Around the web
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New York Times
Company release
China opened the door to consolidation and bankruptcies among its troubled solar-products companies, steps that could help trim overcapacity in a global industry that has suffered losses and liquidations and has sparked a global trade spat.
Wall Street Journal
Samsung Electronics has acquired Nvelo, a Silicon Valley vendor of products for caching data on flash-based SSDs.
PC World
Topeka Capital analyst Brian White recently cut his rating on LG Display to Sell from Hold, noting that the LCD display maker's stock has rallied 91% from its June lows, and now trades at a valuation that "could prove to be the peak of this cycle."
Forbes
Samsung's Galaxy S4 handset, expected to launch next year, is beginning to take shape, with the latest round of rumours suggesting it will include a Full HD display.
Expert Reviews
The third iteration of the Samsung Galaxy Note hybrid will feature a 6.3in OLED display, according to a report in the Korea Times.
International Bussiness Times
Shares rose early on Monday after the win by Shinzo Abe, who has promised more public spending and says he will implement measures directed at weakening the yen and fighting deflation.
BBC News
San Francisco Chronicle
HTC has scrapped plans to produce a large-screen smartphone using Microsoft's operating system because the screen would have had lower resolution than competing models, according to a person familiar with the project.
Bloomberg
Company release
Google has released its Maps app for the iPhone, in the wake of complaints about Apple's software.
BBC News
Bright Side of News (BSN)
There's a hubbub of current speculation which once again claims Apple intends launching the next iteration of its iPhone in or around June: it's important to take claims of a June launch with a pinch of salt as there's been similar speculation in the past and the product didn't actually appear until Q4.
Computerworld
Micron Technology said it will lay off at least 30 workers as it retreats on plans to develop energy-efficient lighting technology, a move that marks the latest blow to alternative energy initiatives in Idaho.
San Francisco Chronicle
Just when you thought smartphones couldn't get any bigger, rumor has it that Samsung will put a 6.3-inch OLED display into its Galaxy Note III.
PC World
Canadian Solar may have to pay back compensation to LDK Solar Co. Ltd for the "illegal termination" of two photovoltaic wafer supply agreements made in 2007 and 2008.
PV Magazine
Apple needs a TV offering for three reasons: to add something new to its product lineup; to sell it in its Apple Stores, which are getting larger and need more products; and finally, to take advantage of the fact that the company can get a premium for a TV set where nobody else can.
PC Magazine
Apple has begun the early stages of television set testing, according to reports.
CNET
Flextronics and Motorola Mobility have signed a definitive agreement, under which Flextronics will acquire Motorola's manufacturing operations in Tianjin, China, and will also assume the management and operation of its Jaguariuna, Brazil, facility.
Company release
Contract chipmaker Globalfoundries chief executive Ajit Manocha said European governments should do more to encourage chip manufacturers to set-up shop in the region, rather than going to Asia where they receive large subsidies.
ZDNet
Company release
The US International Trade Commission said Tuesday it won't challenge an administrative law judge's decision that Nanya Technology could end its memory patent probe into bankrupt Elpida Memory after licensee Micron Technology offered to acquire Elpida for US$2.5 billion.
Law360
or most of the last two decades personal computers have accounted for a third or more of annual IC sales, but standard PCs are now on the brink of being replaced as the largest end-use product category for ICs.
IC Insights
Qualcomm has announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Atheros, introduced a new ultra-low power near field communication (NFC) solution that will enable mobile devices with contactless communications and data exchange, including next-generation mobile payments.
Company release
There's nothing surprising about Japan going out of its way to bail out Renesas Electronics. The obvious objective is to maintain a steady flow of Renesas chips into domestic products, especially Toyota and Nissan automobiles.
EE Times
"Today we are announcing the new ST, aligned with the new market environment," said Carlo Bozotti, president and CEO of ST. "Based on that, we have made the decision to exit ST-Ericsson after a transition period."
Company release
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