MediaTek smartphone solutions to support g-sensor functionality Tweet

MediaTek has decided to incorporate accelerometers (g-sensors) into its smartphone platforms. It will begin to adopt Kionix's entry-level KXTE9 g-sensors for its 6516 platform initially with shipments to start in the second half of 2010 at the earliest, according to industry sources.

Kinoix's KXTE9 is suited for low-cost handsets or other handheld devices as its price is 10% lower than the company's KXSD9 g-sensors, which are used in High Tech Computer (HTC)'s Touch Diamond and Palm's new handsets, the sources noted.

MediaTek used to adopt China-based Memsic's g-sensors in its entry-level and 62-series platforms. Kionix's KXTE9 has a smaller size compared to Memsic's g-sensors, the sources indicated.

MediaTek also plans to adopt g-sensors in its mid-range 6573 and high-end 6576 platforms in the first half of 2011, added the sources.

The sources estimate Kinoix will receive an additional 12 million g-sensor orders in 2010, accounting for 10% of its total capacity of the year.

source

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Shipments of Wi-Fi ICs grows 28% in 2009, says ABI Research Tweet

In 2009, worldwide shipments of Wi-Fi ICs increased approximately 28% compared to 2008, according to ABI Research. Total revenues achieved an estimated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% between 2009 and 2014.

"Despite the uncertain macroeconomic situation, total market demand for Wi-Fi ICs is expected to keep growing," said industry analyst Celia Bo. "Demand for Wi-Fi ICs in mobile devices and consumer electronic devices are the two key engines for Wi-Fi IC's market growth."

In recent years, almost all laptops, netbooks, MIDs and smartbooks have shipped with Wi-Fi embedded, a trend that will continue for some time to come. Wi-Fi IC placement in mobile handsets grew by more than 50% in 2009 and Wi-Fi-enabled handsets will account for 40% of the total of handsets shipped in 2014. Beyond the already established segments, portable media players (PMPs) with Wi-Fi have also seen strong growth which will continue through 2014.

More and more consumer electronic devices, such as digital still cameras (DSCs), digital camcorders, TVs, DVD players, set-top boxes (STBs), are adopting Wi-Fi. Total shipments of Wi-Fi-enabled consumer electronic devices increased 33% in 2009 compared to 2008; the products with fastest-growing attach rates are digital camcorders, TVs, and STBs.

"The most significant variation in Wi-Fi enabled products is the protocol type of the embedded Wi-Fi," added practice director Philip Solis. "802.11g has had the highest attach rate over the past few years, accounting for 50% of total Wi-Fi IC shipments in 2009. But 802.11n revenues surpassed that of 802.11g in 2009 as a result of higher ASPs; and 802.11n shipments will surge ahead of 802.11g starting this year. Between 2009 and 2014, unit shipment CAGR is forecast to reach 41%.

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Motorola Ships 100 Millionth Digital Entertainment Device; Celebrates 50 Years of Video Innovation Tweet

Horsham, PA – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced that its Home and Networks Mobility business has shipped 100 million digital entertainment devices, a significant milestone that reflects the achievements of both the company and the worldwide service provider industry. This milestone coincides with the industry’s transition from the “Digital Era” to the new ”Internet Era of Television” (TV).

Motorola's 2009 Media Engagement Barometer highlighted this transition and clearly demonstrated a rise in consumers’ expectations for connectivity to content and devices anytime and anywhere. The study also revealed strong demand for content customization – in other words the ability to control their experience – whether on the TV, PC or mobile device.

To meet these new demands of the “Internet Era of TV,” Motorola is focusing on three critical consumer needs: content, community and control.

“Motorola is proud to celebrate its rich video heritage and will continue providing customers with advanced systems that accelerate the delivery of personalized media experiences to consumers,” said Dan Moloney, president of Motorola’s Home and Networks business. “Motorola is committed to providing industry-leading innovative solutions that enable service providers to be successful in the “Internet Era of TV.”

“With over 100 million unit shipments, Motorola’s digital entertainment devices are the most widely deployed in the world,” said Mike Paxton, principal analyst with In-Stat, a leading market research firm. “Motorola's Home and Networks Mobility business is a leading innovator in the technology industry and it continues to position its products to define 'what’s next in video.'"

