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Oonagh Reidy

Optus Mobile Cloud Sets Sail…But Not To iPhone

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Telco launches its first consumer ever cloud service for mobiles.


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Optus ‘Smart Safe’ will allow users to store and back up content from their mobile or computer and access it easily online, irrelevant of location.
 
The service is free of charge to pre-Paid and post-Paid consumers with 3G  handsets as well as SMB mobile users, and will have “access to 500MB of cloud storage,” it announced today.

And bad news for iPhones holders, the cloud service won’t be available to them and the same goes for tablets.

And, fixed line broadband users will have to wait a while yet, with its service tipped to arrive “in the coming months,” Optus said.
 
And if 500MB is not enough, there is an option of adding 10GB of storage for $5.99 a month or 300GB for $15.

Smart Safe “gives customers peace of mind to store and protect their important data in a single storage product across supported mobile handsets and PC based platforms.”
 
The cloud system, where a network of computers make up the cloud in a remote location, is one of the hottest technologies of the moment for commercial use, and now means a back up of data is available on home PC and handsets.

If you lose a mobile or PC hardware crashes, then no problem as the cloud will have a back up of all music, files and other media.

The MyZoo web portal manages the service, which allows users to download and view backed up files online and will “unlock the true potential of their multimedia library”.

The cloud service will also allow sharing of files with their friends, by sending a link that allows instant access.

 

Customers are also able to set up time-saving automated back up – automatically backing up  information whenever a change is made. 

The solution has been developed in partnership with F-Secure.

To register for Optus Smart Safe, please visit http://optussmartsafe.optus.com.au.

Social computing, context aware computing and pattern based strategy are also  tipped to grow as major technologies next year, says Gartner research.
 

Plan B: Fujitsu & Optus Cut NBN Deals

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‘Plan B’ appears to be coming to fruition as Fujitsu, Optus jump on NBN bandwagon. And no sign of Telstra, so far.

Fujitsu has signed a major $100m – a year deal with NBN Co, reports indicate.

The deal, said to be announced in the coming days, will see the tech giant play a key role in the national rollout of the controversial broadband network, set to cost $36 billion, say industry sources. 

Fujitsu will be responsible for connecting homes up to the fibre optic network from the nearest hubs, as well as managing the access ducts.

The company may sub-contract a lot of the fibre delivery work to Service Stream, a Melbourne-based technology firm.

However, all parties to the agreement are keeping tight lipped on any agreement, although the NBN Co has confirmed negotiations are in “final stages” but failed to disclose who with.

Optus are also said to have signed a lucrative deal with the NBN to control satellite solution servicing users in rural areas, according to The Australian. 

If these deals come off unhindered, it will mean the NBN can breathe a sigh of relief considering the furore that has surrounded the rollout of the network, so far, and could signal a minor victory against its detractors.

Just last month, tender negotiations between Mike Quigley’s NBN Co and a number of major building contractors including Telstra were called to an abrupt halt, accusing the bidders of gauging excess profits out of the government backed project.

Following the talks collapse, the broadband company promised a ‘Plan B’ was in place. 

 

John Holland, Transfield and EDI are reported to be among the players involved in the collapsed talks.

Telstra: You’re Never Too Old 2 Call

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First it was phones for rugged outdoors, then there was no need to buy a phone with its BYO deals. Now the telco is reaching out to the elderly with its latest device, the EasyCall 2.


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Telstra’s EasyCall 2 is a simply designed mobile with big buttons, audible key tones and a quick switch to make calls quickly.

It also has handy features like an in-built torch, T-Coil hearing aid compatibility, FM radio.

The “switch” also activates the speaker phone and dials their preferred phone number meaning users can hold the phone up to their ear and still speak.

“At the same time, it will send a SMS message to four pre-programmed numbers, so seniors can simultaneously contact friends and family,” Telstra Consumer Exec Director, Rebekah O’Flaherty, said.

The device, which retails at $99 on Pre-Paid comes with a Blue Tick, giving full coverage in regional and rural areas on Next G network.

 

It also comes with $10 credit and can be bought online or in Telstra Shops.

OMG: Harvey Norman Web Epiphany Turns To Twitter

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All of the retailer’s high and lows can now be found..on Twitter.


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The once web unfriendly retailing giant has now gone a step further to the other side by opening a Twitter account.

One of its first utterance was a promo to flog the new iPad.

