BloggingStocks

Selling the Kindle at Target Sounds Silly

Jeff Reeves — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Apple Inc (AAPL), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Amazon.com (AMZN), Target Corp. (TGT)

The tech blog rumor mill is running at full speed today about a partnership between online retail powerhouse Amazon.com (AMZN) and brick-and-mortar discounter Target (TGT). Supposedly, the hit Kindle e-reader will be on sale in Target stores later this month.

Engadget kicked off the frenzy Wednesday with what looks to be a covert screenshot of Target's inventory computer showing stock. Target is being conspicuously closed-mouth on the subject, deflecting requests for comments with a simple vanilla statement: "Target has no specific plans to share at this time, and we don't comment on speculation or rumors."

Continue reading Selling the Kindle at Target Sounds Silly

Selling the Kindle at Target Sounds Silly originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung pulls the big guns on Nokia, Motorola, Sony and LG

Gary Sattler — Sun, 18 May 2008 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Competitive Strategy, Apple Inc (AAPL), Motorola (MOT), Marketing and Advertising, Nokia Corp. (NOK), Sony Corp ADR (SNE)

Samsung is trying to make more big noise in the mobile phone market. I don't think there's really any need for additional concern about this from Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK). I also don't think they'll be quaking in their boots over at Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT). Life will probably continue to be good for LG. However, Samsung really wants to move some phones in the UK and to do that, it's calling out the big guns like Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE). I don't think there's danger in store for the iPhone, but I'm sure they're talking about this situation over at Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL).

In conjunction with a smattering of mobile service providers, Samsung is bundling it's new Soul U900 cell phones with some of today's hottest electronic equipment. For instance, if UK consumers purchase a Samsung Soul U900, and contract with T-Mobile for 18 months in it's Flext 35 service plan, those consumers will receive a FREE Wii system plus Wii Sports! Likewise, If UK consumers buy the phone and contract with Orange Panther 75, they can receive a FREE XBOX 360 Elite!. For the time being, these deals appear to only be available in the United Kingdom. Could this marketing strategy move to the U.S.? One can only hope.

In the mean time, Samsung is also creating some fairly interesting video marketing materials. In my opinion, the video below doesn't do much for the marketing of cell phones, but it's pretty cool none the less. It's called simply; "10 optical Illusions in 2 minutes." Enjoy!

Samsung pulls the big guns on Nokia, Motorola, Sony and LG originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 18 May 2008 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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M2E and General Dynamics fire an $8 million salvo into the battery camp

Gary Sattler — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Good news, Products and Services, Tech for the Rest of Us, General Dynamics Corp (GD)

M2E Power has reportedly received a total of $8 million in funding from a group of venture capital outlets including: OVP Venture Partners, Highway 12 Ventures, @Ventures, the CMGI Inc. (NASDAQ: CMGID) clean technology venture unit, and various angel investors. The first round capital funding, it is said, is to be put to work developing "no battery" power sources in mobile devices for military applications with the long-term focus being on civilian applications such as for iPods, cell phones and cameras.

Business Wire reports that M2E, in partnership with General Dynamics Corp. (NYSE: GD), has filed six patents on technology exploiting the Faraday Principle, which involves creating electricity by passing magnets through coils. The reader may wish to note that his principle of electromagnetic induction was proven viable in 1831. Rob Day, principal at @Ventures stated, "They've reached the stage where they've proven this really does work. Prototypes are in actual D-cell or A-cell batteries." You may read about some of the details at AOL Money and Finance.

