| Sony swings to Q2 profit on electronics, raises f'cast
Sony Corp swung to a quarterly operating profit as it booked strong sales of liquid crystal display TVs and digital cameras and benefited from a weaker yen, and it raised its full-year forecast by 2 percent. The profit jump also reflected the absence of hefty costs booked in the same quarter last year to recall faulty PC batteries, as well as lower marketing expenses in the pictures division and a gain on the sale of land. The results could support the view among some investors that Sony remains on a recovery track after cutting thousands of jobs and ditching unprofitable businesses to focus on core electronics products such as Cyber-shot digital cameras and Bravia LCD TVs. Sony's game division continues to lose money, however, as it was forced to sell its PlayStation 3 game console at a loss in a bid to keep up with rival Nintendo Co., which is reshaping the industry with its hot-selling Wii.
Casio to launch W-CDMA phones in Japan
Japan's Casio Computer Co Ltd said it planned to launch W-CDMA cell phones in Japan sometime during the six months from October 2008 to March 2009, reaching out for a wider range of potential customers. Casio now makes CDMA-based phones and supplies them to Japan's KDDI Corp, Verizon Wireless in the United States and South Korea's LG Telecom Ltd, but it said earlier this year it would launch competing W-CDMA handsets. KDDI, Japan's No.2 wireless operator, has CDMA-based networks, while NTT DoCoMo Inc and Softbank Corp, the largest and third-largest, offer cell phone services based on W-CDMA technology. Casio also said on Friday its operating profit came to 13.74 billion yen ($119.6 million) in April-September, down 40.8 percent from a year earlier, as sluggish cell phone sales more than offset brisk digital camera demand.
Envirosight, Vivax Form Strategic Alliance
Randolph, New Jersey - November 7, 2007 - Envirosight, a world leader in video pipeline inspection, and Vivax, an innovator of push camera and locator technology, have announced a strategic alliance whose goal is to further the development of push camera technology, and to grow the sales channel for such technology throughout the North American market. The Envirosight product development team looks forward to working with Vivax on development of a digital operating platform that will be common among push cameras, mainline crawlers and zoom survey cameras. This will allow operators to maximize the interoperability of their video inspection equipment, enjoy greater functionality, and consolidate their equipment investment. Vivax looks forward to leveraging Envirosight's strong sales and support channel, which includes more than 25 trained sales partner organizations throughout North America, as well as six authorized service centers.
What's new in gadgets
Olympus revs up autofocusing speeds with the E-3, a single-lens reflex (SLR) digital camera loaded with an 11-point focusing sensor that can accurately capture fast-moving scenes. Designed for serious digital photographers, the 10-megapixel camera boasts a live image sensor, a 1/8,000-second shutter speed and a continuous shooting pace of five frames per second. The dust-resistant, splash-proof camera has a swiveling 2.5-inch live view display screen, manual focusing options, an optical viewfinder with 1.15x magnification and an image stabilizer that works with the camera's optional lenses. The Olympus E-3 Digital SLR will go on sale in November for $1,700. www.olympusamerica.com LAPTOP TOOLS KEEP ESSENTIALS IN EASY REACH The Back/Space Organizer can help you organize the work area around your laptop, even when you're working from an airport lounge or park bench.
Amalia Fuentes denies robbery allegation of estranged husband
Joey Stevens accused his wife, veteran actress Amalia Fuentes, of robbery in his business establishment in Quezon City last Saturday, November 10. Stevens reportedly filed a complaint for robbery, as represented by his corporate secretary Editha Bernardo Lopez, against Amalia at the Quezon City Police District-Criminal Investigatigation and Detection Unit. According to a report in People's Journal published today, November 14, Joey claimed that Amalia stole 20 stock certificates from various companies; a folder containing documents for a Ford Expedition, Pajero and Daewoo vehicles reportedly owned by Stevens; a digital camera; a manual camera; various original titles; deed of absolute sale; cash worth P99,721.44; manager's check payable to SSS amounting to P131,000; various foreign currencies—collector's item; checkbook; and other documents.
|
