The Wall Street Journal-20080115-Business Technology- In Brief
Return to: The_Wall_Street_Journal-20080115
Business Technology: In Brief
China Mobile Ends Talks
With Apple Over iPhone
China Mobile Communications Corp., the parent of Hong Kong-listed China Mobile Ltd., said it ended talks "for now" with Apple Inc. over the launch of the iPhone handset in China. Li Honghui, spokeswoman for China Mobile Communications Corp., declined to comment further. China Mobile Ltd. spokeswoman Rainie Lei declined to provide a reason. Apple couldn't be reached to comment. Market watchers and analysts have said the breakdown in talks could open the way for China Mobile rival China Unicom Ltd.
Toshiba Cuts Prices
Of HD DVD Players
Toshiba Corp. announced a campaign to bolster its HD DVD format against Sony Corp.-backed Blu-ray technology, cutting prices on players to as low as $149.99. The HD DVD camp suffered a blow Jan. 4, when Warner Bros. Entertainment said it would stop publishing movies on HD DVD in May. Toshiba cut the suggested retail price of its cheapest player, the HD-A3, from $299.99 to $149.99. The price for the HD-A30 was halved, from $399.99 to $199.99, while the price on the high-end HD-A35 went from $499.99 to $299.99.
GE to Boost Renewables
General Electric Co. plans to increase its investment in renewable energy 50% to $6 billion by 2010. Alex Urquhart, president and chief executive of the GE Energy Financial Services unit, cited record oil prices, an increased focus on environmental protection and improved technology for boosting interest in wind, solar, biomass, hydro and geothermal power. GE Energy Financial Services, based in Stamford, Conn., set a $4 billion target last May, but recently crossed the $3 billion threshold, Mr. Urquhart said.
-- Associated Press
