Yahoo (YHOO) +1% AH after the WSJ reports the company has been talking with Apple (AAPL) about an expanded iOS relationship. The integration of content from News, Sports, and other Yahoo properties is said to be among the discussed ideas. Yahoo, whose data powers pre-installed iPhone finance and weather apps that don't feature ads, has been hungry to increase mobile engagement. Apple, meanwhile, wants to strengthen its Web offerings, which have taken a lot of heat (I, II). Also: Apple is reportedly reluctant to abandon its search deal with Google (GOOG) because it considers the quality of Google's results unmatched. [View news story]
While everyone is going on about other sites, that last sentence said it all: "Also: Apple is reportedly reluctant to abandon its search deal with Google (GOOG), because it considers the quality of Google's results unmatched." Advertisers recognize that when we want good search results, we go to Google, regardless of what site/page we might be on prior.
"Google Fiber's Next Stop: Austin, Texas." Thus temporarily read a page on the Google Fiber site, before getting removed. Meanwhile, "multiple City of Austin sources" tell local ABC affiliate KVUE Google's (GOOG) Tuesday event will indeed be about a Fiber launch. It's safe to assume local ISPs Verizon and Time Warner Cable aren't pleased. [View news story]
This won't be a loss leader for long. Like the investment in YouTube, GOOG is thinking ahead. There has already been a stream (influx) of businesses to KC because GOOG fiber gives startups and other technology companies tremendous speed not available elsewhere and an affordable location. The addition of Austin is smart; if you've ever been to Austin during South by Southwest (SXSW), you know Austin is a hot spot for new tech and ideas. Likely Austin offered attractive incentives and the ability to cut through red-tape associated with permitting and access in other areas (which is a likely reason why southern California was not next on the list after KC). I'd sign up for GOOG fiber in a heartbeat and am amazed so many are naysayers - as they were with YouTube and so many other areas where GOOG was on the vanguard and forward thinking. Think small or present day and you'll be a memory before you know it ....
"With phones, there’s no room for a right-hand column of ads. That forced us to think about what the business looks like on mobile," says Mark Zuckerberg (FB) in an interview released following today's unveiling of Facebook Home, which will eventually deliver home page ads. Perhaps hinting at a future product, Zuck adds "There’s a place for a service that only communicates with your core friends and family." For now, Google (GOOG) isn't raising objections to Home, even though it removes the Google search bar from Android's home page on many devices. [View news story]
The last thing I'd want is a FB Home screen on my phone.
Google-Samsung Partnership: When The Hunter Becomes The Hunted [View article]
GOOG owns Motorola Mobility now - it can easily customize Android and make the future version proprietary; it will have to share prior versions, but there's nothing stopping it from developing a fantastic enhanced OS and using Motorola to introduce a cutting edge phone. The fact that Samsung has enjoyed a tremendous sales volume to date doesn't mean that trend will continue or is guaranteed. Just ask anyone at Nokia.
Et tu, Google (GOOG)? An "extremely reliable source" tells 9to5 Google the search giant plans to join Apple and Microsoft in opening retail stores in the U.S., with flagship stores going live by the holiday season. Google's plans to directly sell its display glasses reportedly played a role in its decision. Hopefully Google will follow Microsoft's lead and feature OEM products to go with its own hardware, or else foot traffic could be light. Google already has "store within a store" partnerships with Best Buy and U.K. retailer Dixons. [View news story]
They already opened "Chromezone" Google stores in London last year; these were supposed to be temporary (until after Xmas) but likely provided insight into what GOOG would need going forward with retail in the U.S.
Is Google's Schmidt Calling The Top? [View article]
I hate when I see "headlines" used irresponsibly or for shock effect. Nothing about Schmidt's plan says he is selling those shares now or "dumping" the stock. Schmidt, like other officers, sells stock according to a plan which extends over time. It does not reflect his view that this is a "top" and is not part of a "dump." Additionally, the shares are not new and have been considered in the valuation of the stock for quite some time. If Schmidt continues, he is likely to be granted additional shares as part of his executive compensation. Why not sell some shares over time? We don't know his personal needs or agenda - and it seems from the commentary many don't recognize or understand the way these types of sales plans are routinely used by executives of public corporations. I have a long position in GOOG - and my position has increased/decreased at times dependent upon my personal needs. I have no doubt that, over time, GOOG will go higher, although I similarly don't doubt that political/geopolitical and other issues with cause it to fluctuate during that time, as it has for years (I've think I have had GOOG since sometime in 2005).
