Top Headlines - part 69

Panasonic Eyes Control of Micro Four Thirds Market

BUSINESS June 24, 2011 | 6:33 PM

Electronics giant Panasonic is set to release two Lumix G compact digital cameras and create a new niche in the interchangeable lens camera market.

Speaking at the 2011 PMA conference in Sydney, Australia, the Japanese company said it is targeting enthusiast photographers who are interested in the quality and features of interchangeable lens cameras but do not want to be weighed down by the cumbersome DSLRs currently on offer.

Google, Citi Finance Breakthrough Wind Project

FINANCE June 24, 2011 | 6:25 PM

Google and Citi are investing money toward what is being called the largest wind project in America: The Alta Wind Energy Center (AWEC) in California will have the capacity of 1,550 megawatts, nearly double the capacity of the current largest US wind farm.

The financing agreement is structured so that investors purchase phases of the project and lease them back to Terra-Gen Power, also known as a leveraged lease. Citi and Google currently hold leases for two phases of the wind project, though Citi has also financed several phases of the project totalling roughly 570 megawatts.

Solar Energy In the US Part I: New Jersey to Reduce Renewable Energy Goals

BUSINESS June 24, 2011 | 4:09 PM

New Jersey is a state known for its environmental leadership on issues like green energy and regional pollution. Under the leadership of former Governor Jon Corzine, New Jersey made bold proposals to reach 30% renewable energy by 2021.

The move paved the way for New Jersey to create a purely sustainable, clean-energy grid by 2050, the deadline set by scientists for the complete phasing out of fossil fuels to prevent irreversible climate consequences.

iPhone Tops Flickr’s Most Popular Camera List

BUSINESS June 23, 2011 | 6:03 PM

The iPhone 4 has emerged as the most popular camera on Flickr, according to statistics released by the photo sharing website.

Released not quite a year ago, the iPhone 4’s 5-megapixel camera topped many popular digital SLR and point-and-shoot models, pushing Nikon’s “prosumer” D90 into second spot and dropping three of Canon’s top performers - the EOS 5D Mark II, the EOS Digital Rebel XSi and the Canon EOS Rebel T1i - further down the list.

Sector Snapshot: Mobile Banking and Payments Industry

BUSINESS June 22, 2011 | 5:51 PM

The mobile banking and payments industry is poised to become the dominant banking and payment platform worldwide in the next few years. With over 4 billion people worldwide owning mobile phones, the market and opportunity are very present. The industry is presently at the take-off stage for exponential growth and offers multiple benefits for different players.

The mobile phone has evolved into a customizable banking interface incorporating smart apps that enable users to do a host of things such as remote deposits and withdrawals, account transfers, ticketing, bill payment, etc.

Education Part III: Business Schools Practice What They Preach by Going Global

WORLD June 22, 2011 | 3:05 PM

For business schools, educational innovation is proving key in attracting MBA candidates. A greater range of MBAs along with more flexible ways of studying shows schools have understood that when the going gets tough, it’s time for the tough to diversify.

Moving away from a restrictive old-school structure that often saw students obliged to give up work and dedicate themselves wholly to one or two years of full-time study, today’s learning establishments offer a plethora of alternative study options.

Education Part II: MBA - The golden Ticket Through A Financial Crisis?

WORLD June 22, 2011 | 3:02 PM

Leading business schools require MBA candidates to have pretty impressive resumes before even embarking on their journey for this prestigious qualification.

Getting In

Top schools such as Wharton (University of Pennsylvania), London Business School and INSEAD (with campuses in Europe, Abu Dhabi and Asia), all require at least two written references, work experience, transcripts, a resume, an application fee of about $250, an exemplary Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score, and essays totaling approximately 2,000 words showcasing applicants’ achievements. And that’s before getting to the interview process.

Education Part I: Business Schools Compete to Win Best-In-Class

WORLD June 22, 2011 | 2:51 PM

For business schools, reaching the top of the class means enjoying the highest profits. As with any other business, their market share is largely dependant on the strength of their brand, which is why schools dedicate a good deal of time and resources to promoting their image.

Knowing that tuition fees represent the single-greatest investment they will make in their future careers, prospective students are amongst the most astute of customers. Those embarking on an MBA program, in particular, are generally business savvy enough to know that brand perception amongst future employers in the industry is key.

Google Steps Up Digital TV Campaign with SageTV Acquisition

BUSINESS June 20, 2011 | 2:09 PM

Google has completed the acquisition of digital video company SageTV, reviving talk of the Internet giant’s next move in the world of online TV.

While Google’s plans for the digital video recorder (DVR) and streaming video company are not yet clear, a spokesperson for the company said the partnership would take SageTV “to the next level.”

Luxury Retail: Focus On Outlets

BUSINESS June 19, 2011 | 4:21 PM

Luxury retailers are opting to open lower-end outlets instead of launching additional luxury department stores, reducing risks associated with lowered luxury sales during economic downturns.

Luxury department store executives feel that that shift to developing outlet stores will not deter from the level of exclusivity associated with the stores' brands. Shoppers who frequent outlet stores are significantly different from those at the luxury department stores, so there is little risk of reducing sales potential for full-service lines by opening additional outlet stores.