TheState.com: Technology

Software cos. eye key patent case in Supreme Court

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:57 EST

With the technology industry looking on, the Supreme Court on Monday will explore what types of inventions should be eligible for a patent in a pivotal case that could undermine such legal protections for software.

A ruling that sides with the Patent Office could bar patents on processes and methods of doing business, such as online shopping techniques, medical diagnostic tests and procedures for executing trades on Wall Street. And it might even undercut patents on software.

In a worst-case scenario for the high-tech industry, the ruling could invalidate many existing software patents or at least make them more difficult to defend in lawsuits. And it could make such patents harder to obtain in the future because software is generally patented as a process for doing something rather than as a physical invention.

"Technology companies care about this case because it will define what you can and cannot get a patent on," said Emery Simon, counselor to the Business Software Alliance, which represents large technology companies including Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp. "The scope of patentability could have ramifications for the path that technology takes."

It's impossible to know what products might never have come to market without patent protection for software. But tech companies say these patents have played a critical role in keeping the U.S. at the cutting edge by giving people control over their inventions for nearly 20 years.

New `Call of Duty' could set entertainment record

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:08 EST

This holiday season's biggest entertainment blockbuster likely will be a sequel to a popular franchise, with jarring depictions of war and an intricate story of good versus evil. It could easily rake in more than last year's record $155 million opening weekend for "The Dark Knight."

But this blockbuster is not a movie.

It is "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," a video game that Activision Blizzard Inc. is releasing Tuesday. Fans worldwide are expected to spend at least half a billion dollars on the game in the first week.

That would at least match last year's "Grand Theft Auto IV," which was the most successful video game release in history and might have been the top entertainment launch ever.

Justin Criswell, 31, plans to line up at a GameStop store in Brooklyn on Monday night so he can buy the new "Call of Duty" when it goes on sale after midnight, for $60. It's available for PCs, Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3.

Parents plan Web broadcast for disabled daughter

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:09 EST

Disabled with severe cerebral palsy, 32-year-old Anne Lamic spends her days in southeastern France mostly in bed, surrounded by stuffed animals and dolls. She cannot speak or walk, and she sometimes has seizures.

Now, Lamic's parents are planning to broadcast her quiet life to the world via webcam. Their announcement has caused a stir in France, with many criticizing the plan as an invasion of Lamic's privacy and asking: How far is too far in the struggle to make disabled people more visible in society?

In terms of disabled rights on issues such as visibility and accessibility to public transport and buildings, advocacy groups say France trails behind Nordic countries, the United States and Canada, despite a 2005 law designed to ensure their rights are upheld.

Lamic's father says he hopes to force people into confronting their prejudices, even if his tactic startles them.

The webcam "will allow people to see handicaps in ways that are real, everyday and familiar," Didier Lamic told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Friday, adding that the videos "must be watched with tenderness and love."

Mass. receives money for broadband mapping

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:49 EST

Massachusetts has received about $2 million in federal stimulus funding to help identify the speed and location of broadband services in the state over the next five years.

Gov. Deval Patrick said on Friday that the grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration will help Massachusetts determine which parts of the state have broadband, which parts don't and what types of broadband are offered.

The state map will be part of a national map to be created by 2011 to guide policies aimed at expanding high-speed Internet access.

Patrick met in Washington earlier this week with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke to push for the state's broadband priorities.

Report: Minn. needs significant Internet upgrades

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:08 EST

Internet speeds in more than four-fifths of Minnesota are too slow to support technologies that could draw new jobs, take cars off the roads and bring new services to people in their homes, a new report said Friday.

The Minnesota Ultra High-Speed Broadband Task Force is calling for minimum Internet speeds of 10 megabits per second for the entire state by 2015, setting a standard 15 times faster than the current federal definition of broadband.

By that measure, 83 percent of the state needs an upgrade.

The group's report describes broadband as "an economic and social necessity for all citizens of the state no matter where they are located." It says faster Internet could enable everything from more telecommuting for workers to telemedicine linking patients and doctors through two-way high-definition video.

"It's an important economic tool as we try to attract and retain the best companies here so we can have good jobs," said Rick King, chief technology officer at Thomson Reuters Legal and the task force's chairman.