 “iPad 2 now is available at our Funan Center, West Mall, Suntec city, Square 2 and Parkway Parade outlets.”

Since Twitter holders often vent their anger or annoyance about anything from what they ate for breakfast to bad traffic on the highway, one wonders if such Tweets are to come like…”pesky JB Hi-Fi with their new fancy concept stores…who do dey think dey r!”

Or another might be:”OMG, Apple have just told us dey have no more iPads in stock!”

But the biggest shock of all is its complete U turn with regards to online selling. Until now consumers have been unable to purchase its goods online.

In 1997 it’s Chairman Gerry Harvey famously uttered: “No one will ever make money selling online,” when the Internet was emerging as a sales platform.

Even as late last year, it refused to bring its brick and mortar network fully online and was part of a major retailing campaign pressuring the Federal Government to slap a 10% GST on Internet purchases made from overseas web sites, claiming they were losing business to foreign rivals.

However, last month it unleashed a deal of the day website selling everything from cosmetics to garden beds and hammocks. It also now has a Facebook site, answering customer queries and promoting new products.

 

And this was following the seller’s pledge to have “sizeable internet presence” this year, although Chairman Harvey is still sceptical about the move, despite evidence to the contrary.

“My heart’s beating very strongly on whether we make any money out of it,” he said earlier this year.

The Twitter account currently has ten followers and you can join in the fun at @harveynormanSG.

Microsoft Slips On Apple iPad Fortune

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Software giant slips behind as battle between platforms continues.

Yesterday, Microsoft announced Q3 revenue of $16.43bn compared to Steve Jobs’ Apple $24.7bn equivalent figure (wth a net profit of $6bn) on the back of huge iPad and iPhones sales, reported last month. 

This means for the first time ever since 1991, the software ace has slipped behind its iOs rival, in spite of the fact that the latest revenue figure to March 31 represents a 13 percent jump on the previous year.
 
And Google is also catching up, although at a lesser pace, with Q1 2011 profit of $2.3bn, on $8.58bn revenue stream.

Net incomes also rose 31 percent to $5.23bn at Microsoft as did operating income, up 10 per cent, but despite this its search business, which includes Bing continued to drag, with a recorded a loss of $726m on revenues of just $648m.

Revenue for Windows 7 OS also fell 4 per cent although this is “in line with the PC trends” it admitted.

This points to another major trend and one of the principal reasons behind Microsoft’s profit demise: the decline of the PC.

Microsoft are hugely dependent on the PC industry to fuel its core software business. Sales of computers fell in the first quarter of this year.

“The concern is PC markets are being disrupted. There’s some validity [in that],” said one analyst.

And with the ascendancy of portable devices like the iPad and iPhone, as well as Google’s Android, which run off its own OS, is reducing demand for applications like W 7 further.

In addition, research firm Canalys has announced Apple was the world’s fourth-largest PC maker in Q1, after it changed the way it compiled its figures, counting the iPad into its worldwide PC shipments category, for the first time.

 

This sliding demand could also explain why Steve Ballmer’s company was so keen to sign Nokia into a developing a joint OS for Smartphones, which would run on its Windows 7 platform and HTC have also launched a handset running on the platform here.

And revenues could take a further hit if Google Docs, which has emerged as a cheaper version of Office, takes off. 

However, Microsoft insist its search operation is still is growing and noted Bing’s US search share increased to 13.9 percent this quarter and insist they are not fazed by the results.

 “We delivered strong financial results despite a mixed PC environment, which demonstrates the strength and breadth of our businesses,” said Peter Klein, chief financial officer.

“Consumers are purchasing Office 2010, Xbox and Kinect at tremendous rates, and businesses of all sizes are purchasing Microsoft platforms and applications.”

And Office 2010 has become “the fastest-selling version in history,” it also said in a statement.

Entertainment division also fared well, fuelled by Kinect for Xbox 360, which was the fastest-selling consumer electronics device in history and continued strong Xbox 360 console sales.

 

The Washington based giant also reaffirmed its operating expense guidance of $26.9 bn to $27.3 bn for the full year ending June 30, 2011.

It’s War, iTunes: Google ‘Beta’ Music Hits

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But is Google Beta than iTunes? Possibly, unless Apple steps up to the mark.


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Music Beta and film player will allow users stream onto Android devices including smartphones and tabs without an internet connection.

The new services, unveiled yesterday at Google I/O developer conference in San Francisco, mean users can now rent films and buy music from its “digital music locker” both operated via the cloud.

