Computer Hardware

Google Apps pose a distant threat to Microsoft

22 Feb 2007

Microsoft's edge in security and its large base of satisfied users means its place atop the corporate IT pantheon remains unchallenged. But on the internet, where the coin of the realm is innovation, Google s brand is chipping away at the Seattle behemoth.

Google bows to India’s pressure

6 Feb 2007

The search giant agreed to blur images of military sites but went a step further, also obscuring VIP homes. This allows it to continue to do business in India. But Google s capitulation shows that commercial interests trump its commitment to truth.

Ebay on track with $2bn buyback

25 Jan 2007

The auctioneer's doubling of the size of its stock buyback program is smart, given the maturing of its core business and deep pockets. Even with its PayPal subsidiary holding up well against Google, reigniting ubergrowth at Ebay won't be easy.

Yahoo CEO Semel plays for time

24 Jan 2007

The internet group forecasts doubledigit profit growth for the second half of 2007. This may give its boss breathing room. But after a disastrous 2006, any hiccups on this promise and investors will be right in calling for Semel to step down.

AOL faces fight for online ad firm

16 Jan 2007

AOL's friendly $900m bid for Sweden's TradeDoubler reflects its decision to focus on ads rather than internet access. But with a Swedish pension fund decrying the offer as too cheap, AOL may need to raise its bid to prevail.

Yahoo kicks off much-needed revamp

6 Dec 2006

The internet group is breaking into three operating divisions. In theory, this should increase accountability and focus. But the divisions are still illdefined. The risk is that they duplicate efforts or, worse, squabble over the spoils.

Amazon rally looks overdone

4 Dec 2006

The internet retailer's shares soared some 60% since the summer on its plans to grow sales and repurchase stock. Yet in an uncharacteristic twist, Wall Street analysts are more bearish on Amazon than their clients. Who's right?

Yahoo forecasts change Hollywood-style

20 Nov 2006

The leaking of the socalled peanut butter memo calling for a massive revamp has the hallmarks of an orchestrated PR campaign. It s good that Yahoo recognises it s in trouble. But CEO Semel will need to employ more than special effects to achieve a turnaround.

Yahoo vulnerable to takeover

30 Oct 2006

If the internet portal doesn't do a better job of turning traffic into profits, Rupert Murdoch or some other predator might do it for them. As a preemptive move, Yahoo might be tempted to buy AOL's online business for more than $10bn. But this seems unlikely.

Internet bulletin boards claim their first scalp

24 Oct 2006

The shareholder revolt that forced out the founder of Coffee Republic should worry other boards for two reasons. It illustrates how internet chat rooms can spread misleading stories, and how easy the web makes it for retail investors to club together.

Is Mike Bloomberg missing the boat?

19 Oct 2006

The New York Mayor says he s had recent approaches but won t sell the financial information giant he founded anytime soon. Given the hedge fund gusts that have filled his sails, and the private equity boom that promises him a clean exit, this could be a mistake.

Yahoo shareholders are myopic

18 Oct 2006

Investors have marked down Yahoo shares after disappointing results. But a new advertising system in 2007 is likely to boost the internet company s prospects.

What is Google really worth?

13 Oct 2006

Conventional valuation methods such as discounted cash flow are sensitive to changes in assumptions. It s better to use a variety of tools. But even then, determining a fair value for the fastestgrowing firm ever is more of an art than a science.

HP emerges intact from Washington

29 Sep 2006

With HP's reputation at stake, its general counsel quit, its former chairman looked weak and several others refused to testify to Congress. But chief executive Mark Hurd performed well under the political krieg lights. Shareholders look safe.

HP shareholders brace for Hurd on the Hill

26 Sep 2006

The computer group s chief executive faces a political grilling over HP s inappropriate snooping. To avoid turning this governance fiasco into an electionfueled nightmare, Hurd must show genuine contrition.

Hewlett-Packard magnifies its errors

25 Sep 2006

Patricia Dunn s exit is a good thing. Mark Hurd s ascension to the chairman s seat, though, creates undue business risk. Sure, Dunn screwed things up. But there was some sense in her hanging around to clear up the mess. Now Hurd has been sucked in too.

Freescale LBO could mint new record

19 Sep 2006

The chipmaker s $17.6bn buyout relies on slapping an excessive amount of debt on a company with poor and erratic cash flows. Either that or the financial sponsors will have to agree to inject a record amount of equity perhaps up to $8bn.

Apple should ditch the iPod

15 Sep 2006

Competition is heating up with Microsoft s new Zune digital media player. Microsoft is also opening a digital music store. There s one way for Apple to protect its current dominance. It should open up its iTunes software to other music players.

Apple breaks its mould with big promise

13 Sep 2006

Steve Jobs has been masterful at underpromising and thereby overdelivering on the expectations of consumers and investors. But to preempt rivals on Apple s iTV initiative, he has had to break that tradition, raising expectations that may be harder to meet.

Facebook revolt underlines difficulties managing social networks

7 Sep 2006

In most enterprises, owners call the shots and customers follow. But when users generate content, management finds it hard to get its way. That's what Facebook, a networking website, is discovering after attempts to broadcast personal information provoked howls of protests.