The Wall Street Journal-20080212-Business Technology- In Brief
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Business Technology: In Brief
Full Text (249 words)Microsoft Buys Danger,
Creator of Sidekick Gadget
Microsoft Corp. said it agreed to acquire Danger Inc., creator of the popular Sidekick hand-held gadget, as part of its quest to expand its offerings in the mobile realm. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Danger's mobile products offer real-time mobile messaging, social-networking services and other applications on a customizable phone. Microsoft said the acquisition will align Danger's expertise in the mobile-consumer sector with Microsoft's focus on expanding its mobile offerings. Danger is based in Palo Alto, Calif.
Nokia's New Line Offers
More Internet Services
Nokia Corp. unveiled its latest attempt to capture the Internet- services market, launching a free media-sharing service and four phones, including a beefed-up handset with memory rivaled only by U.S. peer Apple Inc.'s recently updated iPhone. Nokia said its four new phone models equipped with navigation capability will help users get around in unfamiliar settings, while its sharing service, Share on Ovi, will help make social networking easier.
Natus Medical Moves
To Cut Redundancies
Natus Medical Inc. said it will eliminate redundant costs and personnel in 2008 as part of a restructuring plan to reduce costs. The company said some of the redundancies in North American field sales and service personnel resulted from its acquisition of Xltek. The San Carlos, Calif., maker of baby-monitoring devices said it expects the actions to be cost-neutral in 2008, as savings during the year will be largely offset by severance costs, which the company expects to total about $800,000.
