Monday, August 15, 2011

ABI Research: Google to Buy Struggling Motorola Mobility


http://www.abiresearch.com
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Google agreeing today to buy Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. for $12.5 billion gives the search giant a more significant direct involvement in the design and production of mobile phone hardware and shores up a valuable intellectual property portfolio during a time when legal maneuvering through patent holdings is plaguing the Android market.
“Google has been relatively silent through the many legal problems its licensees have faced in defending Android”
A number of repercussions will result from this acquisition if it goes through. The Android platform is on its way to becoming the eventual leading OS in the smartphone market due to its wide OEM support. Does the growing support change for Android now that Google will be in direct competition with its licensees? Will the likes of Samsung, Huawei or even HTC adjust their strategies by emphasizing a competing platform? How will it affect Android future development? Android innovation relies on the contributions of its licensees, does it all freeze while this settles and how well can RIM and HP capitalize on this opportunity?
“Google has been relatively silent through the many legal problems its licensees have faced in defending Android,” says Kevin Burden, vice president and practice director, mobile networks. “All its licensees are now feeling their legal positions have just been reloaded, but their allegiance to Android may be more at risk.”
Beyond mobile phones and media tablets, Motorola Mobility has a healthy business in the digital home, namely broadband cable modems and set-top boxes. Its strategy has been to promote a “TV everywhere” solution. Google, in contrast, had its foray into this space with Google TV seen widely as an experiment. A tie-up between Google and Motorola could give Google the expertise it needs to be taken seriously and gain an eventual foothold in content deliver to the home.
ABI Research’s “Smartphone Technologies and Markets” (http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1003736) study explores the leading IC and OS platforms and the outlook for these competing technologies. In addition, it examines technologies that are being integrated into smartphones as competitive differentiators by smartphone OEMs.
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 40+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

Contacts

ABI Research
Christine Gallen, +1-516-624-2542
pr@abiresearch.com

Press Release: Google to Acquire Motorola Mobility


 Google Inc. and Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.

Google to Acquire Motorola Mobility

Combination will Supercharge Android, Enhance Competition, and Offer Wonderful User Experiences
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. & LIBERTYVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Google will acquire Motorola Mobility for $40.00 per share in cash, or a total of about $12.5 billion, a premium of 63% to the closing price of Motorola Mobility shares on Friday, August 12, 2011. The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.
“Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers.”
The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.
Larry Page, CEO of Google, said, “Motorola Mobility’s total commitment to Android has created a natural fit for our two companies. Together, we will create amazing user experiences that supercharge the entire Android ecosystem for the benefit of consumers, partners and developers. I look forward to welcoming Motorolans to our family of Googlers.”
Sanjay Jha, CEO of Motorola Mobility, said, “This transaction offers significant value for Motorola Mobility’s stockholders and provides compelling new opportunities for our employees, customers, and partners around the world. We have shared a productive partnership with Google to advance the Android platform, and now through this combination we will be able to do even more to innovate and deliver outstanding mobility solutions across our mobile devices and home businesses.”
Andy Rubin, Senior Vice President of Mobile at Google, said, “We expect that this combination will enable us to break new ground for the Android ecosystem. However, our vision for Android is unchanged and Google remains firmly committed to Android as an open platform and a vibrant open source community. We will continue to work with all of our valued Android partners to develop and distribute innovative Android-powered devices.”
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals in the US, the European Union and other jurisdictions, and the approval of Motorola Mobility’s stockholders. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2011 or early 2012.
Webcast Information
Google and Motorola Mobility will hold a conference call with financial analysts to discuss this announcement today at 8:30am ET. The toll-free dial-in number for the call is 877-616-4476 (conference ID: 92149124). The call will also be webcast live athttp://investor.shareholder.com/media/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=101369&CompanyID=ABEA-3VZHGF&e=1&mediaKey=A21887C59EBAAC12F1BCF4D43C080953. The webcast version of the conference call will be available through the same link following the conference call.
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visitwww.google.com.
About Motorola Mobility
Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. fuses innovative technology with human insights to create experiences that simplify, connect and enrich people's lives. Our portfolio includes converged mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; wireless accessories; end-to-end video and data delivery; and management solutions, including set-tops and data-access devices. For more information, visitmotorola.com/mobility.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by phrases such as Google, Motorola or management of either company “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “foresees,” “forecasts,” “estimates” or other words or phrases of similar import. Similarly, statements herein that describe the proposed transaction, including its financial impact, and other statements of management’s beliefs, intentions or goals also are forward-looking statements. It is uncertain whether any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on the results of operations and financial condition of the combined companies or the price of Google or Motorola stock. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction and the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to consummation of the proposed transaction, including the ability to secure regulatory approvals at all or in a timely manner; the ability of Google to successfully integrate Motorola’s operations, product lines and technology; the ability of Google to implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to Motorola’s business after the completion of the transaction and realize additional opportunities for growth and innovation; and the other risks and important factors contained and identified in Google’s and Motorola's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), such as their respective Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Neither Google nor Motorola undertakes any obligation to update the forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
Motorola intends to file with the SEC a proxy statement in connection with the proposed transaction with Google. The definitive proxy statement will be sent or given to the stockholders of Motorola and will contain important information about the proposed transaction and related matters. SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. The proxy statement and other relevant materials (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Motorola with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website, at www.sec.gov. In addition, security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement from Motorola by contacting Investor Relations by mail at Attn: Investor Relations, 600 North U.S. Highway 45, Libertyville, IL 60048.
Participants in the Solicitation
Motorola and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Motorola stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about Motorola’s directors and executive officers is set forth in its proxy statement for its 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 15, 2011, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed on February 18, 2011. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, and by mail at Attention: Investor Relations, 600 North U.S. Highway 45, Libertyville, IL 60048, or by going to Motorola’s Investor Relations page on its corporate website at http://investors.motorola.com. Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction will be included in the proxy statement that Motorola intends to file with the SEC.

Contacts

For Google:
Investors:
ir-core@google.com
or
Media:
press@google.com
or
For Motorola:
Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.
Investors:
Dean Lindroth, +1 (847) 523-2858
dean.lindroth@motorola.com
or
Media:
Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc.
Jennifer Erickson, +1 (847) 772-1217
jennifer.erickson@motorola.com

Google’s Motorola Deal Will Spur Antitrust Regulators to Action

From AllThingsD.com
AUGUST 15, 2011 AT 6:29 AM PT

To say that Google is going to face some opposition to its proposed $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola Mobility is what you might call a bit of an understatement. First of all, the deal will give a lot of fresh meat to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which is already investigating several aspects of Google’s business, including its Android mobile operating system business.  read more






Google to Acquire Motorola Mobility for $12.5 Billion


  • Google announces Motorola Mobility buy for US$12.5B

    In a surprise announcement today, Google said it has entered into a “definitive agreement” to acquire Motorola Mobility for US$12.5 billion. In a statement, the search giant said the deal “will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing.”  read more


