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The article evaluates the N900 cellular telephone handset from Nokia Corp.

The article informs that Electronic Arts Inc.'s acquisition of Playfish illustrates how quickly social networking has become a force in the video game industry. It is stated that Electronic Arts has agreed to pay 400 million dollars for Playfish whose products include virtual hot dogs, bazookas, and turnips. According to the deal, Electronic Arts will pay 300 million dollars up front and an additional 100 million dollars if Playfish meets undisclosed financial targets.

The article reports that worse-than-expected sales and earnings posted by German software maker SAP AG during the third quarter of 2009 disappointed the investors. According to SAP chief executive officer (CEO) Leo Apotheker, companies in Asia and other regions are still not ready to make major investments. SAP is the world's largest maker of business software and its results indicate the condition of the global market for corporate technology and related services.

The article reports that Nokia Corp. (NOK) has sued Apple Inc. (AAPL) on October 22, 2009 in the District Court in Delaware, accusing the latter of infringing patents on Nokia innovated 3G and wireless Local Area Network (LAN) technologies. The article states that through the lawsuit Nokia either intends to receive royalty payments from Apple or it could be a tactic of negotiation for gaining access to Apple technologies of multi-touch features. Apple has reportedly declined to compensate.

The article presents the information on the financial performance of Deutsche Bank AG based in Frankfurt, Germany, for 2009. It discusses the third quarter results, which was stated to be higher than the estimated profit. It reports on the decrease in the price of the bank's stocks. It also mentions about the bank's agreement with the Dutch government for acquiring parts of commercial banking operations of ABN Amro Holding NV.

The article focuses on the uncertainties of voters over Chancellor Angela Merkel's capacity to ease the tax burden in the Germany. According to the author, there are some voters who believed that Merket's has difficulty in calling up support for a center-right platform. Moreover, voters also suspected that the center-right can simultaneously cut taxes and balance the budget soon after pumping billions into the economy via the cash-for-clunkers scheme and other stimulus programs.

The article reports on the automobile industry market in Germany and the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 17-27, 2009. The market is still having a hangover from the cash-for-clunkers scheme as Toyota Europe chief executive officer Tadashi Arashima noted that the market is still distorted from the scrappage schemes and do not see any signs of recovery. Moreover, the said show is clearly depicting that the carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption are factors that affect consumers confidence.

The article focuses on speculations concerning the impact of Deutsche Telekom's plan to acquire Sprint Nextel Corp. in the U.S. It states that Spint's shares rallied after reports that Deutsche Telekom may submit an offer to acquire the company which may put it as the second player in the wireless market, behind Verizon and ahead of AT&T. However, Charles Golvin, principal analyst at consultant Forrester Research, stresses that there will be a lot of obstacles on acquisition process.

The article presents information on the market position of Nokia Corp. and its products, as compared to its competitors. As stated, Nokia did its level best to counter the conventional wisdom during its annual Nokia World extravaganza in Stuttgart, Germany, on September 2-3, 2009. It is suggested that for its service to work, Nokia needs to enlist the help of banks and network operators, and it has to sign up thousands of retailers to act as Nokia Money agents.

The article focuses on the new product and other plans of Nokia Corp. As stated, the company has announced plans for a netbook computer, unveiled a new bargain-priced touchscreen handset, and a high-end "Internet Tablet." Nokia has also altered its top management, elevating an executive in charge of user friendliness to the executive board. In addition, an effort to offer money-transfer services to handset owners in emerging markets who don't have bank accounts, has also been announced.

The article reports that the Tour de France in France has only drawn smaller companies' sponsorship in July 2009. It states that big companies are rare during the event due to the doping scandals that happened in the previous years. However, their absence has provided smaller companies to gain international exposure for a relatively low price. Meanwhile, it mentions that many teams participated in the event are on budgets of less then 10 million dollars and some of the cost is shared by secondary sponsors.

