Apple Inks Latin American Deal for the iPhone
May 7, 2008
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America Movil, the top mobile phone operator in Latin America, said today that it has inked a deal to bring the Apple iPhone to more than a dozen countries starting later this year.
Mexico-based America Movil, which operates in 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the United States, did not disclose financial details - including whether it would be the exclusive iPhone provider in the targeted countries.
Apple has so far struck exclusive deals for the iPhone with AT&T in the United States, O2 in Britain, T-Mobile in Germany and France Telecom's Orange wireless arm in France.
The company plans further expansion later this year through the partnership with Mexico City-based America Movil, which boasts 159.2 million subscribers in 16 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.
In the past couple of weeks, Apple has also signed deals with Rogers Communications to sell the device in Canada; Milan-based Telecom Italia to sell the iPhone in Italy; and Vodafone, the world's largest mobile company by sales, to sell it in a total of 10 countries, including Australia, India, Italy and Turkey.
"We're excited to be working with America Movil to bring the iPhone to Latin America later this year, and we can't wait to get this revolutionary phone in the hands of even more people around the world," said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris.
Apple has so far sold 5.4 million iPhones worldwide, based on data as of the end of Apple's fiscal second quarter, which ended in March. Apple has a goal of selling 10 million iPhones by the end of this year.
America Movil, controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, had more than 159 million cell phone subscribers at the end of March. It also had almost 4 million fixed-line clients.
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Best Buy Puts $2.1 Billion into European Cell Phone Retailer
May 7, 2008
Best Buy, the world's largest consumer electronics retailer, is paying $2.1 billion for a 50 percent stake in Europe's largest cell phone retailer, the companies announced today.
The joint venture will sell consumer electronics in Europe and the United States, through Carphone Warehouse's 2,400 existing stores as well as online. The companies also said they would introduce Best Buy stores across Europe.
Best Buy International's chief executive, Robert Willett will be the chairman of the joint venture, while Carphone Warehouse's chief financial officer, Roger Taylor, will be the chief executive. Carphone Warehouse's broad operations are not included, and Best Buy will keep the 2.9% stake it owns in Carphone Warehouse.
"It is clear that we have very complementary cultures, skills and assets - it's a perfect match," Charles Dunstone, CEO of The Carphone Warehouse said. "It is also clear that we have a significant opportunity for incremental growth in our retail business which we can best realize with Best Buy on board."
The two companies worked on developing Best Buy Mobile, and have been collaborating to bring Geek Squad, a 24-hour computer support task force, to European markets.
"We believe our combined expertise has potential to result in significant financial upside as we together attempt to transform retail in Europe through the Carphone Warehouse, Phone House and Best Buy brands," said Brian Dunn, president and chief operating officer.
The deal is subject to approval by Carphone Warehouse shareholders at the annual general meeting in August.
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Verizon launches the Samsung Glyde
May 7, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones
Verizon launches the Samsung Glyde
May 7, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones
Verizon Wireless GPS Navigation Adds Real-Time Traffic Data
May 7, 2008
Verizon Wireless announced today the launch of VZ Navigator (Version 4), the newest version of its navigator service now able to access traffic incidents on major roadways, obtain traffic updates and find detours around traffic congestion and accidents.
VZ Navigator (Version 4) will initially be launched in 75 cities with more cities added in the coming year. The features will include 3D perspective view of maps, movie and events finder, weather reports and forecasts, and gas prices at nearby gas stations.
VZ Navigator service is a location-based service (LBS) application that uses location-based technology and real-time and historical information feeds. The new version offers the following features:
- Traffic Integration - Access routes to see whether traffic is impacted by traffic lights, heavy traffic or school zones, and tell how traffic is flowing with reported accidents, disabled vehicles and congestion
- Local Movies and Events - Search for show times, critics' ratings and details for movies, concerts, plays, sporting events, and other social events based on the physical location
- 3D Perspective View - Enhances navigation by displaying maps from angles customers would see through car windshields, making it easier to visualize turn-by-turn directions
- Gas Finder - Get information on the location of gas stations close by with reported gas prices
- Weather - View current weather conditions and forecasts based on the physical location without manually inputting an address
"With the new features of VZ Navigator, Verizon Wireless customers now have a powerful navigation device that not only gives them directions but also provides the latest traffic information and more," said Lee Daniels, vice president of consumer product development for Verizon Wireless. "The expanded services on VZ Navigator are another example of how we provide our customers with a great value for their wireless dollar - on the most reliable wireless network in the country."
VZ Navigator (Version 4) is available today for $9.99 for unlimited monthly access or $2.99 for one-day use.
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XNA Game Studio preview with Zune games now out
May 7, 2008
Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video
Read - Official announcement
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XNA Game Studio preview with Zune games now out
May 7, 2008
Filed under: Gaming, Portable Audio, Portable Video
Read - Official announcement
Read - How-to install Zune gamesPermalink | Email this | Comments
Details emerge on Apple’s acquistion of chip designer P.A. Semi
May 7, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones, Misc. Gadgets, Handhelds, Portable Audio, Portable Video
There weren't a whole lot of firm details on the reasons behind Apple's acquisition of chip designer P.A. Semi to be had back when the deal was announced last month, but it seems that a bit of the veil of mystery may now be lifting, at least if the word EETimes is hearing from its unnamed source is to be believed. Apparently, Apple was keen to have P.A. Semi's crack chip-making team design a new chip for them, but P.A. Semi had "more or less burnt through its venture capital funds," leaving them unable to take on the project. According to EETimes source, that meant that the only way to get P.A. Semi involved was for Apple to pay off all of P.A.'s investors and bring the company in-house, something they were able to do for a mere $280 million or so. Of course, as EETimes points out, the big question remaining is exactly what it is that Apple wants P.A. Semi to help it out with, and that's a detail we'd expect to take considerably longer to trickle out.[Via Mac Rumors]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Live shots of Sony Ericsson’s Paris surface, Mr. Blur mysteriously absent
May 7, 2008
Filed under: Cellphones
[Thanks, Kevin]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Criterion Collection coming to Blu-ray in October
May 7, 2008
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
The Criterion Collection's long-awaited HD debut -- delayed by that annoying format war -- finally has a date, as well as a list of the first movies getting a definitive release in 1080p. If that wasn't enough, try this bit on for size: They won't charge viewers extra for the privilege. That's right, according to the e-mail that went out to subscribers today, all Blu-ray releases will feature HD picture and sound (no word on what codecs, although we expect nothing but the best considering the company has been mastering and restoring all releases in HD for years now), all the supplemental content and a matching (unspecified) price to their standard DVD editions. The complete email and list of a dozen movies follows after the break, along with a note that The Last Emperor will also be released in its original theatrical version on both formats for $39.95, while Walkabout will be an all-new edition.[Thanks, Erik]
Continue reading Criterion Collection coming to Blu-ray in October
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