Motorola has a history of over 50 years of bringing creative, cutting edge inventions to the video industry and has always been at the forefront of technology – from its original days in TV manufacturing to the design of the world’s first analog cable TV system and the creation of the world's first digital HDTV technical standard.

As part of Motorola’s research and development initiatives and as part of Motorola’s focus on what’s next for video,Motorola is contributing to Georgia Tech's Fourth Annual Convergence Innovation Competition. Through the competition, Motorola is giving students the opportunity to connect classroom and research lab work to the business world with the creation of innovative and commercially relevant applications and services for set-top boxes, among other content delivery devices.

Motorola's Home and Networks Mobility business delivers fully integrated and customizable media solutions enabling operators to provide personalized, rich media experiences to their subscribers. As a global video leader in digital entertainment devices, digital and Internet protocol (IP) video headends and digital video processing, Motorola brings its video expertise to bear as operators – wireline, wireless, cable and telco – seek to evolve their networks for the future.

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Motorola Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2009 Financial Results Tweet

Financial Highlights:
* Fourth-quarter sales of $5.7 billion
* Fourth-quarter GAAP earnings of .06 per share, including net charges of .03 per share from highlighted items
* Full-year sales of $22.0 billion; full-year GAAP loss from continuing operations of .05 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.87 per share in 2008
* Total cash* of $8.0 billion, a sequential quarterly increase of $839 million
* Completed cost-reduction actions that generated more than $1.9 billion in cost savings for full-year 2009, with $1.5 billion in cost savings from Mobile Devices
* Enterprise Mobility Solutions sales of $2.0 billion; operating earnings of $368 million
* Home & Networks Mobility sales of $2.0 billion; operating earnings of $91 million
* Mobile Devices sales of $1.8 billion, excluding $200 million in deferred revenue on certain smartphones; shipped 12 million handsets, including 2 million smartphones; operating loss of $132 million

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) reported sales of $5.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009. The GAAP earnings in the fourth quarter of 2009 were $142 million, or .06 per share. The GAAP earnings include net charges of .03 per share from highlighted items, which are outlined at the end of this press release.

For the full year of 2009, sales were $22.0 billion. The full-year GAAP loss from continuing operations was .05 per share, which included net charges of .07 per share from items highlighted in the Company’s quarterly earnings releases. This compares to a GAAP loss from continuing operations of $1.87 per share in 2008, which included net charges of $1.89 per share from items highlighted in the Company’s quarterly earnings releases.

Consistent with the Company’s previously reported results, GAAP earnings per share include non-cash expenses for amortization of intangibles and stock-based compensation. These expenses totaled .04 per share in the fourth quarter and .16 per share for full-year 2009.

During the quarter, the Company generated positive operating cash flow of $877 million. For the full year, the Company generated positive operating cash flow of $629 million and ended the year with a total cash* position of $8.0 billion.

"We performed well in the face of a challenging environment in 2009. Our results demonstrate the strength of our market leadership and the resilience of these businesses and our people,” said Greg Brown, Motorola co-chief executive officer and CEO of Broadband Mobility Solutions. “As market growth returns, we are well positioned to take advantage of our investments in key global markets with a competitive cost structure."

“We are pleased with the meaningful progress we made in 2009 in further improving our cost structure and strengthening the operations of the Mobile Devices business,” said Sanjay Jha, Motorola co-chief executive officer and CEO of Mobile Devices. “Our first Android smartphone devices have been very well received. We look forward to broadening our handset portfolio in 2010 with the launch of at least 20 smartphone devices around the world and continued evolution of our MOTOBLUR™ service. With an aggressive product and brand strategy and our continued focus on operational efficiency, we are building on our momentum to further improve the financial performance of the Mobile Devices business.”

Operating Results

Mobile Devices segment sales were $1.8 billion, down 22 percent compared with the year-ago quarter. The GAAP operating loss was $132 million, including $18 million of highlighted items, compared to an operating loss of $595 million in the year-ago quarter. These current quarter results exclude deferred revenue of $200 million and the related gross margin for certain smartphones sold during the quarter. For the full year 2009, sales were $7.1 billion, compared to $12.1 billion in 2008, and the segment incurred a GAAP operating loss of $1.1 billion, compared to an operating loss of $2.2 billion in 2008. During the quarter, the Company shipped 12 million handsets and estimates its share of the global handset market was 3.7 percent.

