Electronics | GlobalPost

Report: Google launching music streaming service

Agence France-PresseMay 15, 2013 08:47

Google's much-rumored paid subscription music-streaming service is expected to debut Wednesday at its I/O Developers Conference in San Francisco. Positioned to compete directly with services like Spotify, according to "people familiar with the matter" who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, Google has signed deals with Universal, Sony and Warner Music in order to access their vast back catalogs of music, although it is unclear how much Google will charge for the service.

Report: Google launching music streaming service

Agence France-PresseMay 15, 2013 08:45

Olympus books profit as it shrugs off accounting scandal

Agence France-PresseMay 15, 2013 07:31

Japan's Olympus said Wednesday it swung to an annual net profit as it turns the page on a huge accounting scandal, adding that it expects profits to more than triple in the current fiscal year. The camera and medical equipment maker said net profit for the year to March was 8.02 billion yen ($78 million), reversing a year-earlier loss of 48.99 billion yen. Sales were worth 743.85 billion yen, down 12.3 percent. The firm's return to profitability came as it rebuilds from a scandal for which several former executives are facing criminal charges.

Sony, SodaStream, Trina Solar, Research In Motion are big market movers on Tuesday

The Canadian PressMay 14, 2013 20:30

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE Sony Corp., up $1.87 at $20.76 A hedge fund proposed that the conglomerate spin off 20 per cent of its entertainment unit and use the money to boost its electronics unit. Trina Solar Ltd., down 52 cents at $5.41 The Chinese solar panel maker cut its first-quarter estimate for module shipments and may revise its full-year shipment outlook. Edwards Lifesciences Corp., up $4.23 at $71.57

Sharp forecasts 14.5 pct rise in its LCD panel sales in 2013/14

Thomson ReutersMay 14, 2013 18:46

TOKYO (Reuters) - Sharp Corp, which makes display screens for Apple Inc, said it expects sales of liquid crystal display panels to rise 14.5 percent to 970 billion yen ($9.53 billion) in the year to March 31. Japan's LCD pioneer, which on Tuesday released its latest business results, forecast revenue from televisions to rise 3 percent to 400 billion yen in the current business year. ($1 = 101.7450 Japanese yen) (Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Edmund Klamann)

US hedge fund wants part of Sony's entertainment business sold, Sony says it's not for sale

The Canadian PressMay 14, 2013 14:00

TOKYO - A U.S. hedge fund has proposed that Sony Corp. sell up to 20 per cent of its entertainment business and use the money to strengthen its ailing electronics unit, drawing a quick rejection from the sprawling Japanese consumer conglomerate. In a May 14 letter to Sony President Kazuo Hirai, first published in The New York Times, hedge fund Third Point suggested Sony take 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the entertainment unit public.

Nokia launches upgraded flagship smartphone for Europe

Agence France-PresseMay 14, 2013 09:38

The latest Lumia is more of an evolution than a revolution but will be a big hit for smartphone owners that put a premium on photography.

Sony investor calling for break-up

Agence France-PresseMay 14, 2013 09:00

An important US shareholder in Sony has called for a break-up of the struggling Japanese electronics group, a move that could ignite a fire within Japan's traditionalist business culture, the New York Times reported on Tuesday. Third Point, which is known as an "activist" investment fund which now owns around 6.5 percent of the shares in Sony, is pressing it to focus on its core activities and sell some media holdings to shareholders, according to a letter seen by the Times. Sony told AFP that its media activities "are not for sale."

Nokia launches upgraded flagship smartphone for Europe

Agence France-PresseMay 14, 2013 09:00

The latest Lumia is more of an evolution than a revolution but will be a big hit for smartphone owners that put a premium on photography.

Japan's Sharp posts record annual loss

Agence France-PresseMay 14, 2013 03:16

Japanese electronics giant Sharp on Tuesday posted a record annual loss for the second year in a row, and announced plans to replace its current chief after just one year on the job. The maker of Aquos-brand electronics reported a net loss of 545.3 billion yen ($5.4 billion) in the year to March, its worst-ever shortfall after losing 376 billion yen in the previous year. However, Sharp said it expects to return to profitability in the current fiscal year.