Continue reading M2E and General Dynamics fire an $8 million salvo into the battery camp

M2E and General Dynamics fire an $8 million salvo into the battery camp originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 17 Nov 2007 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Android: Google's answer to open source mobile (GOOG)

Gary Sattler — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Good news, Products and Services, Internet, Competitive Strategy, Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), Marketing and Advertising, Next Big Thing, iPhone

Android. What an odd name for a mobile communications software application suite. The name smacks of something independent and powerful. Perhaps it's not a misnomer after all. This could be the start of something quite unfamiliar in the world of subscription cell phones. I want free access to multiple wireless carriers.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), has declared once and for all that today's mobile phone is to no longer be a simple communications device. Google, it would seem, has determined that your cell phone is to become your one umbilical cord to the world . Google wants your cell phone to be more than just an extension of your personality (as if it wasn't already). That is why Google wants your cell phone unleashed. Google wants the pipe line opened up for pumping personalized advertising at you right where you live. I believe that Google envisions the day when wireless air time is given away to consumers and paid for by advertising sponsors just the way most television worked not so long ago.

I believe, now that the cat is actually out of the bag, Google is going to put serious pressure on the wireless communications industry to change their business models from subscription based survival to active air time marketing based on their numbers of subscribers. Gradually, subscription fees will die as vendors compete to increase the value of their air time by adding eyes. Are you taking notes on this Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)?

On the consumer side, mobile communications air time sells cheap and is even sometimes given away. Put an advertising sponsor via the Internet on the source end and you could see that air time suddenly becoming extremely valuable. Is it just Google that figured that out? There could possibly arise a problem involving a public back lash against unrequested advertising showing up on their phones but I'm sure a couple of "free phone, free minutes" promotions would chill all that noise real quick.

We want free access to multiple wireless carriers and we want it now. We can thank Google if it happens.

Android: Google's answer to open source mobile (GOOG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bloggers sell their souls for free food

Zac Bissonnette — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 11:10:00 EST

Filed under: Bad News, Blogs, Scandals

What's the price of a blogger's soul? In some cases, it's as little as dinner with a guest at a nice restaurant.

According to The Wall Street Journal, "As online food sites become increasingly influential in the restaurant business, chefs and owners are plying bloggers with free meals to get good write-ups. Some are also posting favorable reviews about themselves on popular Web sites or becoming Internet scribes."

This is as clear a violation of journalistic ethics as you will find. Real food critics dine anonymously and pay their own bills -- a known critic is likely to receive special treatment, which of course could make their experience less than indicative of what their readers can expect.

And then there's another problem: Is it really possible to be objective in a review when you aren't feeling the sting of having paid for it?

Blogs are certainly giving the traditional media a run for their money. But in order for the coup to be successful, they will have to adopt some of the ethical standards of the traditional media. For what it's worth, this is the policy for all blogs in the Weblogs Inc. (owned by AOL; includes BloggingStocks) network:

Bloggers do not receive free products or services from the companies they write about.
Bloggers do accept review units (e.g., a new cell phone at Engadget, a video game at Joystiq, or a week-long car loan at Autoblog); however, when they're finished reviewing products, they return these items to the manufacturers. If the manufacturers do not take the items back, we give them to our readers. This is the same editorial policy as the New York Times or Wall Street Journal.

Bloggers sell their souls for free food originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 07 Oct 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: Dave Chalmers, COO, Validas Inc.

Gary Sattler — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Good news, Products and Services, Interviews, Marketing and Advertising, iPhone

I am very pleased to have been given the opportunity to interview Dave Chalmers, Chief Operating Officer of Validas Inc. Validas is a startup company that is assertively carving out a niche for itself in the realm of wireless telecommunications billing processes. Mr Chalmers explained that Validas is built by a team that hails from companies such as Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless, and he made clear that Validas presents its offerings supported upon the following premise: "Simplicity defines our service and detail defines our mission." In reflection of his company's declared intent, I found Mr. Chalmers to be both to the point and clearly definitive with his answers.

Dave Chalmers revealed to me that there's an extremely unique quality to the service offering that Validas puts forward in that Validas is thoughtfully positioned to benefit both wireless service consumers and wireless communications providers alike. Simply put, the focus of Validas is to save each and every wireless customer time and money by providing them with nearly instant clarity of their wireless communications bills, and then by giving the customer clear and concise input on how to best tailor their wireless service usage to more closely suit their particular needs and budget. The customer may then approach their service provider with a clearer definition of their needs and expectations, and the information needed to follow through on those expectations. Dave summed it up by telling me that above all else, "we are 100% focused on how we can help consumers and small businesses with our service."