Mobile Devices highlights:

* Successfully launched two smartphones powered by Android, including TIME magazine’s “Best new gadget of 2009” – DROID by Motorola/MILESTONE™, as well as CLIQ™ / DEXT™ with MOTOBLUR™
* Shipped 2 million smartphones to customers globally in more than 20 countries
* Announced four new smartphones powered by Android and shipping in the first quarter, bringing our total number of new Android-powered devices to six:
o CES 2010’s “Gadget of the Show” winner – BACKFLIP™ maximizes the multi-tasking potential of MOTOBLUR with a unique reverse-flip design and a stunning 3.1-inch screen
o MT710 with China Mobile, featuring a 3.7-inch FWVGA display screen, the most advanced version of the OPhone platform and 4GB of storage space
o XT800 with China Telecom, featuring a 16 million-color WVGA display, two SIM card slots, a 550MHz processor and Wi-Fi
o MOTOROI™, the first smartphone powered by Android available in Korea, featuring a full-touch screen, an 8-megapixel camera with Xenon flash and a 720p HD camcorder
o Announced SHOP4APPS store in China, offering consumers personalization for mobile experiences and developers a seamless path to market for their Android applications

Enterprise Mobility Solutions segment sales were $2.0 billion, down 12 percent compared with the year-ago quarter. GAAP operating earnings were $368 million, compared with operating earnings of $466 million in the year-ago quarter. For the full year 2009, sales were $7.0 billion, compared to $8.1 billion in 2008, and the segment generated GAAP operating earnings of $1.1 billion, compared to $1.5 billion in 2008.

Enterprise Mobility Solutions highlights:

* Shipped the APX™ 7500 multi-band mobile radios, making Motorola the first and only company to offer a complete family of multiband radios
* Launched MC3100 – a mid-range mobile computer with industry-leading data capture and wireless technologies for indoor applications
* Launched Motorola’s first portfolio for voice-directed picking operations with the Voice Only Wearable computer (WT4090) and Rugged Headset (RCH50)
* Expanded integrated voice solutions with the CLP two-way radio, the smallest and lightest push-to-talk radio in its class, and the EWB100 TEAM Badge, a push-to-talk device that runs over wireless LAN (WLAN)
* Continued to broaden distribution channels for WLAN solutions with new strategic partnerships, including Brocade and Extreme Networks

Home & Networks Mobility segment sales were $2.0 billion, down 24 percent compared with the year-ago quarter. GAAP operating earnings were $91 million, compared to $257 million in the year-ago quarter. For the full year 2009, sales were $8.0 billion, compared to $10.1 billion in 2008, and the segment generated GAAP operating earnings of $558 million, compared to $918 million in 2008.

Home & Networks Mobility highlights:

* Shipped 3.4 million digital entertainment devices, reaching milestone of shipping 100 millionth digital entertainment device
* Achieved 1 millionth fiber-to-the-home optical network terminal shipment
* Won contract to power the world’s first WiMAX-based electric utility smart metering for SP AusNet; shipped 10,000th WiMAX Access Point Base Site
* Selected to provide indoor TD-LTE broadband coverage at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai
* Announced intent to acquire BitBand Technologies Ltd., a company that specializes in video on demand for IPTV, and in January, acquired SecureMedia, Inc., a developer of software-based digital rights management and security systems for IP video

First-Quarter 2010 Outlook

The Company’s outlook for the first quarter of 2010 is a loss of .01 to .03 per share. This outlook excludes charges associated with items of the variety typically highlighted by the Company in its quarterly earnings releases. This outlook includes expenses related to non-cash amortization of intangibles and stock-based compensation expense of approximately .04 per share.

Click to read full press release

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LG ELECTRONICS POSTS HIGHEST FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS IN ITS HISTORY Tweet

SEOUL – LG Electronics, Inc. (LG) reported record revenues and operating profits in the fourth quarter of 2009, reflecting the results of the company’s successful strategy and competitiveness during the current recession. Results
for full year 2009 also showed strong revenue growth and record operating profits versus the previous year.

Sales and Profit

Record sales and operating profits were reported for the three months ending Dec. 31, 2009. Sales on a global basis (including LG’s overseas subsidiaries) rose 6.8 percent to KRW 14.3 trillion (USD 12.2 billion) year-over-year. Operating profit was up to KRW
446.7 billion (USD 382 million) resulting in a margin of 3.1 percent, 2.3 percent points higher than the fourth quarter last year.

