Private Equity
Comparing WiFi: Popular Mechanics scopes out the best WiFi coverage near their offices in NYC. Another E-Reader: The Sharper image has unveiled the Literati. Suing Teachbook: Facebook has filed a lawsuit against Teachbook, a networking site geared toward teachers, for infringing on its trademark and claims the site shouldn't be using using the "-book" suffix. Apple Mystery Event: Apple has set Sept. 1 for its next event and speculation is that it will include an update to iPods, changes to iTunes and possibly a new type of Apple TV. Gmail and Google Voice: Google is integrating Google Voice and Gmail, from Henry McCracken. And Phone Booths: Google plans to install Google Voice telephone booths into universities and airports to help launch Voice+Gmail. Dumping Directors: The SEC approved a rule making it easier for shareholders to oust directors. Tablets Replacing Laptops: AT&T executive says that tablet computers costing as much as $1,000 may soon make laptops obsolete. But will they be pretty? iTunes and TV Shows: Apple is in advanced talks with News Corp. to let iTunes users rent TV shows for 99 cents.
1 min read · 25 August 2010
Ford Cuts Debt: Automaker vows to cut its debt load and admits that GM IPO could divert demand for Ford shares. JPM Revamps Fund Biz: JP Morgan plans to realign its $1.6 trillion asset management business to better compete with BlackRock and PIMCO. Gov. Arnold Wants CalPERS' help: Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants the California Public Employees’ Retirement System to credit the state with $2 billion this year. Cats and More Cats: Top five Internet cat videos, from CNET. Flowers Rising: JC Flowers is bidding to take control of EBS, Ireland’s biggest customer-owned lender. Hedge Fund Dinner Probe Ends: Hedge fund managers can go back to eating and drinking and sharing ideas now that the SEC is no longer investigating the "idea dinner" to drive down the value of the Euro. Trademarking Check-In: Foursquare has been trying, and failing, to trademark "check in."
1 min read · 20 August 2010
Paying More for WaMu: A Washington Mutual shareholder has discovered a way to get JP Morgan to pay more for the bank. No Fishing With Chase: JP Morgan Chase sent out an email recently inviting customers to go on a fishing trip. There isn't a trip, according to Dealbreaker. GM's IPO: General Motors finally filed for their long-awaited IPO. The automaker isn't selling shares but the U.S. Treasury is. Yahoo Loses Engineer: Sandeep Gupta, who heads up mobile app development at Yahoo, has resigned. Gupta also worked at Apple in charge of iPod software, says TechCrunch. Duquesne's Druckenmiller Retiring: Stanley Druckenmiller, known as the architect behind George Soros' famous bet against the British pound, is closing his hedge fund firm.
1 min read · 18 August 2010
Bubba's Crime Spree: No, we're not talking about President Clinton. A bear in Lake Tahoe has committed 50 home invasions and his crime spree isn't over. Gordon Gekko: Were the traders and bankers of the subprime saga more greedy and immoral than the Gordon Gekkos of the 1980s? See the Wall Street sequel next month. GM IPO: General Motor will likely file Tuesday for its long-awaited IPO, according to Reuters. Advertising on Facebook: Advertising dollars on social networks worldwide is expected to hit $3.3 billion in 2010, up 31% from last year. IE at Crossroads: Internet Explorer celebrated its 15th birthday Monday and is stagnating, according to CNET.
1 min read · 16 August 2010
Video Chain Extension: Blockbuster has until Sept. 30 to deal with some of its debt load. Gracious Homes In Chapter 11: Luxury home-good retailers has filed for bankruptcy protection. Google and Paypal: Paypal is in talks with Google to add its payment service to Google Inc.’s Android smartphone software. BofA Says No to PE: Bank of America says it plans to bypass PE firms and instead invest directly in companies to boost returns. Town Posts DUI Pics on Facebook: Evesham, N.J. is posting DUI pictures on Facebook, according to CNET. Dogs Make Coworkers Nicer: Study finds that dogs improve office productivity. Zynga hires Ex-Facebook Exec: Zynga has hired Owen Van Natta, ex-CEO of MySpace ex-COO of Facebook, as its executive VP of business.