Continue reading Interview: Dave Chalmers, COO, Validas Inc.

Interview: Dave Chalmers, COO, Validas Inc. originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verichip's (CHIP) implant may be linked to cancer

Gary Sattler — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: Stocks to Buy

It seems that Verichip Corp (NASDAQ: CHIP) will have some fancy footwork to do in light of a recent study, which allegedly links subcutaneous data chip implants with aggressive malignant tumor growth as reported by Engadget. Have no fear though, I'm sure that Verichip will quickly release its own scientific report to fully discredit any assertion that chip implants aren't good for you. Currently, there are approximately 2,000 implant recipients in the United States. Never mind that the Japanese have yet to make the technology secure enough to protect a personal bus pass.

That's your future folks, the corporate world with the assistance of "well meaning" social engineers in government and your tax dollars, want to know where your pet is, where your car is, where you are and where every farm animal on the planet is at any given moment. Will it ever happen? Just you try to fight it.

With the alignment of Taser International Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) and iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT) to design and manufacture robotic mobile zapping devices for government agencies the world over, if you get too aggressive in your protests they'll just send a flying Roomba clone draped in a copy of the Patriot Act. Where's Issac Asimov when you need him?

Verichip's (CHIP) implant may be linked to cancer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iRobot (IRBT) is in the gutter

Eric Buscemi — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Products and Services, Launches, Conventions and Conferences

iRobot Corporation (NASDAQ: IRBT) is famous for its automated housecleaning robots, the Roomba and Scuba, which are programmed for vacuuming and mopping, respectively. Now the company is planning to introduce another Jetsons-era household helper, the Looj, for cleaning gutters. Word of the new robot comes from Engadget.com, who got their hands on an FCC document showing a diagram of what appears to be a miniature gutter-sweeping tank.

This move appears to be a clear positive for iRobot, as it targets a distinctly more male audience than its other two popular products -- I mean, really, who is more likely to go out and buy a robot to do the chores, Mom or Dad? Wall Street was also excited about the new product, as iRobot's stock rose over 4% yesterday, to $21.89.

Additionally, according to iRobot CEO Colin Angle, consumers should expect to see two new robots at the Digital Life expo, which takes place on September 27-30 at the Javits Center in New York City. Assuming this is one of them, what could the other one be? Personally, I'm hoping it's a bed-making robot.

iRobot (IRBT) is in the gutter originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Futuristic technology plays: Trap 'em and zap 'em

Gary Sattler — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Good news, Products and Services, Taser Intl Inc (TASR)

Real world, futuristic technology plays can be had in the recently declared working partnership between Taser International (NASDAQ: TASR) and iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ: IRBT). The team is developing machines and equipment which could revolutionize the worlds of the military, security and law enforcement, all the while seeking to take real people (in their own bodies) out of harms way.

By forming this working alliance, Taser and iRobot have accomplished two very significant things. First, iRobot has deeply jammed their foot in the door of a market sector which will only grow larger. By taking advantage of the position already secured by Taser, iRobot has eliminated years of marketing work which would have been required to gain for themselves the same position. Second, by teaming with iRobot, Taser has fulfilled a grand desire to enhance product mobility and they have done it without the time and massive capital investment which would have been required to accomplish it alone.

If you're looking for a long-term technology play with relative safety, I'd say this working alliance provides a couple good ones and remember, you're hearing that from the biggest bear on the block. ;)

Futuristic technology plays: Trap 'em and zap 'em originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Virgin dishes with Engadget

Julie Tilsner — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Southwest Airlines (LUV), JetBlue Airways (JBLU)

Our sister site, Engadget, sat down to an exclusive interview with Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson. Branson, the swash-buckling founder of the Virgin empire, flew to San Francisco on the first ever Virgin America flight. Branson, who has a 25% stake in the new company, worked for three years to get U.S. regulators to approve his new low-cost carrier.

