Microsoft’s e-mail phones aim to pick off BlackBerry
Redmond, Wash. – Microsoft, the world’s largest software-maker, on Monday unveiled mobile phones with new e-mail features that will compete directly with Research In Motion’s BlackBerry.
Motorola, the No. 2 cellphone-maker, and Hewlett-Packard are among those making phones with upgraded Microsoft e-mail technology. Service providers such as Vodafone Group Plc and T-Mobile International AG will add the phones to their lineups, the companies said at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
The new features for Windows Mobile 5.0 may enable Microsoft to catch up with Research In Motion and Symbian Ltd. in the market for phones that double as organizers. The number of phones running Microsoft software may double to 10 million in the year ending June 30, senior vice president Pieter Knook said. Many customers haven’t heard of Microsoft’s mobile software, Knook said.
As the phones go on sale, Microsoft will begin a print and outdoor advertising campaign, Knook said.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
Starz to unveil two new movie channels
Two new premium cable movie channels from Starz Entertainment Group LLC will debut in April on digital service offered by Comcast Corp., the nation’s largest cable-television operator, Starz announced Monday.
The RetroPlex channel will feature commercial-free movies from the 1950s to the 1970s, and the IndiePlex channel will offer independent films.
DENVER
Newmont’s costs rise for new Ghana mine
Newmont Mining Corp., looking to expand in Africa for the first time, said the cost of developing its mine in Ghana will be as much as 8.2 percent higher than the company expected.
Development of the Ahafo mine in Ghana will cost $450 million to $460 million, more than the $425 million the company reported last month, Denver- based Newmont said in a regulatory filing Friday.
DENVER
Rentech CFO resigns just weeks after start
Rentech Inc. announced Monday that Kevin M. Smith, the company’s chief financial officer and executive vice president, resigned less than a month after joining the company.
Smith resigned for personal reasons, citing family matters.
“In the short time I worked for the company, I was impressed by the integrity of its management team and the potential for its technology,” Smith said.
NEW YORK
Analyst gives United parent a “buy” rating
Merrill Lynch analyst Michael Linenberg issued a report Monday on United Airlines parent UAL Corp., starting coverage of the stock with a buy rating.
He said United “stands to benefit from major internal changes.” Since emerging from bankruptcy Feb. 1, “United’s management team will now be able to focus all of their efforts on running an airline and maximizing franchise value,” according to the report.
CHICAGO
United signs contract for meteorology work
United Airlines has signed a five-year contract for weather support with Ensco Inc., according to the Falls Church, Va.- based company.
United said last year it planned to outsource work by its meteorologists, who are based in the Chicago area. Ensco said it will hire several meteorologists employed by United.
HOUSTON
Lay divulged some bad news, jurors told
Enron Corp. founder Ken Lay disclosed hundreds of millions of dollars in quarterly losses and a surprise $1.2 billion write down in shareholder equity six weeks before the company fell into bankruptcy proceedings in December 2001, jurors in his fraud and conspiracy trial heard Monday on a tape of a quarterly earnings conference call.
But prosecutors contend he still held back some bad news from investors or wrongly described the losses as one-time events to give Wall Street false hope, while he allegedly knew the company was in serious trouble.
Defense teams contend there was no fraud at Enron and that negative publicity coupled with loss of Wall Street confidence fueled its collapse.
BENTON HARBOR, Mich.
Whirlpool-Maytag deal still in the wash
Whirlpool Corp. and Maytag Corp. said Monday that the Justice Department is extending its review of Whirlpool’s proposed $1.79 billion acquisition of rival Maytag to March 30.
The companies said they “have agreed not to close the transaction” before that date.
The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the acquisition may face a legal challenge from federal regulators.
MINNEAPOLIS
Northwest attendants begin vote on strike
Northwest Airlines Corp. flight attendants began voting Monday on whether to give their union the option to call a strike should the company seek to scrap their contract and impose pay and benefit cuts.
Northwest’s Professional Flight Attendants Association, which represents 9,700 workers and some on furlough, told members in a website bulletin that the vote will end March 6.
MINNEAPOLIS
United says box packs a nutritious punch
United Airlines said a new variety of snack box for sale for $5 on certain flights has “all natural, high-energy snacks.”
The new snack box, called RightBite, includes hummus dip, lemon-pepper-seasoned tuna, Gouda cheese, a mini-Toblerone chocolate and other snacks. United started selling snack boxes in January 2005 and said it has sold more than 2 million of them so far.
MIAMI
Romance to cost guys $128, survey says
On Valentine’s Day, when American couples celebrate love and romance with flowers, candy, cards and dinner, the average man will shell out $128, according to a survey released by Discover Card. His lady companion will spend about $74.
One-third of the women surveyed said they wouldn’t drop a dime on their sweeties.
WASHINGTON
Treasury auctions $37 billion in T-bills
The Treasury Department auctioned $20 billion in three- month bills at a discount rate of 4.44 percent and an additional $17 billion in six-month bills at a rate of 4.54 percent.
The discount rates reflect that the bills sell for less than face value. For a $10,000 bill, the three- month price was $9,887.77, while a six-month bill sold for $9,770.48.