Yahoo (YHOO) +2.3% AH after announcing a non-exclusive display ad deal with Google (GOOG). Targeted Google AdSense Web ads and AdMob mobile ads will be shown on Yahoo properties; Yahoo (given its size) will presumably get a more favorable revenue cut than most Google partners. The deal is a major feather in Google's cap - its display ad ops have been growing quickly, but face tough competition from Facebook and others - and should strengthen its mobile ad leadership. Yahoo search partner Microsoft (MSFT) can't be pleased. [View news story]
Hardly a "trojan horse" as she is building share value and revenue for YHOO; the fact that GOOG derives a benefit is surely secondary, not a GOOG play, but beneficial for both YHOO and GOOG.
"High above the Alps, my gnome is hearing that Apple’s shares are lower because of margin calls," writes Doug Kass as Apple (AAPL -1.3%) falls to $444 and cedes its market cap crown for now to Exxon Mobil. The FY13 EPS consensus has fallen to $45.07 from a pre-earnings level of $48.30, but that still puts shares at 6.6x forward EPS exc. cash. The dividend yield is now at 2.4%. (yesterday) [View news story]
Undoubtedly many got in and bought on margin but that doesn't mean they'll come rushing back. With Steve Jobs gone, performance fair but the future of product line uncertain and an arrogance which has driven long-time Apple users like me (multiples of devices including iPhone, iMac, Macbook Air, and iPad) to the Android ecosystem, the future isn't quite as "bankable."
Incidentally, just some of the off-putting things which drove me to the Android ecosystem:
1. Retention of closed architecture - even on iPhone 5, no battery change or bigger battery options; parts even less eco-friendly. 2. Litigation strategy - forget the hypocrisy of Apple claiming Samsung stole its idea of a rectangle with rounded corners (which had been used in prior art by Sony) or that Apple made its money arguably by pirating the GUI developed at XeroxPARC when it introduced the Macintosh, the whole "destroy Android"/thermonuclear war and unbridled actions of counsel disgusted me. 3. The ecosystem which I thought I needed to properly sync calendars, music, etc. - readily available in similar form through Samsung, including importing all of my data from the iPhone. 4. New plug on iPhone - after "investing" in many devices with the formerly standard plug, I refused to be forced to upgrade. Was the new plug necessary? Not if you figure we can use the old devices once we buy a "converter." Sorry, Apple, that was one bad move - the customer will not ALWAYS blindly follow your directives. 5. Apple Maps - a joke. Where was quality control? Google Navigator/Google Maps on Android? So fantastic that I stopped using my Garmin GPS. Only thing missing is the display of speed limit for the area of my travels. 6. I liked my iPhones - all of the versions I've had - but I wanted a bigger screen and Apple refused to get with the program - so I went to the Samsung Galaxy Note and, months later, I wouldn't think about going back.
As always, Apple products are pricey, closed-architecture and capitalize on the "cool" factor - but I don't need all of them - and will be looking for value first.
Shift to mobile wasn't the only holdback - there was the FTC investigation, ongoing patent battles, Samsung litigation, dropping of Google Maps from iPhone, and more. With so many of these things behind GOOG now, I'd have expected it to be above its earlier 774 high
A few more details on Facebook's (FB) Graph Search event: The product is still in limited beta, and no ETA is provided for mobile availability. Results are based on a ranking algorithm. Mark Zuckerberg says Graph Search "extends quite nicely" to Facebook's sponsored search product, but monetization isn't a priority for now. Would Facebook consider working with Google (GOOG)? "We want to work with any company as long as they'll honor the privacy of the folks on Facebook." (previous: I, II) (live blog) [View news story]
What an hypocritical statement from Facebook CEO who has advanced policies to diminish privacy!
