CEO Schmidt Will Step Aside for Google Cofounder Page

In a surprise announcement, Google CEO Eric Schmidt will become chairman while cofounder Larry Page moves up to CEO. Schmidt, who will become chairman, said he and Google's founders are clarifying their management roles. Google also reported a jump in revenues, and analysts are questioning whether Page is ready to lead.

In a move that surprised industry analysts, Eric Schmidt will step down as Google's CEO. Google cofounder Larry Page will take over as chief of the company while Schmidt settles into the chairman role.

While Page takes on the day-to-day management, Schmidt will focus externally on deals, partnerships, customers and broader business relationships, government outreach, and technology thought leadership. Internally, Schmidt will continue to act as an adviser to Page and cofounder Sergey Brin, who will focus on strategic projects, in particular new products. The changes will take effect on April 4.

By Jennifer LeClaire

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iPad Gets Some Competition

Tablet computers are all the rage, offering users an easy way to access the Internet. The iPad set the standard for tablet computers, but now its competitors are positioning themselves as new and different. While Samsung, RIM and Dell have focused on mobility with their small displays, the WeTab has decided to go big, or bigger than the iPad.

When it first appeared, the iPad set the standard for tablet computers. But now the first challengers are appearing on the market, offering different sizes and operating systems.

As it turns out, those are exactly the two features consumers who like the keyboard-free devices should be looking at.

Tablet computers seem to have taken the world by storm, probably because they offer such an easy way to access the Internet. But the newer models all have their own pros and cons.

"The iPad is great," says Sophia Kim of Samsung, a Korean-based company. "But our device is different."

The Galaxy Tab has a 7-inch diagonal screen and weighs in at 380 grams, making it significantly smaller than the iPad's 9.7-inch display and 680 grams. As an added bonus, people can telephone with the Galaxy Tab, although that's best done with a Bluetooth headset.

By Peter Zschunke

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Sales Boom for iPad

Sales Boom Looms for iPad and Other Tablets

Apple's iPad is driving tablet sales that Gartner expects to reach 208 million by 2014, fueled by strong demand outside the U.S. Gartner expects tablets to cannibalize sales of e-readers, gaming devices, and netbooks. Smartphones could also be affected as tablets become more like phones. One analyst disagrees, and called Gartner a "sensationalist."

The iPad is driving worldwide tablet sales through the roof. Gartner is predicting tablet sales will reach 19.5 million units in 2010 before jumping 181 percent in 2011 to reach 54.8 million. By 2014, Gartner expects consumers to buy 208 million tablets.

"The all-in-one nature of media tablets will result in the cannibalization of other consumer electronics devices such as e-readers, gaming devices, and media players," said Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at Gartner. "Mini-notebooks will suffer from the strongest cannibalization threat as media-tablet average selling prices drop below $300 over the next two years."

By Jennifer LeClaire

Apple Second-Quarter Net Income Leaps 90 Percent

Apple's earnings in the second quarter have surged past analysts' expectations, and strong iPhone sales are the key: Apple says nine million of the smartphones were sold in the three months that ended March 27, more than double sales from a year ago. Strong Macintosh sales also bolstered Apple's numbers, with almost three million sold.

Apple says its net income in the most recent quarter jumped 90 percent, helped by strong iPhone and Macintosh computer sales.

Its results blew past Wall Street's expectations.

Apple Inc. says it sold nearly 9 million of its popular smart phones in the three months that ended March 27, more than double sales from a year ago.

The company sold almost 3 million Macs, a 33 percent increase. IPod unit sales edged down 1 percent, but Apple still sold 10 million of the digital players.

Apple says it earned $3.07 billion, or $3.33 per share. Revenue rose 49 percent to $13.5 billion.

Analysts expected Apple to earn $2.45 per share on $12.04 billion in revenue.

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RIM Acquisition May Let BlackBerry Control Car Functions

Research In Motion is acquiring QNX Software Systems, whose open Neutrino operating system is used across many industry verticals, including autos. RIM may plan to let its BlackBerry smartphones control automotive and other functions. The QNX technology has been licensed for more than 17 million in-vehicle systems worldwide.

Research In Motion has put its buying power in motion with the acquisition of QNX Software Systems. The Waterloo, Canada-based phone maker reached an agreement with QNX's parent company, Harman International, to acquire the company, RIM announced Friday.

By acquiring the Ottawa, Canada-based QNX, RIM will gain access to its open operating system , Neutrino. The open platform is used across many industry verticals, including telecommunications, medical, defense and automotive.

While QNX's software is used in life-critical systems such as air traffic control, surgical equipment, and nuclear power plants, it has been used most recently in casino gaming terminals and in-car infotainment systems.

Licenses to Entertain

The phone maker may be planning to integrate its BlackBerry smartphone functions with in-car audio and infotainment systems in the short term, but for the long term it looks as though RIM may be interested in providing dashboard and communications systems using BlackBerry functions.

"RIM is interested in expanding opportunities for QNX in the automotive sector and other markets," said Paul Leroux, a spokesperson for QNX. "No question, this is a positive development for QNX."

By Patricia Resende

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