Perhaps due to confidentiality agreements with partners, and perhaps due press release policy changes it has instituted since it has been fighting a class action lawsuit in which Spyglass management is accused in part of pumping up the stock, I agree with Lane Hall-Witt that Spyglass has not been taking an active role in promoting itself such as through regular updates and status reports. In light of that situation, I enjoyed reading the news release yesterday ("Spyglass Establishes Mobile Data Practice to Focus on Delivering the Internet") which gives a nice overview of what they are doing in the mobile data world.
I have read articles, however, which spell S-P-Y-G-L-A-S-S in potentially positive tones without actually naming the company. An article in last Monday's Wall Street Journal Interactive (for subscribers: interactive.wsj.com illustrates the point. Entitled "Microsoft Strikes Set-Top Deal With Leading Hong Kong Utility," I read of a few factors which lend themselves to a potential role by Spyglass.
1. The set-top box will be based on Windows CE and WebTV platforms although it will be developed by the Microsoft R&D team in China. With SPYG's relationship with MSFT and expertise in this area, I believe there would be room for SPYG in this project. The product is called iCare and will be likely offered free to customers.
2. The article quotes MSFT Hong Kong GM: "Microsoft also is keen to introduce Windows CE-based mobile-phone Internet technology into Hong Kong and is talking to several potential partners. Hong Kong is one of the most wired cities in the world in terms of cellular-phone penetration: More than half of the population has a mobile phone." SPYG is placing great emphasis on mobile communication and is intimately knowledgeable with Windows CE. As MSFT has a great reputation for aggressive sales techniques, deep pockets, and a serious commitment to the non-PC market, I am inclined to think some of the talks with potential partners will pan out, which unless something drastically changes, will benefit SPYG.
3. The market in question is the Far East, which SPYG has made large a commitment. In the last conference call (see my notes in late October [reply 1143]), management even stated that the emphasis is so strong that it may initially affect earnings.
I am interested to see how the mobile and set-top box situation plays itself out. I am getting more confident that SPYG is well positioned to be rewarded in its emphasis in these areas.
I thank Lane, Art, Bruce, Bobgh, Lazarre, and others for their contributions to this board.
All my best,
Osman. |
