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Electronics companies see signs of recovery
Reuters
February 9, 2004, 9:43 AM PT
Makers of electronic gear for big-name companies like Dell and Hewlett-Packard are confirming what many investors have already concluded: Their sector is bouncing back.
The companies, which make personal computers, servers, cell phones, handheld computers and other electronics gear, say they are seeing stronger demand in 2004, helped by an improving economy and a trend to outsource production of those items.
Shares in some of the biggest companies have risen 20 percent or more so far this year, and some analysts already are questioning whether the trend can continue.
"What we see today is a lot more positive signs from our customers," Jure Sola, chief executive of Sanmina-SCI, said at an investors conference in San Francisco this week. "They definitely have a more optimistic forecast than they did a year ago...2004 is going to be a better year."
The companies, known as contract electronics manufacturers, were among the hardest hit in the technology industry during its three-year downturn.
They slashed payrolls by the thousands, cut capacity and restructured to serve new markets in response to the tech recession. Margins fell as prices dropped faster than the companies could cut costs by shuttering assembly lines.
Flextronics International, the largest contract electronics maker, late last month reported that its quarterly revenue passed $4 billion for the first time ever, and posted a net profit, which compares with a year-earlier loss.
The company also raised its sales and earnings projections for its current quarter and the remainder of the year, saying current estimates were about 10 percent too low.
New markets
Flextronics, like rivals Sanmina-SCI, Solectron and others, has moved to target military, medical and industrial markets, in addition to more traditional markets such as computers and telecommunications.
"Demand is finally getting back into balance with supply, and pricing is starting to go up," Thomas Smach, senior vice president, finance, for Flextronics, said at the Thomas Weisel Partners Tech2004 Conference. "The next cycle is just beginning, and demand is accelerating, and it's easy to forecast in this environment because you need more."
Other executives agreed on the recovering market for EMS companies.
"We're pretty excited about what we're seeing," Perry Hayes, Solectron's treasurer, said at the conference. "I think the coming growth comes from rising (gross domestic product) and the double-digit expectation for continued outsourcing in the EMS sector."
With rising demand come rising component prices. But now, unlike during the downturn, EMS companies are having some success at passing on rising component costs to their customers.
"Pricing in components, if anything, is increasing," Sola said, adding that with rising prices come difficulties getting components that EMS companies need. "I expect component shortages; I expect prices to come up moderately. But customers are giving us better visibility."
As demand is improving, factories are filling up, helping to improve profitability in a business that already has slim margins.
Deutsche Bank analyst Chris Whitmore, in a note to clients this week, said the six EMS companies he covers have an average gross margin of 6 percent--about half what it was in the 1990s and 2000. And that comes after $5 billion in restructuring charges the companies took.
"Capacity utilization is moving up in some areas," Flextronics' Smach said, noting that in low-cost regions like Asia and Eastern Europe factories are full, whereas in high-cost regions like the United States and Western Europe capacity utilization rates are not as high.
Story Copyright © 2004 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
Investment advice
Subject: Mergers
Investment tips for 2004.... for all of you with any money left ........
In the wake of the Exxon/Mobile deal and the AOL/Time Warner implode, be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some BIG bucks.
Watch for these consolidations in 2004:
1. Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W. R. Grace Co. will merge and become:
Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.
2. Polygram Records, Warner Bros., and Zesta Crackers join forces and become:
Poly, Warner Cracker.
3. 3M will merge with Goodyear and issue forth as:
MMMGood.
4. Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become:
ZipAudiDoDa.
5. FedEx is expected to join its major competitor, UPS, and become:
FedUP.
6. Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers will become:
Fairwell Honeychild.
7. Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become:
Poupon Pants.
8. Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become:
Knott NOW!
That's all for now.....invest wisely
an afternoon of drinking would work out even better ;o)
Doc.......email.
RealPlayer flaws open PCs up to hijackers
By Robert Lemos
CNET News.com
February 5, 2004, 12:43 PM PT
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RealNetworks acknowledged on Wednesday that three flaws affecting different versions of its media player could allow attackers to create corrupt music or video files that, when played, take control of a victim's PC.
The flaws, found by U.K.-based Next-Generation Security Software, can affect RealNetworks' RealOne Player, RealOne Player version 2, RealPlayer 8, RealPlayer 10 Beta, and the company's RealOne Enterprise products. To exploit them, an attacker crafts the data in a media file in a certain way. When people play or stream the corrupted file in a vulnerable version of RealPlayer, the attacker's code will run, compromising the PC.
