Daily News Courier

WSJ: Nexus 7 sells at a pace of 1 million units per month

Android generally gets a bad rap when it comes to tablets, but if there is a bright spot in the Android tablet department, then it is the Nexus 7.

T-Mobile and MetroPCS merger expected to close in Q2 2013

Now that Sprint is all but out of the picture when it comes to breaking up the reverse merger of T-Mobile by MetroPCS, the CFO of Deutsche Telekom (T-Mobile USA's parent company) is talking about the expected completion of the deal. When the merger was first agreed upon by the two companies, the deal was expected to close sometime just after the first of the year. Now CFO of DT Timotheus Hoettges is indicating that we should expect the deal to be finished by June 2013.

This deal couldn't come any sooner for T-Mobile USA and Deutche Telekom alike, both of which would like to have better options in the U.S. wireless market. T-Mobile USA has been coming up short in the U.S. behind Verizon and AT&T, and could use the additional subscribers and spectrum from MetroPCS to improve their position. Deutsche Telekom likes the liquidity that a new publicly traded company provides, allowing them to leave the U.S. market easily if they see fit.

Source: Reuters

Verizon CFO: ‘Unlimited is just a word, it doesn’t really mean anything’

At today's Goldman Sachs investor conference, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo had a bit to say about unlimited data plans, and what he (and presumably Verizon) thought about them. There's a link to the full transcript below, but here's a direct quote.

So what customers are understanding and through our good sales routine is once you explain to a customer their usage on a monthly basis, unlimited is just a word, it doesn't really mean anything and that people don't really — I think a lot of consumers think they consume a lot more data than they really do. So that whole unlimited thing I think is going by the wayside and they see the benefit of going to the shared.

Shammo is probably right. Most people don't need unlimited data plans. But for those that do need them, it's not very good news to see that there's little chance of them ever returning. Should Sprint get their LTE network in a more usable state, or T-Mobile expand their high-speed HSPA+ beyond highways and metro areas, there could be a shift among power users away from Big Red. Both carriers now have data-friendly full unlimited plans at reasonable pricing.

I've no dog in this fight. I'm one of the lucky few (very few) with good T-Mobile service, and my ancient Android data plan gives me all I can eat. I'm curious to hear from the rest of you guys. Agree with Mr. Shammo? Hit the break and answer the poll, then fill the comments with blind rage your thoughts.

Source: Verizon (pdf transcript); via CNET

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Google reports strong Q2 2012; Motorola loses money but Droid RAZR MAXX was a hit

Google exceeded expectations of analysts in Q2 2012, generating $12.2 billion, including $1.3 billion generated by Motorola during a stub period (limited time for which Google is accounting revenues from Motorola following the closure of the acquisition deal). However, Motorola actually lost $223 million in the previous quarter.

“There’s a lot of noise in the accounting,” Patrick Pichette, Google SVP & CFO, said as a reason for the losses. According to Google, it will take a couple of quarters to fix that, but there were signs of encouragement. The Droid RAZR MAXX saw tremendous popularity at Verizon, according to Pichette.

Google has said in the past that it will keep a hands-off approach to the company, but Pichette made comments signaling that’s not entirely the case. Pichette said on multiple instances “We [as in Google] just got there” and would evaluate all aspects of Motorola’s business as it tries to “right” the company. That reinforces speculation that with a Google veteran now in charge at Motorola, the course of Motorola’s products may change.

Google made $2.79 billion in profit last quarter. Here are a few other stats shared:

• Google also spoke of several acquisitions that help pump up the advertising business. Lest we all forget, Google’s revenue is overwhelmingly from ad clicks and display ads.
• Google+ Places supports more than 100 million locations, businesses, and attractions listed within the service.
• 250 million people have signed up for Google+ as of today. Google declined to give active user totals for how many people visit frequently.
• Google also reiterated the stats shared at I/O 2012: 1 million new devices activated per day, more than 400 million devices have been activated, and 20 billion apps have been downloaded from Google Play.

Related Stories

• Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update starts today
• Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX out performed the iPhone 4S in terms of sales
• Purported Motorola DROID RAZR HD images leak, but does anyone care?

Google reports strong Q2 2012; Motorola loses money but Droid RAZR MAXX was a hit

Google exceeded expectations of analysts in Q2 2012, generating $12.2 billion, including $1.3 billion generated by Motorola during a stub period (limited time for which Google is accounting revenues from Motorola following the closure of the acquisition deal). However, Motorola actually lost $223 million in the previous quarter.

“There’s a lot of noise in the accounting,” Patrick Pichette, Google SVP & CFO, said as a reason for the losses. According to Google, it will take a couple of quarters to fix that, but there were signs of encouragement. The Droid RAZR MAXX saw tremendous popularity at Verizon, according to Pichette.

