COMPANIES

The local share market closed flat today, ahead of a key European Central Bank meeting where it's widely tipped the ECB will cut interest rates in the Eurozone to a record low of 0.75pct. Wall Street was closed overnight for Independence Day while there was a lack of market moving economic data which also affected guidance. On low volumes, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) closed down 3.9pts to 4209.9.

Apple has just released its beta version of the iCloud site together with new web applications in preparation for the new OS version from Apple which is iOS 6.

Microsoft is offering the Windows 8 upgrade for a cheap price of only US$40 for a limited period. The Windows 8 upgrade can be availed from Windows XP and above.

Google recently announced through the company's blog post that they will be shutting down 5 more Google services. This is in accordance to the company's "spring cleaning" program.

The local share market is trading virtually flat at lunchtime in the East, on low volumes. Investors haven't been given a lot of guidance with Wall Street closed overnight for the Independence Day holiday and many treading water ahead of the European Central Bank's rate decision tonight, where it's tipped rates could be cut to a record low of 0.75pct. At lunchtime in the East, the All Ordinaries Index (XAO) is down 10.4pts or 0.2pct to 4203.4.

While the Opposition, the New South Wales government and some businesses such as bakery chain Brumby's are blaming the carbon tax for rise in prices, Australia's retail industry is rejoicing because the carbon compensation caused the sector's growth rate to hit a two-year high.

What Apple has been harping about, and with late affirmation coming from both Microsoft and Google, got another boost this week as research firm NPD DisplaySearch declared that mobile computing will be core of the tech world and tablet computers will fuel its growth.

Nokia Lumia is the product of both Nokia and Microsoft as it teams up to have a bigger share of the smartphone market that is being dominated by Apple and Google Android.

Microsoft and Google has just released their newest tablet models in the market with the hopes of claiming a market share in the growing tablet demand. Presently, Apple is dominating the tablet market share with their own iPad line but this new products from Microsoft and Google would surely ensure a very competitive atmosphere in the market.

Microsoft is set to release Xbox 720 sometime in the near future and there are new rumors speculating that Microsoft has plans of changing the name of the gaming console from Xbox 720 to Xbox 8.

Facebook, the popular social networking site, is known for having the "like" button. There are recent reports stating that Facebook is now developing a "want" button in order to have another source of revenue for Facebook.

Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) was first introduced to the public last year. Ever since it was introduced, statistics show that Android ICS update has already rolled out for 10.9% for all Android-based devices.

Recent reports are stating that the next-generation iMac will have the popular Retina Display feature that recent Apple devices have. The target date for the iMac with Retina display is set to be around October, 2012.

Giant telco Telstra Corporation introduced this week its fresh service offering called 'Everyday Connect', which the company said will provide flexibility to subscribers' shifting communication habits.

Toothpaste manufacturers were berated by consumer watchdog Choice for claiming extra whitening properties of their branded products even if it contains the same ingredient as that of cheaper labels.

While the children of Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest woman, are battling it out with the family matriarch for control of the clan's billions of dollars, her half-sister is not interested in claiming a part in the Hancock fortune.

Numerous reports reveal that Apple is slated to reveal their latest iPhone, iPhone 5 and iPad Mini this coming October in order to directly compete with Google's newest tablet, the Galaxy Nexus 7.

Apple has succeeded in banning Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the US market due to supposed patent violation done by Samsung. This ruling could affect Samsung's over-all standing in the smartphone market and could also potentially affect the release of Samsung Galaxy S3 in the US.

Google first revealed Android 4.1 or Android Jelly Bean at last week's Google I/O conference in San Francisco. This Android update will bring about new and additional features for Android-based devices.

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 will continue to miss out the American market, at least for the moment, as a U.S. court affirmed its earlier decision to ban the sale of the tablet pending the conclusion of the patent infringements case brought up by Apple against its South Korean nemesis.

Apple scored significant legal wins last week but the start of the fresh week saw the firm lagging behind its fierce competitors, Google and Samsung, in terms of market dominance in the lucrative U.S. market.

Due to so much negativity surrounding Fairfax Media, a major shareholder said on Tuesday that the ailing company would likely not meet the challenge made by Gina Rinehart, the firm's largest shareholder. Ms Rinehart, who holds a 19 per cent stake, dared the company chairman, Roger Corbett, to boost the share prices to 87 cents ahead of Fairfax's yearly meeting in November.

Research in Motion, the manufacturer of Blackberry recently announced a delay for highly-anticipated Blackberry model, Blackberry 10. This delay is just one of the problems that the company is facing as of the moment.

Recent reports are stating that Samsung Galaxy S3 will soon be receiving the latest Android update (Android 4.1 Jelly Bean).

Google Chrome, the popular web browser from Google is now available for Apple devices such as iPhone and iPad devices. Apple users can now download Google Chrome for free through the App store.

Research in Motion (RIM), the company behing Blackberry has announced that the company would be cutting down 5,000 jobs. The announcement was made after the company has revealed a sales decline from their last quarter report.

The federal government extended a $40-million rescue package to Alcoa, which allowed the firm's Point Henry plant to remain open for at least two more years until July 2014.

Siri was first introduced by Apple through its iPhone 4S which was become a hit to smartphone users all over the world. Google introduced a similar voice-like search feature in Google called Google voice search. This feature would supposedly Google's own "Siri-like" version plus more. This leads to the important question of: Is Google voice search much better than Apple's Siri?

Defying the moderate outlook for commodities in the current year, BHP Billiton confirmed last week that it has forged a $3-million deal with Copper Range Ltd for the transfer of the latter's existing and pending explorations in South Australia's Olympic Dam.