Nintendo Bets Big on Social DS System

Nintendo has been notorious for providing innovative and fun ways to approach video games.  Their latest product, set to release globally in March of 2011, is the Nintendo 3DS.  The 3DS expands upon its predecessors and has implemented numerous new features.  The first, as evident by the name, is a 3D feature.  What's unique about the 3D within the 3DS is that it requires no glasses.  Similar to the 3D televisions recently released at electronics conventions, the 3DS utilizes a dual projection technology that makes images on the screen appear to be 3D.  Additionally, the 3DS utilizes a new communications tool by providing gamers to talk to one another, write messages, and locate members locally and globally via the internet.  While the idea isn't brand new, Nintendo has shown that simple ideas and innovative concepts can create addicting products.

The Nintendo DS also leaves plenty of room for innovation.  As of now, access to the internet is based upon Wi-Fi hotspots.  Nintendo has not set plans for establishing a 3G connection with the 3DS yet has not closed that window entirely.  While hotspots work generally in populated areas, less populated areas may not be attracted to the device due to the lack of consistent hotspots.  The importance of hotspots to the 3DS' platform is that Nintendo is hoping customers will be persuaded to carry their 3DS wherever they go.  Nintendo indicates that a player could be walking down the street, reading the news on the 3DS, when an notification comes up that a player has "crossed paths" with the player.  The player can then choose to engage or ignore the player, which provides numerous opportunities for gaming and interactions with people around the world.  Of course, Nintendo ensures that this option is entirely optional and can be turned off in order to ensure privacy. 

Many companies have recently made pledges to creating games and products for the Nintendo 3DS due to its innovative capabilities.  Nintendo is hoping to cut into Apple's iPhone and Google's Android gaming market.  Since the 3DS operates with 1 touch screen, this makes it very possible to engage these markets.  One thing that's not confirmed is an "applications" market, or more specifically, some sort of market that allows small, downloadable games.  The importance of this is that many iPhone and Android users purchase games for quick time-killers.  The Nintendo 3DS consists of games that generally, but not always, require a fair amount of time.  Whether customers are looking for something to kill the time or a truly engaging touch experience is unknown.  Nintendo will find out next March.


Cite:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704361504575552052178193756.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews

Sprint Posts Loss, but Adds Customers

Today Sprint Nextel Corp. posted a larger 3rd quarter loss but added the most customers in the past 4 years. Sprint is the nations 3rd largest wireless carrier and added approximately 644,000 new customer to its network in its second straight quarter of substatial growth. Sprint shares fell 9.5% to $4.31 in recent trading, but Sprint looks forward to its prospected turnaround reliant on its advanced 4G services.

The timeliness of this comeback however is greatly dependent on Clearwire Corp. Sprint holds a 54 percent stake in Clearwire and is a wholesale customer of the mobile WiMAX operator. Sprint is pushing its 4G-compatible Evo and Epic smartphones as an advantage over its larger rivals. But that advantage is to be short-lived as Verizon Wireless is set to develop its own 4G network in 38 cities by the end of the year, and not to mention add the iPhone to its already prevailing phone selection.

Clearwire is crucial to Sprint’s success because it is the backbone of the companies 4G network. Presently Clearwire is in some financial trouble injuring Sprint’s 4G master plan. Sprint is considering financing the company even further but it is still unsure. Sprint is optimistic as they continue to expect more customer growth in the 4th quarter.

Source; http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304173704575577893941805792.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews

Apple Launches Online Store in China

Apple Incorporation has opened an online store in China, along with a simplified-Chinese version of its App Store. This enables the Chinese costumers to an easy access of Apple products (iPad, iPhone, computers). Before, an online purchase had to be picked up in one of the Apple stores, where as now the products can be shipped in a matter of days. However, Apple will not be the only company to expand in China, but the Taiwanese smartphone maker HTV Corporation will as well.

Considering China is the world’s largest mobile market and second largest computer market, Apple is planning to expand their market in China by opening 25 Apple Stores by 2011. Apple is also trying to launch new products as soon as possible for this reason.

Apple was ranked fifth in the smartphone market in China with 7.1%. Therefore this move will probably increase their selling in the area and beat other companies. However, this step has a disadvantage since e-commerce in China since the costumers are required to have dual-currency credit in order to make purchases. This harms the App Store because many seek for other alternatives such as hacking their phones or using fake identities, which harms the market.

Considering the issues of the action are minor and can be taken care of, Apple is on top of all other companies. One more time Apple is seeking to satisfy the public with their products and services, and this time in the most popular smartphone market. If Chinese costumers start buying through this service, it is very likely Apple will overtake popularity in China and will increase their wholesale.

