Sprint and RIM introduce Blackberry 8703e communicator supporting GPS and Sprint Mobile Broadband services

“Today Sprint and RIM introduced Blackberry 8703e communicator with updated functions (EV-DO technology and GPS services).The main specs of Blackberry 870e: Sprint Mobile Broadband service Fast Web-surfing, high productivity e-mail attachment viewing in popular file formats Support of GPS services Support of BlackBerry “push” technology Modem functionality Bluetooth v2.0 High resolution color LCD with auto backlight adjustment QWERTY-keyboard 64 MB of flash ROMBlackberry 8703e will be available for Sprint subscribers from October 1, at $35 in case of a 2-years service contract.” via mobile-review.com

Sonys Linux based Mylo to include Skype VoIP


“Sony’s Linux-based “Mylo,” expected this month, will include a Skype client designed as a “turnkey software bundle” for standalone (PC-free) Linux-based communication devices, according to Trinity Convergence, which says it supplied voice- and video-over-IP (VoIP) middleware used in the bundle. The Sony Mylo (“my life online”) is a multifunction Linux- and Qtopia-based handheld gadget featuring WiFi connectivity, an Opera web browser, and a variety of text- and voice-messaging clients and media players. Given its resemblance to Sony’s PSP (PlayStation Portable), the Mylo is also likely to include games. It was announced last month, with expected availability in September. Trinity’s VoIP middlewareTrinity says Skype licensed its VeriCall Edge stack “to accelerate the development of stand-alone Skype products.” Other forthcoming Linux-based devices expected to use the Skype/VeriCall bundle include a wired desktop Skype phone from Universal Scientific Industrial (USI), and a soon-to-ship WiFi-enabled phone from an undisclosed vendor, Trinity said.Trinity says VeriCall Edge provides “vital media processing, packet handling, and call control functionality” that enable the Mylo and other devices to support a full range of Skype services, including Skype-to-Skype calling, “SkypeOut” calls to landlines and mobile phones, “SkypeIn” calls from landlines and mobile phones, and Skype Voicemail. AvailabilityThe Skype/VeriCall Edge bundle is available now, from Skype. Pricing was not disclosed. The Sony Mylo is expected to ship this month.” via linuxdevices.com

