Android TV – Into the mix.

          The cable companies and the console makers have the advantage. Not to be outdone by Amazon, Google is also having another stab at TV with the release of another entertainment offering called Android TV. The biggest change that Google has made is that it has given up trying to make a unified user experience across...

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Amazon TV – Better not bigger

          Fire TV makes its ecosystem richer not bigger. Amazon has taken the first of two plunges into the consumer ecosystem that I am expecting this year with the launch of Fire TV. I am expecting a handset or handsets to be launched towards the end of the year in time for the Q4 selling season....

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Microsoft – Increment not detriment

          Two steps forward. None back. Microsoft made two good steps towards improving the appeal of the Windows ecosystem to both users and developers at its BUILD conference. First. Windows will now be free for all devices which have a screen size of 9 inches or less. With Nokia’s smartphones business soon to be part of...

Apple vs. Samsung – Hammer and tongs

          Only the lawyers are winning. Apple and Samsung are at it again and for the next few weeks the airwaves will be full of sensational claims and counter claims. At the heart of the trial is Apple’s assertion that a number of Samsung devices infringe 5 Apple implementation patents for the following: Data such as...

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Android – Command and control

          Google – 10. Handset makers – 0. The latest edict from Google requires handset makers who want to implement Google apps to display a “powered by ANDROID” logo on the screen while the device is booting up. The latest move by Google has more do to with cementing its control over Android than it does...

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BlackBerry Q4 – Last lap?

          Q4 gives no reason to hope. BlackBerry reported disappointing results as the two most important metrics of a company in trouble (revenue and cash flow) were very weak. Q4 revenues / EPS were $977m / LOSS $0.06 compared to expectations of $1.11bn / LOSS $0.57. $553m of cash was consumed during the quarter giving the...

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Microsoft – Keeping mum.

          Good launches but no clues given for the longer term. Microsoft stuck firmly to the script at its press conference when it launched Office for iPad, Mobile Device Management and its Enterprise Mobility Suite. No clues were given as to whether Microsoft will focus down on the Enterprise or continue with the much more ambitious...

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Facebook / Google –A whim and a prayer

          The Oculus acquisition puts the spotlight on corporate governance. Facebook is an internet company that makes its money by monetising the traffic of users of its free service. There is no rational reason for it to suddenly branch out into virtual reality hardware. I cannot see any way that this acquisition will create value for...

HTC – Cut and run.

          As good as the M8 is, it will not save HTC. HTC launched is new flagship device at an event in New York and despite the specifications being widely leaked it did not disappoint. The HTC One M8 is a great device. It sports an attractive metal unibody design, a larger screen, 2.3Ghz Snapdragon processor,...

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Internet TV – All hail the king

          Rising content value is likely to drive a verticalisation of the industry. Every man and his dog seem to be preparing to launch a streaming TV service with Apple and Comcast being the latest. Apple and Comcast is a particularly strong combination as one has almost limitless resources and the other is close to controlling...

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