"US Justice Department Requests to Delay Sprint-Softbank Merger"

SoftBank Photo

Softbank’s road to acquiring a majority share of Sprint has become a bit bumpy, as Bloomberg reports that the United States Justice Department has requested the Federal Communications Commission to delay the deal.

"Research In Motion Prepares for Super Bowl Ad"

Blackberry 10

When it comes to reaching out to the audience, nothing else is as massive and extensive as putting up an advertisement during the Super Bowl. Research In Motion knows this all too well, so they are banking on a big-budgeted Super Bowl spot on February 3rd to promote its BlackBerry 10 software, along with its much-anticipated smartphones that run in it.

"Huawei Becomes Third Largest Smartphone Maker"

Huawei Smartphone

Independent reports say that Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei has become the third largest in the global market after Samsung and Apple. According to International Data Corportation, Huawei managed to ship 10.8 million smartphone units during the fourth quarter of 2012, as well as 89.5% year-over-year growth. In comparison, Samsung shipped 63.7 million smartphones, while Apple sold 47.8 million units during that same time period.

"Atari Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy"

Atari 2600 Console

Atari, the iconic company that pioneered the video game era, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to “separate from the structural financial encumbrances” of its French parent company, Atari S.A. The filing, which was made voluntarily in a bankruptcy court in New York by Atari’s US-based subsidiaries (Atari Inc.; Atari Interactive, Inc; California U.S. Holdings, Inc.; and Humongous, Inc.), also seeks to “seek independent capital for future growth” in digital and mobile games.

"After Two Years, Nokia to Report About Profit"

Stephen Elop

It was almost two years ago when Stephen Elop, then newly appointed as Nokia’s CEO, said that he inherited loads of problems as the Finnish company–which at the time was a leading global brand in cellphones until Apple introduced the iPhone–was on the verge of becoming irrelevant.

"Foxconn Acquires Minority Stake in GoPro"

GoPro Logo

Foxconn, one of Apple’s several manufacturing partners, has announced it is purchasing a minority stake in GoPro, known for its wearable and mountable cameras. Details on the agreement reveal that Foxconn would pay about $200 million for an 8.8-percent stake in GoPro, while the camera maker would provide Foxconn’s CEO Terry Gou a seat on the board of directors.

"Apple, Google Team Up to Claim Kodak Patents"

Kodak Logo

Kodak’s road to recovery is on its way. After its auction of over 1,100 digital imaging patents has been approved this summer, it seems like Apple and Google would be duking it out for the goods.

"Blockbuster to Sell Smartphones in Brick-And-Mortar Stores"

Blockbuster Storefront

There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to stay relevant, even if you are on a brink of being down and out. This is happening over at Blockbuster, the video rental chain acquired by Dish Network.

"Sprint Acquires Spectrum, Customers from US Cellular for $480 Million"

Sprint Logo

Sprint has forged a deal with US Cellular to acquire its PCS spectrum and about 585,000 subscribers across the Midwest. The $480-million deal would enable Sprint, which itself was recently acquired by Japanese carrier SoftBank, to gain 30MHz within the 1900MHz band across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.

"Foxconn Mulls Putting Up Factories in United States"

Foxcon TV

Foxconn, one of the world’s largest employers thanks to the booming demand for iPhones and iPads, is reportedly planning to open manufacturing facilities in the United States.

"Patent War Between Apple and HTC Ends with Settlement"

One of Apple’s legal battle against Android, Google’s mobile operating system, draws to a close as the company co-founded by the late Steve Jobs and Taiwan-based smartphone maker HTC agreed to dismiss patent infringement lawsuits hurled against each other, ending a bitter two-year feud.

"Sue And Sue Some More: VirnetX Files Another Complaint Against Apple"

VirnetX Logo

Internet software company and notorious patent troll VirnetX officially announced last Friday that it is filing another infringement complaint against Apple over VirnetX’s four virtual private network patents, the same properties the company used to receive a whopping $368 million legal damage from Apple last week. Filed in the Eastern Texas District Court, VirnetX insists that Apple’s FaceTime software infringes on its VPN patents.

"Samsung Not Intent to Settle with Apple Over Patent Row"

Apple - Samsung

While HTC and Apple have ended their legal battles with a settlement, Samsung has “no intention” to do the same with the iPhone maker. Samsung Electronics Head of Mobile J.K. Shin said so to reporters when asked if his company might pursue a settlement similar to the 10-year cross-licensing agreement between Apple and HTC.

"Disney Acquires Lucasfilm for $4 Billion"

Disney - Lucasfilm

If George Lucas was not rich enough, he sure is now.

"Zynga Lays Off Over 100 Employees, Closes Studios"

Zynga Logo

The unveiling of the iPad Mini is just what Facebook game creator Zynga needed to divert attention away from what they have done. Reports claim that Zynga has streamlined its studios in Boston, Austin, and Chicago, laying off many (if not all) employees working in it.

"Samsung Cuts LCD Supplier Relationship with Apple"

Apple Samsung

It’s over.

Samsung has announced that it will no longer supply LCD panels to Apple beginning next year. A senior Samsung official, who declined to be identified, told The Korea Times that it was due to “insufficient margins” after Apple updated its supply pricing strategy. Apple’s pricing on the latest iPad had reportedly caused the South Korean company to earn just half as much per pixel compared to previous iPad models.

"Foxconn Admits Employing Minors to Test Nintendo Wii U"

Foxconn Workers

Uh-oh. Foxconn has admitted that hired underage interns at its Yantai factory in China to “test” the Nintendo Wii U game console. It is speculated, however, that these underage workers could be part in the production of the console.

"SoftBank Announces Takeover of Sprint; Dips Its Toes into US Market"

SoftBank Logo

 

Japanese mobile phone company SoftBank has announced it is taking the majority control of US-based Sprint Nextel to the tune of $20 billion, making it the biggest overseas acquisition by a Japanese firm.

"Dish Gives Up Turning Blockbuster into Netflix Rival"

Dish Gives Up Turning Blockbuster into Netflix Rival

It was April 2011 when Dish Network acquired the struggling video-rental company Blockbuster in an effort to position the brand as a worthy competitor of Netflix. Eighteen months have passed and the new owner has given up.

"Deutsche Telekom Talks with MetroPCS on Possible Acquisition"

T-Mobile USA

It has been confirmed that Deutsche Telekom, the parent company of T-Mobile, is meeting with regional carrier MetroPCS on a possible acquisition deal.