New Acer will be more like Apple, less like HP

The details behind the rift that saw Acer's CEO Gianfranco Lanci (pictured) suddenly resign yesterday are now starting to emerge. Simply put, Acer's board wants the Taiwanese company to be more like Apple and HTC, according to Bloomberg, raking in big profits on fat margins. Lanci's approach, however, was to aggressively increase volumes and using its scale to negotiate cheaper prices from suppliers in a race to steal market share from Dell and HP. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, Acer's profit margin in the last fiscal year was just 2.3 percent compared to Apple's 21.5 percent. Daunting, to say the least.

With Lanci gone, JT Wang, Acer's chairman and temporary CEO, plans to put more effort into expanding its smartphone and tablet business while broadening efforts around enterprise sales. For Wang, Lanci's departure marks a break with the past, saying, "Recently the iPad [tablet computer] and other new form factors have had a very big impact on the PC market. We have to change our business strategy." While PCs will still be core to the business, Wang said "we won't be in a hurry to change to become the world number one." Unfortunately for Acer, its brand is more closely associated with low-cost laptops than with the premium devices required to significantly expand its profit margins. We'd wish 'em luck but we think Acer will be better served by an innovative CEO and focused R&D.

New Acer will be more like Apple, less like HP originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 05:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/WP3MQ7NyZ6M/

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES (IBM) INTERDIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS INTEL

The Best Deal of the Day [Dealzmodo]

April fools! I'm breaking up with you. April fools! Your house is on fire. April fools! Your dog is dead. April fools! I'm not pregnant. April fools! This jar of mayonnaise is filled with blood. April fools! I just punched you in the stomach, really hard. April fools! Everyone knows you're attracted to your sister. April fools! I glued your pants to the ceiling. April fools! Your taste in music sucks. April fools! Kanye West just made a huge mess in your kitchen. April fools! You've been subpoenaed by the Senate Armed Services Committee. April fools! Nicki Minaj hacked your Gmail account. April Fools! My office is filling up with horrible poison gas. This Sony BRAVIA XBR46HX909 46" 3DTV is $1400, with free shipping. No foolin' around. -SB More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/q17xWkGGOeE/the-best-deal-of-the-day

PRICELINECOM QIMONDA QUALCOMM

Windows 8 wallpaper available to download, Jupiter and Twin UI spotted

With Windows 8 milestone 3 now up for grabs for select Microsoft Connect partners, it's inevitable that leaked bits and pieces will start popping up around the Web. In fact, the first "official" wallpaper image from the still-brewing OS is already making the rounds.

As you can see, it's got a similar feel to the good ol' Windows 7 default background, but features a more subdued smattering of cerulean hues. Those of you who want to use the Windows 8 wallpaper on your current desktop can download it from our file dump.

A few other details have been revealed, too. According to ZDNet's source, the Windows 8 Jupiter libraries and Twin UI are starting to take shape -- though all that's been located thus far are "[various files] scattered throughout the OS" and the aptly-named twinui.dll.

Windows 8 wallpaper available to download, Jupiter and Twin UI spotted originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/download-windows-8-wallpaper/

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TomTom VIA 1435, 1535, 1405 and 1505 navigators start shipping in North America

Remember that line of VIA navigators we peeked back at CES? Looks like today's your lucky day if you were holding off to procure one. TomTom just announced retail availability of the VIA 1505, 1535, 1405 and 1435 in North America, and all of 'em can also be picked up with lifetime maps and / or lifetime traffic. The 14xx models will be boasting a 4.3-inch panel, while the 15xx editions gain a 5-inch display; the whole lot includes the company's new fold-and-go EasyPort mount, and variants do seem to be available with Bluetooth and advanced voice recognition. Look for the gang to start populating shelves this weekend for $169 and up... if you can manage to find your local Best Buy, that is.

Continue reading TomTom VIA 1435, 1535, 1405 and 1505 navigators start shipping in North America

TomTom VIA 1435, 1535, 1405 and 1505 navigators start shipping in North America originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/MDWGBjBr1oE/

AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING AVNET BHARTI AIRTEL

Substrata Releases Wooden iPad 2 Cases

Substrata just announced they are releasing six new cases to fit the new iPad 2.� They are offering a tabletop case which will also act as a stand, an open case that covers the back and sides and leaves the screen open, and the Artisan case that incorporates a hinged cover that acts as a [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/04/01/substrata-releases-wooden-ipad-2-cases/

ATandT AUTODESK AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING

Quantum Trickery Could Lead to Stealth Radar [Republished]

Stealthy radar systems and the ability to transmit large amounts of data over long distances are a step closer thanks to a technique that could improve the efficiency of modern optics by a factor of 1000. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/27zhcodrQNo/quantum-trickery-could-lead-to-stealth-radar

YAHOO XILINX WESTERN DIGITAL

Let it Slide is an engaging, difficult puzzle game

I have a thing for physics games, and I've been known to post the occasional platformer or action game here and there. But Let it Slide is one of the brainiest games I've posted to date.

The idea is very simple, and far from original: You get a board with pieces arranged in a particular pattern; you have to slide those around until you get the special piece into its target location.

It's not even about finding out where the target location is - you can just hover over "dim tiles" and instantly see where you're supposed to bring the special piece. But getting it there is a whole different story.

There are five tutorial levels, which I strongly recommend you do. Then there are twenty "beginner" levels, but that's really a misnomer. If those are the beginner levels, I don't want to know what the intermediate and advanced levels look like!

Every time you finish a level you get a score based on how many clicks it took you - each level has a "par" (the minimum number of clicks it could be completed in), and your performance is compared to that gold standard. Because it's such a brainy game, getting it right is quite satisfying. I was downright proud of myself when I managed to finish a few levels. All in all, quite recommended, especially if you've got a few minutes of quiet. It might actually help you focus better later on.

Let it Slide is an engaging, difficult puzzle game originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/23/let-it-slide-is-an-engaging-difficult-puzzle-game/

RADISYS RACKABLE SYSTEMS QUEST SOFTWARE