Google has said in the past that it will keep a hands-off approach to the company, but Pichette made comments signaling that’s not entirely the case. Pichette said on multiple instances “We [as in Google] just got there” and would evaluate all aspects of Motorola’s business as it tries to “right” the company. That reinforces speculation that with a Google veteran now in charge at Motorola, the course of Motorola’s products may change.

Google made $2.79 billion in profit last quarter. Here are a few other stats shared:

• Google also spoke of several acquisitions that help pump up the advertising business. Lest we all forget, Google’s revenue is overwhelmingly from ad clicks and display ads.
• Google+ Places supports more than 100 million locations, businesses, and attractions listed within the service.
• 250 million people have signed up for Google+ as of today. Google declined to give active user totals for how many people visit frequently.
• Google also reiterated the stats shared at I/O 2012: 1 million new devices activated per day, more than 400 million devices have been activated, and 20 billion apps have been downloaded from Google Play.

Related Stories

• Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update starts today
• Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX out performed the iPhone 4S in terms of sales
• Purported Motorola DROID RAZR HD images leak, but does anyone care?

Google reports strong Q2 2012; Motorola loses money but Droid RAZR MAXX was a hit

Google exceeded expectations of analysts in Q2 2012, generating $12.2 billion, including $1.3 billion generated by Motorola during a stub period (limited time for which Google is accounting revenues from Motorola following the closure of the acquisition deal). However, Motorola actually lost $223 million in the previous quarter.

“There’s a lot of noise in the accounting,” Patrick Pichette, Google SVP & CFO, said as a reason for the losses. According to Google, it will take a couple of quarters to fix that, but there were signs of encouragement. The Droid RAZR MAXX saw tremendous popularity at Verizon, according to Pichette.

Google has said in the past that it will keep a hands-off approach to the company, but Pichette made comments signaling that’s not entirely the case. Pichette said on multiple instances “We [as in Google] just got there” and would evaluate all aspects of Motorola’s business as it tries to “right” the company. That reinforces speculation that with a Google veteran now in charge at Motorola, the course of Motorola’s products may change.

Google made $2.79 billion in profit last quarter. Here are a few other stats shared:

• Google also spoke of several acquisitions that help pump up the advertising business. Lest we all forget, Google’s revenue is overwhelmingly from ad clicks and display ads.
• Google+ Places supports more than 100 million locations, businesses, and attractions listed within the service.
• 250 million people have signed up for Google+ as of today. Google declined to give active user totals for how many people visit frequently.
• Google also reiterated the stats shared at I/O 2012: 1 million new devices activated per day, more than 400 million devices have been activated, and 20 billion apps have been downloaded from Google Play.

Related Stories

• Droid RAZR and RAZR Maxx Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update starts today
• Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX out performed the iPhone 4S in terms of sales
• Purported Motorola DROID RAZR HD images leak, but does anyone care?

Verizon sold 2.9 million Android devices, expanded nation

Verizon Wireless had a very good Q2 2012 based on quarterly earnings reported today. The wireless unit generated $28.6 billion dollars, a 3.7 percent year over year increase.

Much of that growth was thanks to customers buying smartphones. For the first time in company history, more than half of subscribers own a smartphone. Smartphone penetration reached 50 percent in Q2 2012, up from 36 percent in 2011. Verizon sold 5.9 million smartphones in the quarter, 2.9 million of which were Android devices. That’s up from the 2.3 million sold during the same period last year.

The popularity of Android phones, or “Droids” as Verizon CFO Fran Shammo called them, continued the uptick in sales. About 2.5 million of the 2.9 million Android phones sold were LTE capable. The rollout of 4G LTE, which now covers 75 percent of the U.S. population, was another big win for the company. Available in more than 330 markets, Verizon has more LTE coverage than all other carriers combined. The carrier says it’s on track to have its current 3G network to have LTE coverage by this time next year.

During it’s earnings call, Verizon claimed that customers actually want their new Share Everything plans. While I’m sure there are some on large family plans who benefit, that’s unlikely to be the case for individual users. Still, Shammo said that response has been positive. (Keep in mind that these plans have only been available for less than a month, so there’s no real way to make realistic assertions on response.)

“Early feedback has been great and our customer adoption is tracking with our expectations. We are seeing a wide variety of customers and family share accounts opting into Share Everything, including existing smartphone customers with unlimited data plans.”

- Fran Shammo, Verizon CFO

Related Stories

• Verizon 4G LTE launching in Florida Space Coast & Treasure Coast areas this month
• Droid Incredible 4G LTE by HTC on sale July 5 for $149.99 after MIR
• HTC Incredible 4G LTE – Watering down the phrase ‘new and improved’ [Hardware Review]

Verizon remains vague on killing unlimited data plans, promises to give specifics later this year

Verizon CFO Fran Shammo touched a wave of questions yesterday when he said that Verizon would force customers off their unlimited data plans. It wasn’t the first time that Verizon had signaled that it would do away with unlimited data – the company stopped offering such plans in July 2011 – but it touched off a wave of confusion over what would happen to unlimited users on 4G devices.

Today, Verizon issued a statement that doesn’t answer any of these questions or provide any clarity on the matter. However, Verizon did assure that if and when it does away with unlimited data plans completely, the company will give customers ample time to know and decide if the terms will be suitable.

Brenda B. Raney, executive director of Corporate Communications at Verizon, issued the following statement a short time ago:

As we have stated publicly, Verizon Wireless has been evaluating its data pricing structure for some time. Customers have told us that they want to share data, similar to how they share minutes today. We are working on plans to provide customers with that option later this year.

We will share specific details of the plans and any related policy changes well in advance of their introduction, so customers will have time to evaluate their choices and make the best decisions for their wireless service. It is our goal and commitment to continue to provide customers with the same high value service they have come to expect from Verizon Wireless.

There’s no definitive word that Verizon will force all customers off their grandfathered unlimited data plans, but Shammo’s comments and Verizon’s refusal to clarify makes it appear as that’s likely to happen. However, anyone currently on an unlimited plan will not suddenly see their phone capped tomorrow. Verizon will make changes official some time this summer and give customers a heads-up about when it will be time to pay up for extra data or pay someone else.

Related Stories

• Verizon will force 3G customers to lose unlimited data when upgrading, questions remain for 4G users
• Verizon Wireless cuts the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX price to $199 on contract
• Verizon launches the Motorola DROID RAZR in Blue in select stores, online on May 17

Verizon remains vague on killing unlimited data plans, promises to give specifics later this year

Verizon CFO Fran Shammo touched a wave of questions yesterday when he said that Verizon would force customers off their unlimited data plans. It wasn’t the first time that Verizon had signaled that it would do away with unlimited data – the company stopped offering such plans in July 2011 – but it touched off a wave of confusion over what would happen to unlimited users on 4G devices.

Today, Verizon issued a statement that doesn’t answer any of these questions or provide any clarity on the matter. However, Verizon did assure that if and when it does away with unlimited data plans completely, the company will give customers ample time to know and decide if the terms will be suitable.

Brenda B. Raney, executive director of Corporate Communications at Verizon, issued the following statement a short time ago:

As we have stated publicly, Verizon Wireless has been evaluating its data pricing structure for some time. Customers have told us that they want to share data, similar to how they share minutes today. We are working on plans to provide customers with that option later this year.

We will share specific details of the plans and any related policy changes well in advance of their introduction, so customers will have time to evaluate their choices and make the best decisions for their wireless service. It is our goal and commitment to continue to provide customers with the same high value service they have come to expect from Verizon Wireless.

There’s no definitive word that Verizon will force all customers off their grandfathered unlimited data plans, but Shammo’s comments and Verizon’s refusal to clarify makes it appear as that’s likely to happen. However, anyone currently on an unlimited plan will not suddenly see their phone capped tomorrow. Verizon will make changes official some time this summer and give customers a heads-up about when it will be time to pay up for extra data or pay someone else.

Related Stories

• Verizon will force 3G customers to lose unlimited data when upgrading, questions remain for 4G users
• Verizon Wireless cuts the Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX price to $199 on contract
• Verizon launches the Motorola DROID RAZR in Blue in select stores, online on May 17

HTC sales uncharacteristically down, Samsung phone sales way up

HTC has ended its two-year long streak of growth, reporting a dip in sales that for the first time since the company’s Android-powered phones propelled high profits. In the fourth quarter of 2011, HTC had NT$101,419 million, a decrease of 2.49% in comparison to the same period last year.

Since 2008, HTC has seen several quarters with record sales thanks to the company’s pole position among Android manufacturers. But the popularity of the iPhone 4S and increased competition from Samsung and other Android phone makers led to a decline in sales in the latter half of 2011.

Samsung had more reason to smile in its latest financial reports. The Korean manufacturer declared that its smartphone sales reached 35 million in Q4 2011, up from 28 million in Q3 2011. The record high performance pushed Samsung contribute to making Samsung the top smartphone maker in terms of volume, at least according to estimates published in Reuters.

So what explains these numbers? In HTC’s case, the company released some duds this year (Salsa in particular) and had a large, incredibly diverse line of products. But it lacked a massive global seller like Samsung’s range of Galaxy S II phones. Both companies produce devices running other operating systems – HTC on Windows Phone 7, Samsung on Bada – but they live and die by how well their Android phones perform.

HTC will look to re-spark its momentum by focusing on key high-end products that will better compete with Apple and Samsung. In November of 2011, CFO Winston Yung had this to say about the company’s upcoming plans:

“We will focus on the product next year, better and more competitive. Other than new LTE phones for the U.S. market, we have phones for the global market. We will launch some worldwide flagship products. We’re confident in them.”

 

Comments

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