Friday, April 15, 2005

Technology Industry Daily Overview

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Sean "P. Diddy" Combs Signs Deal with Warner
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs reached an agreement to bring his Bad Boy Record label to Warner Music Group in a multiyear joint venture. The deal, estimated at $30 million, gives Warner 50% ownership in Bad Boy's catalog of past releases and allows the company to issue music in digital and wireless formats, such as ringtones.
Source: Wall Street Journal

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Industries Discuss TV on Wireless Phones
At this year's MIPTV/MILIA audiovisual and digital content trade show many questioned the possibility of delivering TV to wireless phones. A main concern is whether or not wireless users will consider TV on wireless phones a must have option and no one knows what people will really want to watch on their handsets. According to Nokia, wireless consumers want to be entertained and informed about everything, everywhere, all the time.
Source: AFP

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Samsung Reports Decline in Profit
Samsung Electronics reported a worse-than-expected 52% decline in first quarter 2005 profit, due to a decline in flat-screen prices, lower profit margins on wireless phones and losses at its credit card affiliate. Net profit fell 52% to 1.49 trillion won in the first quarter 2005, down from 3.14 trillion won in the first quarter 2004. Sales fell to 13.8 trillion won in the first quarter 2005, down from 14.4 trillion won in the first quarter 2004.
Source: Wall Street Journal, Reuters

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Sony Ericsson Reports Decline in Net Profit
Sony Ericsson reported its net profit fell 61% in the first quarter 2005, due to a continuing decline in wireless handset prices. The company reported net profit fell to €32 million in the first quarter 2005, down from €82 million in the first quarter 2004. Sales fell 4% to €1.29 billion in the first quarter 2005. Sony Ericsson sold 9.4 million wireless phones in the first quarter 2005, up 7% from 2004.
Source: Reuters, Dow Jones Newswire 1, Dow Jones Newswire 2

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Rogers Plans to Deliver Live TV to Wireless Phones
Rogers Communications announced it will be the first Canadian telecom company to deliver live TV to wireless phones. The company plans to launch the service in the current quarter with at least eight channels.
Source: Reuters

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Greek Wireless Carriers Target Data Content
Greek wireless service providers are counting on technology-savvy and deep-pocketed users to boost future growth of data content as new users begin to taper off. Latest figures from Greek wireless service providers show the country's wireless penetration rate at nearly 100%, making it one of Europe's most saturated markets.
Source: Reuters

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VimpelCom Posts Net Profit
Russia's second largest wireless service provider, OAO Vimpel Communications, posted a 28% increase in fourth quarter 2004 net profit. Net profit rose to $83.7 million in the fourth quarter 2004, up from $65.6 million in the fourth quarter 2003. The company's revenue increased 56% to $635.7 million in the fourth quarter 2004.
Source: Dow Jones Newswire

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Israeli Wireless Carriers Plan to Launch BlackBerry
Israel's three largest wireless service providers plan to launch Research In Motion's BlackBerry wireless email devices in the country. Wireless carrier Cellcom said it would initially offer the BlackBerry 7290 and 7100g wireless phones on its GSM/GPRS network. Financial terms and timing of the launch were not announced.
Source: Reuters

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