3GTV Networks™ to Bring Near Field Communications to Grocer's Shelf-Edge


New capability will enable more opportunities for richer shopper interaction

ALLENDALE, N.J.Aug. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 3GTV Networks™ (www.3gtv.com) has announced that it will be extending its shelf-edge device capability to include near field communications (NFC). NFC becomes the latest addition to the growing list of communication tools supported by 3GTV's first-of-a-kind, in-store digital backbone infrastructure.
"With NFC, 3GTV continues our commitment to provide marketers, retailers, and third-party services with simple, digital solutions for improving the ways they connect to shoppers and driving long-term loyalty," said Bob Wolinsky, CEO and Chairman of 3GTV Networks. "Although it is still very early for NFC, the data points to a huge future, not only for the transaction model, but also for enabling powerful loyalty and marketing activities at the point-of-sale."
3GTV currently designs and operates a robust in-store infrastructure featuring a range of networked smart devices. With these systems already in place, 3GTV can implement very unique NFC-based engagements that will deliver value, convenience and fun to shoppers, while adding more measurable and notable interactions for brands.
"Adding NFC capabilities to the 3GTV platform is all about further extending the convergence of physical and digital experiences for shoppers," said Daniel Seliger, VP of Content Strategy, 3GTV Networks. "We see NFC as the ideal technology for enabling new approaches to 'check-ins', integrating social media into the physical store, and rethinking how we reward loyalty and encourage discovery and sharing."
3GTV will be working with our partners to ensure that the 3GTV backbone is fully compatible with emerging NFC standards.
Currently, NFC is frequently used internationally and in the US as a technology enabling mobile payments. According to theJanuary 2011 Frost & Sullivan NFC industry report, as more mobile phones are created with NFC capabilities, it is expected that NFC will become the most-used solution for mobile payment. The report predicts the total payment value for NFC to reach $180 billion by 2015.  
About Automated Media Services, Inc.
Automated Media Services, Inc. (AMS) is a media and technology firm responsible for the development of 3GTV Networks, the first form of out-of-home television. 3GTV™ combines the power and plannability of television with the efficiency and immediacy of digital media. Located in the retail environment, 3GTV™ is supported by AMS' proprietary digital infrastructure, which enables power and connectivity throughout the store. The company's PlayScan™ (patented) and FlowScan™ services make possible the conversion of retail stores into plannable media destinations and shoppers into a measurable viewing audience. These technologies are poised to become the industry standard for accountability, compliance and measurability for out-of-home media investments. Based in Allendale, New Jersey, AMS is led and advised by a leadership team with over 150 years of collective experience in the media and advertising, consumer marketing, retail marketing, and technology professions. For more information, visit www.3gtv.com.
SOURCE Automated Media Services, Inc.

TD Bank Group to acquire MBNA Canada's credit card business


  • Establishes TD as a top credit card issuer in Canada
  • Financially attractive acquisition
  • TD becomes dual issuer, giving customers greater choice
  • TD gains the largest Canadian MasterCard issuer
TORONTOAug. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - TD Bank Group (TD) (TSX and NYSE: TD) and Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) today announced a definitive agreement under which TD will purchase MBNA Canada's credit card portfolio, as well as certain other assets and liabilities. TD will pay a modest premium on an expected $8.5 billion of credit card receivables at closing.
"We are very pleased to be acquiring MBNA Canada's credit card business. This acquisition will position TD as a top card issuer in Canada," said Ed Clark, Group President and CEO, TD Bank Group. "We've consistently said that we will seize good opportunities that make strategic sense, fit within our risk profile and are financially attractive. This franchise brings new customers to TD, provides attractive additional options for our customers and is a great complement to our existing high-growth credit card business."
MBNA Canada is the country's largest MasterCard issuer. This acquisition will significantly build on TD's existing Canadian credit card business, which has successfully grown to approximately 4 million active accounts. With this transaction, TD will add 1.8 million active accounts to its base.
"This transaction boosts our capability in credit cards and increases our scale in this business, allowing us to further leverage our distribution capabilities," said Tim Hockey, President and CEO, TD Canada Trust. "Acquiring this business makes TD a dual issuer of both Visa and MasterCard, giving customers greater choice."
"TD also has a strong history in the affinity market and this transaction will allow us to increase our presence in this space," added Hockey. "We look forward to working with new affinity partners in credit cards and to welcoming new customers to TD."
Additional details of the transaction
Subject to the satisfaction of regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, this transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. The MBNA Canada brand will be maintained at least up to conversion, which is expected to be approximately 18 months from close.  Prior to close, TD expects to issue up to 8 million common shares for prudent capital management purposes, subject to tone and price in the market. The common shares are not expected to be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the U.S. absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements.
TD expects a 20-basis-point impact to its Tier 1 capital ratio on closing, on a pro forma basis as at TD's last quarter end and after the intended common share issuance.
TD expects the transaction to be accretive by 5 cents to adjusted earnings per share in fiscal 2012 and by 10 cents to adjusted earnings per share in fiscal 2013.
Investor information and call:
The call will be audio webcast live at www.td.com/investor/ at 8:30 a.m. ET and is expected to last about 45 minutes. The call and webcast will feature presentations by TD executives on the transaction and will be followed by a question-and-answer period.  The presentation material referenced during the call is available on the website atwww.td.com/investor/calendar_arch.jsp.  A listen-only telephone line is available at 416-644-3415 or 1-877-974-0445 (toll free).
About TD Bank Group
The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (TD). TD is the sixth largest bank inNorth America by branches and serves more than 19 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with approximately 7 million online customers. TD hadCDN$630 billion in assets on April 30, 2011. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.