Sir Richard is vocal in his criticism of the U.S. airline industry. Indeed, he tells Engadget that if it weren't for America's peculiar Chapter 11, none of the legacy carriers in this country would still be around. To wit:

"...they just keep on going in and out of bankruptcy. In Europe, if you're dead you're dead, make room for new children to grow. It's not good for the traveling public. It's much better if you have the English system, where if you don't succeed you're bankrupt and you make room for somebody else."

The airline will compete with the likes of Jetblue Airways Corp. (NASDAQ: JBLU) and Southwest Airline Co. (NYSE: LUV), and will feature two flights a day to New York and five to Los Angeles from SFO. Frequent flyers must be excited, given the high reputation of the Virgin brand name, and Branson has promised these new planes, Airbus A319 and A320 jets, will have the latest in high-tech entertainment options.

Which is why the boys at Engadget wanted to go along for the ride, no doubt. Check out the whole interview here:

The Virgin dishes with Engadget originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell (DELL) and Lenovo set up to crash through Windows

Gary Sattler — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Products and Services, Competitive Strategy, Microsoft (MSFT), Dell (DELL), Wal-Mart (WMT)

Here's a scenario which is quite unneeded by Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT). In the battle to create profit within the world of personal computers, it must be scary for "number one" when numbers two and three join forces. According to a report from Red Herring, that is exactly what is happening, sort of. I haven't heard yet if Microsoft is scared.

It would seem that Dell and Lenovo are each gearing up behind the Linux operating system and are preparing to take a flying leap right against Windows. Judging by the considerable negative banter I have encountered regarding a less than stellar Windows Vista inaugural performance, I would say Dell and Lenovo's move comes at a most opportune time.

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) has fully embraced Linux, which has had fairly good response from domestic open source enthusiasts. Dell, for its part, is taking the operating system on a worldwide road show. Dell will be hard selling PCs loaded with the Linux operating system in several countries across the pond.

For number three PC maker Lenovo (OTC: LNGVY)'s part, it plans to introduce a broad range of Linux-outfitted laptops, a particularly strong endorsement of the operating system. To me this signals a recognition by manufacturers in the field that Windows Vista is shoddy, expensive and perhaps a bit arrogant, if I can use that word in this context.

To be honest I must admit that Dell has lost me as a customer. That is mainly due to Dell's decision to succumb to the wiles of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT). I thank Dell however for giving the nod to Linux, as that may very well be my chosen operating system for the computer I am soon to build. My computer building project shall be introduced on Friday and shall be fully chronicled on our sister site, DIYLife. I'm hoping that our BloggingStocks friends will come share their opinions as I build a computer from scratch. I will be soliciting reader input to help complete that project successfully.

Dell (DELL) and Lenovo set up to crash through Windows originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Has science reached the ultimate in power sources?

Gary Sattler — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Good news, Apple Inc (AAPL), Pfizer (PFE), Next Big Thing, electronics

I bring an interesting tidbit for those who are involved in alternate energy source investment. This concept may actually turn into the world's greatest scientific discovery in the realm of energizing consumer devices. It would appear that an exciting development has been made that claims to harvest usable electrical energy from the operating temperature of the human body. This energy is created by utilizing the difference in temperature between the body and the surrounding ambient temperature. The technology is called the principle of thermoelectricity generators (TEG), and it seems to have incredible potential.

Imagine for instance if Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) could make available a dynamic blood sugar monitor that would give a diabetic patient a constant blood sugar readout simply by being put in contact with the body and would never require a battery change. Could I interest you in a wrist watch that uses you as its power source? How about a battery free iPhone, might that pique your curiosity? Has it already aroused the curiosity of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)?

Scientists are focusing their efforts on bringing this technology more to the forefront. They have successfully harnessed an electrical current of 200 millivolts from human thermoelectricity, but they came up against a problem with that. Given the fact that many of today's gadgets require between 1 to 2 volts for operation, 200 millivolts is not about to do the job. That is, of course, unless you create new types of circuitry that will operate at such low voltages. Creating that lower voltage circuitry, which can be energized with as little as 50 millivolts, has reportedly been accomplished. It might be time to cut loose some of those investments in battery manufacturers.