Palm Reports Q1 FY07 Results

“Palm, Inc. (Nasdaq:PALM) today reported revenue of $355.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2007, ended Sept. 1, up 4 percent from the year-ago period. Operating income rose 28 percent from the year-ago period.Net income in the fiscal quarter totaled $16.5 million, or $0.16 per diluted share. Net income included stock-based compensation expense of $6.7 million and amortization of intangible assets of $0.3 million. This is the first quarter in which Palm implemented SFAS 123R, which includes the expensing of stock options, restricted stock and the company’s employee stock purchase plan in GAAP(1) results. This compares to net income for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 of $18.2 million, or $0.18 per diluted share.Net income for the quarter, on a non-GAAP basis, totaled $21.5 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, excluding stock-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets, and adjusting the income-tax provision to 40 percent. This compares to non-GAAP net income in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 of $13.7 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, excluding amortization of intangible assets and deferred stock-based compensation and adjusting the income tax provision to 40 percent.”We executed well on a number of fronts, significantly increasing profits and Treo sell-through,” said Ed Colligan, Palm president and chief executive officer. “The product announcements we made this month put us in an even better position to meet marketplace demands and extend our worldwide reach.”In a related news release issued today, the company announced that it has received approval from its board of directors to repurchase up to $250 million worth of Palm shares outstanding.Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2007 OutlookBased on current trends, Palm provided its outlook for financial results in the second quarter of fiscal year 2007, which ends Dec. 1. The company expects the following: Revenue to be in the range of $430 million to $450 million; Gross margin to be between 33.3 percent and 33.8 percent on a GAAP basis and between 33.5 percent and 34.0 percent on a non-GAAP basis; Operating expenses to be between $121 million and $124 million on a GAAP basis and between $115 million and $118 million on a non-GAAP basis; The tax rate on a GAAP basis to be 42.5 percent and, on a non-GAAP basis, 40 percent; Earnings per diluted share to be between $0.15 and $0.18 on a GAAP basis and between $0.20 and $0.23 on a non-GAAP basis; and SFAS 123R stock-based compensation expense, before taxes, to be between $6.5 million and $7.0 million and amortization of intangible assets to be $0.3 million. These amounts and the related income tax amounts are excluded from Palm’s second quarter of fiscal year 2007 outlook on a non-GAAP basis. For the remainder of the year, Palm said it will balance top-line growth and market share over profitability. In view of dynamic market conditions, including Palm’s launch of new products and expansion into new geographies, the company is not reaffirming previous annual guidance at this time, and is providing guidance only for the second quarter.Highlights of the QuarterDuring the first quarter of fiscal year 2007, the company accomplished the following: Announced a relationship with Vodafone Group, Europe’s largest carrier, and many of its European operating companies, to expand Treo(TM) sales in Europe as part of Palm’s corporate objective to grow the Treo market presence outside the United States. (Following the quarter’s close, Palm announced the availability of a new Treo 750v smartphone, running on Vodafone’s 3G/UMTS network and using the Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition operating system); Shipped the Treo 700wx to Sprint in the United States, expanding the Treo 700w family of Windows Mobile-based products; Launched BlackBerry Connect for the Treo 650 smartphone with Cingular Wireless in the United States, Vodafone in Australia and Movistar in Spain; Launched the Treo 650 in Peru on the Claro network; and Established a new carrier relationship with the UK carrier 02. INVESTORS’ NOTE: The company will hold a conference call for the public today at 1:30 p.m. Pacific / 4:30 p.m. Eastern to discuss matters covered in this news release. The dial-in number is 800-818-5264 for callers within the United States and 913-981-4910 for international callers. No passcode is required. A replay of the conference call will be available through Oct. 5, beginning today at approximately 6 p.m. Pacific. The dial-in numbers for the replay are 888-203-1112 for callers within the United States and 719-457-0820 for international callers, passcode 1936471. The live conference call and slide presentation will be available over the Internet by logging onto the investor relations section of Palm’s website at http://ir.Palm.com. An audio replay and text transcript of the conference call also can be accessed at the same URL beginning today at approximately 6 p.m. Pacific.NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES: Palm utilizes a number of different financial measures, both GAAP and non-GAAP, in analyzing and assessing the overall business performance, for making operating decisions and for forecasting and planning future periods. Palm considers the use of non-GAAP financial measures helpful in assessing its current financial performance, ongoing operations and prospects for the future. Ongoing operations are the ongoing revenue and expenses of the business, excluding certain costs that Palm does not anticipate to recur on a quarterly basis. While Palm uses non-GAAP financial measures as a tool to enhance its understanding of certain aspects of its financial performance, Palm does not consider these measures to be a substitute for, or superior to, the information provided by GAAP financial measures. Consistent with this approach, Palm believes that disclosing non-GAAP financial measures to the readers of its financial statements provides such readers with useful supplemental data that, while not a substitute for GAAP financial measures, allows for greater transparency in the review of its financial and operational performance. In assessing its business during the first quarters of fiscal years 2007 and 2006, Palm excluded or adjusted items in the following general categories, each of which are described below:Acquisition-related Expenses. Palm excluded amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions to allow more accurate comparisons of its financial results to its historical operations, forward-looking guidance and the financial results of peer companies. In recent years, Palm has completed the acquisition of Handspring and the acquisition of the Palm(R) brand, which resulted in operating expenses that would not otherwise have been incurred. Palm believes that providing non-GAAP information for amortization