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Watch Shelly’s commentary on CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS (NASD: CHTR) decision to drop plans to track users viewing habits.
NOKIA (NYSE: NOK) will purchase mobile software company SYMBIAN for $411 million. After acquiring the Symbian, whose software runs two-thirds of the world’s smartphones, Nokia will open third party access to the software. Nokia plans to turn Symbian into a foundation for making software available royalty free.
KODAK (NYSE: EK) will use its $581 million tax refund to help buyback $1 billion in stock. News of the plan helped boost Kodak’s stock 14% yesterday. Analysts believe Kodak could revive its sinking stock prices with a sound investment in itself.
The executive exodus at YAHOO (NASD: YHOO) is leading to a host of open positions. After MICROSOFT (NASD: MSFT) placed an ad in the San Jose Mercury catering to ex-Yahoo’s, Yahoo launched the “Think Big. Think Purple” campaign, which is links to Yahoo’s job site and highlights more than 700 available jobs, including 566 engineering positions.
AMERICAN AIRLINES (NYSE: AMR) is set to begin testing in-flight web access on cross country flights from New York to Los Angeles. The company will offer service via Aircell, which will cost up to $12.95, depending on the length of flight. Airlines like JetBlue and Virgin America are also experimenting with ways to offer customers advanced media services, including email and instant messaging.