Peter Spies, manager of this sub-project at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits stated, "We combined a number of components in a completely new way to create circuits that can operate on 200 millivolts. This has enabled us to build entire electronic systems that do not require an internal battery, but which draw their energy from body heat alone."

Some scientists are convinced that thermoelectrical power generation is the way of the future. It is said that the greater the difference in temperature, the greater the voltage that can be generated. The concept not only applies to human body heat but can be utilized in any situation where a disparity of temperatures exists between surfaces or between a surface and the surrounding ambient temperature.

How soon will it be possible for us to not only conceive of, design, and build spectacular gadgets, but to also power them by our own individual electricity? Science is saying that day could come very soon. If you don't think this concept will someday be manufacturing reality, might I remind you that not so long ago computers weighed several tons and took up entire rooms. That's food for thought my friends.

Has science reached the ultimate in power sources? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple's production cut rumors could be viewed as positive

Melly Alazraki — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: Analyst Reports, Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades, Rumors, Products and Services, Apple Inc (AAPL), iPhone

After tumbling 6.8% yesterday to close at $131.76 following some very unconfirmed chatter that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) will cut production of its iPhone, Citi came along this morning and reaffirmed its confidence in the company (as many analysts have throughout yesterday). The stock is up 1.3% in midday trading.

Our sister blog, TUAW, today cites messages from the Mac Observer forums saying (not much unlike some commentators here have), that it is possible yesterday's decline was due to a deliberate hit by someone. Further, Apple 2.0, directs us to AppleInsider who talked to Peter Boockvar of Miller Tabak analyst, the firm that supposedly wrote up the original note about the production cuts. There was no such note on Apple, he insists, according to the site.

As Citigroup explained when it upgraded Apple to Buy from Hold this morning, those production cut rumors are not surprising as they are indication that Apple is clearing out inventory ahead of new products, mainly lower priced, higher-capacity iPod Shuffles and Nanos, as well as a video iPod with an iPhone-like 3.5 inches diagonal screen and touch-screen controls. AAPL's pullback yesterday left the stock more attractive vis-a-vis Citi's price target of $160. Goldman Sachs analyst David C. Bailey agreed that the recent pullback in the share price presents a buying opportunity.

We also hear from another sister blog, Engadget, that they have noticed a quiet price cuts of the 5.5G iPod at a few major online retailers. Despite Apple usually keeping up a pretty tight rein on its product prices, some iPod models can be bought for $20 cheaper at some online retailers. While this usually may be nothing of note, Engadget speculates it could be a way to clear "excess stock in preparation for a brand new iPod..." Well, in light of these recent developments, I'd say this makes sense.

Apple's production cut rumors could be viewed as positive originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cheaper, smaller iPhone may be on the way

Michael Rainey — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors, Products and Services, Consumer Experience, Internet, Apple Inc (AAPL), iPhone

Our pals at Engadget are fueling speculation that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) is planning to release a new iPhone as early as this fall. This second generation iPhone will be smaller and cheaper, selling for as little as $249. (A mock-up of the phone from Engadget is at right.)

At this point, the story is just a rumor, but the source of the rumor is interesting. Apparently the story is coming from Taiwan, where many of the parts for the iPhone are made. As Engadget says:

According to DigiTimes, Taiwan's Chinese-language Commercial Times says that Taiwan's Wintek has gained the touch-screen panel orders for the second-gen iPhone. The report claims that Wintek has already begun test production in small volumes with Apple intent on selling their newest model of the iPhone in September for somewhere between $249 and $299.