2009 annual sales on a global basis soared 12.5 percent to a company record-high level of KRW 55.5 trillion (USD 43.4 billion) with operating profit recording KRW 2.9 trillion (USD 2.3 billion). Consolidated sales including subsidiaries rose 15.3 percent
year-over-year to KRW 73.0 trillion (USD 57.1 billion). Consolidated operating profit reached KRW 4.2 trillion (USD 3.3 billion), for a margin of 5.8 percent.

The LG Home Entertainment Company saw fourth quarter sales rise by 18 percent to KRW 5.9 trillion (USD 5.0 billion), returning an operating profit of KRW 271.6 billion (USD 232 million) for a margin of 4.6 percent, 5.2 percent points higher than the
previous year, as a result of strong product leadership and rising demand for LCD TVs and Plasma TVs. Unit sales of total flat panel TVs jumped 52 percent year-over-year to6.6 million sets from 4.3 million. Quarter-over-quarter unit growth was also seen in both LCD TVs and Plasma TVs, 38 percent and 29 percent respectively. Annual sales reached KRW 19.6 trillion (USD 15.3 billion), jumping 19.9 percent from the previous year, mainly led by record unit sales of 19.5 million flat panel TVs. On the whole, profitability increased due to higher sales and more aggressive cost management.

The LG Mobile Communications Company reported sales of KRW 4.2 trillion (USD 3.6 billion) in sales, 7.4 percent lower than the 2009 fourth quarter. Operating profit of KRW 55.8 billion (USD 48 million) in the 2009 period resulted in a margin of 1.3
percent. Handset revenues were KRW 3.9 trillion (USD 3.3 billion), a 5 percent decline from the same quarter in 2008, while operating profit reached KRW 66.5 billion (USD 57 million), resulting in a margin of 1.7 percent. Unit shipments of handsets saw an increase of 32 percent year-over-year and 7 percent quarter-over-quarter to 33.9 million units, which resulted in a record 117.9 million units being sold in 2009 versus 100.7 million units in 2008 due to robust growth in North America, Europe and emerging markets. Price erosion and an increase in marketing expenses for year-end inventory clearance and emerging market channel expansion resulted in lower profitability compared to the third quarter. Yearly sales for the Mobile Communications Company
increased 13.5 percent to KRW 18.2 trillion (USD 14.2 billion), with the handset division alone seeing an increase of 17.3 percent year-over-year to KRW 17.1 trillion (USD 13.4 billion).

The LG Home Appliance Company posted a sales increase of 6.8 percent to KRW 2.5 trillion (USD 2.1 billion) on a KRW base in the fourth quarter, compared with the same period last year. Recovery of demand in emerging markets contributed to this growth year-over-year. The company’s product competitiveness resulted in an operating profit of KRW 75.7 billion (USD 65 million), resulting in a margin of 3.1 percent. Despite low demand by seasonality, greater sales in emerging markets and ongoing cost
reduction generated a higher margin year-over-year. Total sales for full year 2009 rose 10.9 percent over 2008 to KRW 9.5 trillion (USD 7.4 billion).

The LG Air Conditioning Company recorded a 9.4 percent decline in fourth quarter revenues on a KRW base (3 percent rise on a USD base) to KRW 619.9 billion (USD 530 million) year-over-year. Full-year sales reached KRW 4.5 trillion (USD 3.5 billion),
1.4 percent lower than a year earlier. Highly efficient commercial air conditioning products led the growth in Korea. Despite the recession, the company sees market demand and sales increasing in emerging markets.

The LG Business Solutions Company announced a 10.8 percent rise in year-over-year fourth quarter sales to KRW 1.3 trillion (USD 1.1 billion) with an operating profit of KRW 57.6 billion (USD 49 million). Annual sales posted KRW 4.6 trillion (USD 3.6 billion), essentially flat with 2008, with revenue rising as market demand in Europe expanded. Higher sales in monitor TVs and partnerships with hotels and major customers contributed to greater profitability.

Financial Statement and Non-operating Items on a Parent Basis

Quarterly recurring profit and net profit rose to KRW 225.3 billion (USD 193 million) and KRW 297.2 billion (USD 254 million), successfully returning to profit from a recurring loss of KRW 941.5 billion (USD 691 million) and a net loss of KRW 671.3
billion (USD 476 million) year-over-year. The Company’s net profit for the entire year grew 325 percent to KRW 2.1 trillion (USD 1.6 billion) from KRW 482.8 billion (USD 438 million) in 2008.