Pa. regulators OK Windstream's purchase of D&E

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:47 EST

Windstream Corp.'s acquisition of D&E Communications Inc. phone and Internet company has the approval of Pennsylvania state utility regulators.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission voted 4-0 on Friday to approve the move. In a statement, the agency said the transaction is expected to be seamless to customers while promising better service and stable prices.

Little Rock, Ark.-based Windstream agreed in May to buy D&E for $159 million in stock and cash in a deal that nearly doubles the size of its business in Pennsylvania.

Ephrata, Pa.-based D&E has about 165,000 access lines and 44,000 high-speed Internet customers throughout eastern Pennsylvania.

Windstream provides digital phone, high-speed Internet and high-definition digital TV service and has about 3 million access lines in 16 states.

Earnings Preview: Electronic Arts

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:04 EST

Video game publisher Electronic Arts Inc. reports earnings for its fiscal second quarter, which ended in September, on Monday after the market closes. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

OVERVIEW: The video game industry has had a tough time for much of this year after capping 2008 with record sales. The recession has forced customers to cut back on spending, and the lack of big hit titles relative to last year has made year-over-year comparisons difficult.

Electronic Arts, however, could beat Wall Street's expectations for the quarter, according to some analysts, driven by sales of games such as "The Beatles: Rock Band" and "Madden NFL 10."

BY THE NUMBERS: Analysts, on average, are expecting a profit of 7 cents per share on sales of $1.12 billion, according to a poll by Thomson Reuters.

EA does not give quarterly guidance.

Deja vu: Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target in DVD price war

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:48 EST

First it was books. Now it's DVDs.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. started another price war Thursday, trimming the online preorder prices of some upcoming DVDs following its price cut on books last month. And, once again, competitors Amazon.com and Target scrambled to match the prices.

It's the latest salvo in an ongoing online push by Wal-Mart designed to make sure everyone knows it intends to be the low-price leader on the Web, as well as in stores.

The retailer, based in Bentonville, Ark., said late Thursday that it would lower the online prices of new DVDs such as "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" and "Star Trek XI" to $10.

But when Amazon reduced some of its DVD prices to $9.99, Wal-Mart shot back by cutting its DVDs to $9.98 as of Friday morning. Target got into the act Friday morning, too. All three companies also sweetened the pot by offering free shipping for the DVDs being sold.

EBay settles lawsuit filed by Skype founders

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:47 EST

EBay Inc. has settled a legal skirmish with the founders of Skype that threatened to complicate eBay's plans to sell most of the Internet phone service to a group of investors for $2 billion.

The online marketplace operator said Friday the settlement gives Skype ownership of critical software that had been licensed from Joltid Ltd., which is a company founded by Skype co-founders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis. The settlement effectively ends Zennstrom and Friis' litigation against the investor group and eBay.

In return, Zennstrom and Friis will get a 14 percent stake in Skype. They also agreed to make a "significant" capital investment in Skype, eBay said.

When eBay announced the sale in September - after exploring plans to spin out Skype through a public stock offering - it said the investor group would buy 65 percent of Skype for $1.9 billion in cash and $125 milion to be paid later. EBay was to own the remaining 35 percent.

Now with the stake going to Zennstrom and Friis, the investor group will own 56 percent of Skype, while eBay will keep 30 percent.

Judge stops 2 Web sites from selling Beatles songs

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:49 EST

A federal judge has temporarily blocked two music-sharing Web sites from selling songs by The Beatles and other artists for 25 cents apiece.

U.S. District Judge John F. Walter on Thursday blocked the sites BlueBeat.com and Basebeat.com and owner Hank Risan from selling copyrighted songs by The Beatles and others. Music company EMI Group filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday seeking an injunction against the sites, claiming they were engaging in music piracy.

EMI claims the Web sites have infringed on its copyrights to numerous artists' songs, including The Beach Boys, Coldplay and Lily Allen. Its complaint states BlueBeat.com and Basebeat.com were offering the recently released digitally remasters of The Beatles catalog for 25 cents per song; the box set of 13 albums retails for $250.

The Beatles songs have never been legally offered for sale online through sites such iTunes or other music sharing services.

The Web site's attorney opposed EMI's injunction request, saying the sites are selling an altered version of the songs.

AT&T completes delayed Centennial acquisition

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:49 EST

AT&T Inc. said Friday that its acquisition of smaller wireless carrier Centennial Communications Corp., has closed after several delays due to the regulatory process.

