Amazon’s profits slip by a third April 26, 2011 AMAZON, the world’s largest online retailer, revealed a 33 per cent profit slump last night, as its investment in new businesses ate into earnings. The US internet giant has ploughed millions into the promotion of its Kindle electronic-book reader, as well as into a new app for Android smartphones. The costs hit its pre-tax profits, [...]
Kindle Fire could lead the two-man tablet race October 4, 2011 AMAZON’S Kindle Fire entry into the US tablet market has caused a flurry of speculation around its impact on tablets. It seems that the Kindle Fire will now lead Amazon and Apple into a two-horse race, potentially eliminating all other competitors. YouGov’s TabletTrack suggests that £250 is the price point where the tablet market will [...]
Grocer takes on Amazon in film rentals April 20, 2011 TESCO’s acquisition of Blinkbox could see it go head-to-head with Amazon in a clash of the retail titans. Amazon recently bought movie rental site LoveFilm and is keen to develop its online movie streaming operations. It is understood Amazon plans to integrate LoveFilm into its Amazon Prime subscription service, giving its premium customers access to [...]
THE TIPSTER December 18, 2011 THOSE thinking of buying gold jewellery for a loved one this Christmas could consider buying gold contracts instead, given the dramatic collapse in recent days. Gold fell as much as $190 since the 1 December level of $1,750, and currently trades $320 lower than the heights hit in September. Use $1,570-$1,600 as a buying opportunity [...]
The Kindle Fire looks good… But what is it for? October 2, 2011 Apple burned by Kindle Fire. Fire heats up tablet market. Amazon fights the iPad with fire. It’s been a good week for fire related puns (and, therefore a good week for Google, which recently bought a fire-pun patent portfolio and is in the process of litigating against everyone who has used one*). Coverage for Amazon’s [...]
Microsoft flashes cash to promote WP7 October 17, 2011 MICROSOFT will hand £28m to Nokia and Samsung to spend marketing handsets running the latest version of its Windows Phone mobile software. The move is Microsoft’s latest attempt by to force its way into the smartphone market, with Windows Phone 7 (WP7) languishing in an industry increasingly dominated by Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. It [...]
THE TIPSTER January 23, 2012 THERE is a lot of speculation surrounding oil explorer Rockhopper. With takeover talks lingering, it could only be a matter of time before an announcement is made. However, we have seen this stock rally from 30p to over 500p, and then drop like a stone to 150p, so the only thing we know for sure [...]
First profits for Lovefilm as sales grow October 5, 2011 DVD rental company Lovefilm has increased its customer base by more than a fifth and made its first profits. The company, which website Amazon took control of in February, saw sales increase 14.4 per cent to £111.19m in 2010. The accounts of Lovefilm International, published at Companies House yesterday, also show it swung from a [...]
High street electricals: a mug’s game November 9, 2011 IN the end, they couldn’t even give it away. As well as taking on Comet’s pension scheme, which is in deficit to the tune of €45.9m, Kesa is having to pay a £50m dowry to buyer OpCapita to offload its ailing electricals chain. Buried deep in the terms and conditions of the contract is a [...]
High street electricals: a mug’s game November 9, 2011 IN the end, they couldn’t even give it away. As well as taking on Comet’s pension scheme, which is in deficit to the tune of €45.9m, Kesa is having to pay a £50m dowry to buyer OpCapita to offload its ailing electricals chain. Buried deep in the terms and conditions of the contract is a [...]