Milpitas, Calif.-based SanDisk (SNDK) the world’s largest maker of memory cards used in digital cameras, has announced it will stop production over the holidays at it's plant in Japan due to a recent slowdown in the flash memory industry.
A spokesman for SanDisk had this to say regarding the stoppage Friday, "The joint venture is evaluating plans for operations over the holiday season, including a possible stoppage of some production lines." "We constantly consider manufacturing schedules in light of market requirements and this is particularly true during the holiday season," he added.
SanDisk shares their manufacturing plant in Japan with Toshiba, who also announced a likely stoppage in their production. Toshiba was rumored to be possibly staging a buyout of SanDisk earlier in the week. The purchase of SanDisk would give Toshiba access to a great deal of patents as it seeks to close the gap on Samsung Electronics in the $12 billion market for NAND flash chips. However, those rumors have not been confirmed by either company.
In October SanDisk Chief Executive Officer Eli Harari denied an unsolicited offer by Samsung for $5.85 billion.
Revenue for the NAND flash market is expected to fall 14%, according to October estimates by iSuppli Corp.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Google Releases Friend Connect To All Websites
The race to own your online identity is now heating up. With the success of Facebook's FB Connect, Google (GOOG) has now answered with their wide release of "Friend Connect." It was in a limited release for the past few months, but now any website can add Google Friend Connect as a login option.
Google Friend Connect and Facebook FB Connect allow you to create applications on your website which allows your users to engage with the site and their friends by logging in with their Google, Facebook, or OpenID credentials.
The main difference between the two is simply that Facebook is one social network, and on the other hand Google Friend Connect is available to any site, service or social network that uses OpenID for identification. If you are using Google Friend Connect your users are able to sign in using their Gmail login, so they aren't constricted to just one social network. Facebook Connect is only helpful if you are a Facebook member.
Google's Product Manager said in a blog post, "The goal is to facilitate an open social web. Using standards like OpenID and OAuth, FriendConnect makes it simple for people to instantly interact with one another on the sites they already love to visit. Additionally, web sites that use Friend Connect become OpenSocial containers capable of running applications created by the OpenSocial developer community."
It wouldn't be fair if we didn't let Facebook chime in on their service offering as well, so here's what Mark Zuckerberg said on in his blog post. "For example, you can use Facebook Connect with the reviews web site Citysearch. You can easily log in using your Facebook account, and from there you'll be able to interact with all of your Facebook friends. They'll be able to see some of the same profile information they can see on Facebook, which is fully controlled by your privacy settings."
"When you write a review for a restaurant, you'll have the option to publish that story back to Facebook where your friends can see it too. This makes finding your friends' reviews on Citysearch a snap. With Facebook Connect, it will be easier for you to share and connect with your friends across the web."
In terms of implementation, from my limited use with these two applications, it appears to me that Google Friend Connect is a much easier tool for the average user. Facebook's is aimed more to the savvy programming type. Google's FC is essentially just cut and paste, where Facebook's FB you actually have to do a little more work to create the application and get it live.
In my opinion, I think Google wins this round. What do you guys think?
Google Friend Connect and Facebook FB Connect allow you to create applications on your website which allows your users to engage with the site and their friends by logging in with their Google, Facebook, or OpenID credentials.
The main difference between the two is simply that Facebook is one social network, and on the other hand Google Friend Connect is available to any site, service or social network that uses OpenID for identification. If you are using Google Friend Connect your users are able to sign in using their Gmail login, so they aren't constricted to just one social network. Facebook Connect is only helpful if you are a Facebook member.
Google's Product Manager said in a blog post, "The goal is to facilitate an open social web. Using standards like OpenID and OAuth, FriendConnect makes it simple for people to instantly interact with one another on the sites they already love to visit. Additionally, web sites that use Friend Connect become OpenSocial containers capable of running applications created by the OpenSocial developer community."
It wouldn't be fair if we didn't let Facebook chime in on their service offering as well, so here's what Mark Zuckerberg said on in his blog post. "For example, you can use Facebook Connect with the reviews web site Citysearch. You can easily log in using your Facebook account, and from there you'll be able to interact with all of your Facebook friends. They'll be able to see some of the same profile information they can see on Facebook, which is fully controlled by your privacy settings."
"When you write a review for a restaurant, you'll have the option to publish that story back to Facebook where your friends can see it too. This makes finding your friends' reviews on Citysearch a snap. With Facebook Connect, it will be easier for you to share and connect with your friends across the web."
In terms of implementation, from my limited use with these two applications, it appears to me that Google Friend Connect is a much easier tool for the average user. Facebook's is aimed more to the savvy programming type. Google's FC is essentially just cut and paste, where Facebook's FB you actually have to do a little more work to create the application and get it live.
In my opinion, I think Google wins this round. What do you guys think?
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Apple Announces Release of Netflix's Instant Video Feature
Apple (AAPL) announced today that it has released the Netflix (NFLX) "Watch Instantly" feature for all Mac users. This has been in the works for months and Apple released this service to a small group of users in October to test the program.
Netflix wanted to make this available sooner, however they said the lack of support from the Apple team slowed down the release considerably.
The only issue is if you do not have the minimum system requirements (Intel Mac running OS X 10.4.8 or higher, and at least one GB of RAM), then you are out of luck. You must also install the Microsoft Silverlight plugin if you haven't done that already. Watch Instantly works in Safari 3 or better and Firefox 2 or higher.
I myself have the Netflix unlimited plan and a Mac, so I don't see myself leaving the house anytime soon. This will most likely put the final nail in the coffin of my already unfortunate social life.
Netflix wanted to make this available sooner, however they said the lack of support from the Apple team slowed down the release considerably.
The only issue is if you do not have the minimum system requirements (Intel Mac running OS X 10.4.8 or higher, and at least one GB of RAM), then you are out of luck. You must also install the Microsoft Silverlight plugin if you haven't done that already. Watch Instantly works in Safari 3 or better and Firefox 2 or higher.
I myself have the Netflix unlimited plan and a Mac, so I don't see myself leaving the house anytime soon. This will most likely put the final nail in the coffin of my already unfortunate social life.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Twitter Turns Down $500 Million Offer From Facebook
Evan Williams the new CEO of Twitter as of October has really hit the ground running in his newly acquired position.
First his site Twitter made huge headlines thanks to the way their site was able to disseminate information about last week's terrorist attacks in India.
Now, they have been offered a dream buyout by Facebook for $500 million. Not bad for a platform many in the industry said "lacked a sound monetization strategy."
Not so dreamy! Twitter, which reportedly has brought in virtually no revenue since it's inception and raised $20 million in venture funding, is saying "no-go" to the behemoth. Evan Williams said the courtship between the two Web 2.0 companies could be rekindled in the future.
Williams also said in a statement, "Twitter decided that it had too much left to do, beginning with figuring out how to make money."
Well I have a great strategy for how to make money...sell your company for $500 million to Facebook!!
I guess this is why i'm blogging in my tity whities and not running a top social media company.
First his site Twitter made huge headlines thanks to the way their site was able to disseminate information about last week's terrorist attacks in India.
Now, they have been offered a dream buyout by Facebook for $500 million. Not bad for a platform many in the industry said "lacked a sound monetization strategy."
Not so dreamy! Twitter, which reportedly has brought in virtually no revenue since it's inception and raised $20 million in venture funding, is saying "no-go" to the behemoth. Evan Williams said the courtship between the two Web 2.0 companies could be rekindled in the future.
Williams also said in a statement, "Twitter decided that it had too much left to do, beginning with figuring out how to make money."
Well I have a great strategy for how to make money...sell your company for $500 million to Facebook!!
I guess this is why i'm blogging in my tity whities and not running a top social media company.
Juicy Day on Wall Street for Del Monte
I apologize for the title, I honestly couldn't help myself.
