According to industry sources, Cisco Systems has hired Barclays to find a buyer for its home networking division Linksys. Reportedly, Cisco is planning on divesting itself of the home router manufacturer as part of its strategy to exit consumer-level businesses while expanding in technology services, and other corporate solutions.
Contract manufacturers may be preparing to build more than 10 million mini iPad tablets in the fourth quarter, according to Barclays analysts. Most of the new tablets are expected to be produced by veteran iPad maker Foxconn, while Pegatron is said to be tasked with manufacturing approximately three million units.
Apple may be relying on the popularity of its iPad, iPhone and Mac hardware to help monetize a "fully integrated TV ecosystem," according to an investor note circulated by Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes. Amid rampant rumors surrounding a new Apple set-top box, the analyst emphasizes that the company is likely aiming to create a software-driven ecosystem, "not just hardware," even if necessary partnerships with content providers have yet to be inked.
Barclays on Wednesday night brought out a mobile payment system that's independent of any one platform. Paytag is a small, plastic add-on that users can stick to a phone, or any object, that lets it make NFC payments at a supporting store. Those with a Barclaycard Visa can pay for goods worth up to £15 ($24) now, with an extension to £20 ($32) in June.
Google is already looking to sell the set-top box business it will get as part of the $12.5 billion buy of Motorola Mobility, the New York Post claimed. In August, during the announcement of the purchase, the plan was to make the business work under Google's tutelage. Cable operators have been slow to buy Motorola set-tops ever since the Google buy was announced.
Three of the larger US carriers are developing a smartphone-based alternative to a traditional credit or debit payment, sources claimed on Monday. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are developing a Near Field Communication system like Japan's FeliCa. Buyers would swipe a phone with an NFC chip near a reader to pay for goods at stores rather than use a card.