iPayment Reports Results for Second Quarter and First Half of 2011


http://www.ipaymentinc.com
John Vickers to Join Board of Directors
Announces Planned Relocation of Corporate Headquarters
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--iPayment, Inc. (“iPayment” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Revenues increased to $184.6 million for the second quarter of 2011 from $183.9 million for the second quarter of 2010. Revenues, net of interchange, were $85.3 million for the second quarter of 2011, which were flat compared to the second quarter of 2010. Net loss was $8.7 million for the second quarter of 2011 compared to net income of $8.3 million for the same period last year. The net loss in the second quarter of 2011 was attributable to costs associated with the refinancing and equity redemption completed by the Company during the period (collectively, the “Transaction Costs”), which totaled $18.7 million or $12.4 million after tax. In addition, the Company incurred higher interest and amortization expenses as a result of the refinancing and increased compensation expense. The Company had approximately 133,000 active merchants at June 30, 2011, unchanged from June 30, 2010.
For the six months ended June 30, 2011, revenues increased to $354.2 million from $343.5 million in the first six months of 2010. Revenues, net of interchange, increased 6.6% to $164.2 million in the first half of 2011 compared to the first half of 2010. The Company recorded a net loss of $1.1 million in the first half of 2011, which included the negative after-tax impact from the Transaction Costs of $12.4 million, compared to net income of $10.5 million in the first half of 2010.
The Company filed its Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2011 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) today.
iPayment Holdings, Inc. to Expand its Board of Directors
The Company also announced that its direct parent, iPayment Holdings, Inc., will name John A. Vickers to its Board of Directors. Mr. Vickers is currently Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tishman Realty Corporation and Tishman Hotel Corporation, having served the Tishman organization for 27 years in positions in increasing responsibility. He is responsible for Tishman’s owned portfolio of hotels and for overseeing all of the firm’s service divisions. Mr. Vickers was also Vice Chairman and Principal of Tishman Construction Corporation prior to its sale to AECOM in July 2010. Mr. Vickers’ appointment to the Board will be effective September 1, 2011.
Carl Grimstad, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iPayment, remarked, “We are pleased to announce the addition of John Vickers to our Board of Directors. John has distinguished himself through his extensive record of success at Tishman, and he brings over 25 years of business experience in the hospitality and real estate industries to iPayment. We are confident of John’s ability to contribute to the long-term growth of iPayment, and we look forward to working with him. His selection is consistent with our previously announced intention to expand the number of our independent directors, as well as our commitment to strong corporate governance.”
Corporate Headquarters to Relocate to New York in January 2012
iPayment also announced that it plans to relocate its headquarters to New York City at the start of 2012. Mark Monaco, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer said, “Our decision to relocate to New York was primarily driven by the opportunity for us to be very close to a large portion of our sales organizations, a significant number of our investors and other key constituents. We expect this process, which is already underway, to be fully complete by January 2012.”
Afshin Yazdian, iPayment’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel and Secretary, has announced that he will leave the Company at the end of 2011, concurrent with the relocation of the corporate headquarters. Mr. Monaco remarked, “Afshin Yazdian has served iPayment with distinction as EVP and General Counsel since the Company’s founding over 11 years ago. During this time, Afshin has played an important role in the Company’s growth and expansion. All of us at iPayment appreciate the significant contribution he has made to our Company’s success. We wish him well in his future endeavors.” Mr. Yazdian resigned as an officer of the Company and its affiliates effective August 12, 2011 but will continue as an employee of the Company through the end of the year and assist with the relocation and the transitioning of his responsibilities to other executives. With the exception of Mr. Yazdian, all senior executives of the Company currently based in Nashville intend to relocate to New York.
Conference Call
Management will hold a conference call Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its 2011 second quarter results. Participants should dial 913-312-0399 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephonic replay will become available after 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 16, 2011 and continue through August 24, 2011. You can access the replay by dialing 719-457-0820 and entering Confirmation Code 2614480.
The live broadcast of iPayment’s quarterly conference call will be available online at www.ipaymentinc.com orhttp://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=81167 on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The online replay will be available at approximately 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 16, 2011 and continue to be available for one week.

