who is chief executive of consulting firm Kalorama Partners. While general solicitation and advertising is still prohibited overseas, if the publicity has not been as widespread in other countries, the issuer and the underwriter could get comfortable proceeding with the offering, said an industry attorney who has advised companies with similar issues. The Washington, D.C.-based attorney asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issues surrounding private placements. Goldman originally had planned to conduct a private placement in the United States and offshore, it said in the statement. Facebook already has received a $450 million investment from Goldman Sachs and $50 million from Russian investment firm Digital Sky Technologies, in a deal that valued the company at $50 billion. Several weeks ago, Goldman approached its best private wealth clients with an offer to take part in a special fund that will own shares in world's biggest social networking site. The deal would allow Goldman to offer clients a hot investment opportunity, while allowing Facebook gets to remain a private company. However, the transaction generated intense media attention "following the publication of an article on the evening of January 2" Goldman said. On that date, the New York Times' DealBook column reported a story saying that Goldman had reached out to its private clients with an offer to invest a minimum of $2 million in Facebook before a possible public offering in 2012. The article, citing emails to clients, also said investors would be prohibited from selling their shares until 2013. Under U.S. securities law, if a company's private shares are held by more than 500 holders of record, the company is required to register with the SEC and file public disclosure statements. But the rules generally define the term "record holder" as the name displayed on the company's stock record, and not the beneficial owner of the stock. The shares in the Goldman private placement would be in a special purpose vehicle, registered in Delaware, Facebook disclosed earlier this month. This would allow numerous investors the opportunity to buy stock, but holdings would have been under one name. Facebook said it expected to have more than 500 shareholders this year, according to documents related to the private placement, That could force the company to make public disclosures or go public as early as 2012. (Additional reporting by Rachelle Younglai in Washington and Nadia Damouni in New York; Editing by Richard Chang and Martin Golan) |
| HP Launches Live Improv Comedy Show on YouTube (Mashable) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 01:47 PM PST HP is bringing a new kind of comedy show to YouTube. Actors from the Upright Citizens Bridgade Theater will take skit ideas from viewers and perform them live on Google's video-sharing site. The two-hour show, dubbed HP ePrint Live, will be hosted by comedian Rob Riggle and simultaneously broadcast on the HP for Home Facebook Page. Viewers can send in ideas for skits by e-mailing their submission to one of HP's Internet-connected ePrint printers on the stage (yes, ladies and gentleman, this is branded entertainment). Ideas that are selected will be performed live. HP will stage a YouTube home page "takeover" the day of the show's premiere on January 21. The live event will begin at 3:00 p.m. ET and will be followed by five days (January 22 through 26) of comedy shorts based on new ePrint submissions. Viewers are invited to submit their skit ideas in the form of photos, poems, single words and drawings to ideas@hpeprintlive.com throughout the week; if chosen, a link to a video of the participant's skit will be e-mailed to him or her. Because the skits will be performed quickly and released as short videos later, viewers can easily tune in at any time and share clips of their favorite performances afterward. It's a clever form of branded entertainment, but its success depends on the talent of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater and whether the actors are able to draw attention to the printer without promoting it to the point of annoyance. But will it sell printers? Stay tuned. |
| Asian tech shares rally on recovery prospects (Reuters) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 07:46 PM PST SEOUL (Reuters) – Asian technology shares gained, helped by hopes for a recovery in battered chip prices and expectations that nimble Asian firms may slow the runaway success of Apple Inc after news CEO Steve Jobs was taking medical leave. Shares of Samsung Electronics Co, the world's top memory chipmaker and No.2 handset vendor, jumped 2.6 percent on Tuesday to record highs and second-ranked memory chip maker Hynix Semiconductor rose 3.5 percent. In Japan, Elpida Memory rose 2.6 percent and Taiwan's Powerchip rose 3.7 percent. "The report of Elpida's price rise plan points to similar moves by domestic (Korean) chip makers and strengthens sentiment toward the sector," said Daewoo Securities analyst James Song. "DRAM prices are expected to continue to recover this year." APPLE IMPACT Deemed irreplaceable by many Apple fans and investors, pancreatic cancer survivor Jobs said on Monday he would take medical leave, for the third time since 2004. The announcement, which came just a day ahead of the company's quarterly results, did not specify why or for how long he would be absent, unlike the previous one. The announcement revived concerns over the long-term future of Apple, sending its shares tumbling close to 10 percent, although Jobs said Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook would take responsibility for day-to-day operations once again. The impact of the Apple news could be mixed on the Asian technology sector. Many firms, including Taiwan-based Hon Hai, South Korea's LG Display and even Apple's emerging rival Samsung depend on the iPhone and iPad maker by manufacturing the hot selling devices and by supplying display, chips, phone cases and other accessories. But analysts said the impact on Apple's operations and its Asian rivals and partners should be limited in the short term, since its product line-up was strong, although his absence would be a worry if it became prolonged. Cook ran day-to-day operations during Jobs' last absence in 2009. "Apple's suppliers may drop on negative sentiment, but as you see this morning, the news had no impact on the Taiwan tech companies," a senior vice president of KGI Securities said. ANDROID CHALLENGE Shares in Hon Hai, which counts Apple as its major client, fell 0.4 percent and LG Display rose 1 percent, while smartphone maker HTC was unchanged. Jobs' latest medical leave also comes at a time when it faces the biggest threat from Google, through its Android mobile operating system, which has seen torrid growth as preferred choice of both iPhone and iPad rivals. Samsung, at the forefront of the long queue of rivals determined to halt Apple's stunning run of success, appears to remain a key threat. Samsung has sold 10 million units of the Android-powered Galaxy S smartphone since its June launch and 1 million units of the Galaxy Tab tablet since October. It has also launched the Nexus S smartphone recently based on the latest version of Android and plans a series of new product launches in February to double its smartphone sales this year to at least 50 million units. Android has rapidly overtaken Apple and Research in Motion's BlackBerry to become the second-most popular platform worldwide after Nokia's Symbian, and the most popular in North America and east Asia. But a fast rise of competitors adopting Android phones would mean little differentiation and weaker profit margin compared to Apple's estimated 40 percent-plus margins on the iPhone. On Tuesday, Apple is likely to report its quarterly revenue jumped more than 50 percent, backed by surging sales across its product lines including iPhone and iPad. Strong sales of such devices and ensuing launches of copycat products by the likes of Lenovo Group, Motorola and Research In Motion are set to drive up demand of NAND-type flash memory chips used in mobile devices, benefiting key producers such as Samsung, Hynix and Toshiba. (Additional reporting by Tim Kelly in TOKYO, Clare Jim in TAIPEI; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) |
| HP Will Show 'Future of webOS' with Tablet and More (NewsFactor) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 10:46 AM PST Get ready for the new webOS. Hewlett-Packard has indicated that its Feb. 9 launch event will include one or more tablets, and possibly netbooks and new smartphones, based on the operating system it acquired when it bought Palm. On Jan. 7, HP Executive Vice President Todd Bradley told CNBC's Maria Bartiromo that the Feb. 9 event will show "the future of webOS" and the "breadth of products" that the platform will enable. 'Connected Experience' Nearly 100 new tablets from a variety of manufacturers were shown at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but HP chose to delay launching its new tablet line. Bradley indicated this was part of the company's strategy, so there could be a focus on what he described as the "connected experience that we'll create." His reference to connectedness, and the press invitations that ask the bearer to think big, small and beyond, appear to strengthen predictions that HP will show webOS over a variety of form factors -- tablets, netbooks, smartphones, possibly even printers, smart TVs, and other devices. In order to stand out from the current two biggest tablet platforms -- Apple's iOS and Google's open-source Android -- HP needs a clear differentiation. Bradley said webOS is the "first truly web-based operating system" and "the only true multitasking operating system, where you can have 20 different applications open simultaneously." HP has acknowledged that webOS was the biggest strategic reason behind its acquisition of the struggling Palm last summer. 'Incredibly Elegant' A key question is how many operating-system platforms can have a large installed base in the tablet category. In addition to Apple and Android, there's RIM's new PlayBook, which the company is hoping will help it re-emerge as a market leader in innovation. RIM begins with a well-established advantage in the enterprise market because of its BlackBerry smartphones, and the PlayBook is designed for calendar, e-mail and messaging through a companion BlackBerry smartphone. Some observers have noted that, while this is an awkward combination for consumers, the PlayBook-with-BlackBerry configuration could make IT management of a large number of units a simpler proposition. Windows 7 tablets are making a slow entrance, and Microsoft has said it's developing a version of Windows for mobile ARM processors. And Nokia's MeeGo platform could also grow a major tablet presence for the world's largest handset maker. Avi Greengart, an analyst with Current Analysis, said "there's room for a third, maybe even a fourth platform" among tablets. He noted that webOS has shown itself to be "incredibly elegant, with rich visual multitasking." Greengart also pointed out that writing applications for webOS "is similar to creating web applications," which could attract third-party developers to the platform. Greengart said one big question is "how much HP is willing to invest in webOS." Unlike RIM with its PlayBook, he said, the success of the new OS isn't a critical component for the company's future health. |
| Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Targets Salesforce (NewsFactor) Posted: 17 Jan 2011 01:26 PM PST In a clear shot at Salesforce.com, Microsoft has rolled out a cloud-based version of its new Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 release. The online software targets what Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer called the heart of almost every successful business: Sales professionals. "Microsoft Dynamics CRM redefines productivity by offering an industry-leading product that is fully embracing the cloud," Ballmer said. The Microsoft chief pointed to a familiar user experience that enables collaboration, streamlines processes, and accesses real-time data as key competitive benefits of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. If Microsoft can deliver on those promises, Salesforce.com -- and Oracle, for that matter -- may be forced to find a response. Microsoft's latest innovation also targets Oracle's CRM on Demand product. Microsoft's Stack Advantage Microsoft Dynamics CRM offers a native Microsoft Outlook client, browser-based and mobile access, RoleTailored design, and advanced user personalization. Microsoft Dynamics CRM also offers what Microsoft calls "intelligent experiences" through guided process dialogs, in-line business intelligence for performance and goal management, and real-time dashboards. These experiences promise up-to-date information for sales, service and marketing professionals. Finally, the software giant's announcement stressed "connected experiences" through flexible cloud development, Windows Azure interoperability, contextual Microsoft SharePoint capabilities, and the new Microsoft Dynamics Marketplace. "The new version has a bunch of new improvements, but probably the most important new thing is that it now is able to provide identical functionality on premises and in the cloud. This is a differentiator for them compared with Salesforce.com, which is a cloud-only solution," said Al Hilwa, an analyst at IDC. "Additionally, they have the deepest Outlook integration in the industry, which of course you would expect them to. In fact, the full Microsoft stack itself is a big asset for the product since Microsoft is a full portfolio player. I think they are also relaunching their partner marketplace, which is much more competitive today than it ever was. This is a significant move for the product." Switching from Salesforce.com More than 11,500 customers and 2,000 partners have used Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 as part of the beta program, including customers who switched from competing solutions. Microsoft offered Magma Design Automation, an electronic design automation (EDA) software development company, as one example. Magma switched from Salesforce.com to Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. "The EDA space can be very complex and business processes can rapidly change. We needed a system that was flexible enough to fit us and our specific business needs," said Vickie Flores, vice president of information systems for Magma. "With Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online we can quickly change our work-flow and business processes. Improving user adoption is a priority for us, and the native Outlook user interface delivered by Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online makes this extremely easy, as there isn't a steep learning curve." |
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