Stories by Michael Kan

Acer's Q1 net profit up 55 per cent, but revenue down

Acer said its net profit for the first quarter grew 55 per cent year-over-year, but its revenue continued to decline amid struggling PC sales.

China's Baidu expands online video business with $370 million acquisition

China's largest search engine Baidu is getting closer to becoming the country's largest online video provider with a new US$370 million acquisition.

Asus to launch Chromebook in second half of 2013

Taiwanese PC maker Asus plans on getting behind Google's Chrome OS and will launch a notebook running the OS in the second half of this year, said company CEO Jerry Shen.

Amazon's new China app store could help pave way for Kindle products

Amazon.com has updated its mobile app store to include support for its Chinese customers, in a sign that the U.S. company could be preparing to sell its Kindle e-readers and tablets in the country.

China cracks down on Internet bird flu rumors

Chinese authorities have detained two Internet users for allegedly spreading rumors about the new bird flu virus on the nation's top Twitter-like microblogging site, Sina Weibo.

P2P piracy putting pressure on Chinese video sites

After spending millions to buy licensed TV shows and movies, China's top online video site is facing a surge in piracy from a new crop of offenders threatening to cut into its business.

China's Baidu reports weaker profit growth in Q1

China's largest search engine Baidu reported slowing profit growth in this year's first quarter on Friday, as the company's research and development costs, along with promotion expenses, soared.

ZTE agrees to Android, Chrome patent licensing from Microsoft

Microsoft has inked an agreement with China's ZTE for its Android and Chrome patent licensing program.

Huawei: US market no longer focus for its carrier business

After facing a congressional battering over security concerns, Huawei's carrier networking group is no longer focused on the US market, and instead expects to find ample business in other parts of the world.

China's Huawei bolstering smartphone strategy, plans to announce new handset

Chinese handset maker Huawei plans to introduce a new smartphone in the middle of this year, packed with the "best hardware and design," and is preparing to open a slew of new stores in its home market.

China Mobile's profit rises 0.3 percent

China Mobile, the country's largest wireless carrier, reported weak profit growth in the first quarter as it struggled to squeeze more revenue out of existing customers.

TSMC Q1 profit up 18 percent, revenue exceeds projections

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) reported that its first quarter net profit was up 18 percent year-over-year, as its revenue for the period exceeded its projections.

China's ZTE finds some positive in security concerns, wants to boost brand

Chinese handset maker ZTE put a positive spin on the recent U.S. scrutiny of its networking business, stating that the controversy at least gave the company some publicity and name-recognition.

Microsoft signs patent licensing deal with Foxconn covering Android, Chrome devices

Microsoft has signed up another major electronics manufacturer to its Android and Chrome patent licensing program, this time Taiwan's Foxconn, which will pay royalties to the U.S. software giant.

Taiwan's FTC investigating Samsung for defaming HTC on local online forums

Fabricated Internet posts praising Samsung at the expense of HTC products has landed the South Korean company in hot water with Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission.