Google's fourth-quarter results shine after ad rate decline slows

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  Reuters/Reuters - An employee rides her bike past a logo next to the main entrance of the Google building in Zurich in this July 9, 2009 file photo. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/Files

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Revenue from Google Inc's core Internet business outpaced many analysts' expectations during the crucial holiday quarter and advertising rates fell less than in previous periods, pushing its shares up roughly 5 percent.

The world's largest Internet search company introduced new product listings during the fourth quarter - typically its strongest - and also benefited from business growth in international markets, analysts said.


Excluding traffic-acquisition costs, the business generated net revenue of $9.83 billion, up from $8.13 billion a year earlier, Google reported on Tuesday. That surpassed a $9.6 billion average forecast from six analysts polled by Reuters.

"Business looked really strong, especially from a profitability perspective. They really grew their margins in the core business," said Sameet Sinha, an analyst with B. Riley Caris. "Most of that strength seems to be coming from international markets which grew revenue
s quite substantially: up 23 percent year over year, versus the 15 percent growth in the third quarter."
Average cost-per-click, a critical metric that denotes the price advertisers pay Google, declined 6 percent from a year ago, the fifth consecutive quarter of decline but an improvement over the third quarter's 15 percent slide.


Google executives told analysts on a conference call that policy changes related to the quality and quantity of ads appearing on certain of its Web properties had helped shore-up click prices while lowering the overall growth rate of paid clicks in the holiday quarter.


"Click prices are still declining, but it's better than expected," said BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis.
The decline in Google's click prices is partly a result of consumers' shift to smartphones, where Google's ad rates are lower than those on Google's standard website.

Google cited growing demand for its spectrum of online advertising services, including mobile ads, display ads, video ads and its newly-launched product listings, though the company did not provide specific financial results for the individual businesses.
"More small enterprises increasing their spending collectively on Google's various products," continues to drive Google's growth, said Pivotal Research Group Analyst Brian Wieser.
MOTOROLA MOBILITY "STILL LOSING MONEY"

Investors shrugged off another quarterly loss at the Motorola Mobility mobile phone business Google acquired last year, one of various "big bets" that Google Chief Executive Larry Page has made to better position the company for a changing technology landscape defined by mobile gadgets and social networking.
"We now live in a multi-screen world," said Page, adding that "we feel naked without our smartphone."
Page said that Google had work to do in "managing our supply better as well as building a great customer experience," but said Google remains squarely focused on opportunities around newfangled devices such as smartphones.
Asked about the potential threat from Facebook Inc's recently-launched social networking search product, Page cited Google's years of online search experience and innovations such as voice-based search.
Consolidated net income in the fourth quarter was $2.89 billion or $8.62 per share, compared with $2.71 billion, or $8.22 per share, in the year-ago period when Google had not yet acquired Motorola.
Excluding certain items, Google said it earned $10.65 per share in the fourth quarter.
"The core business is a great business and the fourth-quarter is always a time for Google to shine. However, Motorola is still losing money and click rates still declined. They only declined 6 percent, but go back four or five quarters and click prices were improving. So mobile is still pressuring click prices," Gillis said.
The company posted consolidated revenue - which includes its Motorola Mobility mobile phone business but not the television set-top box business it recently agreed to sell - off $14.42 billion on Tuesday.
Motorola Mobility had an operating loss of $353 million during the quarter.
Google Finance Chief Patrick Pichette warned of more fluctuations in Motorola's financial results in the coming quarters as Google continues to restructure that business.
And he noted that Google was working through 12 months to 18 months of product pipeline that Google inherited in the acquisition.
Google announced plans to sell the Motorola Home television set top box business to Arris Group Inc for $2.35 billion. The company also has said it is focused on developing a smaller line-up of products in the mobile phone business.
Shares of Google rose roughly 5 percent to $738.20 in after-hours trading on Tuesday.
(Reporting By Alexei Oreskovic; Editing by Bernard Orr)

Cheap and cheerful Nokia Lumia 510 coming to UK, NL 505 coming to Colombia, Chile and Peru

