This week’s highlights range from a new Blackberry to a $4.8 billion acquisition. In my opinion each section is newsworthy because it reveals some insight into the direction that companies believe technology is headed.
Blackberry announces the DTEK50
Blackberry’s new smartphone, the DTEK50, is claimed by the company to be the world’s most secure. This Android device follows the Priv in that is runs a secured version of Android. Apparently Blackberry is betting on the fact that security will become a critical issue as companies and government departments choose between iOS and the typically less secure Android operating system.
Google launches a new Phone app
A new warning system imbedded in Android’s Phone app will supposedly alert users when an incoming call is likely to be spam. In addition, users will be able to block numbers and report spam directly from the app. It appears the filtering will be based on the source of the call since Google can’t determine the content of the communication ahead of time like it does with emails. While the new app is available on Google Play, it is currently only compatible with Nexus and Android One phones.
Verizon buys Yahoo for $4.83 billion
Yahoo’s story has been full of ups and downs since it peaked during the dotcom bubble. On Monday, Verizon announced that it would be acquiring Yahoo’s core internet assets for $4.83 billion USD. Lowell McAdam, Verizon’s CEO, mentioned that this purchase along with that of AOL around this time last year ($4.4 billion USD) will help bolster their mobile media strategy. Those two acquisitions are significant and Verizon will need to act swiftly in order create synergy between the three companies and clearly define its strategy to the outside world. AOL and Yahoo both failed to clearly defined themselves after their peak. This may be Verizon’s opportunity to avoid a similar fate.
Twitter’s shares were down 14 percent after announcing earnings
It appears that Twitter is still in troubled waters. The company’s second quarter earnings reached $602 million USD which is an increase of 20% over last year but fell short of the expected $607 million USD. Investors remain doubtful of Twitter’s ability to monetize the platform and are becoming worried since its monthly active user base seems to have plateaued around 300,000. Twitter is currently trying to adapt its platform to better tailor to advertisers. One of the way it wants to do so is with a new Live Video feature. Twitter users have always used the platform as a way to comment on what is happening on the small screen and this may be a way to make that experience better.
Apple stocks went up 8% on Wednesday
Apple announced it had exceeded expectations in its third quarter by shipping 40.4 million iPhones which is above the 40 million devices that were expected. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, mentioned that thanks to the addition of the iPhone SE they were in a better position to “meet the needs of customers who love a 4-inch phone”. The iPhone SE retails for $399 USD and was recognized as a way to appeal to customers weren’t willing to pay for a top tier smartphone.
I hope these weekly Friday updates help you stay up to date with the tech world! If I have missed anything or you would like to leave a comment please don’t hesitate to do so below.
-Phil Alexandre