Yelp (YELP -6.9%) has sold off as Facebook (FB -2%) shows off Graph Search; investors seem to to be fretting Yelp traffic will be hurt as Facebook's tool is used to search for businesses a user's "friends" have visited/liked. However, Graph Search is far from a direct rival. Google (GOOG -0.2%) has slipped a little after Mark Zuckerberg notes Bing (MSFT) will be a fallback option for searches. Zuck: "Graph Search is a really big project that will take years and years to index the whole map and the graph" (live blog) [View news story]
This shouldn't have much impact short or long term, as developing the whole map and graph will, as claimed, take years, and, by then, it is likely the privacy concerns and other steps Facebook has taken will drive users away. When Facebook loses novelty value, like MySpace did, it won't matter.
Google (GOOG) will pay a $22.5M fine to settle an FTC complaint about the placing of tracking cookies on systems using Apple's Safari browser (in circumvention of privacy settings), with the purpose of delivering targeted ads. The FTC still has plenty of outstanding complaints against Google. (previous) [View news story]
It's always a plus for the business to put a legal matter to rest. This should help GOOG put the FTC in its rear view.
Hey Google, Lose Your Focus, Lose Your Shirt [View article]
More Thoughts On Google [View article]
Yahoo (YHOO) +1% AH after the WSJ reports the company has been talking with Apple (AAPL) about an expanded iOS relationship. The integration of content from News, Sports, and other Yahoo properties is said to be among the discussed ideas. Yahoo, whose data powers pre-installed iPhone finance and weather apps that don't feature ads, has been hungry to increase mobile engagement. Apple, meanwhile, wants to strengthen its Web offerings, which have taken a lot of heat (I, II). Also: Apple is reportedly reluctant to abandon its search deal with Google (GOOG) because it considers the quality of Google's results unmatched. [View news story]
Advertisers recognize that when we want good search results, we go to Google, regardless of what site/page we might be on prior.
"Google Fiber's Next Stop: Austin, Texas." Thus temporarily read a page on the Google Fiber site, before getting removed. Meanwhile, "multiple City of Austin sources" tell local ABC affiliate KVUE Google's (GOOG) Tuesday event will indeed be about a Fiber launch. It's safe to assume local ISPs Verizon and Time Warner Cable aren't pleased. [View news story]
The addition of Austin is smart; if you've ever been to Austin during South by Southwest (SXSW), you know Austin is a hot spot for new tech and ideas. Likely Austin offered attractive incentives and the ability to cut through red-tape associated with permitting and access in other areas (which is a likely reason why southern California was not next on the list after KC).
I'd sign up for GOOG fiber in a heartbeat and am amazed so many are naysayers - as they were with YouTube and so many other areas where GOOG was on the vanguard and forward thinking. Think small or present day and you'll be a memory before you know it ....
I am long GOOG and have been for a long time.
"With phones, there’s no room for a right-hand column of ads. That forced us to think about what the business looks like on mobile," says Mark Zuckerberg (FB) in an interview released following today's unveiling of Facebook Home, which will eventually deliver home page ads. Perhaps hinting at a future product, Zuck adds "There’s a place for a service that only communicates with your core friends and family." For now, Google (GOOG) isn't raising objections to Home, even though it removes the Google search bar from Android's home page on many devices. [View news story]
Google-Samsung Partnership: When The Hunter Becomes The Hunted [View article]
Et tu, Google (GOOG)? An "extremely reliable source" tells 9to5 Google the search giant plans to join Apple and Microsoft in opening retail stores in the U.S., with flagship stores going live by the holiday season. Google's plans to directly sell its display glasses reportedly played a role in its decision. Hopefully Google will follow Microsoft's lead and feature OEM products to go with its own hardware, or else foot traffic could be light. Google already has "store within a store" partnerships with Best Buy and U.K. retailer Dixons. [View news story]
Is Google's Schmidt Calling The Top? [View article]
I have a long position in GOOG - and my position has increased/decreased at times dependent upon my personal needs. I have no doubt that, over time, GOOG will go higher, although I similarly don't doubt that political/geopolitical and other issues with cause it to fluctuate during that time, as it has for years (I've think I have had GOOG since sometime in 2005).
