Microsoft
Microsoft's update may be miserably late to the smartphone market, but the software giant is hoping to make up for lost time by appealing to diehard Xbox gamers who think Mr. Softy's cool -- at least when it comes to engaging video game experiences.
Microsoft isn't the only one hoping that it can lean on some Xbox sizzle to matter elsewhere. Retailer GameStop
Ah, if only it could have turned its Kin into an Xbox handheld gadget.
Briefly in the news
And now let's take a quick look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.
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Research In Motion
(Nasdaq: RIMM) will carry a Torch for you, but perhaps not for long. At least two different analysts are pegging sales of the new BlackBerry at 150,000 units during its debut weekend. This would be a solid figure for an upstart, but this is Research In Motion, and the Torch was supposed to be its best shot at drumming up an iPhone killer. Apple(Nasdaq: AAPL) can rest easy, even though I'm guessing it never even missed a wink of sleep over this. - Are investors simply settling into the new normal? Shares of Lowe's
(NYSE: LOW) and Home Depot(NYSE: HD) rose after posting their quarterly reports this week, despite clocking in with sales growth of 4% and 2%, respectively. Comps inched slightly higher, but the average store is still selling far less than it did two years ago. I guess home improvement is a work in progress. -
YRC Worldwide
(Nasdaq: YRCW) is doing everything it can to avoid bankruptcy. This week the trucker was able to sell its global logistics business for some welcome cash.
Until next week, I remain,
Rick Munarriz