| Hot Shots: Tech That Keeps You on the Move
Even in the dog days of summer there's always some new tech tool to help a small business run more efficiently. Here's a quick look at a few of the latest products that can help keep you rolling along. Fresh Batteries for Old Laptops
Unleash your laptop you know, the older model that hasn't been further than three feet from a wall socket since its battery went to lithium ion heaven back in 2003. Even a thorough search on eBay failed to find a replacement for it. FreshBattery.com wants to get you mobile again, and so it recently launched its Legacy Power line of batteries designed for more than 1,500 models of aging laptops including those from HP, Compaq, IBM/Lenovo, Apple, Toshiba, Sony and Dell. Most batteries start to lose their full charge capability at about two years.
China BAK Moves Toward HP Supply Deal
China BAK Battery Inc., which makes laptop and electronic device batteries, said Monday it signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Hewlett-Packard Co. that may lead to a supply agreement. Under the terms of the letter, the companies agreed to work toward a definitive agreement in which China BAK would supply lithium ion battery cells to HP China BAK said it agreed, subject to completion of negotiation, to allocate at least half of its monthly cylindrical lithium ion battery cell manufacturing capacity to HP or HP's designated battery pack manufacturers. Shares of China BAK rose $1.23, or 29.2 percent, to $5.44 Monday in after hours trading, following an earlier close at $4.21. The shares have ranged from $2.85 to $8.31 over the past year. Shares of HP rose $1.22, or 2.6 percent, to $48.43.
China BAK shares jump on HP announcement
Shares of China BAK Battery Inc. jumped sharply in afternoon trading Tuesday after the maker of laptop and electronic device batteries said it is working on a deal with tech giant Hewlett-Packard Co. China BAK said late Monday it signed a nonbinding letter of intent with HP that may lead to a supply agreement. The companies agreed to work toward a deal in which China BAK would supply HP with lithium ion battery cells for its notebook computers. "We are encouraged by this announcement and believe it removes substantial uncertainty regarding the company's growth outlook," wrote Roth Capital Partners analyst Mark Tobin in a note to investors. He kept a "Hold" rating on China BAK and raised his target price to $5 from $3.50. The analyst expects the contract will be finalized in the first quarter of 2008.
(AFX UK Focus) 2007-08-14 15:55 GMT: TFN NEWS BRIEFING: TMT highlights to 15:40 BST
2007-08-14 15:04:10 AT&T wins 9.8 mln usd networking services contract from US Army VIENNA, Virginia (Thomson Financial) - AT&T Inc said it has been awarded a contract worth up 9.8 mln usd to provide networking services to the US Army's Fort Bliss in Texas. 2007-08-14 13:56:24 Broadcom seeks ban on Qualcomm chips SAN DIEGO (AP) - Qualcomm Inc., the world's second-largest chipmaker for cell phones, became a wireless industry powerhouse in the 1990s with its engineering prowess and skill at licensing rights to its patented technology to other companies. 2007-08-14 13:55:23 VMware sets much-anticipated IPO at $29
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Rapidly growing software maker VMware Inc. priced
its initial public offering at $29 per share Monday, setting the stage for one of Silicon Valley's most anticipated stock market debuts since Google Inc.
First Look: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid
Greenpeace's timing couldn't have been more laughable. We're gathered behind the security gates of Porsche's Weissach technical center, part of a select group getting an in-depth look at running prototypes of the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid. Meanwhile, a few dozen kilometers away in Zuffenhausen, protesters are brandishing signs and screaming "Climate Pigs!" in the faces of bemused Porsche executives. Apparently the pickets don't know that Porsche sports cars are considerably more fuel-efficient than the cars they compete with. And they must not realize how close Porsche engineers are to releasing hybrid technology into the market in not one, but two cars: the Porsche Cayenne sport-utility and the Porsche Panamera sedan. For several years, Porsche has been researching hybrid powertrains with VW and Audi, studying the technology with an eye toward improved fuel-efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction.
Your Tech
When you think of Logitech, you think of computer accessories — the electronic kind. But next month, the company will add the Kinetik line of computer bags: a backpack and a briefcase. The line follows Logitech's practice of jumping into a crowded field but adding some feature to set it apart from rivals. Both bags have a shell of ballistic nylon and polyurethane, which adds strength but not weight. Both units will hold a 15.4-inch PC laptop, or a 17-inch Macbook Pro. The bags will sell for less than $100 at www.logitech.com and major retailers. Logitech says it learned that most laptop bags do a great job of carrying the laptop, but that it is the other stuff that laptop owners pack into the bag that makes them look lumpy and unsightly. These bags have extra room inside for all that road warrior gear: extra batteries, cell phone chargers and various cords — not to mention MP3 players and miscellaneous metal objects dumped in just ahead of the scanner at the airport.
2007 Volkswagen Rabbit 2.5 Review
There's a children's book generations old called "Pat The Bunny." It's a tactile wonder between the hard covers. Just like the 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit. This is a fine car to drive. It has the spirit and quality of the higher-performance 2007 GTI we recently drove, but costs substantially less and gets slightly better mileage. Batteries don't power this bunny.
The Rabbit is most certainly a Golf—what they call bunnies in Europe. And that's a good thing … Teutonic and all that goes with something designed and screwed together in Wolfsburg, Germany. It drives like it's from Germany, too. The ride is taut but never jarring. The front struts and independent rear suspension absorbs big bumps with nary a crash or bang. Ride motions are well controlled with little roll in corners.
HP launches new range of accessories
HP Middle East today announced the launch of its new range of accessories for its latest notebook and desktop PCs that have been designed to ensure users get the most from their PC. Whether it's increased data storage or easy docking, they are intelligently designed to enhance performance and increase convenience. With the HP Notebook QuickDock, users can plug in their HP notebook and instantly gain access to all their connected peripherals. Alternatively consumers can integrate their notebook into their home entertainment solution with ease. With one quick and simple connection, consumers can seamlessly maximize their mobile lifestyle, taking advantage of peripherals such as a widescreen monitor, internet connection and printers or connecting to their television and audio system.
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