Editor’s Note: Related tickers: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD), NTT Docomo Inc (ADR) (NYSE:DCM)
Apple is the stock to watch as new iPhone awaited (MarketWatch)
“We have long argued that for iPhone sales to continue to grow longer term Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) needs to sell a new device at a mid range price point in order to build scale in emerging [markets]. The iPhone 5c seems to be a possible move in this direction. Our checks to date suggest that the 5c is likely only a first step towards the mid-range though,” said Stuart Jeffrey at Nomura in a note. Shares of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) +0.43% , which have gained more than 10% over the month in anticipation of the unveiling, climbed 1.6% to close at $506.17 Monday. Ahead of the opening bell, McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) +0.14% is expected to post its same-store sales for August. Analysts at Lazard Capital Markets said they expect flat sales growth in the U.S. and drops in Europe and Asia. The Dow component’s July same-store-sales rose 0.7%.
Google and Apple face international investigation into ‘free’ game apps luring kids into racking up huge bills (PerthNow)
The nation’s consumer watchdog yesterday joined 50 agencies on a worldwide sweep for potentially misleading apps that are advertised as free then encourage or confuse children, including toddlers, to play with real cash. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission plans to meet the technology titans to push for better app store disclosure about smartphone and tablet games that are free to download and then dazzle youngsters into spending up to thousands of dollars to progress.
Microsoft stops withholding its RTM of Windows 8.1 (TheInquirer)
WINDOWS DEVELOPERS are angry at Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) because it won’t give them access to the final build of Windows 8.1 until its general availability release to the public in mid-October. The firm announced on Tuesday that it had released the nearly final version of its Windows 8.1 service pack for Windows 8 to PC and tablet hardware makers, but said that it won’t be released to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) until the public release of Windows 8.1 on 17 October. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s excuse for holding back the Windows 8.1 release to manufacturing (RTM) code from software developers and IT professionals apparently is that it isn’t complete yet…
Apple to Unveil IPhones Seeking End to Year of Struggles (Bloomberg)
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s introduction of new iPhones is a chance for the company to turn the page on a dour year that included no big new gadgets, a falling stock and stepped-up competition. Apple will update its flagship product, adding more colors and a less-expensive model, at an event at its Cupertino, California, headquarters today, a person with knowledge of the plans said last month. Apple, which will hold a viewing of the presentation in Beijing for the first time, is also close to securing deals with China Mobile Ltd. (941) and Japan’s NTT Docomo Inc (ADR) (NYSE:DCM) to sell iPhones in Asia’s biggest markets.
Google, Yahoo ask to disclose more on data (IOL)
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Yahoo filed court requests on Monday to disclose more about US government’s national security data requests, saying media reports on the matter have been misleading and harmful. Yahoo filed its petition with the US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, saying the government can protect public safety “without precluding Internet companies from sharing the number of national security requests they may receive.”
What a deal with China Mobile means for Apple (CNBC)
Microsoft investors want Ford CEO Mulally to replace Ballmer (Tech2)
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) recently made headlines when its current CEO, Steve Ballmer, announced that he would be retiring from the helm of the company within the next 12 months. The debate on who will be filling his shoes next year has placed former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop as the clear favourite in the race. A new report by Reuters, however, shows that not all the voices in the company agree with the idea of Elop heading the company. At least three of the company’s top investors are now pushing for the board to consider candidates like current Ford CEO Alan Mulally as well as Computer Sciences CEO Mike Lawrie. Mulally’s track record seems solid. In the past, the executive was instrumental in successfully changing the work culture in Ford and kick start flagging brands like Taurus.
Apple’s next big thing may be lower-priced iPhone (TBO)
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s much-anticipated update to its line-up of iPhones may leave the impression that the technology pioneer’s focus has shifted to making more affordable products than engineering innovative breakthroughs. In keeping with its tight-lipped ways, Apple Inc. hasn’t disclosed what’s on the agenda for the coming-out party scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. PDT Tuesday at its Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. But this is the time of year that Apple typically shows off the latest generation of its iPhone, a device that has reshaped the way people use computers since its debut in 2007. Apple took the wraps off the iPhone 5, the current model, last September.
Google releases Nexus 7 with LTE, costs $350 (Gearburn)
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) announced today that its Nexus 7 32 GB tablet with LTE is now available through the Google Play store. The Nexus 7 was released at the end of last year followed by a newer version a few months ago. The same way many people were upset about the lack of fast LTE connectivity with the cheap Nexus 4 smartphone, the Nexus 7 tablet is now expected to fill the void. The Nexus 7 LTE-ready tablet is available through the Google Play Store for US$350 (R3 500) and will carry a T-mobile SIM. Although this offer is available in the US (and a few other expected countries), there’s still no word of it going global as far as we know.
