With this year’s E3 conference right around the corner, gamers are undoubtedly tingling with anticipation of things to come. Of the big three, Nintendo and Sony have already dropped hints of what gamers should expect. Microsoft, on the other hand, still remains a mystery.
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In an uncharacteristically subdued fashion, Apple yesterday revealed that it will launch a new cloud-based service called iCloud.
The Sony data breach saga may finally be coming to a close. After more than a month of what could only have been a PR nightmare, the company recently announced it expects to restore service to its PlayStation Network by the end of the week.
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After suffering a data breach that left its PlayStation Network out of service for several weeks and potentially exposed the information of millions of PSN users, Sony finally appears to be getting back on its feet.
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If you can’t buy it, create your own. That seems to Google’s new motto since Groupon, the Chicago based deals site, turned down their $6 billion acquisition offer.
It has only been a few weeks since Groupon rejected Google’s offer, but the search giant is reportedly already working on its own Groupon styled service. According to reports, Google is currently reaching out to businesses to make offers to feature with the service.
Reports say that the service, Google Offers, will be powered by Google Checkout and will allow you to share deals via email, Twitter, etc. Google reportedly already has a writing team in place to create write-ups for the deal as well.
Despite Groupon’s refusal to accept Google’s $6 billion offer, the company went on to pick up a record $950 million round of fundraising. Groupon is reportedly prepping an IPO that hovers somewhere around $15 billion.
According to a number of unnamed sources who are close to the matter, Groupon, one of the fastest start ups in internet history, is carefully considering an initial public offering. Reports say that the company will be seeing banks about the IPO, and that it will hover somewhere around $15 billion.
The news comes just days after the Chicago-based company announced a record breaking $950 million round of fundraising. The firms backing the fundraiser included Andreessen Horowitz, Greylock Partners, Silver Lake, and Technology Crossover Ventures.
Founder and CEO of Groupon, Andrew Mason stated, “We’re thrilled that Groupon has earned the confidence of some of the world’s most respected investment firms. With their support, we will continue on our mission to change the way people shop locally and serve the world’s local businesses.”
Groupon offers individuals local deals at discounted prices, and keeps a portion of the revenue from each sale. It is estimated that the company generated some $500 million in sales last year.
It appears that the decision to pass on Google’s $ 6 billion acquisition offer was not such a bad idea after all.
Strong sales of Apple’s iPad and iPhone are expected to drive the company’s continued dominance over the mobile market, says tech analyst Michael Walkley. The company is expected to top the mobile tech market in 2011.
“Everything that we’re picking up is that the iPhone 4 is doing very well,” Walkley told The Street. The smartphone’s success is not limited to the U.S. either. “We’re hearing from industry contacts that they are doing very well in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, [and] Western Europe,” said Walkley.
According to Walkley, the iPhone remains the top selling AT&T phone, despite the recent launch of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 devices.
The iPad is also doing well. Walkley estimates the tablet computer will sell 6.3 million units in the fourth quarter of 2010, an increase from his previous estimate of 5 million. Walkley says Apple has “set the standard” for the tablet computer market and that its pricing methods will make it difficult for competitors to chip away.
The iPad has been a success from its launch. It currently accounts for 95 percent of the tablet market.
After months of anticipation, Verizon Wireless announced their new 4G LTE network is set for launch this Sunday, December 5th. Touted as the fastest 4G network in the country, it is said to be 10 times fast than Verizon’s current 3G network.
President and CEO of Verizon Wireless, Dan Mead stated, “Our initial 4G LTE launch gives customers access to the fastest and most advanced mobile network in America and immediately reaches more than one-third of all Americans, right where they live.”
The network will offer 5 to 12 Mbps on the download speeds and 2 to 5 Mbps upload speeds. It is impressive by mobile standards, considering that it is the same speed of most home broadband connections.
Verizon will be offering two plans for subscribers; a $50 plan for 5 GB of data, and an $80 monthly plan for 10 GB of data. The 4G network will launch in 4G LTE in 38 major cities and in more than 60 commercial airports. Surprisingly, Verizon will not be launching any phone simultaneously with their 4G network, but will offer a new 4G LTE USB modem, the LG VL600. Another 4G LTE ready USB modem, the Pantech UML290, will launch shortly after.
According to a recent survey, parents seeking the perfect gift for their kids should look for tech items. Apple products are particularly popular with the younger generation, with the iPad and iPod touch both in very high demand.
According to the survey, 31 percent of kids age 6-to-12 are interested in getting an iPad in the next six months, which makes it the most wanted electronic device for that demographic. Another 29 percent would like an iPod Touch, which tied with “a computer” for the second most requested item. Additionally, 20 percent of respondents said they would like an iPhone.
Kids age 13 and older are more diverse in their tastes, but Apple remains highly sought after by the demographic. Eighteen percent of respondents said they want an iPad, making it the fourth most desired gift behind the more generic choices of “a computer,” “a television set” and “a smartphone.”
Apple has had a strong year in sales, even before the holiday season. The iPad currently holds 95 percent of the tablet computer market share.
It was in October that the Motorola Droid Pro, a business-oriented, portrait style smartphone, was first unveiled. This week, Verizon has announced that the Android powered phone will be available at Verizon Wireless stores November 18, with pre-orders beginning November 9.
The Motorola Droid Pro seems every bit the Android dream phone that business professionals have been waiting for. With a QWERTY keyboard, a 1 GHz processor, Google Calendar Sync, and push corporate e-mail with corporate level security, the Droid Pro seems more than adequate for business needs.
The smartphone will also feature a 5-megapixel camera with auto focus and dual LED flash, full internet browser with Flash 10.1, and 3G Mobile HotSpot capabilities.
The Motorola Droid Pro will go for $179.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year customer agreement. You can pre-order the Moto Droid Pro at www.verizonwireless.com starting November 9.