Nokia is spreading the low-end love around the world this quarter, with their Windows Phone 7.8 Nokia Lumia 510 set to come to UK soon.
Already available in France on PhoneHouse , NokiaPowerUser.com reports the handset has been announced as coming soon to Phones4u. The slow-end smartphone has already been released in India and China.
PhoneHouse is currently selling the handset for EUR 189,99 (£160, $253) but I am sure there is more space for discounting the phone event further.
Meanwhile the earlier Telcel exclusive, the Nokia Lumia 505, is spreading its wings and heading to Latin countries.
WindowsPhoneApp.es reports the handset is heading for Colombia, Chile and Peru where it will be made available by the carrier Claro.
The Lumia 505 has similar specs to the 510, but with a larger screen and higher resolution 8 megapixel camera, and also runs Windows Phone 7.8.
In the words of Manuel Gonzalez, Director of Communications at Nokia for Latin America:

At Nokia we have a strong commitment to bring Windows Phone to new handsets at affordable prices and in different devices for everyone. With the Nokia Lumia 505, we intend to continue to welcome more people to experience the incredible experience that Windows Phone offers its users.

Encroachment: Commuters, pedestrians facing problems

 

The traffic mess on the roads creates problems for the area residents and the motorists besides noise pollution. PHOTO: AGHA MEHROZ/FILE 

RAWALPINDI: Nearly all main commercial areas of Rawal Town have been encroached upon by shopkeepers and vendors who occupy footpaths and open spaces, thus creating problems for commuters and pedestrians.
The encroachers have set up stalls in Raja Bazaar and its adjacent markets including Iqbal Road, Liaquat Market, College Road, Liaquat Road, Kalan B

Nokia Lumia 820, 920 and HTC 8S now available on Mobitel in Slovenia

Mobitel, Slovenia’s largest carrier, has launched a full Windows Phone 8 range, and are currently offering the HTC 8S, Nokia Lumia 820 and Nokia Lumia 920.
All the handsets are available for from 1 Euro on various 24 month contracts, with the Nokia Lumia 920 costing the most at 21 Euro per month (slightly cheaper than the SGSG 3) and the HTC 8S as low as 9 Euro per month.
See the range at Mobitel’s front page here, where it is currently being promoted.

Here’s what the MakerBot can do with Nokia’s Lumia 820 3D printing files

Nokia only released its 3D printing files for the Lumia 820 casing yesterday, but it didn’t take long for the DIY community to get their hardware warmed up and spitting out custom shells. MakerBot unveiled their Replicator 2X 3D printer a few months back, and have wasted no time setting it to work producing husks from Nokia’s 3DK files.


According to the MakerBot team, the outcome is “an awesome shell that fits great,” just as Nokia would’ve hoped for. The Finnish company will be offering its own shells for the Lumia 820 – including ruggedized options, and some which add wireless charging – but this way enthusiasts will be able to print off their own.

Two variants have been produced, one in blue plastic and one translucent white, both with oversized Nokia logos. Of course, as the 3D printing enthusiasts get to grips with Nokia’s schematics, we can expect a variety of customized shells: there’s no reason they shouldn’t have added extras like a wallet section, for instance, or a spool to wind your headphones around for when you’re not listening to Nokia Music.
Those without a 3D printer of their own will have to either save up the few thousand dollars, or take advantage of one of the online 3D printing services that have sprung up over the past couple of years. For more on the Makerbot Replicator 2X, meanwhile, check out our hands-on from CES.

Apple working on cheaper iPhone: report

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc is working on a cheaper version of its popular iPhone that could be released this year, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

Is Apple working on a cheap iPhone?

Here we go again. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is planning a cheaper version of the iPhone using less expensive parts, according to "people briefed on the matter." The move would diverge significantly from Apple's traditional emphasis on quality, and is meant to offset momentum from competitors like Samsung, which is expected to post its fifth consecutive record quarter thanks to the selling power of its Android-powered Galaxy series. The Journal's sources say the new iPhone will debut sometime in 2013.

Damage Control – What Not to Do When Social Media Goes Wrong

 

within the system regarding building up an social media empire, you might be bound to be able to Make a gaffe AS WELL AS two. a good quick mistake while in how something is usually wrote or perhaps your emotional impulse will certainly lead to disastrous consequences to the brand, web site ALONG WITH merchandise – relying on how people handle it. What will certainly may be a great effortless slip-up offers today turned in an catastrophe with regards to established relations. How in earth can you smooth the all over IN ADDITION TO repair almost any damage done? when i have compiled quite a few tips so that you can must adhere to help at the midst of any sociable networking bombshell that will assist you consider your title during this ordeal.

Being Emotional

Whenever an individual Create a mistake online, ones whole world will certainly witness it. because the related to this, people not only have to worry Concerning the gaffe That sparked controversy but likewise your own way That a person handle ones aftermath. whether or not you lash out IN ADDITION TO zero straight into a good emotional tirade more than how a person tend to be responding, you\'re guaranteed to be able to make your own situation worse. an individual won’t be required to worry exactly about pinging backlinks considering that the people coming from globally can be sharing your current meltdown in others. always be nice, cordial AS WELL AS apologize because of its mishap. Any time anyone EMPLOY sociable media to lash out on those lashing out with them, the never ends well.

Ignoring Comments

You are able to use this opportunity as being a chance in order to Link within anyone for you to may then not have otherwise. coming from being attentive, responsive ALONG WITH owning up towards mistake, You can demonstrate the values AND ALSO virtues of an sociable media organization. the consumer whom hide behind ones veil of an internet may learn It countless new discoverers of the enterprise are able to use your being an opportunity for you to degrade AND ALSO humiliate you. regardless of whether an individual engage them right because of the start, an individual have a better chance involving diffusing your current situation IN ADDITION TO preventing your already-viral mishap coming from finding any larger.

Arguing through Others

While a person do not wish to be able to ignore anybody negative comments, anyone additionally want in order to avoid responding inside negativity. You\'ll believe The item ones mistake am simply your mistake AS WELL AS It through apologizing, everything is actually fine. your current particulars is actually It a number of anyone are not able to always be pleased no matter what anyone do – throughout your current case, you do not need in order to argue in the course of them through the 1st intent or meaning. Even regardless of whether that you are right, You might never convince any person regarding that. through being polite, an individual stand to be able to gain much further ground in comparison with people do whether or not you come swinging out of any corner.

Navigating your current Situation

You have to learn The item following your current societal mishap has occurred plus the mistake is actually out there, You may have very little control more than the spread. You may check this just as one opportunity – others who are pinging backlinks to your current internet site AND sociable media can increase ones exposure on the long-run. all of an discussion ALONG WITH framing of any argument is done while in anybody which tend to be either coming from your side as well as against you. always be courteous, follow up throughout polite comments As Best You will AS WELL AS keep the cool head above many else. your too shall pass.

Five Quick Steps to Launching Your Home Based Business

Regardless with regards to The product as well as type related to ASSISTANCE you\'re offering, receiving the home based company off the ground IN ADDITION TO working is both an mouse clicks AS WELL AS challenging job – especially regardless of whether a person do not learn where to help start. There is a lot to be able to take Any time delivery your own job AND It\'ll seem overwhelming to the user that have not been through the experience before. Fortunately, setting up the foundation towards the home based firm requires single a bit related to day AND dedication. we have outlined your current several many significant tips you should engage in While delivery your current then independent employment to be a home based business.

Multi-Site Exposure:

It is usually the code associated with thumb the variety involving websites featuring ones items or items is usually straight proportionate to be able to The amount of leads AND gross sales You can generate. whether or not you would like to acknowledged multiple sites AS WELL AS promote ones company through unique content or quickly wish for you to advertise within other, already recognized websites IN ADDITION TO avoid ones pinging noise, your own role The item multi-site exposure plays inside receiving ones home based institution off ones ground will be immense.

Responsive consumer Service:

Many clients can have concerns or even comments previous procuring a great assist AND ALSO merchandise from the home based business. purchaser help goes a great lengthy way in direction of making potential business; While people responds quickly, clearly AND ALSO without being secretive or vague, shoppers tend to respond positively. whether You\'ll give the the contact number relating to customer service, It is suited Equally The idea allows consumers to help speak for you to an individual within sole – something It helps build bonds of trust while in a great web-based market.

Analyze Traffic AND Stats:

By keeping tabs throughout just about all ones site’s necessary stats, You may realize exactly how healthy your current advertising ALONG WITH promotion aspects of a home based corporation are usually currently. You\'ll find analytics tools exhibited It be taken a person your own ability for you to track who will be coming to be able to your own website IN ADDITION TO by in which they are coming. You\'ll in addition view how effective ones content in ones internet site will be concerning how The majority of people are acquiring It in the course of search engines. a series of analytics software requires on-site installation, thus ensure to have everything up ALONG WITH logging before you begin any kind of greatest campaigns.

Offer Promotions:

Not lone will promotions AND ALSO discounts earn a person institution You may not look at otherwise, but they are likewise the way for getting ones email addresses ALONG WITH contact facts related to extra of an visitors. through informing visitors This they will certainly save 10 AND ALSO 20% through their after that check by recording up for the email record or by offering continued promotions in the course of email, You might convince several It otherwise will be leery exactly about giving you This really is Individual information.

Pinging Updates:

Cutting from the pinging noise is actually completed simply AS WELL AS In case always be completed throughout a good automatic pinging utility. Especially useful As soon as visiting a new website, pinging your own articles AND ALSO pages periodically will certainly consider newsletters indexed faster during search engines. This will assistance your current site surge towards top connected with search results quicker as compared to The item would otherwise and get anyone your attention you\'re seeking.

Cyber Security – Is Your Company safe?

 

ones online world possesses opened countless doors for individuals of which wish in order to seize opportunity to market themselves, the products AND their merchandise to its world at-large. Unfortunately, open doors leave predators ALONG WITH thieves with the ability in order to partake In your success In the same way well. Just as your own business or maybe operation expands, This is bound to help garner further attention – some linked to This from shady people. regardless of whether you\'re handling financial points supplied by others, an individual owe It to yourself, your employees AND the customers to obtain the Least complicated stability possible. my partner and i have laid out numerous areas that will cyber security is actually the absolute must.

User Training:

Educating your current personnel within effortless cyber protection elements may assistance drastically reduce the instance regarding fraud, hacking and other compromising situations regarding your current company. your own well informed workforce In the event possibly be more adept coming from identifying potential safety measures threats AS WELL AS identity theft attempts immediately after understanding your current effortless elements of how most of these attacks work. whether or not The idea pertains to help pinging domains pertaining to backdoor entry as well as phishing regarding points while in email, the staff members Should become a visible 1st wall associated with defence against troublesome pests whom wish to accessibility your own servers ALONG WITH databases due to the purpose of exploiting intellectual property AS WELL AS sensitive financial information.

System Protection:

By installing effortless security software to help most of your computers ALONG WITH servers, You could end up capable of drastically reduce the likelihood the particular a great criminal will probably gain access to the company’s information. Tips on how to do This really is to acquire an central technique This really is responsible regarding operating network ALONG WITH computer scans Across the company’s infrastructure; coming from having each computer configured for you to scan with regard to viruses, threats AND ALSO loopholes via a daily basis, You\'ll rest assured It another layer regarding cyber protection may be implemented. You might want to additionally enforce your separation relating to employees’ work-related company ALONG WITH it\'s Private computing MAKE USE OF (social networks, regarding instance).

Mobile Lockdown:

No mobile device Just in case have entry towards the company’s servers or maybe software with out being configured to be able to become definitely secure. a good hacker can use a great mobile device to be able to engage throughout pinging domains, for the hope involving receiving a number of method to coercing your current website straight into giving your hacker ones points he AND she wants. almost all mobile devices Just in case always be name to your company-specific or proprietary set of software utilities your ensures there\'s not any way of which the non-employee will certainly access company information with no a great encrypted password or additional form of verification. the workers will not just like it, but That is critical to be able to protect your current company’s assets.

Discuss issues within Banks:

Any Standard bank can be adept throughout knowing what for you to do for the wake of an cyber safety threat or even attack. through collaborating with a Traditional bank or even Financial institution (preferably your own solitary ones corporation launch with a regular basis) before something happens, You could end up further prepared with The best way to handle your own matter AND recoup any financial losses regardless of whether your worst possible scenario occurs: outright theft of your company’s revenue. They will also be competent to supply the customized goods regarding protecting your own finances ALONG WITH preventing such a great scenario coming from happening to the initial place.

Free Windows 8 Essential Training by Lynda

lynda offers officially free essential training concerning windows nine This is totally free intended for facebook fans just like to know gives here is Affiliate given for you to stop by your own learning center intended for recognize


Windows seven can be a necessary departure by before kinds of your managing system, offering new mobile integration, cloud storage, AS WELL AS protection enhancements. your course shows anyone all the essential offers you’ll need to jump-start Windows 8—whether people UTILIZE This closely with the department or perhaps USE the casually within home. Author David Rivers discusses your migration path via older ones associated with Windows to Windows 8, tours your new interface, accounts your new file ALONG WITH folder behaviors, AND introduces your own all helpful apps, like Calendar, Photos, AND ALSO Music. He furthermore shows The best way to adjust method settings just like default programs IN ADDITION TO volume, ALONG WITH how UTILIZE external products AND ALSO setup networks. ones final chapters show anyone The way to keep your current computer even further secure inside gain access to Control AND ALSO Windows Defender, AND How to troubleshoot potential issues, like reversing fatal crashes

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Update in the course of some other Windows version
Transfer files to help Windows 8
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Work ones mailbox from the electronic mail application
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Notepad, WordPad, together with painting
The control method sounds, volume, ALONG WITH admission options
how in order to Associate to the Internet
Keep up your current PC throughout Windows Update
use parental controls for you to block unwanted content
printing through Windows 8
Fixing questions recorder actions
Keep backups involving files while in File history
Navigating your own on the web world, while in your current global world wide web Explorer 10

Zynga shares slide right after privileged status within Facebook ends

 

(Reuters) : Shares regarding gaming firm Zynga Inc fell Equally much Just like 10 percent, an time right after your own "Farmville" creator reached an agreement with Facebook Inc That reduces the dependence towards sociable networking giant.

The services reported throughout regulatory filings in Thursday the actual It has caused it to be reached a great agreement for you to amend an 2010 financial transaction This are widely seen Just as giving Zynga privileged status on the world's No.1 cultural network.

Zynga gets a freer hand to be able to function a great standalone gaming website, but offers up the ability to promote it is site at Facebook ALONG WITH to draw through the thriving sociable network of about 1 million users.

"Although Zynga investors have reacted negatively in order to Thursday's announcements therefore far, i check out them like a long-term positive with regard to both companies," Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter said inside the note for you to clients.

"Zynga at this point provides a good advantage to produce additional payment chances That in case result within excess subscribers which tend to be not Facebook users," he said, maintaining his "outperform" rating AND ALSO price target relating to $4 for the stock.

Both world wide web solutions has been trying in order to reduce ones interdependence, while in Zynga starting up This has own Zynga.com platform, AND Facebook wooing additional games developers.

In recent quarters, expenses via Zynga contributed 15 percent in connection with Facebook's revenue, although Zynga relies within Facebook regarding roughly 80 percent of it is revenue.

Francisco-based Zynga's shares were along 7 percent with $2.44 throughout morning trading towards the New York Stock payment through Friday.

Facebook shares were straight down greater than 1 percent from $26.98.

(Reporting coming from Aurindom Mukherjee throughout Bangalore; Editing from Don Sebastian)

RIM jumps 10 percent in Toronto trade after Goldman upgrade

TORONTO (Reuters) -- Shares with Research through Motion Ltd rose more than 10 percent to its open on the Toronto Stock transaction following Goldman Sachs upgraded ones BlackBerry maker's stock to a "buy" coming from an "neutral" recommendation.

The stock traded from C$12.02 ($12.10), up during the close involving C$11.00 with Wednesday, immediately after opening coming from C$12.18. ones brokerage joined your own growing chorus involving analysts in order to turn positive for the business\'s prospects.

(Reporting from Alastair Sharp; Editing coming from Gerald E. McCormick)