Google (GOOGL) will “shake up” online video streaming with Android TV in 2015, says market research firm Strategy Analytics in its “Digital Home” forecast. “The battle for control of the living room will intensify as Google debuts its Android TV platform,” said David Watkins, analyst at Strategy Analytics, in the report. Google took its first shot with Web-connected TVs in 2010. But “smart TVs” and other hardware from partners such as Sony (SNE)
Investors will refocus on Sony’s (SNE) restructuring efforts in 2015, as the hacking of Sony Pictures blows over, says Jefferies in a research report. Sony may re-examine its tablet computer business as part of its withdrawal from commodity consumer-electronics gadgets, says Jefferies analyst Atul Goyal. The tablet business accounts for about 5% of Sony Mobile revenue. Sony’s tablet business has struggled outside of Japan vs. Apple (AAPL), Samsung
There have been a lot of high-profile cyberattacks in the past year. Customer information from Target (TGT), Home Depot (HD) and JPMorgan (JPM) was stolen. Celebrity photos were hacked and posted online. And now, Sony (SNE) has cancelled the theater release of its comedy “The Interview” because of threats from hackers. The Software-Security group, which is ranked No. 1 out of the 197 industry groups that IBD tracks, is benefitting from increased