Tag Archives: Xbox

INTERNET: Microsoft in New China Tack with MSN Spin-Off

Bottom line: Microsoft’s spin off of its MSN China portal to a management-led group looks similar to the sale of its cellphone patent portfolio to Xiaomi, and is aimed at handing off underperforming assets to strategic partners.

Microsoft spins off MSN China

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) chief executive Satya Nadella is making one of his biggest strategic moves in China two years after taking over as head of the company, with word that the software giant is spinning off its local MSN web portal to a management-led group. This particular development actually first surfaced back in May, when reports emerged that Microsoft planned to closed down the Chinese version of its MSN portal that is a central part of its global Internet strategy. Apparently those reports were premature, and the company instead will continue to operate this meager part of its China Internet presence through a third-party partner. Read Full Post…

Shanghai FTZ On Roll With Costco, Sinopec

Costco sets up in Shanghai FTZ

After a year of mostly hype, Shanghai’s new Free Trade Zone (FTZ) has finally begun showing the world some substance in the last 2 months with a recent string of high-profile announcements by major companies that plan to set up in its borders. Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) were among the first to announce plans, and were joined last week by US retail giant Costco (Nasdaq: COST) and top Chinese oil refiner Sinopec (HKEx: 386; Shanghai: 600028; NYSE: SNP). Read Full Post…

Sony Chases Microsoft Into China Console Market

Sony eyes year-end China launch for PlayStation 4

I’m not a close follower of global game console leaders Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Sony (Tokyo: 6753), but the latest reports of the latter’s launch plans for its PlayStation in China seem to reflect the recent state of disarray at the ailing Japanese giant. Microsoft was quick to formulate a China plan for its popular Xbox after Beijing recently lifted a decade-old ban on foreign consoles, forming a joint venture and launching the consoles last month. By comparison, only sporadic reports have emerged over that time about Sony’s plans, including the latest confusing reports that indicate the company will try to launch its PlayStation 4 in China by the end of the year. Read Full Post…

Intel, Microsoft On China Offensives With Deal, CEO Visit

Microsoft, Intel try to stay afloat in China

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Intel (Nasdaq: INTC), the sputtering “Wintel” pair that once dominated the high-tech industry, are both in the China headlines today, as each tries to reverse its downward slide in the important market. In the first case, Microsoft’s new CEO Satya Nadella is visiting China in his first overseas trip since assuming his current title, and is quickly finding himself quite busy putting out fires on a number of fronts. In the latter case, Intel is paying a hefty premium for a Chinese cellphone chipmaker as it attempts to find a place in a critical sector that is rapidly overtaking its core business making chips for traditional PCs. Read Full Post…

News Digest: September 24, 2014

The following press releases and media reports about Chinese companies were carried on September 24. To view a full article or story, click on the link next to the headline.
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  • After Delay, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Xbox One China Launch Set For Sept 29 (English article)
  • Jack Ma Becomes China’s Richest Man, Lei Jun Enters Top 10 – Hurun Report (Chinese article)
  • iPhone 6 Still Being Reviewed, Results Expected Shortly – MIIT Chief (Chinese article)
  • Shanghai Gov’t Requires Officials To Use Domestic Brand Smartphones (English article)
  • Shunfeng (HKEx: 1165) 500 Mln Yuan Ningxia Solar Power Station Hits Obstacle (Chinese article)

News Digest: September 20-22, 2014

The following press releases and media reports about Chinese companies were carried on September 20-22. To view a full article or story, click on the link next to the headline.
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  • Alibaba (NYSE: BABA) Jumps 38 Pct In Debut, Becomes 2nd Largest Internet Firm (Chinese article)
  • China Fines Drugmaker GSK (London: GSK) Record $489 Mln For Bribery (English article)
  • Car Makers Ordered To Openly Disclose Maintenance Fees Starting Next Year (Chinese article)
  • Chinese Auto Rental Company CAR Inc (HKEx: 699) Soars 28 Pct In HK Debut (English article)
  • Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) Delays Xbox One China Launch To Before Year-End (Chinese article)

Microsoft Spotlights Rise Of JD, Anti-Trust Probes

Microsoft probed by Commerce Ministry

US software giant Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the subject of 2 major news stories today, casting a spotlight on a pair of very different trends involving e-commerce and foreign companies in China. The first news bit has the world’s largest software company formally launching sales of its Xbox gaming console in China through a tie-up with JD.com (Nasdaq: JD), spotlighting the rapid rise of China’s second largest e-commerce company following its own tie-up with Internet giant Tencent (HKEx: 700) earlier this year. The second news bit looks more ominous, with word that Microsoft is being probed by one of China’s anti-trust regulators. Read Full Post…

Sony Joins China Game Console Rush

Sony in China PlayStation tie-up

Shanghai is quickly emerging as ground zero for the world’s top 2 gaming console makers to enter China, with word that Sony (Tokyo: 6753) has formed a new local tie-up aimed at bringing its PlayStation to the market. The company’s new plan comes just weeks after word emerged of a similar plan by rival Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) for its popular Xbox in partnership with another Shanghai media company. Both companies are seeking to tap China’s massive appetite for electronic gaming, after Beijing recently lifted a decade-long ban on the sale of foreign consoles in the market. Read Full Post…

Beijing Hits Microsoft With Windows 8 Ban

Windows 8 banned for govt computers

When it comes to the risks and rewards of doing business in China, software giant Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) can write a lengthy book on the subject after years of ups and downs in the market. Just months after the company marked a modest advance with Beijing’s lifting of a decade-old ban on gaming consoles, the central government has now formally banned the installation of Microsoft’s flagship Windows 8 operating system (OS) on all government computers. It’s clear from the media reports that this ban was unexpected, though Microsoft has certainly learned to expect this kind of sudden and unexplained move after 2 decades in the market. Read Full Post…

Japan’s Line, Microsoft Xbox Move Into China

Line partners with Wandoujia

After years of hovering at the edge of China’s gadget and app markets, Japanese mobile instant messaging giant Line and Microsoft’s (Nasdaq: MSFT) Xbox gaming console are both reportedly preparing to enter the market. Line’s plan looks the most exciting to me, as the product has quickly gained a major following in Asia and could find a receptive audience in China with its new partnership. Meantime, I’m less optimistic about Xbox, as its China entry comes after its consoles have been available on the local gray market for years, and it will face competition from a new group of homegrown products. Its choice of the struggling Shanghai Media Group (SMG) as its partner also doesn’t look too exciting to me. Read Full Post…

News Digest: May 3-5, 2014

The following press releases and media reports about Chinese companies were carried on May 3-5. To view a full article or story, click on the link next to the headline.
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  • Sina (Nasdaq: SINA) Announces Preliminary Q1 Results (PRNewswire)
  • China Mobile (HKEx: 941) Says In Talks With 2 Rivals For Base Station JV (HKEx announcement)
  • Line, Wandoujia Partner On China Business (English article)
  • Microsoft, BesTV To Release Xbox In China In September, Priced At 4,999 Yuan (Chinese article)
  • Astra, Pfizer (NYSE: PFN) Deal Could Face Chinese Antitrust Hurdle (English article)
  • Latest calendar for Q1 earnings reports (Earnings calendar)