RIM stock stumbles 6.1 percent as analysts reduce profit estimates (Canada)
Canada based BlackBerry manufacturer, Research In Motion (RIM), received yet another blow as industry analysts have reportedly cut their profit estimates for the company on the basis of increase in competition and problems regarding the BlackBerry Bold device.
According to reports, analysts have lowered their price targets on the stock citing lesser sales and reduced earnings projections. The news has caused RIM’s stock to fall 6.1 percent to $17.09. As per sources, the BlackBerry Bold introduced in September, is RIM’s main competitor against Apple’s iPhone and Android smartphones.
Further, while there have been reports suggesting that users have been facing problems with the BlackBerry Bold device wherein some of the users haven’t been able to turn on their device, analysts have also said that low priced and affordable smartphones, powered by Google’s Android software, have been causing a steady decline in RIM’s revenues.
Bank of America launches NFC m-payment trial for BlackBerry users (USA)
Bank of America, US financial services provider is planning to invite BlackBerry users to try a mobile payment program powered by NFC chips. The project is scheduled for launch in Spring. Trial participants need either a Visa debit card or a MasterCard credit card through Bank of America.
The trial targets BlackBerry Curve 8520, 8530, Tour 9630, Bold 9000, 9650 and 9700 handsets users. Customers who opt to participate in the trial program will receive an NFC-enabled battery cover and a microSD memory card.
Google: Android Phones Coming This Year
Google says it will have an Android-powered phone on the market in 2008, rebutting a source’s claims to the contrary.
According to a source familiar with the situation, although a large number of people are hard at work on the Gphone and the open-source operating system/platform for mobile devices (Android) the actual Gphone will not be ready for release this year.
That would mean that Apple’s second-generation iPhone, and the ever-growing list of about-to-be-released handsets (like the Garmin nuviphone, Research In Motion Blackberry Bold and Thunder, Sprint/Samsung Instinct and SonyEricsson Xperia) will now have a huge head-start over the Gphone.
However, a Google spokesperson says “We’re still on track to announce Android-powered phones this year. Some of our partners are publicly stating that they plan to ship Android phones in the fourth quarter.”
The source on the initial story would not speculate on the possibility that other devices that might run on variants of Android would be ready in time for the Christmas shopping season, nor would the source elaborate on exact reasons for the delay or a possible release date for the Gphone or various Android variants.
Android, based on the Linux operating system, is being jointly developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. The 34-member group includes mobile operators China Mobile, NTT DoMoCo, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, software companies , Google, Living Image, NMS, Nuance Communications, PacketVideo, SkyPop, semiconductor companies, Intel, Marvel, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and handset manufacturers HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung.
Missing from this impressive list of Android companies are some very well-known cell-phone leaders AT&T, Nokia and Verizon’s Verizon Wireless.
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