VTech acquires struggling rival in education toys LeapFrog for around $72 million, following years of declining sales in part caused by more grown competition such as the Apple iPad.
Founded in 1995, Leapfrog was best known for the LeapPad. Initially an interactive digital book, the device was turned into a rugged mini-tablet in 2011, following the launch of the first iPad. The tablet-style LeapPad was popular at first, but sales started waning as Apple and other vendors started launching smaller, lower-cost tablets.
In a move bringing the start of a phone accessory making empire Zagg acquires Mophie for $100 million-- creating a "diversified leader" in battery cases, external batteries, screen protectors and tablet keyboards.
Currently cash-strapped, Toshiba is looking to sell assets in order to help rebuild operations-- such as a CMOS image sensor production line at a plant in Oita prefecture. "People familiar with the negotiations" say Sony plans to cough up 20 billion yen ($165 million) for the plant, gaining further manufacturing facilities (adding 100000 units a month in production capacity) and essentially eliminating a rival from the market. Hitting two birds with one stone, in other words.
According to unnamed sources Chipzilla is "pulling out the stops" to supply modems for at least "some" iPhones manufactured in 2016 (possibly the iPhone 7), since Apple apparently plans to dual-source LTE modems from Intel and current iPhone modem supplier Qualcomm. Apple business is Very Important Business, and as such Intel reportedly has 1000 people are already working on the account.
The Sharp LCD business is currently in the red, with operating losses reaching 13.7 billion yen in the April-June quarter. A deal with Foxconn would provide the troubed Japanese company much needed funds, while allowing it to remain involved in the business and retain Japanese staff in domestic production bases.