The music ‘locker’ will allow 20,000 tracks to be downloaded to its library and in a key difference with iTunes is Beta lets users download from other sources, meaning it is far more open, similar to Amazon’s cloud music player.

Beta ultimately means if you’re sitting at home bored and without a beloved web connection  you can still stream moves and music.

Google’s movie library contains more than 3,000 titles and new releases for rental, reports The Guardian.

However, the internet giant has yet to pen any agreements with major music labels which could be stumbling block to getting the service fully functional.

Its head of digital content told US media earlier this week that labels were not “as collaborative” as it would have liked and were “demanding a set of business terms that were unreasonable.”

Currently, iTunes has formidable clout in the digital music market – accounting for around 70 per cent of digital music downloads sold in the US.

And, there are rumbling in the industry that Apple will retaliate with a similar open ended system in its forthcoming upgrade and may send iTunes to cloud, allowing unlimited downloads to iPads, iPhones or Mac’s.

The tech giant is said to be in talks with major record labels like Universal Music, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music to agree a deal that would see users import tunes easily from one device to the other without charge.
 
This would also hit back at streamers like Pandora and Spotify, who have lured many music lovers away allowing them to listen to music they have not actually paid for.

However, Aussie Droid’s need not get too excited just yet – the new service is limited to the US for the moment as a testing ground.

 

Initial reports out of the US have already expressed some reservations with Beta, reporting awkward navigation and frustrating download procedure.

Read Google Announces Ice Cream Sandwich For Tablets & Smartphones here

REPORTS: Microsoft To Buy Skype $8.5bn?

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Software giant are said to be ‘close’ to sealing a deal to buy internet calling giant Skype.


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A deal, although not yet finalised, could be announced as early as tomorrow, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Neither party has made an official comment yet. The deal is said to be worth $7bn-$8.5bn.

Skype is one third owned by eBay and the remainder by private investors.

The massive pricetag for the biggest internet caller in the world, is indicative of the enormous value the software giant appear to be placing on its acquisition, which could be crucial to its market renaissance that has taken a battering in recent years.

Google has surpassed its Bing search service by miles and is also looking to edge in on its monopoly in the Office software business with a similar Docs service. 

However, if successful Steve Ballmer’s giant could incorporate Skype with a division called Lync, which combines email, instant messaging and voice communications into a single application.

Either way, Skype gets eyeballs with estimated 45 billion minutes of net calls were made last year alone – double that of  all phone companies’ volumes globally and would put Microsoft is a much stronger footing in its internet business. It also has around 145 million monthly users, on average.

However, there are a few issues to considered before Microsoft will be
willing to put pen to paper, including the question of the long term debt the
Luxembourg based firm has amassed – $US686m to the end of last year.

And the profitability of Skype is also to be questioned. Last year it also recorded an operating  loss of $US7m on the back of  revenue of $US860m and $US264m in operating profits.

Just last week, reports emerged that both Facebook and Google were at war to win over its favour and enter into a joint venture for mobile calling solutions.

Last year, it announced it was to go public although these plans were halted on hold after its new CEO Tony Bates took the reins.

LinkedIn Cash Up: $3bn IPO

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In what is to be the first social network to go public, Linked In look set for a cash bonanza.


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The social networking site for professionals is tipped to float for US$3bn-$3.3bn value on the New York stock exchange, with plans to sell stock at $32 -$35 per share according to documents submitted to US Security & Exchange Commission.

The Silicon Valley giant now plans to sell 7.8m shares, including 3 m held currently by private investors.

And interest is high among institutional investors according to one analyst from IPO Boutique.

“The demand for LinkedIn is absolutely massive across the board,” analyst Scott Sweet told The San Francisco Gate. 

“Do I think they’re thinking of holding it long term? No, I don’t. I think they’re trying to capitalise on the euphoria and will probably sell quickly.

The IPO, set to take place in the coming months, could put the internet company first launched in 2003, with a modest 4,500 users, in line for a cash windfall of $146m, according to reports.

According to the IPO filed in January, LinkedIn has 100 million users, turned a profit of USD$1.85 million on revenue of $161m during the first nine months of 2010.

Last week, it amended the figures and reported net income of $2.08m on revenue of $93.9m for the first fiscal quarter of this year.

 

More recently it began charging for some of its services which could point to the business model it may abide by once the IPO is done and dusted and shareholders are demanding growth at  every turn. It also lists advertising and hiring solutions as among its revenue earners.