''By forcing a browser to a Web site containing such a file, code could be executed on the target machine running in the context of the logged-on user,'' stated an advisory posted by NGSSoftware.
The vulnerabilities may affect a large portion of the 350 million unique registered users of the media player software, but RealNetworks wouldn't say how many of those people use the vulnerable versions.
''We haven't had any reports of anyone having any issues,'' Erika Shaffer, a spokeswoman for the Seattle multimedia company, said on Thursday. ''However, we take security very seriously and so wanted to get these fixes out.''
The flaw can be exploited using a specially crafted media file, which can be one of five types: RealAudio (RAM) file, RealAudio Plugin (RPM) file, RealPix (RP) file, RealText (RT) file or synchronized multimedia integration language (SMIL) file.
Security vulnerabilities that can be exploited through playing a media file have been rare. Last May, a flaw in the way that Microsoft's Windows Media Player handled ''skins,'' or interface colors and motifs, led the software giant to release a patch for that application.
RealNetworks has posted instructions on its Web site for people to update their RealPlayer software.
Dog gone it Fred, first someone says we need a PR from the OEM, end user whatever to raise the share price, now you say we need one from EDIG. Too much fumes?
Never happy!
I would rather have the PR from AS (Alaska Air) it opens up the potential for more investors than a PR from EDIG.
IMO.
see ya....work beckons my butt.
Hmmmmmmm......familiar model number.......millions of combos and they gotta pick this.......a little close. Must be EDIG's in it....lol.
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/103/C2436/
Roaming Messenger will bring Mobile Commerce to the USA
Comment / Related Website / Email / Print / Rated: 100% by 1 user(s).
Wednesday February 4, 2004 10:44 AM EST
By: MobileMan
Roaming Messenger is officially in the beta test stage on Motorola's latest generation SmartPhone, the MPX 200. This handset is currently available from AT&T Wireless and features Microsoft SmartPhone 2002 operating system.
Once deployed, the Roaming Messenger system will allow dynamic, rich, interactive content to seamlessly roam between wireless users, wherever they may be.
The first roll out will be for Homeland Security and Emergency Response sectors. This service will provide instantaneous, interactive communication in critical situations for saving lives and property. Future commercialization will be for the Enterprise IT, machine process control, and Mobile Commerce. An exmample of the system will be for users to make vending machine purchases via cell phone interconnectivity.
Roaming Messenger technology will work across a broad array of OS platforms, including Microsoft Smartphone 2002 and 2003. The technology is due for distribution in several months, soon after the final testing stages are complete.
Sentinel..I have no problem selling them to either one........lol.
Heck, I think Alaska is too far north for satellite TV so sell 'em these digeplayers too. Air freighted in weekly by Alaska Air. :o)
OT...J W
OK, we'll try.
moxa....they usually don't sneak those out this late....it's been out for two hours and nobody caught it....I had to triple check to make sure I wasn't missing something....lol.
Time for those virtual video watchamakallits..ya know..the things ya wear like glasses...problem solved......lol
jw..working my behind off.
Good :o)
Not exactly a home run though.
hey Doc.
caught the post by you about Pepsi.....thanks. I only saw the preliminary ad and it stopped short of explaining Pepsi was on the right side of the game.
The complete ad explained it all....unfortunately not in our favor.
is this new.
APS Announces Sale of digEplayer Units to Alaska Airlines
Following a Very Successful 'Beta' Test, Alaska Agrees to Purchase Innovative
In-Flight Entertainment System
TACOMA, Wash., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- APS announced today the sale of its
new in-flight entertainment system, the digEplayer (TM) 5500, to Alaska
Airlines. The units will provide video and audio on demand to passengers of
Alaska Airlines for at least the next 5 years according to the agreement signed
this week between the two companies.
The digEplayer 5500 (TM) can hold more than 30 feature length movies and 10
hours of music. Alaska has been using the digEplayer 5500(TM) on its
transcontinental flights since November '03 while testing the innovative system.
"We wanted to test the players on several levels; customer acceptance and
demand, durability, ease of distribution, and quality of picture and sound. We
have been delighted with the results in each case and have now made a full
commitment to the product," said David Palmer, managing director marketing for
the airline.
"We worked closely with Alaska Airlines during this test phase and learned a
lot. The result is that a quality product has become even better. Overall
passenger and crew response was better than we could have ever imagined and are
pleased that Alaska has now decided to utilize the digEplayer for its
in-flight entertainment system." said Bill Boyer, President of APS.