Yahoo (YHOO) +2.3% AH after announcing a non-exclusive display ad deal with Google (GOOG). Targeted Google AdSense Web ads and AdMob mobile ads will be shown on Yahoo properties; Yahoo (given its size) will presumably get a more favorable revenue cut than most Google partners. The deal is a major feather in Google's cap - its display ad ops have been growing quickly, but face tough competition from Facebook and others - and should strengthen its mobile ad leadership. Yahoo search partner Microsoft (MSFT) can't be pleased. [View news story]
"High above the Alps, my gnome is hearing that Apple’s shares are lower because of margin calls," writes Doug Kass as Apple (AAPL -1.3%) falls to $444 and cedes its market cap crown for now to Exxon Mobil. The FY13 EPS consensus has fallen to $45.07 from a pre-earnings level of $48.30, but that still puts shares at 6.6x forward EPS exc. cash. The dividend yield is now at 2.4%. (yesterday) [View news story]
Incidentally, just some of the off-putting things which drove me to the Android ecosystem:
1. Retention of closed architecture - even on iPhone 5, no battery change or bigger battery options; parts even less eco-friendly.
2. Litigation strategy - forget the hypocrisy of Apple claiming Samsung stole its idea of a rectangle with rounded corners (which had been used in prior art by Sony) or that Apple made its money arguably by pirating the GUI developed at XeroxPARC when it introduced the Macintosh, the whole "destroy Android"/thermonuclear war and unbridled actions of counsel disgusted me.
3. The ecosystem which I thought I needed to properly sync calendars, music, etc. - readily available in similar form through Samsung, including importing all of my data from the iPhone.
4. New plug on iPhone - after "investing" in many devices with the formerly standard plug, I refused to be forced to upgrade. Was the new plug necessary? Not if you figure we can use the old devices once we buy a "converter." Sorry, Apple, that was one bad move - the customer will not ALWAYS blindly follow your directives.
5. Apple Maps - a joke. Where was quality control? Google Navigator/Google Maps on Android? So fantastic that I stopped using my Garmin GPS. Only thing missing is the display of speed limit for the area of my travels.
6. I liked my iPhones - all of the versions I've had - but I wanted a bigger screen and Apple refused to get with the program - so I went to the Samsung Galaxy Note and, months later, I wouldn't think about going back.
As always, Apple products are pricey, closed-architecture and capitalize on the "cool" factor - but I don't need all of them - and will be looking for value first.
Google Concerns Ease [View article]
A few more details on Facebook's (FB) Graph Search event: The product is still in limited beta, and no ETA is provided for mobile availability. Results are based on a ranking algorithm. Mark Zuckerberg says Graph Search "extends quite nicely" to Facebook's sponsored search product, but monetization isn't a priority for now. Would Facebook consider working with Google (GOOG)? "We want to work with any company as long as they'll honor the privacy of the folks on Facebook." (previous: I, II) (live blog) [View news story]
Yelp (YELP -6.9%) has sold off as Facebook (FB -2%) shows off Graph Search; investors seem to to be fretting Yelp traffic will be hurt as Facebook's tool is used to search for businesses a user's "friends" have visited/liked. However, Graph Search is far from a direct rival. Google (GOOG -0.2%) has slipped a little after Mark Zuckerberg notes Bing (MSFT) will be a fallback option for searches. Zuck: "Graph Search is a really big project that will take years and years to index the whole map and the graph" (live blog) [View news story]
Google (GOOG) will pay a $22.5M fine to settle an FTC complaint about the placing of tracking cookies on systems using Apple's Safari browser (in circumvention of privacy settings), with the purpose of delivering targeted ads. The FTC still has plenty of outstanding complaints against Google. (previous) [View news story]
Google Suffering From A Severe Case Of 'PE Compression' [View article]