AT&T bought Wall, N.J.-based Centennial for $944 million in cash. The deal was announced a year ago, and was initially expected to close in the second quarter this year.

With the acquisition, AT&T is gaining 879,000 wireless subscribers and an expansion of its wireless network in Puerto Rico and in rural areas of the Midwestern and Southeastern U.S.

As part of a deal with regulators, AT&T has committed to selling eight Centennial service areas in Louisiana and Mississippi. In May, it reached a deal to sell five of them to Verizon Wireless for $240 million.

Centennial subscribers who are not in one of the eight markets to be divested are now AT&T subscribers. They can keep their rate plans or move to AT&T plans, the company said.

Sapient predicts rise in services sales

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:49 EST

Sapient Corp., which helps companies with technology needs, said Thursday that services revenue would rise sequentially in the fourth quarter.

The company said services sales would range from $172 million to $175 million in the fourth quarter. They were $165.5 million in the third quarter.

Services account for nearly all of the company's revenue.

Sapient also said the operating profit margin in the fourth quarter, excluding certain costs, would be 10 percent to 11 percent.

The company gave the outlook as it released third-quarter results, which showed a steep decline in profit from a year ago. The company earned $5.9 million on sales of $172.5 million, compared with $18.1 million on sales of $184.1 million in the same period of 2008.

EU agrees on new Internet user rights

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:07 EST

EU lawmakers and governments agreed on new rights for Internet users Thursday, aiming to protect them from arbitrary crackdowns on those who illegally download music and movies on the Internet.

EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding said a deal was reached after EU governments agreed to EU parliament demands to balance measures against illegal downloaders with a broader set of rights for telecom users.

The reforms were two years in the making. They also include new privacy controls, consumer rights and increased competition for Internet and phone services - key improvements that have been overshadowed by the fight over digital user rights.

Thursday's proposal also includes other reforms to overhaul Europe's telecoms market.

They include setting up a new EU-wide telecoms authority charged with ensuring fair competition, bolstering consumers' rights to switch mobile or landline telephone operators within one working day, and expanding digital networks to provide faster broadband Internet service for users in rural areas.

Hyatt Hotels, Ancestry.com jump in market debuts

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:49 EST

Two well-known companies surged in their market debuts Thursday despite what has recently been a difficult market for initial public offerings.

Shares of Hyatt Hotels Corp. jumped 12 percent in their first day on the New York Stock Exchange as markets appeared to dismiss concerns about infighting among its founder's heirs and tepid hotel reservations around the world.

Meanwhile, investors impressed by Ancestry.com's large subscriber base and growth story pushed the genealogy Web site's stock up as much as 21 percent on the Nasdaq market.

"I have to say, it's a very dangerous market right now, especially considering how many deals have recently missed their target or withdrawn," said David Menlow, president of IPOfinancial.com. "It's easy to connect those dots and assume the entire IPO market has heavily stalled. But that was obviously not the case today."

Five of the last nine IPOs have closed below their offering price in the first day, while others have suspended plans to go public. Texas bank PlainsCapital Corp. blamed market swings when it postponed its IPO late Wednesday. Energy company AEI and Aviv REIT Inc., a real estate investment trust that focuses on health-care properties, have also called off deals in the past week.

Sirius XM 3Q loss narrows as revenue rises

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:04 EST

Sirius XM Radio Inc., the satellite radio provider that was on the brink of bankruptcy nine months ago, on Thursday reported a much improved third quarter as it signed up more subscribers and paid down debt.

Sirius has been battered by the downturn in the auto industry as plunging car sales meant its satellite radios were being installed in fewer vehicles, hurting subscriptions. But the company has aggressively cut costs by integrating the operations of former rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., which it bought in July 2008.

Sirius, the home of radio shock jock Howard Stern, posted a quarterly loss of $149.2 million, or 4 cents per share - much smaller than last year's loss of $4.9 billion, or $1.93 a share.

The latest quarter included a $138 million charge to pay off a credit line extended by Liberty Media Corp. and to take on new debt at a lower interest rate. Last year's third-quarter loss was significantly inflated by a $4.75 billion impairment charge. Excluding these and other charges, Sirius would have reported a profit of $106 million compared with a loss of $37 million a year ago.