Foreign exchange gain of KRW 25.6 billion (USD 22 million) and equity method gain of KRW 630.5 billion (USD 539 million) from overseas subsidiaries and affiliates helped push up net profit. In particular, LG Display, in which LG Electronics owns a
37.9 percent stake, booked an equity method gain of KRW 181.6 billion (USD 155 million).

2010 1Q Business Direction and Prospects

Market demand is expected to rise as the global economy begins to emerge from the recession. On a global basis, LG Electronics expects sales growth -- especially from LCD TVs on a USD base -- as a result of conversion to digital TV in developed markets and increased demand due to World Cup soccer and Olympic Games in 2010. LG’s mobile communications business is targeting a 19 percent increase in unit sales to 140 million, focusing on the exploding smartphone category and differentiation in content
and services. Solar-cell, LED lighting and new solutions businesses in automotive and commercial areas represent new business engines expected to increase revenues. LG’s profitability is expected to improve year-over-year, driven by premium products in
home entertainment and home appliances. The Company earlier announced a goal of KRW 59 trillion (USD 51.3 billion) in sales and KRW 3.6 trillion (USD 3.1 billion) earmarked for new investments in 2010, 2009 4Q Exchange Rates Explained

For the unaudited consolidated earnings results of the three-month period ending Dec. 31, 2009, amounts in KRW are translated into USD at the average rate of the threemonth period in each corresponding quarter: KRW 1,169 per USD (2009 Q4), KRW 1,241 per USD (2009 Q3, quarter-over-quarter) and KRW 1,362 per USD (2008 Q4, year-over-year). Average rate of the twelve-month period in 2009 was KRW 1,278 per USD and KRW 1,103 per USD in 2008. LG expects the exchange rate in 2010 to be
KRW 1,150 per USD.

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Motorola Provides More than $1.6 Million in Aid for Haiti Earthquake Tweet

UPDATED – Motorola, the Motorola Foundation and Motorola employees have pledged more than $1.6 million in cash and in-kind products to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

The Motorola Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola, has increased to $475,000 its total cash donations to the American Red Cross and other relief agencies, and Motorola employees have generously donated more than $140,000 to the Red Cross.

In addition to cash donations, Motorola and the Motorola Foundation are providing more than $1 million in products such as two-way radios, rugged laptops, mobile phones and other equipment to assist our customers, non-profit organizations and other relief agencies with on-the-ground efforts.

“This support reflects our commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance to communities in need,” said Karen Tandy, senior vice president, public affairs and communications. “We are working with partners on the ground to ensure that our gifts will make a meaningful difference as the people of Haiti begin what is sure to be a long, difficult recovery from the devastating earthquake.”

About Motorola Foundation

The Motorola Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola. With employees located around the globe, Motorola seeks to benefit the communities where it operates. The company achieves this by making strategic grants, forging strong community partnerships, fostering innovation and engaging stakeholders. The Motorola Foundation focuses its funding on education, especially science, technology, engineering and math programming. For more information, on Motorola Corporate and Foundation giving, visit www.motorola.com/giving.

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Motorola Completes Acquisition of SecureMedia Tweet

Enhances Motorola’s IP-based video security and digital rights management
capabilities.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. -- Motorola, Inc.(NYSE: MOT) announced that it has completed its acquisition of SecureMedia®, a developer of software-based digital rights management (DRM) and security systems for IP video distribution and management. As previously announced on January 7 this year, Motorola and SecureMedia signed a definitive purchase agreement under which Motorola has now acquired all of the assets of SecureMedia. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

SecureMedia develops and markets software systems for securing the distribution of digital entertainment over multiple platforms to multiple devices, including set-top boxes, wireless handsets, PCs and portable entertainment devices. With the acquisition of SecureMedia, Motorola will enhance its content security product portfolio and be able to offer both stand-alone as well as integrated software security solutions to IP video customers.

Motorola's Home & Networks Mobility business delivers fully integrated and customizable media solutions enabling operators to provide personalized, rich media experiences to their subscribers. As a global leader in digital video entertainment devices, digital and IP video headends as well as digital video processing, Motorola brings its video expertise to bear as operators - wireline, wireless, cable and telco - seek to evolve their networks for the emerging Internet Era of Television.

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