Boyer continued, "This beta test proves that for the first time, carriers
can have a full video on demand (VOD) system without expensive retrofitting of
aircraft."
The agreement between the two companies allows Alaska Airlines to purchase
as many as 6,000 digEplayers by February, 2009. Included in this agreement will
be:
-- Feature length movie programming.
-- Pre-programmed television content
-- Dynamic Music content to be provided by DMX In-flight Music
-- Multiple types of Advertising plus additional marketing "Channels"
provided by Aeromedia LLC
Seattle based Alaska Airlines is the nation's ninth largest airline and was
named 2003 Technology Leader of the Year by Air Transport World magazine.
http://www.alaskaair.com
Tacoma, Washington based and privately owned; APS is the airline industry's
leading innovator in in-flight entertainment systems. Using the latest
technology licensed from e.Digital and DivX, the digEplayer 5500(TM) offers
superior audio and video quality. http://www.digeplayer.com
For more information about the digEplayer 5500(TM), contact APS at
253-284-4445. For advertising information contact Aeromedia LLC at
425-990-6462. http://www.aeromediaLLC.com
SOURCE Alaska Airlines
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Issuers of news releases and not PR Newswire are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Terms and conditions, including restrictions on redistribution, apply.
Copyright © 1996-2004 PR Newswire Association LLC. All Rights Reserved.
A United Business Media company.
what's up jw? Can you talk...pm me.
Well Fred........
Old Pepsi actually emailed me back..............here's what they said......
*************************************************
Hello!
Thank you for contacting Pepsi World regarding our new Super Bowl commercial, which features the Apple iTunes promotion.
Before we introduced this commercial, we consulted with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) - which undertook the lawsuit to stop illegal music downloads - and received both its encouragement and support to turn a negative into a positive.
We believed we could accomplish this, first, by showing consumers that downloading music illegally is wrong and, second, by introducing millions of people - some of whom may have never tried to buy music on the Internet before - to a legal alternative through the online iTunes Music Store.
I assure you, our goal was not to reward or condone criminal activity. Far from it, it's about young people who learned a hard lesson, but who now better understand that there are serious consequences to downloading music illegally.
Nevertheless, if our actions, in any manner at all, have upset you, it is regrettable and I hope you will accept our sincere apology.
Again, many thanks for taking the time to express your viewpoint.
-The Pepsi World Webmaster
webmaster@pepsi.com
http://www.pepsi.com
*************************************************************
hmmmmmmmmm.....I didn't see the entire commercial, only what was shown on the internet...the internet version sure didn't reflect their answer.
Did you see the commercial? Was it as they said?
Fred...as long as you have companies like Pepsi promoting to download your music for free it sure ain't helping matters.
I emailed Pepsi and asked since they believe in free downloading to prevent artists from getting paid, would they mind sending out their soda for free also.
No reply!
Pepsi sure isn't helping EDIG, is it?
fred..I seen it on Business Wire.
ot: eSignal delivers new toy
from Business Wire...8:01AM for the link
February 03, 2004 08:01 AM US Eastern Timezone
eSignal Launches the New QuoTrek - Streaming Real-Time Market Information for Mobile Investors
QuoTrek(R) eSignal's new, wireless quote and market information service for mobile devices.
Press Release
HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2004--
QuoTrek(R) Enters the Mobile Market with Data From Over 75 Global Exchanges, Charting and News on BlackBerry(R), Palm(R) and Pocket PC Devices
eSignal, a division of Interactive Data Corporation (NYSE: IDC) and a leading provider of streaming, real-time financial market data, news, analytics and decision support tools to professional and individual traders, today announced the immediate availability of QuoTrek(R) - eSignal's new, wireless quote and market information service for mobile devices. The new QuoTrek allows users to leave their computers at home or the office and access their portfolios on their handheld, portable devices.
Initially pioneered by eSignal in 1983, the original QuoTrek was a revolutionary handheld, wireless device delivering real-time market data and, at its peak boasted over 50,000 subscribers for wireless real-time market data and news. The convergence of cell phone/PDA technologies and the increased bandwidth available to today's wireless devices have afforded us the ability to introduce the new QuoTrek.
"We recognized an opportunity to once again take the lead in offering our first-class market information services to mobile investors," said Chuck Thompson, president of eSignal. "With the new QuoTrek service, subscribers can access their portfolios and comprehensive market information virtually anywhere and at anytime - freeing traders from their desks and PCs."