Industry Veteran Dave Keenan Joins Fiserv to Lead the ACCEL/Exchange Payments Network


http://www.fiserv.comBROOKFIELD, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), the leading global provider of financial services technology solutions, announced today that Dave Keenan has joined as the new general manager of the ACCEL/Exchange® payments network.
“Dave brings a comprehensive knowledge of cutting-edge payments solutions to Fiserv. The depth and breadth of his expertise will greatly help Fiserv as we expand the ACCEL/Exchange network and bring innovative new payment solutions to financial institutions and their customers”
Keenan brings more than 25 years of payments experience to Fiserv. Most recently, he served as vice president of Sales and Marketing at BankServ, a provider of specialized payment solutions for financial institutions and corporations using SWIFT, Fedwire, P2P, mobile and remote deposit capture technologies.
Prior to BankServ, Keenan served as managing director of Loyalty Marketing at United Airlines, where he was responsible for its loyalty program and corporate marketing partnerships. Previously, Keenan also served as senior vice president at MasterCard International, where he held a variety of leadership positions including head of global operations for the Cirrus network. He began his career as a systems programmer with Fifth Third Bank's Midwest Payment Systems (MPS) subsidiary, writing machine language code that connected some of the first ATM/point of sale networks.
Keenan earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Systems Analysis from Miami University. He also completed The Executive Program at the University of Virginia Darden School Of Business.
“Dave brings a comprehensive knowledge of cutting-edge payments solutions to Fiserv. The depth and breadth of his expertise will greatly help Fiserv as we expand the ACCEL/Exchange network and bring innovative new payment solutions to financial institutions and their customers,” said Rahul Gupta, president of Card Services, Fiserv.
The ACCEL/Exchange payments network provides access, performance and value to financial institutions nationwide. The first to introduce Secure Internet PIN debit for online shopping purchases, ACCEL/Exchange allows consumers to conduct a more secure online transaction using their debit card and PIN. Accepted by more than 2 million merchants and with an expansive network of more than 281,500 ATMs in 50 U.S. states, territories and Canada, ACCEL/Exchange provides cardholders convenient cash and financial transaction access when and where they want.
Additional Resources
About Fiserv
Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV) is the leading global provider of information management and electronic commerce systems for the financial services industry, driving innovation that transforms experiences for financial institutions and their customers. Fiserv is ranked No. 1 on the FinTech 100 survey of top technology partners to the financial services industry. For more information, visit www.fiserv.com.
FISV-G

HTC Urging Taiwanese FI's to Jointly Develop NFC-Based Payment Platform

HTC eyes mobile payment platform
ITWeb (blog)

HTC, the world's fifth-largest smartphone maker, has urged Taiwanese financial institutions to jointly develop a near field communication (NFC)-based mobile payment platform, reports NFC World. “Our cooperation with China Union Pay is just the ...

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