If this is true, it would certainly make sense. Apple introduced the iPod in the fall of 2001, and soon followed up with smaller and cheaper versions of the wildly popular device. You can now choose from the fifth-generation iPod, which plays video, the smaller Nano, and the even smaller Shuffle. (If I remember correctly, there was a Mini available at one point too.) Each model is regularly upgraded, with increased memory and sometimes lower prices. And the array of iPods appeals to just about any consumer; you can spend $399 for an 80 gigabyte audio iPod or $79 for a 1 gig Shuffle. As a result, just about everyone can afford an iPod -- and Apple sales reflect this broad appeal. So it should come as no surprise that the company is using the same approach with the iPhone.

Other related recent rumors:
New iPods to be iPhones without the phone
Apple patent produces JP Morgan analyst debate

Cheaper, smaller iPhone may be on the way originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ten reasons I want to own an iPhone

Gary Sattler — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Good news, Products and Services, Apple Inc (AAPL), iPhone

There may be many good reasons to own an iPhone from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL). Although I still haven't gotten my hands on one, I have been able to get a good look at some of what the device can do. Perhaps these aren't the ten best reasons, but they are ten good ones.

To the best of my knowledge, all of the photo gallery images that I'm providing here for you have been sent using the iPhone. Though I'm impressed, I did notice that the iPhone image quality declines slightly as light levels decrease, but it still does remarkably well for a phone. Yes folks, the attached gallery pictures were sent by mobile phones.

The gallery images are all at original resolutions and are all unretouched. If it is true that we can now take digital images of this quality and instantly download them to our favorite picture manager as well as e-mail them to anywhere in the world that we choose, it is my opinion that the makers of memory cards for digital cameras had better be working on some new product ideas, because I'm guessing that image data storage has just taken a turn for the best.

Please do enjoy the gallery.

Gallery: iphone mania

Ten reasons I want to own an iPhone originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TASER provides shocking new details of its new revolutionary shotgun

Kevin Shult — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:05:00 EST

Filed under: Products and Services, Launches, Competitive Strategy, Taser Intl Inc (TASR)

TASER International (NASDAQ: TASR) is about to put its XREP Extended Range Electro-Muscular Projectile shotgun shells into field testing, according to Engadget. The standard 12-gauge shells have three fins on its end, similar to an arrow, and have four barbs at its tip. Upon firing, the shell, moving at approximately 300 feet per second, hits the target with same amount of juice the handheld X26 provides, but now at distance of up to 100 feet away.

Victims who so foolishly attempt to grab the projectile to pull it off will experience a wonderful sensation of what Taser called "overpowering Neuro Muscular Incapacitation" for 20 seconds. Ouch.

Despite being down 52 cents today, shares of TASER have doubled since April. Expectations for TASER to expand its product line in France have given shares a significant catalyst. Merriman Curhan Ford & Co believes investors should be more careful about choosing their entry point going forward, but still sees upside opportunities in the stock.

Field testing is expected to last 6-12 months before TASER comes out with a full production release. I, along with others who enjoy a good laugh, can not wait to see new footage of analysts who want to get shot by the new Taser product so they can fully understand the power of the non-lethal weapon.

TASER provides shocking new details of its new revolutionary shotgun originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZuneMan: The conundrum continues

Julie Tilsner — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Consumer Experience, Competitive Strategy, Microsoft (MSFT), Marketing and Advertising

The devil made him do it. Or maybe it was Bill Gates.

No matter. The internets are having a jolly mock-fest over a man who took brand marketing to an alarming plateau. Our sister site Engadget is a-twitter over the happy Microsoft Zune fan who got not one, but two Zune logos tattooed on his beefy arms.

With the amount of chatter going on about this chap, you might think he'd be in for his 15 minutes of fame as a sort of underground Zune spokesman. But there are a few problems:

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT)'s MP3 player Zune is widely seen as a decided also-ran next to the ubiquitous Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPod. And even though Microsoft hired college students to help flack Zune during its launch late last year, there are certain tacit rules when it comes to using people to help promote a brand: One of them is that they gotta seem cool and attractive to other people.

In other words, not big-'n-geeky and living in your parents' basement. That sort of endorsement doesn't exactly help Zune's cause.