San Francisco based Del Monte Foods Co. released fiscal-year sales forecast, which states sales will be up 8% to 10%. This is up from their prior forecast in April that has sales gaining 6% to 8%. News of the optimistic forecast drove shares of Del Monte up 18%. Del Mote shares rose to $6.53 in early morning trading.
For the fiscal second quarter Del Monte reported a profit of $50 Million, or 25 cents a share. Last year Del Monte was reporting just $26 Million, or 13 cents per share.
Many had predicted a less sunny (there i go again) quarter after their sale of their Starkist Tuna business.
One reason many are attributing the sales growth is the recent $20 million online/print campaign called "Fruit Undressed." Del Monte has made major strides with the current campaign to boost their refrigerated fruit market share.
San Francisco based Del Monte Foods Co. released fiscal-year sales forecast, which states sales will be up 8% to 10%. This is up from their prior forecast in April that has sales gaining 6% to 8%. News of the optimistic forecast drove shares of Del Monte up 18%. Del Mote shares rose to $6.53 in early morning trading.
For the fiscal second quarter Del Monte reported a profit of $50 Million, or 25 cents a share. Last year Del Monte was reporting just $26 Million, or 13 cents per share.
Many had predicted a less sunny (there i go again) quarter after their sale of their Starkist Tuna business.
One reason many are attributing the sales growth is the recent $20 million online/print campaign called "Fruit Undressed." Del Monte has made major strides with the current campaign to boost their refrigerated fruit market share.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Ford and Toyota Post Large Sales Declines
Toyota Motor Corp (TM) posted a huge decline in sales for the month of November, down 33.9%. Ford Motor Corp also posted a very substantial drop of 30.6%.
This may help US automakers make their case for the current brutal sales climate as they return to Capital Hill in hopes of gaining the $25 billion loan the are seeking.
Ford was the first of the US automakers to enter a second pitch for a federal lifeline. This morning they laid out plans to Congress to return to profitability by 2011. GM and Chrysler are scheduled to turn in their plans later today as well.
To put the Ford loss into hard numbers, November U.S. sales fell to 123,222 cars and trucks from 177,485 a year ago as the fragile economy made it difficult for consumers' to purchase new vehicles.
In a statement released by Jim Farley, head of Ford's marketing and communications team,"We believe the economy will continue to weaken in 2009, Our near-term production plan reflects this view, as we continue to align capacity with customer demand."
This may help US automakers make their case for the current brutal sales climate as they return to Capital Hill in hopes of gaining the $25 billion loan the are seeking.
Ford was the first of the US automakers to enter a second pitch for a federal lifeline. This morning they laid out plans to Congress to return to profitability by 2011. GM and Chrysler are scheduled to turn in their plans later today as well.
To put the Ford loss into hard numbers, November U.S. sales fell to 123,222 cars and trucks from 177,485 a year ago as the fragile economy made it difficult for consumers' to purchase new vehicles.
In a statement released by Jim Farley, head of Ford's marketing and communications team,"We believe the economy will continue to weaken in 2009, Our near-term production plan reflects this view, as we continue to align capacity with customer demand."
Monday, December 1, 2008
David Gregory Will Take Over "Meet The Press"
NBC has just announced that David Gregory will be taking over as the host of "Meet The Press." Gregory has been one of the front-runners for the post along with Chuck Todd (NBC), Gwen Ifill (PBS) and Andrea Mitchell (NBC).
Tom Brokaw who has been in the seat since Tim Russert died in June, will step aside after his interview with President-elect Barack Obama.
"Meet the Press" has been on the air for 61 years and is the longest running television show ever.
Tim Russert had served as moderator since 1991. Russert passed away at age 58 after suffering a heart attack at NBC's D.C. bureau.
Tom Brokaw who has been in the seat since Tim Russert died in June, will step aside after his interview with President-elect Barack Obama.
"Meet the Press" has been on the air for 61 years and is the longest running television show ever.
Tim Russert had served as moderator since 1991. Russert passed away at age 58 after suffering a heart attack at NBC's D.C. bureau.
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