Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Try Hard to Expand Product Offerings

Google Inc(NASDAQ:GOOG) and Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT), despite having more than $100 billion on their rosters, have turned in earnings that were far off from analyst expectations. Both firms have been looking to reinvent themselves for sometime, to extend their offerings, even if it means lower earnings for some time. But the problem is that investors are not too convinced if both can effectively state what the “next big thing” is.

Mobility can help Google to expand its reach, says Jon Najarian of optionMONSTER. Accidental clicking of ads by smartphone users visibly annoys them, so Google should take advantage of this and present ads in such a way that users click on it due to the interest factor. Furthermore, the cost-per-click should be used in a more meaningful way to earn some moolah.

Microsoft is also planning a facelift of sorts by launching a re-designed online store, Surface tablets to take on iPdas, streaming music, and of course the Windows 8 operating system. Even so, the company still enjoys a healthy cash flow from IT departments all over the world.

The Windows 8 has taken two years to come to the forefront due to slow work pace and also the fact that Microsoft can’t take chances on a product that will shape its future. Early reviews of the system look good and if the product is a success, then Microsoft will be able to take on Apple, which almost accidentally entered the corporate market.

Google and Microsoft do have resources to counter any mistakes, but they had better buck up as the industry is changing at a rapid rate. Microsoft’s saving grace is Office and Google is involved in a cut-throat brawl when it comes to mobile advertising. A shareholder of Intel stated that while the companies are not going to be wiped out, dropping lower and lower is not a good sign either.

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Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT): Morgan Stanley expects 3 mn Surface Tablets to be sold in 2012

Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT) is expected to sell about 3 million of its tablet PC, Surface in 2012, according to a forecast by Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Holt.

Holt has an Overweight rating on Microsoft and said in a note that the pricing of the Surface tablets were competitive with that of Apple and in line with his expectations.

On Wednesday, Microsoft had released the details of Surface including the pricing and pre-order dates. This is the debut of Microsoft in the tablet PC segment, which is dominated by Apple, which runs its own proprietary software and Samsung that is powered by Google's Android.

The Surface tablet will be running on Windows 8 software.

To be officially launched on October 26, the 32GB model is priced at $499 (add $100 for a Touch Cover keyboard) and a 64 GB version and keyboard for $699. There is a limited preorder via Microsoft’s website from October 23.

Holt said that in 2013 he expected about 9 million Surface tablets to be sold and said that the tablet is “an underappreciated driver for Windows revenue in FY13 and beyond.”

Analysing the pricing of the tablet, Holt wrote, “Pricing appears competitive: $499 for a 32 GB Surface is less than the $599 for a new 32 GB iPad with WiFi, while $699 for a 64 GB Surface plus keyboard is consistent with the $699 cost of a 64 GB iPad, with no keyboard-and MSFT’s flat keyboard is itself a differentiator."

"Morgan Stanley’s May 2012 Blue Paper on tablets suggested that 61 percent of potential tablet users saw the ability to use Office as among the most important features to consider when purchasing a tablet, and should work to MSFT’s benefit."

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Earnings Preview: Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) & Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is all set to report its third quarter earnings today after the market close and analysts are bullish on the company.

For the latest quarter, analysts are projecting the company to post $10.65 a share, up from a year ago profit of $9.72 a share and revenue is projected to grow by 58% to $11.87 billion from $7.51 billion.

After the recent volatility trend in cost-per-clicks, or CPCs, this time analysts are expecting the compamy to stabilize.

How Should Investors Trade GOOG Ahead of Earnings? Find Out Here

Shares of the company have done quite well and rose 27% ever since it reported its second quarter earnings despite the fact that online advertising is struggling to gain momentum amid economic uncertainty.

This morning, analyst at Needham lifted its price target on the stock by 10% to $825 and retreated its Buy rating. The firm expects upside to estimates from an increase in global search spending.

