Lexmark Tries to Catch App Fever

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By Ian Sherr

Lexmark International Inc. is seeking software developers to create applications for some of its business printers, a move the company hopes will increase competition with industry leader Hewlett-Packard Co.

Lexmark plans to open an app store and release specialized tools that allow developers to create apps for four of its printers, which have touchscreens and Internet connections. The company says the goal is to expand the capabilities of its devices in the same way other companies have expanded the functionality of cellphones and cars by adding apps.

“Content for printers has largely been limited to the world that you see on a PC,” said Todd Hamblin, a Lexmark marketing executive. “Now, they’re going directly to the Internet without a computer.”

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(Published Oct. 26, 2010, in The Wall Street Journal.)

Apple Sees a Ripe Corporate Market

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By Ian Sherr

Apple Inc. will unveil Wednesday a new version of its computer operating software, a development that comes as the consumer-electronics giant makes a more aggressive move to expand in a market that has historically eluded it: corporate customers.

The Cupertino, Calif.-based company will hold an event dubbed “Back to the Mac,” a reference to its line of laptop and desktop computers. The event, which comes just two days after Apple’s planned fourth-quarter earnings release, will feature new bells and whistles in the software that powers Macs and possibly new computer models.

The event comes amid Apple’s rapid transformation. Once known for computers popular with students and graphic designers, the company morphed into a mobile-device giant as its iPod, iPhone and iPad products took off with consumers. Now, those devices are proving popular with business executives, driving Apple to aggressively move into the corporate market.

To read the rest of the story, either contact me directly or read more online at the WSJ: here. (subscription required)

(Published Oct. 18, 2010, in The Wall Street Journal.)

California High Court Upholds Furlough Plan

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By Ian Sherr

SAN FRANCISCO—California’s top court ruled Monday the state has the authority to furlough state workers, potentially clearing one more hurdle to the eventual passage of California’s budget.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of California ruled the state’s 2010 budget, passed in 2009, gave Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger authority to furlough state workers being paid under that budget. The ruling doesn’t directly address furloughs recently enacted by the governor. California is currently operating without a budget.

To read the rest of the story, either contact me directly or read more online at the WSJ: here. (subscription required)

(Published Oct. 4, 2010, on Dow Jones Newswires and WSJ.com.)