semiconductors

Cameras with built-in geotagging on horizon

Geotagging, in which digital photos are labeled with the location where they were taken, is mostly unfamiliar to photographers today. But new developments are likely going to put the technology on the map.

In interviews at the Photo Marketing Association trade show in Las Vegas recently, several camera executives expressed an interest in geotagging and some companies were demonstrating technology. It's clear that mainstream geotagging is a matter of when, not if.

The strongest evidence I encountered is Air Semiconductor, a start-up building a chip designed to let cameras process GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite signals so latitude and … Read more

Transmeta hires financial adviser to review buyout offer

Chip designer Transmeta said Thursday it lined up Piper Jaffray to help it weigh an unsolicited buyout offer from investor Riley Investment Management.

"Transmeta's board is focused on enhancing shareholder value," Les Crudele, Transmeta chief executive, said in a statement. "As part of that mission, we have been engaged in a process to expand our advisory resources and we are pleased to have Piper Jaffray & Co. join our team."

Last Friday, Transmeta disclosed Riley Investment Management made an unsolicited cash offer of $15.50 per share--a move that built on its previous demands in … Read more

Treo developer leaves Palm

Something is bound to go right for Palm eventually. But when?

Recently the smart phone company swung and missed badly with its announcement and subsequent cancellation of its Foleo device. That's in addition to increased competition in the smart phone space with a slew of well-received devices from Apple, Nokia, Research In Motion, LG and Samsung. It all contributes to a public perception that the former font of mobile device innovation has dried up. Now comes news that a senior engineer that helped develop the Treo 700 and Treo 750 is making his exit.

Palm tucked the notice into … Read more

Sanyo Electric performing M&A juggling act?

Investors at Sanyo Electric may be revising their line of questioning.

Rather than ask which business unit is up for sale, Wall Street watchers may be wondering which business unit is "not" for sale.

Sanyo Electric reportedly is entertaining buyout bids from a number of players for its semiconductor business, according to a report Monday in the Wall Street Journal, which cited sources as pegging the deal beyond $859 million.

Two private equity firms--along with MKS Partners, a Japanese private equity firm--are bidding on the chip unit, the Journal reported.

Reuters, however, noted that Francisco Partners dropped out … Read more