As expected, Nokia (NOK) finally confirmed its entry into the netbook segment. The netbook named “Nokia Booklet 3G" will have a 10 inch screen, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and 3G Wireless access. Most importantly the netbook will run on Microsoft (MSFT) windows and Intel’s (INTC) Atom processor.   This shows the company’s intention to increase its product portfolio and enter the computer segment. We believe this is a counter move by Nokia, a reply to computer manufacturers’ decision to enter the smart phone space. The netbook market is growing very fast and has number of players including Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Lenovo, Acer and Asus. This could signal a battle between computer/laptop manufacturers and mobile phone manufacturers as each one is trying to venture into another’s business.   Netbooks are internet devices, which fall in between smart phones and laptops. So, a natural progression for the smart phone makers

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To compete with large vendors in the rising netbook PC market, Sony (SNE) plans to launch its new VAIO W series laptop, currently meant for the Japanese market. The new netbook is expected to hit stores in August with a selling price of around ¥60,000 ($629), according to some sources.

Sony has declined to comment on the product and has not provided any specific pricing details or expected sales for the new netbook model. It expects to increase VAIO PC sales from 5.8 million units in fiscal 2008 to 6.2 million units in fiscal 2010.

The new Sony netbook is built on Microsoft’s (MSFT) Windows XP operating system and based on Intel’s (INTC) Atom processor. In comparison to 1,024-by-600-pixel displays that are used in other netbooks, the new VAIO series features an LCD display with a resolution of 1,366-by-768 pixels. It also consists of 1GB of

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Intel (INTC) and Nokia (NOK) have joined hands to tap the smart phone and MID market. Nokia will use the Atom processor in its smart phones and mobile Internet devices going forward, even as Intel licenses Nokia's 3G HSPA modem technology.

The two companies have used open source software from Linux to develop their respective mobile platforms. The strategic relationship is expected to enable Intel's Moblin (currently in beta stage) and Nokia's Maemo to incorporate several open source applications, such as oFono, ConnMan, Mozilla, X.Org, BlueZ, D-BUS, Tracker, GStreamer and PulseAudio through some co-coordinated effort. The association will also enhance device functionality for both in terms of Internet connectivity, wireless communication, superior graphics and comprehensive multimedia capabilities.

Nokia currently holds about 40% share of the mobile phone market and a 34% market share in smart phones. The partnership should, therefore, be of great strategic

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NehalemIntel (INTC) launched the Nehalem CPU microarchitecture in the fourth quarter of 2008.Nehalem is a significant improvement over the Core 2 microprocessor. The most significant architectural improvement is the elimination of the Northbridge memory controller (the logic chip handling data moving to and from the main memory). The memory controller is instead integrated onto the CPU core, enabling faster data transfer rates and greater energy efficiency.Testing of the chip shows significant performance improvements over existing Intel and AMD (AMD) microarchitectures. Nehalem has been constructed in a manner that would allow quad and octo-core functionality. The processor will also incorporate DDR3 memory and enable the integration of 3D graphics on the same chip.Atom
In 2008, the company also launched the 45nm ...

The Dow Jones and NASDAQ were down today as the only index with its head above water was the S&P, which was up 0.23%.  The Dow was down 0.19% closing at 8322.91, with the NASDAQ down 0.07% finishing the day at 1764.92.  Oil and gold were both up as the dollar weakened settling at $69.24 and $924.30 respectively.  Prices on the 10-year rose as investors sought safety, yields fell to 3.625%. 

Kroger [KR: 21.76, -0.02 (-0.09%)] announced earnings today, reporting net income of $435.1 million, or $0.66 per share, compared with net income of $386 million, or $0.58 per share from the same period a year ago.  Kroger said that sales fell from $23.1 billion to $22.8 billion; Kroger fell short of the street’s estimate of sales of $23.2 billion, but beat the earnings estimate of $0.62 per share.  Same store sales rose 3.1%, mainly driven by growth in Kroger

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - April 29, 2009 - Zacks.com announces the latest Industry Outlook. Today's outlook from Zacks Equity Research analyst Ken Nagy discusses the Semiconductor sector. Highlighted stocks include: Power Integrations, Inc. (POWI), Intel Corp. (INTC) and Trimble Navigation (TRMB).

Here is the latest on the Semiconductor sector:

Older technologies deliver power inefficiently, often consuming two or three times the amount of power needed by the end product and wasting substantial amounts of energy. Firms that provide solutions to so-called "energy vampires" will outperform. Our favorite name in this arena is Power Integrations, Inc. (POWI).

Intel Corp.'s (INTC) "Netbooks" are expected to attract first-time buyers in developing economies, while in developed economies, their pricing and portability are expected to help second- and third-unit sales per household. Although they are unlikely to be as efficient as some of the latest chips for

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Not Your Father's Semi Industry

In the past 10 years, the fundamental shift in the semiconductor industry from corporate IT to consumer demand is very important to consider. It has created a different playing field. There are more products that use semi components (MP3s, cell phones, autos, "smart" houses). Seasonal demand is now an issue, such as Christmas and the Chinese New Year. Finally, the potential exists for more commoditized products and ASP [average selling price] erosion.

Firms that will out-perform in a slightly negative GDP environment include:

     Firms with the strongest balance sheets, such as Intel Corp. (INTC)     Companies that make specialized semiconductors (i.e. chips used in dentist X rays)     Firms that sell products that are technology-driven rather than capacity-driven     Companies that are gaining market share because of superior technology, like Varian Semi (VSEA)     Firms that sell products associated with regulation (e.g. power conservation), ...

Highlights include Intel Corporation (INTC), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (INTC) and ARM Holdings, Inc. (ARMH).The AgreementOn March 2nd 2009, Intel Corporation (INTC) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., or TSMC (TSM) announced an agreement to collaborate on addressing technology platform, intellectual property (IP) infrastructure and System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions.  This raised some eyebrows in semiconductor circles. Under the agreement, Intel would port its Atom processor CPU cores to the TSMC technology platform including processes, IP, libraries, and design flows. The collaboration is intended to expand Intel's Atom SoCs availability for Intel customers for a wider range of applications through integration with TSMC's diverse IP infrastructure.The Intel Atom processor features 47 million transistors and is Intel's smallest processor. Products manufactured through the agreement may find adoption in embedded CPU market segments such as mobile internet Devices (MIDs), ...