The article reports on the test of the electric Smart cars and the progress of alternative fuel technologies under development by the German automobile manufacturer DaimlerChrysler AG (DAI) in London, England in 2009. Highlights of the testing is provided. DAI found that the cars proved most useful for commercial fleet users. It also examined that fuel cell provides snappy acceleration and much quieter than a conventional diesel- or gasoline-powered power plant..

The article reports on the decrease of sponsors for Tour de France bicycle race to be held on July 2009. The competition is participated by the world's top cyclists racing across France for three weeks. Sponsors for the 2009 race are made up of lesser-known companies, as big-name sponsors have been driven away by scandals of the previous years.

The article reports on the increase in the sales of Nokia Corp. for the second quarter of 2009 compared to its sales in the first quarter of 2009. However, the company fails to please its investors after they announced that its profit margin will not improve as much as hoped during the rest of 2009. However, it mentions that the company is thankful to its N97 model since it was the start when its profit rose by 8 folds to 602 million dollars from 78 million dollars.

The article reports on the deal between Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) Inc. and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) & Co. announced last July 8, 2009. It states that KKR and BMG both have something the other needs, expounding that the former has money but with cheap credit for buyouts, while the latter has expertise in the music business but little cash for acquisitions. According to BMG chief financial officer Thomas Rabe, BMG will be able to actively participate in the market consolidation.

The article evaluates the dial4light technology from Stadtwerke Lemgo GmbH.

The article discusses the economy of Slovakia. Balance sheet of the government of Slovakia is healthy in comparison to its European neighbors. The Slovaks, Unlike Hungarians or Romanians, did not take out large numbers of mortgages and loans denominated in Swiss francs or other foreign currencies because it becomes expensive to repay when domestic currencies plunged. The public budget deficit of Slovakia equals 28% of gross domestic product (GDP).

The article reports that automakers including Volkswagen and Porsche AG are turning their factories into tourist attractions to derive some revenue from the moribund automobile sector amid recession. Volkswagen is one of a growing number of automakers that have tried to turn their factories into tourist attractions with little success. Volkswagen's main auto plant in the German city of Wolfsburg has been opened for tourists. Porsche has just opened a new museum in Stuttgart, Germany.

The article evaluates the BMW Z4 sports car from Bayerische Motoren Werke AG.

The article focuses on Magna International Inc.'s deal with General Motors (GM) Corp. to buy its European units. It mentions an agreement signed by Magna with GM as rescue plan for Germany-based Adam Opel AG, causing fewer immediate job cuts at Opel. The agreement has been worked out with representatives of the German and U.S. governments and GM meeting in Berlin, Germany. Rival bidder Fiat SpA offered a more plausible rescue plan for Opel of joining Opel and Chrysler Corp. to create a large company.

The article focuses on issues related to the proposed merger between Volkswagen (VW) and Porsche AG. In a warning report issued by Sanford Bernstein London, several scenarios are suggested in which Porsche would be forced to walk away from the proposed merger with VW, and unwind some of the investment it has already made in acquiring 51% of the automaker. VW CEO Martin Winterkorn and Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking are negotiating the structure of the new company.

The article presents information on a economic stimulus program launched recently by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The scheme has more than offset the effects of the global downturn on domestic auto sales, preserved factory jobs, and encouraged people to replace gas-guzzling, exhaust-spewing clunkers with the latest engine technology.

The article reports that Nokia Corp. has planned to open its technology, so that it is easier for online entrepreneurs and software developers to use Nokia handsets as a platform for mobile commerce. It is stated that Nokia is interested in inspiring the flood of creativity among software developers that Apple (AAPL) has stirred with the iPhone and App Store.

The article reports that world's super-luxury automakers are expanding their luxury fleets despite the global economic downturn. It is cited that Porsche AG, recently launched Panamera, which boosts of a V8 engine capable of up to 500 horsepower, and according to the company executives, it expects to meet its goal of selling 20,000 Panameras per year. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd., will be releasing a new model, whose production, reportedly will begin at the end of the year 2009.

