Lotus, Philips plan to develop hybrid phones; joint venture would make instruments that have computer capabilities

Article Abstract:

Lotus Development Corp and Philips Electronics NV negotiate to set up a joint venture to develop and manufacture telephones with computing and data display capabilities. Current terms of the agreement call for Philips to hold the majority of shares and Lotus to hold 30 percent of the venture. The company would be worth approximately $20 million. Philips will direct hardware development, with some third party components being used as well, and Lotus will develop electronic mail and the information functions as well as the system software. The target for the new products is the consumer electronics market and services such as at-home banking, online information services, custom-calling and electronic mail. AT&T is developing the SmartPhone, a similar project, but industry analysts say the two projects differ because AT&T is utilizing proprietary computing technology, while the Lotus-Philips venture will utilize conventional computing technology.

Telephone and telegraph apparatus, Joint ventures, Telecommunications equipment industry, Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Product development, Videophones, LOTS, Video Telephones

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Rivals Borland, Lotus discuss possible merger

Article Abstract:

Chief executive officers Jim P. Manzi of Lotus Development Corp and Philippe Kahn of Borland International Inc met in San Francisco on Dec 8, 1992, and discussed a possible merger of their two companies. Reportedly nothing came of the meeting, which ran for less than two hours. No attorneys or investment bankers were present. The rivalry between the two software publishers has descending to the level of personal disparagement and Lotus has sued Borland over alleged copying of Lotus' 1-2-3 spreadsheet software. The simple fact that the two men met indicates their awareness that cooperation is needed to combat the growing power of Microsoft Corp, which dominates the market for computer software.

Management, Planning, Officials and employees, Computer software industry, Software industry, Acquisitions and mergers, Negotiations, Borland International Inc., Kahn, Philippe, Merger, Negotiation, Manzi, Jim P.

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