Internet

Amazon investors have only themselves to blame

23 Jul 2010

The online retailer's shares fell 13 percent after it reported sparkling growth. Shareholders grumbled about costs and margins but investing heavily in the business makes sense. What doesn't is the overly generous multiple the market attached to the stock.

YouTube justice shakes up Russia

21 Jul 2010

The official variety has fallen far short in investigating the Hermitage lawyer's claims about a $230 million fraud. His boss has taken to the net to show two police officers' unlikely wealth, with more revelations promised. The publicity campaign seems to be gaining momentum.

iPhone subtraction could be addition for AT&T

16 Jul 2010

The U.S. operator's days as sole carrier for Apple's iconic handset appear to be winding down. Customer growth may slow. Yet if Verizon lands the iPhone, it should push the industry toward more rational pricing for carrying data increasing returns on AT&T's iPhone customers.

Antennagate galvanizes Apple PR machine

16 Jul 2010

Steve Jobs showed the likes of BP and Goldman how spindoctoring works. Of course the comparison is unfair: the iPhone 4 problem is minor and easy to address. Still, the rumor mill was getting out of hand, and the usually aloof Apple has made a decent fist of a response.

Google earnings show cost of ambition

15 Jul 2010

The Internet search group's revenue continued to grow at a good clip in the second quarter. But the firm eased its formerly tight control on costs at an even faster rate. Some investment is appropriate. The worry is Google's cash hoard will encourage overindulgence.

iPhone subtraction could be addition for AT&T

12 Jul 2010

The U.S. operator's days as sole carrier for Apple's iconic handset appear to be winding down. Customer growth may slow. Yet if Verizon lands the iPhone, it should push the industry toward more rational pricing for carrying data increasing returns on AT&T's iPhone customers.

Google’s China deal features ceremonial substance

9 Jul 2010

The search giant's renewed Middle Kingdom access doesn't change much. Users will still be sent to an uncensored site, and Google could easily be shut down if the country senses a ceding of control. But it's not the contract that matters so much as the symbolism.

Apple’s spat with Google should cheer regulators

10 Jun 2010

The latest clash of the tech giants has Steve Jobs essentially barring Google from serving ads on iPhones and iPads. While this may seem anticompetitive, the sniping is actually a healthy sign of a vibrant rivalry. Saber rattling from watchdogs would further encourage it.

Go East, young nerd!

18 May 2010

Apple, Cisco and Microsoft have $120 bln in cash and investments between them. Yet much of it is trapped overseas, and bringing it back to the U.S. would cause a huge tax hit. So the companies are looking for acquisitions overseas creating an opportunity for tech startups.

Google starts cashing in on recovery

15 Apr 2010

The search giant has weathered the economic storm in the highly cyclical advertising market. Impressive firstquarter results show a turnaround is well under way. Even better for shareholders, Google is still keeping a tight rein on costs and capital expenditure.

Twitter takes small step to becoming a business

13 Apr 2010

The microblogging site for the attention deficit disordered is carefully rolling out advertising. Ads will be limited and those that don't generate favorable response pulled. It's a sensible first step in Twitter's need to generate revenue without annoying users. More are needed.

Big Media trips again on Web 2.0 with Bebo

7 Apr 2010

AOL plans to shut or sell the social network just two years after former parent Time Warner paid $850 mln for it. Media conglomerates have struggled to catch waves of new technology or social trends. They can t stop trying but it s high time they stop making the same mistakes.

Internet inches away from utility status

6 Apr 2010

A landmark court ruling means broadband operators won t need to treat all traffic on their networks equally. The blow to net neutrality gives the Internet a longer leash than its telco or electricity cousins. But it could spur an even more ambitious Washington power grab.

EBay inches from auctions to outlet sales

29 Mar 2010

The Internet auction giant s latest attempt to revive its core marketplaces division is by selling overstocked items for fashion designers. If it really wants to build a business running other companies web sales efforts, though, perhaps eBay should do a little shopping itself.

Hot tech firms snub VCs, IPOs with D rounds

29 Mar 2010

Silicon Valley darlings have long faced a choice sell or go public. Now firms such as Facebook and Yelp are accepting later financing rounds that both raise capital and create liquidity. It s a good way to get the benefits of a float while staying private. Expect more.

Google saves face with half-way retreat

23 Mar 2010

In shutting its China portal, the search engine chose morals over profits. But it will keep a toehold, rerouting searches to Hong Kong and keeping on staff. Retaining an option on China looks sensible if Google can withstand bad press, brain drain, and loss of market share.

EBay spinoff of PayPal looks inevitable

17 Mar 2010

The Internet group s auctions business is a steady cash cow. But its online payments arm accounts for at least 40 percent of the company s market value. Separating the two would focus investor attention on this gem and increase PayPal s growth.

Skype looks like Silicon Valley’s best IPO hope

15 Mar 2010

With Facebook not on the IPO launch pad, the former eBay orphan could steal the scene with a quick flip. After clarifying copyright issues and rewriting its code to attack the business market, the Internet telephony group may be worth twice the $2.75 bln it sold for last year.

Apple’s iTunes milestone proves who’s piper

25 Feb 2010

The tech giant just sold its 10 billionth song online as the pace of downloading from its digital media service quickens. That means consumers are getting themselves increasingly locked in to Apple products. And the company s grip on the entertainment world is tightening.

Wall Street could teach Google a thing or two

16 Feb 2010

Tapping user information promises lots of ad dollars. But going too far, as Google's Buzz did, can trigger privacy concerns and send customers fleeing. Establishing banklike conflict committees to kibosh plans that appear lucrative, but put the company at risk, might work.