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Apple-Launches-Online-Store-bw-3623989688.html?x=0&.v=1

Google's Expansion Creating Enemies in Online Traveling

Besides being known as a powerful search engine, Google Inc. branched from Internet and broadband to the mobile industry and now wants to grasp traveling. Announcing this, Google Inc. created enemies, as numerous online travel companies created a coalition called Fair Search.org in hopes of persuading the Justice Department to forbid Google’s deal. FairSearch.org was formed by the partnership of Expedia Inc., Kayak.com, Sabre Holdings and Farelogix Inc; the leading companies in the online traveling.

Google Inc. wants to purchase the ITA Software Inc, the $700 million. ITA Software is fundamental because it is the leading informer about flights data. By allowing this deal to be conducted, Google will have total control over the travel sector. Not surprisingly, Microsoft Corp. also opposes the transaction saying that their search engine Bing relies on ITA for its travel searches. By allowing Google to purchase it, Bing will be hurt drastically because Google Inc. can set limitations on travel data since it would own ITA.

Statistically, ITA owns 65% of direct online information. ITA software helps online booking as well as comparing different online travel agencies for best prices. Google, on the other hand, without buying the ITA’s software already owns more than 30% of all search engines for those sites. Is FairSearch.org than right to rally against the deal? By concurring the deal, Google would then own 95% completely owning the industry once again. If the deal does occur or not, what will Google try to branch out to next?

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304248704575574710753536950.html?mod=ITP_marketplace_0#ixzz13Ue9mllh

Glasses free 3D TV unlikely soon

At a recent electronics conference, Samsung revealed a glasses free 3D TV that astounded many consumers.  3D has been making its way into consumer products as shown by the Nintendo 3DS which is showing signs of an up and coming market for various telecommunications products.  Unfortunately, Samsung indicated that this type of product won't be available to consumers for another 5-10 years.  This is due to high manufacturing prices that would prevent it from being mass-produced.  What I find interesting about this article is the hints towards the importance of the next 5-10 years.

As 3D begins to make its way to smaller products such as cell phones and hand held devices, a "testing phase" of 3D is beginning.  The next couple of years will determine the success and implications of 3D on telecommunication products.  How customers react to these products could shape the role 3D plays in larger companies.  While visually appealing, there are still numerous problems that exist with 3D, specifically, the "zone of vision" one must be within in order to see the full effect of the 3D capabilities.  The transition towards 3D could also affect industries that focus on HD, LCD, LED, etc. forms of projecting images.  While many of these issues are extremely predictive, they may become real issues as the years progress.

N8 Nokia beat the Apple iPhone?

Nokia Corp is one of the world large mobile industries. This following May it will introduce the new N8 smart phone. The N8 costs $549 and is said to tighten the competition between them and the iPhone. Over the past three years Nokia has been doing horrible in the United States. They lost over 70% of their market value due to their misinterpretation in market trends.

One thing that made Nokia loose its popularity is that they said consumers can pre-order from they home website yet they couldn’t distribute all of them, creating a bad image. Due to this Nokia profit fell from $289.8 million by June 30. However, their quarterly sales rose to €10 billion from €9.91 billion

What is interesting to note is that Nokia Corp is envisioning that the N8 will bring up their sales and catch up with iPhone. Does anybody really believe that?

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960004575481912022035740.html

Sony to Start Sales of Google TVs

Sony Corporation will now sell televisions with Google Incorporation’s Web-surfing, a combination of access to the Internet with regular TV programming. LCD screens from 24 to 26 inches will be available at a very considerate price, from $600 to $1400. The purchasing of the new product will be available through the online Sony website and in Best Buy stores as well.

Sony’s prices exceed other prices by $200 to $400 because they include the new software. This worries the company the consumers will not purchase their TV. However I believe the public will consider their offering as well since those extra bills are there for a reason, the advantage of having access to Internet and a TV at the same time. Sony is taking advantage to launch Google TV sets in the holiday shopping season in order to sell more. This demonstrates certain fear from part of the company and shares a negative suspicion on the public. Personally, I feel some fear from the company and this lowers my intentions of purchasing the product rather than wanting to buy it.

The article says, “ Sony’s new TVs will be built on Google’s Android operating system, will navigate websites with Google’s Chrome browser and rely on Intel Corp.’s Atom chips for processing power.” I would say this is the competition of Apple TV, whereas working with a company (Google) that is growing with a lot of power and rapidly, is a good move from Sony Corporation.

This new innovation will certainly attract the public’s attention since technology like this is what consumes the most. Being able to watch TV and search anything in the Internet without having to use the TV and the computer will be a “must” in some time considering people are looking for what facilitates them the most. The new Google TV includes a keyboard in order to perform ‘computer work’ in a television.

Source:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703440004575548700586708336.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews