BU Now » Apple

Google/AdMob deal okayed

Dick Taffe — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:11:33 +0000

Despite concerns that Google could extend its Internet marketing dominance into the emerging field of wireless devices, federal regulators approved the company’s $750 million purchase of its mobile advertising rival AdMob. Law Professor Keith Hylton, an authority on antitrust law, said it looks like the right decision given rapid changes in the market such as rival Apple buying the third largest mobile ad network, Quattro Wireless. Besides, he said, Google doesn’t seemed worried about antitrust threats from the Obama administration.

“[Google] appears to have the administration working diligently on its side on the net neutrality issue, and that is probably worth a lot more than these relatively minor antitrust issues.”

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

Measuring Calories on the iPhone

Lauren Davalla — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:29:20 +0000

Nutrition graduate student Larry Istrail recently launched an innovative new iPhone Application called PhotoCalorie allowing users to snap photos of their snacks and meals, enter a short description, and track their calorie intakes. The App, which is currently offered to Apple customers free of charge, also allows users to keep a visual food journal which he hopes will help them communicate with their doctors about what they are really eating and, hopefully, improve eating habits.

Apple’s iPad

Kira Jastive — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:13:02 +0000

Apple finally debuted today its much anticipated iPad tablet computer. Boston University College of Communication Professor Hyun Lee weighs in:

“There has been so much chatter about the iPad and finally it is here. Jobs delivered what was really expected — a clean form factor, visibly consistent with the rest of the ‘i’ devices. This is critical in maintaining the loyal fan base and stockholders.”

Contact: Hyun Lee, 617-353-5974, hyun@bu.edu

Apple/Google co-opetition

Dick Taffe — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:01:48 +0000

After years of staying out of each other’s way and thriving, Google and Apple now fight over the same start-up acquisitions and develop competing products. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chair of the Information Systems Department, says it embodies the shift under way in how companies compete in the era of convergence shaped by information technologies.

“Managers who fail to see evolving competitive landscape under conditions of convergence will find themselves trapped into rigid business arrangements. This battle should serve as a wake-up call.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Google CEO quits Apple board

Dick Taffe — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:05:26 +0000

Citing a growing overlap of the two companies businesses, Google CEO Eric Schmidt has resigned from the Apple board of directors. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chair of the Information Systems Department, says the move reflects likely future competition.

“It’s about the potential overlap in the future as Apple develops its business models around the rumored netwbook entry and creating e-books to compete not only against Amazon but also Google.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

T-Mobile’s new smartphone

Dick Taffe — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:27:56 +0000

T-Mobile today added to the smartphone smorgasbord its myTouch 3G, which will be the centerpiece of T-Mobile’s marketing this year. It comes on the heels of the new Palm Pre and the new iPhone 3G S. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chairman of the Information Systems Department, can discuss the shifting marketplace for smartphones.

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Report: Tech Giants in Antitrust Probe

Dick Taffe — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:02:02 +0000

An “industry wide” antitrust probe reportedly is underway by the Justice Department investigating if technology companies are illegally negotiating with each other about the hiring of one another’s employees. Targets reportedly include Google, Yahoo, Apple, and Genentech. School of Law Professor Keith Hylton, an antitrust law authority, can comment about the possibilities.

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

FTC eyes Google-Apple board ties

Dick Taffe — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:07:15 +0000

Google acknowledges the FTC is asking about antitrust implications of the ties between the boards of Google and Apple. Though they share two directors and compete on cell-phone operating systems, browser software, and online video distribution, Google says there’s no antitrust there. School of Management Professor Michael Salinger, a former FTC official, and Law Professor Keith Hylton, an antitrust expert, can offer some perspective on the tricky situation.

Says Salinger: “I think it is unlikely that such an inquiry would have been made by a Republican chairman.”

Contact Michael Salinger, 617-353-4408, salinger@bu.edu

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

Apple may offer iPhone via Verizon

Dick Taffe — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 20:39:44 +0000

School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chairman of the Information Systems Department, says word that Apple may be expanding its iPhone offerings beyond the AT&T network to include the Verizon network shows Apple’s market power.

“Apple is the market leader — not because of share but due to its ability to define the rules of the game. With its iPhone, it redefined the rules of engagement with the network carriers. Over the last two years, they have succeeded in making sure that their point of view is embraced by the carriers.

“Now, as it seeks to expand beyond a niche market, Apple is again trying to write the new rules of engagement. Will it continue with exclusive links with AT&T and forego market expansion possibilities or offer different products for different carriers?

“I think it will offer different products for different carriers in the next go-around. And in doing so, Apple retains its role as a leader in setting the rules. It has huge power by virtue of its app store and billion downloads.

“The carriers have to decide if they are competitors to Apple’s app store or partners in co-creating the ecosystem.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Marketers of Apple’s “Baby Shaker” should be fired

Dick Taffe — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:51:27 +0000

Apple, Inc., apologized for allowing the iPhone game “Baby Shaker” – that let a player quiet a virtual crying infant by shaking the device – to be distributed through iPhone App Stores. College of Communication Professor Peter Morrissey, an expert in PR reputation management, says the marketers should be fired.

“This was a bad idea gone bad. The reputation issues are obvious. They can apologize, but this is not enough. People get fired and companies close for lesser things in both the real world and in the fantasy-game world. Those responsible for marketing this game should have gone out of business, aka, fired.”

Contact Peter Morrissey, 617-353-1020, pmorriss@bu.edu