Revenue rose to $618.7 million from $488.4 million in the year-ago period, which included only two months of business from XM. But assuming that XM had been fully integrated then, revenue would still have edged up from $613 million.

Leap 3Q loss widens as subscriber growth slows

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:29 EST

Leap Wireless International Inc. said Thursday its third-quarter loss grew 31 percent as competition and the weak economy were a drag on subscriber growth.

The company, which sells prepaid wireless service to consumers, said it lost $64.6 million, or 85 cents per share, in the three-month period, compared with a loss of $49.3 million, or 72 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter.

There were 11 percent more shares outstanding in the recent quarter, which diluted per-share results.

Revenue rose 21 percent to $599.5 million, from $496.7 million last year.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, on average, were expecting a smaller loss of 53 cents per share on higher revenue of $620.2 million.

Google providing better view of personal data

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:55 EST

Google is offering a new privacy control that will make it easier for people to see some of the information being collected about them.

The "Dashboard" feature unveiled Thursday pulls together all the data that pour into Google's computers whenever Web surfers log in to one of the company' services.

That includes summaries of an individual's e-mail, search requests and viewing habits on Google's video site, YouTube. Before, a user would have to check multiple places for all that.

The snapshot doesn't include any activity that occurs when a person isn't logged into a Google service.

Dashboard represents Google Inc.'s latest step to give its users more control over their personal information and appease privacy watchdogs.

No Doubt sues video game maker over 'Band Hero'

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:32 EST

No Doubt has sued video game maker Activision for putting words in band members' mouths.

The band on Wednesday sued Activision Publishing Inc. over a feature in the new "Band Hero" game that allows players to control virtual band members and have them sing other artists' songs.

The lawsuit claims a feature allows players to have lead singer Gwen Stefani perform suggestive lyrics from the Rolling Stones' hit "Honky Tonk Women." The suit also notes a virtual version of bassist Tony Kanal can be made to sing his band's hit "Just a Girl," but with Stefani's voice.

The game, an offshoot of Activision's popular "Guitar Hero" series, went on sale Tuesday.

The company, which is based in Santa Monica, Calif., said in a statement that it engaged in extensive negotiations with No Doubt's management and have a valid written agreement for their participation in "Band Hero."

Activision posts 3Q profit, backs 2009 outlook

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:04 EST

It's been a rough year for the video game industry, but Activision Blizzard Inc. reported a profit for its third quarter because of lower costs and a good response for games such as "Guitar Hero 5" and "World of Warcraft."

It also reaffirmed its guidance for the full year, citing a big expected release next week for "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," which could easily be the most lucrative entertainment launch this holiday season.

If all goes as planned, the hotly anticipated game will give the industry a much-needed boost for the holiday season. But it's not yet clear whether Americans will shell out as much cash for video games as they did last year. The recession, along with fewer hit game launches, has dampened sales this year after the industry hit a record in 2008.

Activision said Thursday its net income grew to $15 million, or a penny per share, in the latest quarter. In the same period of 2008 it lost $108 million, but the results are not completely comparable because Activision Blizzard was formed about 10 days into the year-ago quarter.

Revenue slid slightly to $703 million from $711 million.

Sapient 3Q profit plummets on charges, sales dip

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:49 EST

Technology-services provider Sapient Corp. said Thursday that third-quarter profits plunged by two-thirds, partly due to special charges, and the CEO said customers were growing more confident in business prospects.

The company said it earned $5.9 million, or 4 cents per share, compared with $18.1 million, or 14 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.

Excluding items, the company said it would have earned 11 cents per share, down from 18 cents per share a year ago.

The company identified $8.6 million in charges for stock-based compensation, restructuring, amortization of assets it bought, and acquisition-related costs.

Revenue fell to $172.5 million from $184.1 million a year earlier.

Microsoft CEO: Windows 7 Japan sales 'fantastic'

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:15 EST

Sales of Microsoft Corp.'s new Windows 7 operating system have been "fantastic" in Japan since its launch last month, CEO Steve Ballmer said Thursday.

He declined to provide specific numbers for Japan, which is Microsoft's second-largest market, but said features like quicker start-up times were luring consumers to the newest version of the world's dominate software package. He added new computers were also helping attract buyers.

"People don't buy operating systems, they buy computers with operating systems on them," Ballmer told reporters during a presentation in Tokyo.

Windows 7 was launched last month after consumers and businesses gave a poor reception to its predecessor, Vista. That operating system was considered slow and had trouble working with existing programs and devices. Many consumers and companies opted not to install Vista at all.

The company has also been hit by the economic downturn. Microsoft said Wednesday it is cutting 800 jobs, in addition to the 5,000 layoffs it announced in January, its first broad layoffs ever.

DirecTV shows subscriber gains, as rivals see loss

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:09 EST

Satellite TV operator DirecTV Group Inc. was one of the few pay-TV companies to gain subscribers in the third quarter, though earnings stayed steady because of the higher costs it incurred attracting and serving those new customers.

DirecTV said Thursday that a marketing partnership with AT&T Inc. that began in February accounted for most of the increase in U.S. subscribers, but it likely also retained subscribers and gained new ones because of a perennial favorite, the NFL Sunday Ticket package that airs out-of-market games to football fans.

DirecTV, which is controlled by media mogul John Malone's Liberty Media Corp., has focused on attracting consumers who don't mind paying more for quality TV as long as they get football and other packages they want.

"DirecTV's high-end positioning has insulated it from the downturn," Craig Moffett, senior analyst at Sanford Bernstein, said in a research note. "Among all the cable and satellite incumbents, DirecTV has been the sole provider able to maintain video subscriber growth."

The company believes the Sunday Ticket is so valuable that in March it agreed to pay the National Football League 43 percent more - to $1 billion a year - to extend the contract another five years.

Nvidia says profit jumps 74 percent in 3Q

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:49 EST

Graphics chip maker Nvidia Corp. said consumer demand is healthy and improving as it reported a 74 percent jump in third-quarter profit.

The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company reported Thursday that it earned $107.6 million, or 19 cents a share, for the three months that ended Oct. 25. Revenue rose less than 1 percent to $903 million but the company said it saw improvement in each of its PC, professional services and consumer businesses.

The results easily beat estimates of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters, who were expecting a profit of 10 cents a share on revenue of $838 million.

In the final three months of the year, Nvidia said it expects revenue to grow 2 percent from the third quarter, implying sales of $921.1 million, which would beat analysts' current forecast of $868.1 million.

Operating expenses are forecast to be about $305 million.

Comcast 3Q profit up 22 pct, but growth slows

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:29 EST

Comcast Corp. reported a 22 percent increase in third-quarter earnings, buoyed by an investment gain and a lower tax rate as it stepped up promotions on its bundled video, phone and Internet plans.

The nation's largest cable TV operator also surpassed AT&T Inc. in the quarter as the country's largest Internet service provider.

But investors were more anxious to find out how the purchase of a 51 percent stake in NBC Universal would burden Comcast's finances. A deal between Comcast and General Electric Co., which owns 80 percent of NBC Universal, could be announced soon. Comcast is expected to pony up cash and its cable networks and help shoulder NBC Universal's debt in a $30 billion deal that would transform Comcast into one of the world's most powerful media companies.

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts tried to quell concerns that the company would overpay for an investment without acknowledging that talks were going on.

"I would like to emphasize that we will continue to have a very disciplined approach as we evaluate any of these opportunities, with our primary focus to create meaningful value for our shareholders," he said during a conference call with analysts.

Google's 3Q lobbying costs eclipse $1 million

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:17 EST

Google Inc.'s quarterly lobbying expenses eclipsed $1 million for the first time during the summer as the company tried to build on its dominance of Internet search and expand into other markets.

The company spent nearly $1.1 million trying to influence lawmakers and regulators in the third quarter, a 50 percent increase from the July-September period last year, according to a recent disclosure statement.

Google's lobbying budget has been steadily rising during the past year even as it tightened its belt in other areas to bolster its earnings during the worst U.S. recession in 70 years.

Through the first nine months of this year, Google's lobbying costs came to $2.9 million, a 41 percent increase from the same time last year. That contrasted with a 2 percent decline in Google's companywide expenses during the same period.

Convinced the worst is over, Google's management last month said the company intended to increase its spending again on technology development, computers and acquisitions. The executives didn't indicate how the loosening purse strings will affect Google's lobbying costs in upcoming quarters.

NY joins the antitrust effort against Intel

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:31 EST

The legal challenges to Intel Corp.'s sales tactics mounted Wednesday as New York's attorney general accused the world's biggest computer chip maker of using "illegal threats and collusion" to dominate.

