Business Tech

Sprint forms special committee to review Dish proposal

Sprint is at least wiling to consider a proposal that Dish Network made recently to acquire its business.

Sprint today announced that it has formed a "special committee" made up of several of its board members, including Larry Glasscock, who will serve as the committee's chairman. The committee's charge is simple: to review the deal offered last week by Dish to determine if it's superior to the one already brought by Japan-based Softbank.

Last October, Japan-based Softbank announced that it would invest $20.1 billion into Sprint. A large portion of that -- $12.1 … Read more

LG earnings weak amid slowdown in Apple orders

LG Display's quarterly profit was hamstrung by a seasonal slowdown and decreased sales to Apple, Reuters reported today.

For its first quarter ending in March, LG took home an operating profit of 151 billion won ($135 million). That topped the average analyst's forecast of 147 billion won and proved a healthy rebound from the 211 billion won loss in the year-ago quarter. It also marked the company's fourth straight quarter in the black after seven straight quarterly losses.

However, earnings sunk 74 percent compared with its fourth quarter, the lowest level since LG's return to profitability. … Read more

Windows 8 'touch-ups,' please

I like the Surface Pro. It drips with potential. That's the good news.

The bad news is that Windows 8 touch doesn't do the Surface Pro justice.

Try this. Use an iPad for an hour; then jump to Windows 8 touch. It's a not an easy switch.

Windows 8, at times, strikes me as Windows 7 touch with a Metro splash-screen bolted on. (Yes, there were Windows 7 touch laptops -- I've used them).

Here's the short version of what I'll write below: Aside from the browser and some interesting touch-based transitions done from … Read more

Cheap Intel devices will run Google, Microsoft OSes, sources say

Some inexpensive Intel-based laptops and tablets will come with Google's operating system, and others with Microsoft's, according to sources and analysts.

Intel CEO Paul Otellini earlier this week said touch devices could debut at prices as low as $200, as CNET reported. But the cheapest devices may be based on a non-Windows operating system, according to sources -- not necessarily Windows 8, as originally reported.

"There are design wins for Android tablets at that $200 price point. Intel will be participating in that market this year," a source familiar with Intel's plans told CNET.

A … Read more

AMD nabs Apple graphics chip designer

Advanced Micro Devices will soon announce it has hired a former Apple graphics chip designer to bolster its engineering leadership bench as it turns itself around, CNET has learned.

Raja Koduri, who most recently served as director of graphics architecture for Apple, will be rejoining AMD four years after leaving that company, people familiar with the hire told CNET. He will be taking on a role in AMD's graphics business, though it wasn't immediately clear to CNET what his title would be. AMD is expected to make the announcement next week.

The move is the latest in a … Read more

Petition for Verizon to go contract-less gains steam

Verizon Wireless customers and, in some cases, critics have been signing a petition at a torrid pace, asking the company to go contract-less.

The petition on Change.org now has approximately 94,000 signatures, roughly 56,000 supporters shy of its goal of 150,000. The petition, created by "longtime Verizon customer" Mike Beauchamp of Wichita, Kan., has called the petition, simply, "Verizon: Get rid of contracts for wireless service."

"Getting rid of carrier contracts is a win for customers. Verizon's CEO, Lowell McAdam, has already expressed his willingness to do away with them … Read more

Dell confirms Blackstone drops takeover bid amid PC slump

Blackstone Group has withdrawn its proposal to buy Dell for $25 billion, citing the weak PC maker and poor financial results, Dell confirmed today.

The private equity firm last month launched a bid for the computer maker to rival a $24.4 billion buyout offer from Silver Lake and Michael Dell. However, since that time, the troubles facing Dell have become more clear, causing Blackstone to drop its bid. News of the withdrawal was originally reported Thursday by some outlets.

Blackstone noted in a letter to Dell's special committee that a "unprecedented 14 percent market decline in PC volume … Read more

Blackstone reportedly withdraws $25B takeover bid for Dell

Private-equity firm Blackstone Group has reportedly ended its $25 billion takeover bid for Dell.

Blackstone, which last month launched a bid for the computer maker to rival a $24.4 billion buyout offer from Silver Lake and Michael Dell, withdrew its bid on Thursday, sources tell The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times. The reasons for the withdrawal were not immediately clear.

CNET has contacted Blackstone for comment and will update this report when we learn more.

Blackstone submitted a tentative offer to buy the company after Dell announced in February its plans to take the company private via … Read more

Microsoft's Q3 profits up despite PC market slump

In spite of declining PC sales and cautious chipmakers, Microsoft fared well in the third quarter.

The software giant reported third quarter revenue of $20.49 billion or 72 cents a share, missing analyst expectations on revenue by a fraction. Operating income was $7.61 billion while net income stood at $6.06 billion.

Wall Street expected Microsoft to report third quarter earnings of 68 cents a share on revenue of $20.5 billion. 

It's a bottom-line win, and a top-line loss.

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said … Read more