The fan in question is flying out to Microsoft's Seattle headquarters in July. Maybe the company should pay him not to do it any more favors.

ZuneMan: The conundrum continues originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone is a week away, short or long AAPL?

Melly Alazraki — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL), iPhone

So this it it. Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone is a week away and the media frenzy hasn't subsided. Quite the opposite. I'm not sure what came first, the public interest in the iPhone or the media coverage, but it really doesn't matter now; people want iPhone news and the media is more than happy to provide.

The only thing that is certain at the moment is that Steve Jobs is a marketing genius! How so? Well, there are several phones already out there today that combine some of the main features of the iPhone, some of them even with (arguably) better features, like GPS. Just look at this list of the Top Ten iPhone Killers compiled back in February. Many of the phones listed there have already been released like the Nokia N95. Sarah Gilbert also reviewed a few other super/smart phones that may threaten the iPhone. And yet, no other phone received such attention.

How much media coverage is too much? Slate writer Jack Shafer ends his piece entitled Apple Suck-Up Watch by saying, "And somewhere out there in medialand a journalist will produce such a fawning piece of iPhone worship that the Church of Apple will anoint him a saint." Has the media gone too far? To be sure, some people had had enough and sites like engadget even offer feeds that exclude iPhone and/or Apple coverage.

Question is, though, what to do with your Apple stock, or, if you don't have any, what action to take?

Continue reading iPhone is a week away, short or long AAPL?

iPhone is a week away, short or long AAPL? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CNET's blog empire is too late

Douglas McIntyre — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, Blogs, Competitive Strategy, Entrepreneurs

CNET Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNET) is launching a group of blogs in the hope of expanding its news coverage and appeal to a broader base. The company's stock did not move and is down today. In early 2006, the shares traded for almost $16. They now rarely trade above $9.

CNET would seem to be a good business. With the immense need for information its tech news service, download center, and reviews of new devices would seem to be critical to the needs of executives following in the industry and consumer electronics buyers.

But, as some observers have pointed out, online readers turn to blogs like Gigaom and TechCruch for the kinds of information CNET used to have. The blogs are often faster at breaking news and have more of an edge in reviewing new electronics. This may be because the newer websites do not rely on mainstream advertisers for most of their revenue.

And, the blogs have gotten big, very big. A recent look at Alexa rankings show CNET as the 153 most visited web destination. But, Engadget is No. 641 and TechCrunch is No. 644. These blogs do not have to support the large editorial and infrastructure costs that CNET does.

It is too late for CNET to get into the tech blog business. It is already commanded by independent operators with large audiences and rock-bottom costs. CNET's only open tactic is down the M&A road and perhaps the industry will see some consolidation.

CNET's blog empire is too late originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Newspaper wrap-up 6-05-07: Amazon ramping in China

Eric Buscemi — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:15:00 EST

Filed under: Newspapers, Magazines, Internet, Google (GOOG), Apple Inc (AAPL), Amazon.com (AMZN), News Corp'B' (NWS), Dow Jones and Co (DJ), salesforce.com inc (CRM)

MAJOR PAPERS:

Barron's Online's (subscription required) "Inside Scoop" section reported that VeraSun Energy Corp (NYSE: VSE) director Steven Kirby has bought almost $608k worth of stock on May 31, according to SEC data.
Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Salesforce.com Inc (NYSE: CRM) are joining together to go after small businesses, reported the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) would increase its investment in China.
The Financial Times (subscription required) reported that News Corporation (NYSE: NWS) CEO Rupert Murdoch met with representatives from the Bancroft family yesterday for five hours to discuss Murdoch's $5B takeover bid for Dow Jones and Company Inc (NYSE: DJ).
Unions from more than a dozen countries have demanded that the banks bidding to take over ABN Amro Holdings (NYSE: ABN) hold talks with workers' representatives, reported the Financial Times.

WEBSITES:

Engadget.com reported that, as of 6:33am, the Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) online store is down, indicating a new product to be released today.

Newspaper wrap-up 6-05-07: Amazon ramping in China originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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