The new QuoTrek offers investors with mobile devices the reliable, streaming, real-time quotes that power eSignal's award-winning services and applications. With QuoTrek, U.S. and international stocks, indices, futures, options and FOREX data can be accessed using most mobile devices that utilize Microsoft(R) Pocket PC, Palm(R) and RIM BlackBerry(R) operating systems.
"It is an amazing experience to have such powerful market information available in the palm of my hand," said Alexis Montenegro, QuoTrek user. "With QuoTrek, I simply scroll and tap through charts and analytical studies to get just the information I need to stay on top of my portfolio, even while I'm away from my computer."
QuoTrek provides investors streaming charts with real-time data that can be displayed in a line, bar or candlestick charts. Users can also select from more than 15 analytical studies. The QuoTrek service includes access to real-time news from PR Newswire and Business Wire.
Pricing and Availability
QuoTrek is available immediately for US$49.95 per month for new clients and US$25.00 per month for existing eSignal(R), eSignal Pro(TM) and MarketCenter(TM) customers. For a complete list of features or for more information, visit www.quotrek.com or call 1.800.833.1228.
About eSignal:
The eSignal division (www.esignal.com) of Interactive Data Corporation (NYSE: IDC) (www.interactivedatacorp.com) is a leading global provider of financial and business information to professionals and individual investors. Building on a 20-year legacy of delivering time-sensitive financial information, eSignal provides streaming, real-time market data, news and analytics. The company's suite of products includes eSignal(R), eSignal Market Scanner(TM), Advanced GET(TM), eSignal Pro(TM), MarketCenter(TM), QuoTrek(R) and TurboFeed(R).
Contacts
eSignal
Raphel Finelli, 510-723-3501
rfinelli@mail.esignal.com
mobile security
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/344/C2429/
Tuesday February 3, 2004 8:20 AM EST
By: MobileMan
An industry group has launched a new system for protecting digital music, video and software from illegal file sharing over mobile devices. The Content Management License Administrator (CMLA) code named "Project Hudson", will promote an advanced DRM system that secures handsets and other mobile devices.
The OMA DRM 2.0 Enabler Release, is designed to protect high-value content produced and distributed by a wide range of content and service providers. Digital Rights Management (DRM) protects data from unauthorized access and copying.
The OMA DRM 2.0 Enabler Release enables the protection of premium content such as music tracks, video clips, and games with enhanced security and improved support to preview and share content, among other new features.
See press release below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intel, mm02, Nokia, Panasonic, RealNetworks, Inc., Samsung and Warner Bros. Studios today announced plans for a licensing and compliance framework called Content Management License Administrator (CMLA). This body was formed to address necessary business concerns and enable the rapid delivery of high-quality digital content to mobile handsets and other devices that deploy Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) Digital Rights Management version 2.0 specification.
CMLA creation coincides with the introduction of the OMA’s DRM version 2.0 interoperability specification developed and provided through the OMA. The OMA DRM 2.0 specifies an interoperable service enabler for Digital Rights Management (DRM), and is a major enhancement to the OMA DRM 1.0 specification.
The CMLA will address critical digital content delivery concerns by providing a licensing and compliance framework to provide the necessary encryption keys and certificates to licensed device manufacturers and service providers to enable interoperability between new devices and service. The CMLA will also facilitate open participation in the OMA DRM system by defining standard agreements among service and content providers and device makers.
The CMLA’s goal is to provide vendors and service providers clear processes and guidelines for robust and compliant OMA DRM Version 2.0 implementations making their product development cycles faster and easier. Ultimately, CMLA will assist in bringing consumers greater access to new and emerging digital content such as music, video clips, games etc.
The CMLA’s intent is to have agreements available for device makers, service providers and content participants in the first half of 2004 with a toolkit including encryption “keys” delivered by the end of 2004.
More information about CMLA is available at www.CM-LA.com.
Wireless content gets new security spec
By Marguerite Reardon
CNET News.com
February 2, 2004, 7:04 AM PT
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The Open Mobile Alliance revealed a new set of specifications Monday to help protect music and video distributed over the Internet through wireless devices.
The Digital Rights Management 2.0 Enabler Release allows content producers to protect premium content, such as music tracks, video clips and games with enhanced security, according to the Open Mobile Alliance. While the OMA DRM 1.0 Enabler Release, issued in November 2002, provides basic protection functions, OMA DRM 2.0 offers improved support for audio and video, streaming content and access to protected content using multiple devices, the group said.