In filing a federal antitrust lawsuit, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo accused Intel of using its market prowess to "rule with an iron fist."

Intel's chips act as the "brains" of 80 percent of the world's personal computers. Cuomo said Intel paid billions of dollars in kickbacks to computer manufacturers and retaliated against those that did too much business with Intel's competitors, namely Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

"Rather than compete fairly, Intel used bribery and coercion to maintain a stranglehold on the market," Cuomo said in a written statement. "Intel's actions not only unfairly restricted potential competitors, but also hurt average consumers who were robbed of better products and lower prices."

An Intel spokesman, Chuck Mulloy, denied the latest charges, as the company has in the past, and said Intel's sales practices were legitimate.

A growing PayPal could soon overshadow parent eBay

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:17 EST

Most people know eBay Inc. for its online marketplace, where deals abound on everything from gadgets to antique furniture. But soon, eBay's biggest business will likely be PayPal, the online payments service that has been growing steadily even as the economy has stumbled.

EBay has spent much of the past two years trying to improve its faltering marketplace business, hoping to increase buyers' trust and clean up the look of its Web site. In the meantime, PayPal has thrived as more consumers and merchants use it to send money online.

Its growth is expected to continue in spite of competition from Amazon.com Inc. and Google Inc., which have services that online retailers sometimes offer alongside PayPal.

PayPal bills itself as a shopper's online wallet. Users set up accounts and link them to bank accounts and credit cards, making it easy to transfer cash into the account. Then users can make payments through PayPal using either their cash balances or the underlying credit card. PayPal users can also send cash to someone based on as little information as an e-mail address or cell phone number.

But unlike what happens with a credit or debit card online, PayPal doesn't share your financial information with merchants. That brings peace of mind to people who might otherwise worry about shopping at a site they've never heard of.

THQ narrows 3Q loss as it lowers costs

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:36 EST

Video game maker THQ Inc. said it lost less in the third quarter than it did a year earlier even as sales fell because it lowered its operating costs, sending its shares higher in aftermarket trading.

THQ makes games such as WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, SpongeBob Truth or Square, and All Star Cheer Squad for the Microsoft XBox, Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation.

The company, based in Agoura Hills, lost $5.6 million, or 8 cents per share, in the quarter that ended Sept. 30. That compares to a loss of $115.3 million, or $1.73 per share, a year earlier.

THQ said that excluding certain one-time charges, it lost 37 cents per share, beating a consensus prediction of analysts polled by Thomson Reuters for a 48 cent per share loss.

Revenue fell 39 percent to $101.3 million from $164.8 million. Analysts had expected $92.2 million.

Brightpoint 3Q profit doubles on tax benefit boost

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:31 EST

Cell phone distributor Brightpoint Inc. said Wednesday its third-quarter profit more than doubled, helped by tax benefits.

Quarterly earnings jumped to $11.2 million, or 14 cents per share, from $5.5 million, or 6 cents per share, in the same period last year. The results included an $8.2 million tax-related gain, compared with a $5.6 million tax expense in the year-ago quarter.

Excluding that and other one-time items, Brightpoint said it earned 13 cents per share, two cents better than Wall Street was expecting, according to a Thomson Reuters survey of analysts.

Revenue fell 26 percent to $867.9 million from $1.2 billion in the year-ago quarter. Brightpoint said its distribution business handled 11 percent fewer wireless devices, and those it did sell were less expensive on average.

The results still topped analysts' $753 million estimate.

Microsoft redesigns MSN, adds Twitter, Facebook

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:11 EST

Microsoft Corp. is giving its MSN Web portal a long-overdue makeover and says it hopes the new site will funnel more people to Bing, the software maker's search engine.

Microsoft is ditching the heavy blue background and stack of tiny text and menus across the top of the page that have defined msn.com for a decade.

The new site is cleaner, with a white background and simple, colorful links for "news," "entertainment," "sports," "money," "lifestyle" and "more" lined up across the top.

But it's still clearly a portal, filled with blocks of headlines. The most prominent real estate on the page is dominated by a slide show of the top five stories with big headlines and photos.

Some of what appears on the MSN home page will be picked by editors looking for top stories. They'll get an assist from new software that uses Bing to find hot topics just as they begin to simmer.