Tag Archives: googl

Facebook’s WhatsApp Tests Video Calls; Wireless Firms On Edge?

Facebook ’s ( FB ) WhatsApp is reportedly testing a new, free video calling feature, as both Facebook’s social networking platform and its messenger services like WhatsApp push further into communications. The video calling feature is being tested on a limited basis, says a  report  by tech new site The Verge. Facebook’s emerging video calling platform poses a challenge to Microsoft ‘s ( MSFT ) Skype, analysts say. Facebook’s relationships with wireless service providers have been touchy, although its social platform is a big driver of data consumption for U.S. wireless firms such as AT&T ( T ) and Verizon Communications ( VZ ) as well as other players globally. T-Mobile US ( TMUS ) in March shot down speculation it was working with Facebook on a “sponsored” plan that would exempt usage from monthly data caps. Facebook’s friction with wireless firms has been more apparent in emerging markets, such as Latin America. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the relationship between telecom carriers and  Facebook’s WhatsApp and Messenger is “symbiotic,” not hostile. Zuckerberg said that while “there might be tension in any relationship,” he sees greater use of photos and videos in messaging services as boosting data usage. In India, however, wireless firms Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Group ( VOD ) in early May asked regulators to stop phone calls made through mobile apps. Originally a text messaging service, WhatsApp rolled out free voice calling options to both Apple ( AAPL ) iOS and Android-based mobile phones last year. WhatsApp says it has 1 billion users worldwide. Facebook, though, hasn’t generated much revenue from WhatsApp, which it acquired in 2014 for $19 billion. Aside from WhatsApp, Facebook has taken other steps into communications. Facebook Messenger, a separate app, launched a group calling feature in April. Facebook has also expanded live video streaming to both Apple iPhones and Android software-based devices. Alphabet ’s ( GOOGL ) Google, meanwhile, is also active. Google has been working with Sprint ( S ), Deutsche Telekom ( DTEGY ), Vodafone and others to develop next-generation messaging technology based on a standard called Rich Communications Services, or RCS.

Facebook, Amazon Are Trying To Knock Down Google By Doing This

Loading the player… Amazon ( AMZN ) last week announced a YouTube-like product called Amazon Video Direct, and now Facebook ( FB ) is reportedly looking to launch its own video-centric service. According to a New York Post report over the weekend, the social media giant is “searching for fresh ways to work with the music industry.” Facebook confirmed it’s testing the use of pictures and videos in a slideshow format accompanied with music for a product called “Slideshow.” The product could potentially lure music video lovers and video creators away from YouTube. Shares are falling 1.1% to 118.44 in heavy volume, nearing the 117.09 buy point it initially cleared in the wake of its estimate-beating quarterly earnings report. IBD’s Take: Get a detailed objective analysis of Facebook and Amazon stocks, and how they stack up vs. rivals at IBD Stock Checkup Facebook came under fire last week after reports accused the influential site of bias against conservative stories in its Trending section. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is meeting with conservative leaders this week over the matter. Meanwhile, Google owner Alphabet ( GOOGL ) is finding support at its 200-day line, an area the stock was able to retake just recently, as it edged 0.6% higher intraday. The stock is still struggling after an attempted breakout past a cup-with-handle buy point failed in the wake of Alphabet’s quarterly report. Alphabet briefly became the largest publicly traded company last week but Apple is now back on top. Apple ( AAPL ) shares are up 3.4% in big volume on news that Warren Buffett took a $1 billion stake in the first quarter, rebounding from their trip below the 90 price level intraday Thursday. The stock is now about 29% below its all-time high reached in April of 2015. And Amazon is falling a fraction in quick turnover as it looks to hold above the 700 price level. Shares are extended 17% past a cup-with-handle buy point cleared not too long before Amazon’s quarterly report.

Globalstar Pops, Could Defeat Google, Microsoft On Wi-Fi Spectrum

Globalstar ( GSAT ) stock popped for the second straight trading day on views federal regulators will green light its petition to open up spectrum airwaves in the 2.4 GHz block for wireless services. Globalstar, a mobile satellite service operator, had faced opposition from Alphabet ’s ( GOOGL ) Google, Microsoft ( MSFT ) and the cable TV industry over concern the airwaves could interfere with Wi-Fi services. Comcast ( CMCSA ) has been expanding its public and residential Wi-Fi network and might jump into wireless services, analysts say. Tom Wheeler, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, on Friday proposed an order that would allow Globalstar to move forward with its “authenticated Wi-Fi” service. Globalstar stock, which popped 35% on Friday, was up another 15% in morning trading in the stock market today , albeit still trading below 3. It’s possible Globalstar’s opponents such as  Microsoft or Google could make a last-ditch effort to block approval, analysts say. The FCC could issue new rules as soon as  June. Paul Gallant, an analyst at Guggenheim Partners, says a remaining issue is what limitations the FCC’s order puts on Globalstar’s commercial rollout. “There has been some concern that an FCC approval could be a Pyrrhic victory if the agency attached heavy limits on power output or out-of-band-emissions that restricted the value of Globalstar’s proposed service,” wrote Gallant in a research report. “We suspect the technical parameters are likely to approximate what Globalstar initially proposed 2.5 years ago. That would be positive for its new service.” Amazon.com ( AMZN ) reportedly had tested Globalstar’s spectrum a couple of years ago, said one report.