Today: A tech blog reports details of Google’s rumored Nexus One. Plus: Nvidia shares rise, Tessera stock falls.
Google phone rumors
With much of the tech industry on vacation this week, we’ve been keeping busy tracking rumors about possible new products from Cupertino iPhone, iPod and “I’m a Mac” computer maker Apple and Internet advertising juggernaut Google.
We wrote earlier in the week about Apple’s rumored tablet or “slate” computer. As for Google, it reportedly is getting ready to introduce a new phone with its own brand name.
Fueling the speculation, Google invited reporters yesterday afternoon to a press event at its Mountain View headquarters during the first week of the new year.
Just hours later, tech blog Gizmodo reported leaked documents showing the phone could be called the Nexus One, it could be priced at $179.99 with a T-Mobile service plan, and it could be offered for $529.99 “unlocked,” meaning you could use it on any compatible network with committing to a two-year contract. Is Gizmodo’s report for real? We’ll find out for sure next week.
Chip stocks
Investors in two Silicon Valley chip companies benefited today from analyst upgrades.
Nvidia was raised to “buy” from “hold” by Kaufman Bros., which said the Santa Clara maker of graphics chips could benefit from increased computer demand in 2010, according to Bloomberg News. Nvidia climbed 65 cents, or 3.6 percent, to $18.67.
Kaufman also raised its rating on Santa Clara chip developer Marvell Technology Group to “buy” from “hold,” according to Bloomberg. Marvell gained 57 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $20.83.
Tessera Technologies, however, fell $1.44, or 6 percent, to $22.45.
According to Bloomberg, the U.S. International Trade Commission found memory-chip makers weren’t in violation of patents held by the San Jose designer of chip packaging technology.
Silicon Valley tech stocks
Up: Google, Apple, Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Gilead Sciences, eBay, Yahoo.
Down: Oracle, Adobe Systems.
The blue chip Dow Jones industrial average: Up 3.10 to 10,548.51.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index: Up 2.88, or 0.1 percent, to 2,291.28.
And the widely watched Standard & Poor’s 500 index: Up 0.23 to 1,126.42.
source: mercurynews.com