1 min read · 13 August 2010
California Unions: The same judge that overturned the gay marriage ban is now allowing same sex marriages in the state. Another HP Scandal: The U.S. Department of Justice asked HP to provide internal documents as part of an international investigation into whether HP exes paid bribes in Russia. Big Hair Wins: A federal jury in ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's trial reached a verdict on only two counts and are deadlocked on several others. GM IPO: General Motors might delay the filing for its much-hyped IPO until early next week. Bonuses for Bankers: Wall Street bonuses will likely rise this year as the financial sector recovers faster than everyone else. Twitter News: Twitter unveiled a "tweet button" that will encourage people to share links on the Web. Flights on FB: Facebook is allowing users to book flights on its site but this service is limited to Delta. Dead Body on Google: The mystery of the dead body viewed using Google Street View has been solved.
1 min read · 12 August 2010
Facebook vs. Google: Facebook takes a different stance on net neutrality than Google, from CNET. Toyota says No to Iran: Toyota has suspended export of its cars to Iran. Debt Issues: Toys 'R' Us, which is trying to refinance $1 billion of debt, will meet with its lenders tomorrow. Keeping the Money: FINRA has denied an attempt by Morgan Stanley to stop two brokers, convicted of securities fraud, from each keeping $4.45 million in signing bonuses. Barclays Job Cuts: Barclays Capital is expected to announce several hundred cuts to its back office staff Wednesday. GM IPO: General Motors could file for its IPO as soon as Friday. No Web Use: A Pew study finds that one-fifth of Americans don't use the Internet, according to TechCrunch. Bike Sharing: Low cost bike sharing system to be tested in NYC.
1 min read · 11 August 2010
Spyglass and MGM: Spyglass Entertainment is near a deal to run MGM once the studio finishes restructuring its $4 billion debt load this summer. Failing to Disclose: FINRA fined Morgan Stanley $800,000 for failing to disclose conflicts of interest of research reports and public appearances of analysts since 2006. California Dreaming: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger thinks he can reach a deal to erase the state's $19.1 billion deficit and pass a budget by the end of the month. Surviving AIG: Robert Benmosche, AIG's CEO, celebrates surviving a year at AIG, from Dealbreaker. Supporting Dreamworks: Jeffrey Katzenberg, head of Dreamworks, is blogging and says he hosted the owners of TPG who expressed their support of the studio. Facebook Closes Hot Potato: CNET is reported that Facebook has completed its buy of Hot Potato for $10 million with most of that going to founder Justin Shaffer.
1 min read · 10 August 2010
CEOs Acting Badly: Mark Hurd, HP CEO, has resigned over sexual harassment allegations. This makes Carly Fiorina look good. Another Google Deal: It's official. Google confirmed that it has bought Slide for about $180 million. Consumer Credit Drops: For the fifth straight month, consumer credit declined signaling that an uneven job market is discouraging borrowing. Blockbuster Reprieve: Blockbuster will likely get a one week respite from creditors so it can prepare for a possible bankruptcy filing. Gates Prediction: Microsoft chairman predicts that young students will use the web to learn and won't need to go to universities for an education. The Biggest Apple Store: Is coming to London. Texting But No Phone: How to text without a cell phone, from CNET.
1 min read · 06 August 2010
Seeking Web Info: Lawmakers are seeking information on the privacy practices of 15 websites identified as installing tracking technology on vistors' computers. GM IPO: The timing of GM's return to the public markets is questionable, says General Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Edward E. Whitacre Jr. Wyclef Jean For President: Wyclef Jean, in an interview with Miami radio station Tropik Radio, says he will run for president of Haiti in a November vote. Medicare Til 2029: Medicare is gaining 12 years of fiscal life due to a health law signed in March by President Barack Obama, a government report said. Remembering AOL: AOL, this is how you screwed up, from CNET. When To Jump Ship: Top 10 signs it's time to leave your job.
1 min read · 05 August 2010