As earlier reported, the group--which develops interoperability specifications for mobile devices--views the enhanced standard as the next step in protecting content that will be accessed through handsets and other mobile devices. With these improved encryption and security specifications, the group believes that content distributors can develop more secure methods for distributing their content over the Internet.
"Our upgraded enabler release reinforces the high priority of DRM within OMA, and underscores the importance of content and copyright protection when using mobile devices," Willms Buhse, vice chair of OMA's DRM Working Group, said in a prepared statement. "As trust and security improves, the industry will benefit from significant revenue enhancement opportunities through offering rich content through pervasive mobile access."
DRM has become an increasingly important--and controversial--technology as media companies fight against piracy and illegal file swapping over high-speed Internet connections.
A wave of competing and incompatible DRM products has hit the market from Microsoft, Apple Computer, Sony, IBM, RealNetworks and others, creating interoperability headaches for consumers.
Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications and Siemens already make handsets that use an early version of OMA's DRM, while Ericsson and Openwave Systems make servers that use the technology, according to OMA's Web site.
Forward in Format for
Related Links:
> Tech giants lock down wireless content
Probably, it should.
yeah, a 69-1/2 Six-Pak Bee....hemi orange.
Hittin' the sack Bud.
See ya.
HH..I read $250,000 somewhere but it'll probably be closer to half a mill by the time it debuts.
All them ball players will want one at any price....just like the Vipers when they first came out...about $160,000 for the first one if I remember correctly. List was around $50,000 I think.
I'd be willing to bet a whole bunch of Mopar guys would want that, I do.....a little pricey yet though.
I'd be the first guy to put a Hemi in it though..lol
OUCH..lol/
Being a Mopar guy (LOL), I'd have to take the Viper bike. Wouldn't know what to do with it but it would sure be something to own.
Only half a mill was the latest price. Didn't Leno want to buy one?
available here soon... a buck off too....
http://www.yourmobiledesk.com/products/subcategory.cfm?catID=64&mfrID=na&shmsg=1&list=al...
RR......never traded EDIG....I just keep adding :o)
click on this link.....then the first link...
http://www.iamynnus.com/archives/000528.html
listen to that puppy.
Leno's OK in my book.......he's a real gearhead.
Fred...port that SOB.......lol.
RR.......see post
59353. There's your answer.
:o)
If work slows down a bit I'd like to hit Gateway and look at their Media system that runs your TV, Tivo type recorder, Music etc. I'm thinking the X20 player (maybe they'll throw it in for free :o)), but the wife likes the voice operated MXP she has had for almost two years now....not a bit of problems and accurate. Same battery. Uses it 4 times a week.
I'd like to use the X20 in the car/truck with a wireless to the radio.
I think they are still a little short on supply.
We need some good reviews out there to help this along.
I know what you were trying to do with the analogy and I have to agree with you on that, not one ad from Gateway on the player.
At least I haven't seen any. Maybe someone can confirm one.
Only place I have seen it was on HSN last week and it looks like they sold out what they had on the first showing as it didn't return on the second set.
RoadHome...thanks....missed that post, makes sense.
I've been thru one RS here already and it tanked..course there wasn't any revenue producing products so to speak. This time it looks better.
If this is true as I don't know what the requirements by AMEX are for a listing, then IMO it is not likely we need to have a RS. I would think that a RS would only be required to get the share price up to a minimum for a listing.
The stock has rallied over the last two weeks, as a result of the excitement surrounding the Virtual Keyboard, causing the stock to double on enormous volume. The stock traded over 700 million shares in one day. This is due to strong interest from investors, and institutions converting stock as a result of the financing. Due to the large number of shares currently outstanding, the company has a market capitalization of approximately $75 million, enough for a listing on the American Stock Exchange. The combination of growing interest in its promising Virtual Keyboard, along with an improved capital structure could make this stock a big winner for speculative investors.
http://ragingbull.lycos.com/mboard/boards.cgi?board=IBZT&read=142076
jwperk....the analogy RR is refering to is, the Tucker was such a great car like the Gateway DMPX20 is.
and RR, what Hotrodder doesn't know what a Tucker is?
anyways, I quoted some boilers for the old Tucker building here in Chicago. A million square feet with 3 foot poured concrete ceilings and no load bearing walls.. Bomb proof for the time.
No parts laying around though :o(
MH....there were also reports of websites that were unfriendly to Gateway...so take your pick who's lying.
Gateway's MP3 seems to be getting better user reviews though.