The article discusses the financial performance of Nokia Corp. in the first quarter of 2009. Its sales fell by 27% from the first quarter of 2008, operating profit fell by 96%, and the average selling price for its mobile phones fell to $86 from $94 at the end of 2008. However, investors bid its shares up by 10% on signs of positive stabilization in the mobile-phone industry. Nokia is stated to have done well in sectors like sales in China, market share in the U.S., and in the smartphone market.

The article reports that the reduction in inventory by Nokia Corp. may help in its growth, even though its forthcoming earnings report for the first quarter of 2009 is expected to display sales and profit declines. According to analysts, the company is expected to have brought down its handset inventory that was built up in the fourth quarter of 2008. It informs about the sales performance of the company in the firth quarter of 2008.

The article evaluates e71x smartphone from Nokia Corp.

The article focuses on Nokia Corp.'s plan to increase its market-share in the U.S. by introducing the e71x smartphone. AT&T Inc., the largest wireless carrier in the U.S., will soon carry Nokia's e71x, the thinnest smartphone available in the U.S. This is the first time Nokia has offered a smartphone with a Qwerty keyboard through a major U.S. carrier.

The article focuses on difference in approach of the U.S. and European countries towards dealing with the global financial crisis. It discusses the clash between the U.S. and Europe just before G-20 club's meeting in London, England on April 2, 2009. The U.S. wants to infuse the economy with liquidity while Europeans are against such stimulus plans. It doubts the efficacy of the U.S.-style domestic stimulus and cites the impact of public-sector spending on revival of high taxes and inflation.

The article presents information on a disagreement between the U.S. and Europe about how to deal with the global financial crisis. The U.S. says that increasing liquidity in the economy can be a solution to the crisis, whereas Europe is resisting big stimulus plans beyond what it has already committed to. According to European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet, public-sector spending is already much higher in Europe than in the U.S.

The article reports that Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) is facing a financial crisis but is well prepared to face a difficult year ahead. After the company disclosed a 2008 fourth-quarter operating loss of $940m on sales of $16.8bn, chief executive officer Norbert Reithofer says that its preparations for a low economic period have paid off. It began preparing for a downturn in 2008 by reducing its workforce by 13,000 people and doubling its liquid assets on the balance sheet to $10.6bn.

The article discusses the political instability created by economic crisis around the world. It is stated that, global political instability is rising fast and creating challenges for companies doing business around the world. It is reported that, many countries, like Bulgaria and Latvia, have experienced widespread demonstrations by the people against the economic policies of respective governments. It is stated that, the political tensions might force governments to follow populist policies.

The article reports on the reaction of the companies in the automobile industry to the operation and bailout requested by Opel AG in the U.S. It is stated that some companies expressed regret at Opel's operational and financial problems, even as they noted how difficult it would be for the company to make it as a standalone manufacturer. According to John Fleming, chief executive officer (CEO) of Ford Motor Corp. in Europe, he is opposed to measures that may distort competition in the industry.

The article reports on the move of General Motors Corp. to dismantle a huge stable global brands in the U.S. According to the article, the company's Swedish Saab unit went into reorganization on February 20, 2009 and prepared it for a draw out from the company. The company is also exploring choices for its German Opel unit, Europe's fifth biggest brand, which include a possible sale.

The article reports on the implications of the abundance of online application stores for mobile telephone software programs for software developers in the U.S. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, major telecommunications companies like Nokia, Microsoft and Orange, introduced online stores for their products. The problem for the industry responsible for the mobile software is that each mobile phone from a certain firm should have a different operating system from other brands.

The article focuses on the issues discussed at the Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona, Spain on February 16, 2009. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told listeners that the industry is trying to figure out how to respond to the global economic downturn. Carl-Henric Svanberg, CEO of Ericsson, said it would be unrealistic to believe that, in the worst slowdown in many, many years, the telecom sector would not be affected.

The article evaluates the Touareg hybrid sports utility vehicle (SUV) from Volkswagenwerk.

The article reports on the posting of the German firm SAP AG of its 13% net gain in the fourth quarter of 2008. It states that SAP, which is the biggest maker of computer software in the world, declared that its net income rose to $1.1 billion, as its sales increased by 8%, to $4.6 billion. It cites that for the first time since the company was formed in 1972, the firm will cut 3,000 jobs and plans to reduce its workforce to 48,500 by the end of 2009.

The article reports that Nokia Corp. had startled analysts and investors on January 22, 2009, when it reported a slump in sales and earnings that exceeded even pessimistic forecasts and that bode ill for other manufacturers of consumer technology. The Finnish handset maker said that fourth-quarter sales dropped 19% from a year earlier, to $16.5 billion, while operating profit plunged 80%, to $639 million.

The article reports that mobile sales are slowing much faster than expected, and even Nokia Corp., is suffering the humiliation of downgrades. Executives at Nokia and other manufacturers had hoped that pent-up demand in developing countries would help them power past a slump in Europe and the U.S. It is stated that data on handset sales in recent weeks are fragmentary, but there seems to be a consensus among analysts that one of the worse slumps ever is already under way.

The article focuses on Qimonda AG, the largest private employer in Saxony, Germany which narrowly escaped from bankruptcy through a $800 million rescue package. The bailout includes loans from Saxony state government, Infineon AG which holds 77% of Qimonda's shares, and $390 million from the federal government of Germany. Nicolas Gaudois, UBS AG's London-based semiconductor analyst states that the bailout will not guarantee the outcome of the company.

The article reports on the impact of the settlement of Siemens AG against corruption charges. It cites that the settlement has relieved the company from the decline in the stock market and that it has increased to 1%. After the settlement and the confession of Siemens that it used to bribe investors to win contracts, the company has been challenged to do business without any corruption activities.

The article discusses the impact on the move of Volkswagen in establishing automobile plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The author notes that it is proven automobile plants are prized not only for the jobs they create directly, but also because they attract suppliers who create more jobs. They also generate sales for restaurants, builders, and other local businesses. Volkswagen has vowed to hire 2,000 people in Chattanooga and invest $1 billion.

The article features the N97 smartphone by Nokia Corp. According to the article, the smartphone looks like a miniature laptop wherein users can type on the screen but also choose the compact keyboard. It constitutes another flanking attack by the company on the market for touchscreen devices which is pioneered by Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) iPhone. The company's managers stated that their research depicted that the target market for the N97 does not want to type on a touchscreen.

The article focuses on the unscrupulous demand for a metal called coltan from Congo used in consumer electronics. It is said that mobile phone users are into an act of exemplifying trigger on illegal mining in the war zone in the eastern part of the country. The mineral is contained in mobile phones according to a Finnish mobile phone manufacturer. The issue of which is that there were millions of people killed during earlier conflict in the country, giving opportunity to illegal trade.

The article reports that Deutsche Post AG will close U.S. division's 8 main distribution hubs and lay off most of its workers in the country. DHL Express, the unit of Germany's Deutsche Post announced that it will stop making express deliveries within the U.S., close all of its 18 main distribution hubs there, and lay off all but a few thousand of its remaining 13,000 U.S. workers. Although DHL will continue to make deliveries to and from the U.S. and other countries.

The article reports that Nokia Corp. has announced a series of new devices and services that extend the benefits of the Web to rural areas in India. Services include crop information for farmers and mobile e-mail for people who do not have access to a personal computer. The company helped pioneer the industry's drive into emerging markets with rugged, low-cost mobile phones, turning China and India into its biggest markets.

The article evaluates top-of-the-line 7 Series automobiles from Baerische Motoren Werke AG.

The article evaluates the Touch Screen 5800 cellular phone from Nokia Corp.

The article presents people's thoughts about the U.S. financial crisis. Thomas Naughton, chief investment officer at PMA Investment Advisors in Hong Kong, China feels the U.S. financial system that was a role model for developing countries is gone. Calin Popescu Tariceanu, Prime Minister of Romania thinks that the crisis might also have positive effects. Sergei Markov, Russian political scientist and commentator thinks Washington will be weaker but not in a way thats better for the Russians.