And it’s not just investors who are eagerly looking on as the Reid Hoffman founded networking giant goes public.

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg and a flurry of other Silicon execs will also be on the edge of their seat as the first of the social networkers sets sail to the trading floor.

That social network is also bracing itself to go public possibly sometime next year.

But considering the relatively limited profitability prowess these tech start ups, aside from Facebook, all less than ten years old have demonstrated so far, the true values placed on these companies is, as yet, unclear.

However, as LinkedIn demonstrated, the free for all internet service is turning itself around.

And some analysts now believe Facebook’s revenue “could be as high as $2 billion, fuelled by advertising growth.

And with its overwhelming ad display potential with 600m users it has been associated with a $60 billion market valuation figure.

Read Yelp: Is This Dot Com Bubble Part Deux? here

Groupon, for which Google bid $6bn last year, Twitter and Skype and gaming company Zynga  are also other hot favourites for going public.

Telstra Lands New International Boss

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Martijn Blanken is the new chief operating officer of Telstra International.


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Based in Hong Kong, Blanken will be responsible for its global network, IT and operations, as well as “strategic planning and control of the group’s technology roadmap,” Telstra said in a statement.

He will report to Tarek Robbiati, Group MD Telstra International, which is headquartered in Hong Kong.

Blanken joined the telco in 2009 and led “a major restructure program” focused on the network services business, which was attributed to the massive growth experienced by the division.

Prior to Telstra, Blanken was the GM and vice president, of Openwave Systems (Asia Pacific, Japan) as well as held several senior positions at European telco KPN Royal Dutch Telecom, including managing director of the Managed Services and Outsourcing division.

 “With more than 16 years of sales, marketing, operational and executive management experience in telecommunications, software and service integration businesses, Martijn brings extensive expertise and talent to Telstra International, ,” said Robbiati.

“Martijn will play an integral role in realising the benefits of our recently-added capabilities from Reach and will be a key driver of the group’s strategy to deliver greater customer and shareholder value.”

 

Telstra’s International arm manages its assets outside Australia and New Zealand including Hong Kong’s  mobile operator, CSL, China-based search and advertising businesses as well as global networks.

Retail Sales ‘Dismal’, Dept Stores Big Loser

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March retail figures slump as department stores and household goods are the biggest losers.The Australian Retailers Association said the ABS’s trading figures March, which showed a 0.5 percent decline compared to the previous months, was down to cautious consumer spending in light of flood threats and looming carbon tax.

“Dismal sales across all retail categories as the threat of flood levies and the carbon tax kept consumers’ wallets shut,” said ARA Executive Director Russell.

This is in line with recent market outlooks by the likes of Harvey Norman who has cited poor weather and the strong
Australian dollar as mitigating factors in its battle to increase profit margins. 

And department stores were the biggest losers although sales were poor across the board, Zimmerman admitted.

Department stores (-3.0 percent), food (-0.4 percent) and  household goods retailing (-0.3% percent)  all showed drops.

And these latest trading figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, bucked previous upward trends in retail which witnessed a 0.3 per cent jump in January and 0.8 per cent for February.

However,the retail boss warned any new taxes introduced by Treasurer Wayne Swan in next Tuesday’s Federal budget would bring a further drop in retail.

 “Disappointing March retail trade is a sure sign to the Government that household discretionary spend is tighter than ever and consumers will react to any new taxes announced in Tuesday’s Budget by further tightening their purse strings.

“The Government must make sure any attempt to reduce debt in the Budget is done by cutting back on Government spending, not by taking more cash away from consumers with new and increased taxes.

And what is more worrying is analysts are now suggesting the decline may point to an overall slump in the economy.

“Today’s weak data – while likely overstating the extent of weakness across the broader consumer sector, and the floods remain a point of uncertainty – reinforce a now likely negative first quarter GDP print,” said UBS chief economist Scott Haslem.

 Queensland showed the biggest monthly retail decline in sales of any state with a 2.9 percent fall, followed by New South Wales (-0.1 percent), Tasmania (-1.4 percent) and the Australian Capital Territory (-0.3 percent).

Victoria bucked the trend showing a 0.9 per cent rise in sales as did South Australia and the Northern Territory.

 

“Year-on-year growth for March is also well below the current rate of inflation at 2.2 percent and is yet another blow to the sector that has been struggling with poor trading conditions for over 18 months,” he added.