Tag Archives: request

Apple Sets March 21 To Launch Small iPhone, New iPad, Watch Bands

Apple ( AAPL ) sent out media invitations on Thursday for a March 21 event where it is widely expected to unveil a new 4-inch iPhone, a third-generation iPad Air and new bands for the Apple Watch. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said he expects the March event to be “largely incremental,” with the bigger announcements, namely the redesigned iPhone 7, slated for an event in September. The spring product launch event will be held at Apple’s Cupertino, Calif., headquarters. The invite reads “Let us loop you in,” which could be a reference to new Apple Watch bands or to Apple’s street address at 1 Infinite Loop. Much of what’s expected to be announced has been reported. Apple’s new 4-inch iPhone SE will replace the iPhone 5S, which was released in September 2013. The new model will have upgraded internal components similar to the iPhone 6S, released last September. The iPhone SE will sport an A9 chip, NFC technology to enable Apple Pay and a 12-megapixel, rear-facing camera. However, it won’t have a pressure-sensitive screen, which is reserved for its premium models. Apple also is expected to unveil a 9.7-inch iPad Pro tablet at the March event. The current iPad Pro has a 12.9-inch display. The smaller iPad Pro, also referred to as the iPad Air 3, will have the same internal components as its big brother. It will support accessories like the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. Plus, Apple is seen offering new Apple Watch wristbands and perhaps a software update, but no second-generation hardware. RELATED: Apple Making The Perfect Smartphone For Donald Trump Apple Working On Dual-Camera iPhone 7 Plus Smartphone: Analyst  

AT&T: FCC Privacy Proposal Puts ISPs At Odds With Facebook, Google

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler proposed stricter rules to protect online consumer privacy on Thursday, cracking down on Internet service providers such as Comcast ( CMCSA ), AT&T and Verizon Communications. The Federal Communications Commission’s rules would require ISPs to obtain permission from customers before sharing Web browsing data with third parties, including business partners. While the Federal Trade Commission has rules to protect consumer privacy, the FCC says more regulation is needed. The FCC and Verizon ( VZ ) last week reached a settlement over the broadband and wireless-phone company’s use of “super-cookies” that provide subscriber data for targeted advertising. Verizon agreed to pay a $1.35 million fine. AT&T ( T ), in a blog post , said FTC regulation is sufficient and that the FCC could put broadband companies at a disadvantage while Alphabet ‘s ( GOOGL ) Google, Facebook ( FB ) and others track consumers. “Limiting ISPs’ ability to compete with ad supported business models — which are overwhelmingly favored by consumers — is bad for consumers and ultimately bad for broadband investment in this country,” wrote Bob Quinn, AT&T’s  senior vice president, federal regulatory. “Time and time again, the FCC appears to want to place its thumb on the scale in favor of Internet companies and against the companies that invest in broadband infrastructure in this country.” Six telecom trade groups — including CTIA and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association — on Feb. 11 sent a joint letter to the FCC, asking Wheeler to hold off. The FCC will likely vote on whether to move ahead with Wheeler’s proposal at its March 31 meeting. After a public comment period, the agency could formally approve the rules by year-end. The FCC in early 2015 reclassified broadband services as a public utility, using Title II of the Communications Act of 1934.  AT&T, Comcast and industry trade groups are challenging the net neutrality rules in federal court. A court ruling is expected in April. The FCC’s new consumer privacy proposal seeks broadband authority under Section 222 of the  Communications Act of 1934. The FCC chairperson typically steps down after a new president takes office, but Wheeler hinted at a Senate hearing in February that he might seek to stay on.

Confidence In Western Digital Approval Of SanDisk Acquisition Grows

Expectations that Western Digital ( WDC ) shareholders will agree to the acquisition of SanDisk ( SNDK ) increased Thursday, with Summit Research issuing an upbeat report. “We think that shareholder approval is most likely a done deal,” wrote Summit Research analyst Srini Sundararajan. The vote among Western Digital shareholders is set for March 15. A definitive agreement between the two companies was reached on Oct. 21. The Summit report follows another from RBC analyst Amit Daryanani, who said an analysis of the top 20 Western Digital shareholders and discussions with a large number of investors indicate “the probability is higher the deal gets approved vs. not.” He said 15 of the top 20 Western Digital shareholders also own SanDisk stock, making the potential approval likely. Western Digital and SanDisk combined had revenue of about $20 billion in 2015. Western Digital is largest provider of disk drives, ahead of Seagate Technology ( STX, ), though the market has struggled as PC sales decline. SanDisk is a leading provider of flash-memory chips used in smartphones, tablets, hybrid disk drives and other devices. Western Digital says the combination with SanDisk will continue to transform it into a storage solutions company with extensive product and technology assets and deep expertise in chip-based storage. The deal currently consists of Western Digital paying $67.50 a share in cash plus 0.2387 shares of Western Digital stock, making it worth about $16 billion. The deal was valued at $86.50 a share, or about $19 billion, when it was first announced on Oct. 21. That changed when China’s Unisplendour pulled its plan to make a $3.8 billion investment for a 15% stake in Western Digital on Feb. 23, amid a U.S. government inquiry. By terminating the investment, Unisplendour triggered the alternative deal. According to Sundararajan, the deal is now worth $78.82 a share, based on the current price of Western Digital shares. Western Digital stock was flat, near 47, in afternoon trading in the stock market today . SanDisk stock was near 76, up a fraction. Western Digital anticipates seeing $500 million in total cost synergies, not including tax savings, from the acquisition. Institutional Shareholder Services, a leading independent proxy advisory firm, issued a report on Feb. 29 recommending that Western Digital shareholders approve the deal. ISS said the deal could attain $1.1 billion in cost synergies within 12 months of closing. China regulators, which have a say in the transaction based on Western Digital investments in China, have yet to issue a ruling. Sundararajan expects China to approve.