In the second quarter the Internet search giant reported earnings of $11 billion, a rise of 21 percent on year and an increase of 3 percent sequentially.

Its revenues rose 35 percent on year to $12.2 billion, which included figures of Motorola.

Shares of the company are down 0.60% to $751.20.

Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT) is another tech giant which is all set to report its quarterly earnings later today.

The world's largest software company, Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT) is seen reporting weak quarterly earnings when it announces its results for the September quarter on Thursday.

Analysts expect Microsoft to report adjusted earnings of 61 cents per share. For the quarter ending in June Microsoft had reported its first loss ever as it had to write down the value of its Internet advertising firm aQuantive.

Analysts are expecting a profit in the fiscal first quarter, but revenues that would be lower than what was reported in the March 2011 quarter.

According to reports, analysts are split on whether they are factoring in the deferral of revenues from Windows 7 and Office 2013, and the average earnings forecast may not match up well with real expectations.

How Should Investors Trade MSFT Ahead of Earnings? Find Out Here

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Rumour: Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) may start taking pre-orders for Windows Phone 8 from Oct 21

There are reports going around that AT&T Inc.(NYSE:T) and Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT) may start pre-orders of the Windows Phone 8 on October 21 and the network carrier may start taking credit cards for the HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 920.

There has been no firm date set for the sale of the Nokia smartphones so far, except for some reports that the smartphones will start retailing sometime in early November.

There is also no clarity as to whether other carriers such as Verizon and T Mobile will also be starting their pre-orders at the same time.

"In the past, despite reported low sales numbers, Nokia’s Lumia 900 smartphone has been a popular item at launch on AT&T, leading to sell outs at many retail locations," Gotta Be Mobile reported.

" It’s unclear if preorders will sell out and what amounts of inventories AT&T and Microsoft have planned for forthcoming Windows Phone 8 handsets, including the Lumia 820, Lumia 920, and the HTC 8X."

The Finnish handset maker has pulled out all stops to ensure that it gets a sizeable toehold in the smartphone segment and this time has tied up with the top 3 network carriers in the United States.

AT&T is not only offering Windows Phone 8 software but also devices based on its Windows 8 operating software for personal computers and Windows RT platforms.

The tablets would launch on October 26 and Windows Phone 8 devices are expected to appear in early November.

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Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Gears Up For Opening Its Store In Puerto Rico On 1st November

Advertisements in Puerto Rico have revealed that the Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT) Store was initially expected to open there will have its grand opening on 1^stNovember. The ads were found by WPCentral and the news was confirmed through a post on Facebook page of Microsoft. The new store will be opening at the Plaza Las Americas in San Juan. Microsoft will be opening more stores in Ontario, Corte Madera and Toronto and other areas within the same time frame.

The new store will follow the footsteps of similar retail stores that were recently opened in Delaware, New Hampshire and New York. The grand opening is slated to run for the first two days of November. The opening in Corte Madera is planned for 1^stNovember through 3^rd November.

The following week will witness Microsoft opening its stores in Ohio, Ontario, Toronto and Cincinnati. The Cincinnati opening is slated for 8^th November through 10^thNovember, while the opening in Toronto is yet to be scheduled.

Microsoft’s retail stores are meant to improve the footing of the software giant in the wake of declining PC sales and a customer computing market that has faced many disruptions because of the emergence of Apple’s iDevices and mobile gadgets operating on Android system. The physical retail locations will sell software powered by Microsoft, PCs operating on Windows, and hardware of Microsoft that includes company’s forthcoming Surface tablets.

Microsoft is supposed to have 44 retail stores by mid-2013. The upcoming months will witness a number of pop-up stores appearing in other retail locations during the holiday season. The holiday stores will offer customers the chance to acquaint themselves with new technology skills, enjoy the most out of their Microsoft-enabled gadgets and get involved in knowledgeable staff to understand the best products for their personal and gifting requirements. 

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