The Nikkei reported this week that Sony Corp. has finally taken a bold step to reorganize its business by putting its VAIO computer division up for sale. According to the report, the company is in negotiation to offload the division to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), a Japanese investment company.
With Huge Increase in Fiscal YTD Net Loss – JVC Kenwood Moves to Cut Staff & Buy a Company
JVC Kenwood Corporation released their year-to-date results for the first nine months (April 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013) of the current fiscal year at the end of last week. The results clearly portrayed a company in a struggle to turn their flagging business around. Although 9-month sales showed a 2.6% increase to ¥230.3 billion ($2.3 billion), up from ¥224.5 billion ($2.2 billion) last year…the company also booked a net loss that also increased more than four-fold – from ¥1.4 billion ($13.8 million) last year to ¥5.7 billion ($55.7 million) now.
See more on both JVC Kenwood’s results…and their moves to rectify the situation… [Read more…] about With Huge Increase in Fiscal YTD Net Loss – JVC Kenwood Moves to Cut Staff & Buy a Company
Forget Wearables! Japan Invents UnWearables – A Bra That Only Pops Open for True Love
One of the hot topics at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this month was “wearables” – technology that you wear somewhere on your body. Whether Google Glass on your head, or a FitBit wrist band, the magic happens when you put it on.
Now out of Japan, we learn of a new technology where the magic happens…when you take it off! Developed by a lingerie company that apparently employs hot-blooded engineers to create cool technology – the True Love Tester is a bra with a latch that will only open if the lady is truly in love.
Is this the Next Big Thing?…You’ve got to see this!… [Read more…] about Forget Wearables! Japan Invents UnWearables – A Bra That Only Pops Open for True Love
Seiko Epson to Launch Their Own Smart Glasses
Seiko Epson Corp. will launch their own version of smart glasses in April, according to a report by the Japan Times. These glasses, called Moverio BT-200, run on Google’s Android operating system and allow users to watch movies and browse the Internet…all while walking around.
See more on this new Google Glass challenger… [Read more…] about Seiko Epson to Launch Their Own Smart Glasses
Taiwan’s Foxconn Looks to Build Factories in the U.S. – Six States Compete for Selection
Foxconn Technology Group, a Taiwanese company with manufacturing plants in China, and the world’s largest manufacturer of electronics – is looking to build one or more factories here in the U.S. The company, mostly known as the primary manufacturer of Apple’s popular iPhone, is in negotiations with Arizona and Colorado, according to a report by Bloomberg. But four other states have thrown their hats into the ring as well.
See more on this turn of events, a Taiwanese company building factories in the U.S…. [Read more…] about Taiwan’s Foxconn Looks to Build Factories in the U.S. – Six States Compete for Selection
Social Media’s Buzzing about Savant Systems’ New CEO
Savant Systems, LLC announced on Tuesday that it has hired William J. Lynch as its new CEO. Who is Lynch, you ask? He is the ex-Barnes & Noble CEO who left there in the middle of last year. The Savant announcement surprised many as, on paper, Lynch looks like an unlikely candidate for the role.
Since the announcement, social media has buzzed about this appointment. See more… [Read more…] about Social Media’s Buzzing about Savant Systems’ New CEO
It’s Official, Moody’s Says Sony is ‘Junk’
In a move that has been highly anticipated or, depending on your point of view, highly dreaded, Moody’s Investors Service cut its credit rating on Sony Corp. by one notch, dropping it below investment grade – taking it to “junk” status, in industry parlance. The downgrade was made on Monday and it is significant in that it symbolizes the continuing struggles of the company as it to tries to improve its fortunes – so far with mixed results.
See more on this huge announcement sure to be the bane of Sony management… [Read more…] about It’s Official, Moody’s Says Sony is ‘Junk’
After a Short Pause, Another D+M Group Executive Leaves the Company
BREAKING NEWS
Petro Shimonishi, once Senior Global Business Team Leader of Headphones & Accessories for D+M Group, announced on Facebook today that she has left the company for a new role with a new company. The announcement clearly surprised many of her friends and colleagues, as was evidenced by their almost universal shocked reaction.
See more on this key executive departure from D&M… [Read more…] about After a Short Pause, Another D+M Group Executive Leaves the Company
Sharp Ends Production of Solar Panels at Tennessee Factory – 300 to Lose Their Jobs
Sharp Corporation announced that it has decided to end production of solar panels at its factory in Memphis, Tennessee, the Nikkei reported today. As a result, 300 jobs will be eliminated at the facility.
See more on this unexpected announcement from Sharp… [Read more…] about Sharp Ends Production of Solar Panels at Tennessee Factory – 300 to Lose Their Jobs
Sign of the Times: App Makers Snapchat, Shutterfly & Yelp Join CEA
In an announcement that reflects the changing nature of the tech industry, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) announced today that app makers Snapchat, Shutterfly, and Yelp have joined the trade organization. App makers had a prominent visibility at the most recent Consumer Electronics Show and this announcement shows how software continues to make a big impact on hardware.