of intangible assets allows the users of its financial statements to review both the GAAP expenses in the period, as well as the non-GAAP expenses, thus providing for enhanced understanding of historic and future financial results and facilitating comparisons to peer companies. Additionally, had Palm internally developed these intangible assets, the amortization of intangible assets would have been expensed historically, and Palm believes the assessment of its operations excluding these costs is relevant to the assessment of internal operations and comparisons to industry performance.Stock-based Compensation. Palm believes that the exclusion of non-cash stock-based compensation allows for more accurate comparisons of its operating results to peer companies. Further, Palm believes that excluding stock-based compensation expense allows for a more accurate comparison of its financial results to previous periods. In addition, Palm prepares and maintains its budgets and forecasts for future periods on a basis consistent with this non-GAAP financial measure.Income Tax Provision Expense. Palm believes that assuming a 40 percent effective tax rate on a non-GAAP basis provides an appropriate prospect for the future.Each of the non-GAAP financial measures described above, and used in this press release, should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, a measure of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, investors are cautioned that there are inherent limitations associated with the use of each of these non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool. In particular, these non-GAAP financial measures are not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and many of the adjustments to the GAAP financial measure reflect the exclusion of items that are recurring and will be reflected in the Company’s financial results for the foreseeable future. In addition, other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate non-financial measures differently than the Company does, limiting their usefulness as a comparative tool. Palm compensates for these limitations by providing specific information in the reconciliation included in this press release regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from the non-GAAP financial measures. In addition, as noted above, Palm evaluates the non-GAAP financial measures together with the most directly comparable GAAP financial information.CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding: Palm’s expected second quarter of fiscal year 2007 revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, tax rate, earnings per share, stock-based compensation expense and amortization of intangible assets; Palm’s fiscal year 2007 revenue growth, market share and profitability; marketplace demands; Palm’s worldwide reach; and Palm’s outlook for the second quarter of fiscal year 2007. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially, including, without limitation, the following: fluctuations in the demand for Palm’s existing and future products and services and growth in Palm’s industries and markets; Palm’s ability to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors; Palm’s ability to introduce new products and services successfully and in a cost-effective and timely manner; possible defects in products and technologies developed; Palm’s dependence on wireless carriers and ability to meet wireless carrier certification requirements; Palm’s reliance on a concentrated number of significant customers; Palm’s ability to compete with existing and new competitors; Palm’s ability to forecast demand for its products; Palm’s reliance on third parties to sell and distribute its products; Palm’s dependence on third parties to design, manufacture, distribute, warehouse and support its products; Palm’s ability to timely and cost-effectively obtain components and elements of its technology from suppliers; Palm’s ability to obtain other key technology from third parties free from errors and defects, integrate it with Palm’s products and meet certification requirements, all on a timely basis; risks associated with international sales and operations; the impact of increasingly stringent laws, standards and other regulatory requirements; and Palm’s ability to utilize its net operating losses. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in Palm’s most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 2, 2006. Palm undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING REPORTED SELL-THROUGH: Palm records revenues for its smartphone products based on sell-in to carriers and other distributors. To facilitate investors’ understanding of end-user demand for the company’s products, Palm also reports smartphone sell-through information in this press release and its earnings conference calls. Palm relies on reports from carriers and other distributors for its smartphone sell-through and inventory information. This information is subject to variance, and Palm can not ensure investors of its accuracy.About Palm, Inc.Palm, Inc., a leader in mobile computing, strives to put the power of computing in people’s hands so they can access and share their most important information. The company’s products for consumers, mobile professionals and businesses include Palm(R) Treo(TM) smartphones, Palm handheld computers, Palm LifeDrive(TM) mobile managers, as well as software, services and accessories.Palm products are sold through select Internet, retail, reseller and wireless operator channels throughout the world, and at Palm Retail Stores and Palm online stores (http://www.palm.com/store).More information about Palm, Inc. is available at http://www.palm.com.(1) GAAP stands for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.Palm, Treo and LifeDrive are among the trademarks or registered trademarks owned by or licensed to Palm, Inc. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners Palm, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2006 2005 ————- ————-Revenues $355,773 $342,200Cost of revenues (a) 224,487 237,849 ————- ————- 131,286 104,351Operating expenses: Sales and marketing (a) 52,932 45,517 Research and development (a) 40,845 29,030 General and administrative (a) 13,760 9,216 Amortization of intangible assets 340 2,278 ————- ————- Total operating expenses 107,877 86,041 ————- ————-Operating income 23,409 18,310Interest and other income (expense), net 5,438 1,703 ————- ————-Income before income taxes 28,847 20,013Income tax provision 12,344 1,836 ————- ————-Net income $16,503 $18,177 ============= =============Net income per share: Basic $0.16 $0.18 ============= ============= Diluted $0.16 $0.18 ============= =============Shares used in computing per share amounts: Basic 103,347 99,254 Diluted 104,590 103,613(a) Prior to June 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation expense under APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, which measured stock-based compensation expense using the intrinsic value method. As of June 1, 2006, the Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense under SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, which requires stock-based compensation expense to be recognized based on grant date fair value. Periods prior to June 1, 2006, have not been restated to conform with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Amortization of stock-based compensation: Cost of revenues $604 $5 Sales and marketing 1,654 216 Research and development 2,510 64 General and administrative 1,906 311 ————- ————- $6,674 $596 ============= =============Palm’s fiscal periods are generally 13 weeks in length and end on aFriday. For presentation purposes, the periods are presented as endingon Aug. 31, Nov. 30, Feb. 28 and May 31.Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for current yearpresentation.All share and per share amounts referred to in this press release havebeen adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split in the form of astock dividend, effective March 14, 2006. Palm, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP Items to Non-GAAP Items (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2006 2005 ————- ————-Net income, as reported $16,503 $18,177Adjustments: Stock-based compensation 6,674 596 Amortization of intangible assets 340 2,278 Income tax provision (2,000) (7,319) ————- ————-Net income, non-GAAP $21,517 $13,732 ============= ============= Three Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2006 2005 ————- ————-Net income per share: Basic, as reported $0.16 $0.18 Adjustments 0.05 (0.04) ————- ————- Basic, non-GAAP $0.21 $0.14 ============= ============= Diluted, as reported $0.16 $0.18 Adjustments 0.05 (0.05) ————- ————- Diluted, non-GAAP $0.21 $0.13 ============= =============Shares used in computing per share amounts: Basic, as reported 103,347 99,254 ============= ============= Diluted, as reported 104,590 103,613 ============= =============The above non-GAAP amounts have been adjusted to eliminateamortization of stock-based compensation and amortization ofintangible assets, and for the related income tax provision on anon-GAAP basis of 40%.Palm’s fiscal periods are generally 13 weeks in length and end on aFriday. For presentation purposes, the periods are presented as endingon Aug. 31, Nov. 30, Feb. 28 and May 31.All share and per share amounts referred to in this press release havebeen adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split in the form of astock dividend, effective March 14, 2006. Palm, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except par value amounts) (Unaudited) August 31, May 31, 2006 2006 ————- ————-ASSETSCurrent assets: Cash and cash equivalents $127,565 113,461 Short-term investments 400,304 405,433 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,810 and $4,801, respectively 168,130 204,337 Inventories 51,875 58,010 Deferred income taxes 135,139 153,854 Investment for committed tenant improvements 3,928 3,967 Prepaids and other 9,732 10,937 ————- ————- Total current assets 896,673 949,999 Land held for sale 60,000 60,000 Property and equipment, net 25,952 22,990 Goodwill 167,352 166,538 Intangible assets, net 25,443 25,783 Deferred income taxes 265,883 260,713 Other assets 1,507 1,499 ————- ————- Total assets $1,442,810 $1,487,522 ============= =============LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYCurrent liabilities: Accounts payable $147,327 $184,501 Income taxes payable 48,576 50,021 Accrued restructuring 6,221 7,209 Provision for committed tenant improvements 3,928 3,967 Current portion of long-term convertible debt 35,000 35,000 Other accrued liabilities 185,662 216,374 ————- ————- Total current liabilities 426,714 497,072Non-current liabilities: Non-current liabilities 6,653 6,545Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 125,000 shares authorized; none outstanding — — Common stock, $.001 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding: 103,585 shares and 103,469 shares, respectively 104 103 Additional paid-in capital 1,480,200 1,475,319 Unamortized deferred stock-based compensation — (2,752) Accumulated deficit (471,578) (488,081) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 717 (684) ————- ————- Total stockholders’ equity 1,009,443 983,905 ————- ————-Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $1,442,810 $1,487,522 ============= =============Palm’s fiscal periods are generally 13 weeks in length and end on aFriday. For presentation purposes, the periods are presented as endingon Aug. 31, Nov. 30, Feb. 28 and May 31.Certain prior balances have been reclassified to conform to currentyear presentation.All share and per share amounts referred to in this press release havebeen adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split in the form of astock dividend, effective March 14, 2006. Palm, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended August 31, August 31, 2006 2005 ————- ————-Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $16,503 $18,177 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities: Depreciation 2,974 3,976 Amortization of stock-based compensation 6,674 596 Amortization of intangible assets 340 2,278 Deferred income taxes 11,792 (577) Realized gain on sale of equity investments (6) — Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation 569 — Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 36,207 11,671 Inventories 6,135 (2,724) Prepaids and other 1,103 (570) Accounts payable (37,174) 3,276 Income taxes payable (1,001) 457 Accrued restructuring (988) (1,204) Other accrued liabilities (22,265) 13,118 ————- ————- Net cash provided by operating activities 20,863 48,474 ————- ————-Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property and equipment (5,936) (6,906) Purchase of short-term investments (194,337) (71,351) Sale of short-term investments 200,942 42,036 ————- ————- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 669 (36,221) ————- ————-Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock; employee stock plans 641 7,180 Excess tax benefit related to stock- based compensation (569) — Repayment of debt (7,500) —

Review of GSM handset Sony Ericsson Z550i


“The device can be easily flipped open single-handedly. Doing so reveals the internal screen, which in fact equals Sony Ericsson W810i’s one, and shows off a diagonal of 1.9 inches, resolution of 176×220 pixels (30×38 mm). Even though the picture quality, delivered by the Z550i is fine, it yields to that of Nokia 6131 due to the latter having bigger resolution and brightness. However as against handsets of the same class, it looks quite typical; but the truth is, Sharp-branded screens found on some products by Motorola have somewhat better quality. The display can hold up to 6 text line and 4 service lines at a time. The way it handles direct sunlight in, is also very convenient – information remains readable.” Read more here: