Chicago is My Home

02
Jul

Nokia Secures Final Approval to Acquire Chicago Digital Map Maker NAVTEQ

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology

CHICAGO – After navigating bureaucratic and regulatory roadblocks for months, Nokia on Wednesday received the final necessary approval from the European Commission to buy Chicago-based digital map company NAVTEQ Corp.

“The commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European economic area or any substantial part of it,” an executive with the European Union said in a Wednesday statement.

The $8.1 billion deal, which is expected to close by next week, will give the mobile phone maker its first big break into the world of Internet-based business. It will also make Nokia a leading force in the fast-growing digital navigation business.

By Megan O’Neil

18
Jun

RCN Launches New Fiber-Optic Network in Chicago as Customer Alternative

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology

CHICAGO – RCN Metro Optical Networks, which is a division of RCN Corp., announced on Monday the launch of a new Chicago network. RCN Metro Optical Networks, which is a provider of fiber-based network solutions, just completed constructing a fiber ring that encompasses more than 10 miles in downtown Chicago. This adds to RCN’s existing 538-mile fiber network in the Chicago area.

“Customers are seeking alternative carriers [that] can provide the high levels of service, reliability and [quality-of-service] parameters that are required to support today’s applications. RCN Metro is delighted to announce this latest market expansion and be able to support Chicago-based businesses,” RCN Metro President Felipe Alvarez said in a Monday statement.

RCN Metro’s complete set of products available in the Chicago area ranges from metro Ethernet to SONET and wavelength services, IP transit, colocation and network management services. The expansion will add an extra 100 gigabits of overall network capacity in a core growth market.

By Jenna Zizzo

12
Jun

Motorola in Schaumburg, Ill. Not Smart Enough For Today’s Smart Phones

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Motorola in Schaumburg, Ill. is struggling to keep up in the world of smart phones. With Apple’s latest iPhone 3G hitting the market in July 2008, it seems as if Motorola manufacturers have been left in the dust.

The only smart phone Motorola produces – the Q – was introduced in 2006. It’s sorely outdated when it comes to today’s global technology competitors.

In March 2008, Motorola announced the launch of a lime-green version of the Q to be sold at U.S. Cellular and Alltel stores in hopes of appealing to younger customers and women. However, Motorola’s competitors feature more sophisticated smart phones with touchscreens and slide-out keyboard designs.

Motorola’s smart phone plans somewhat imitate what its competitors have already successfully accomplished.

Motorola was successful, though, in launching its Q phone before Apple’s iPhone. While the software of the Windows Mobile-based Q phone and its interface have been improved since its launch, the basic shape and style is old and is reminiscent of the BlackBerry Curve.

By Jenna Zizzo

12
Jun

Motorola Plans to Restructure Company’s Research, Development Teams

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Motorola, which has struggled with executive turnover and operational organization, said on Wednesday it will restructure its research and development groups to better align engineers with designated businesses.

Starting on July 1, 2008, approximately 180 research and development employees will be reassigned to the home and networks mobility, government and public safety and mobile devices businesses and will report directly to their respective executives, Motorola spokesperson Maya Komadina said in an interview with MidwestBusiness.com.

A team of 300 employees will remain with the central Applied Research & Technology Center and focus on long-term technology development. Komadina says the restructuring will include eliminating certain projects and laying off roughly 150 Motorola employees worldwide.

“As we make this transition, we have the opportunity to realize efficiencies by streamlining the number of projects and prioritizing those that deliver the most value to our individual businesses and to Motorola overall,” Komadina said.

Komadina says eligible employees may be given the opportunity to apply for other positions within Motorola.

By Megan O’Neil

10
Jun

Motorola Named in New Lawsuit Alleging Fraud, Theft of Intellectual Property

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – Wireless broadband company Memorylink filed a lawsuit on Monday against former business partner Motorola.

The lawsuit accused Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola of profiting from stolen video technology. Memorylink first connected with Motorola in 1997 and worked with the company to develop wireless video technology until 2003.

The lawsuit alleges that Motorola, which is named in the patent for the contested technology, has profited from Memorylink’s inventions but has not paid the Neenah, Wis.-based company any royalties.

“We tried our best to settle this matter amicably with Motorola to the best interests of both companies, but to no avail,” said Memorylink CEO Jon Hard in a Monday statement. “This left Memorylink with no choice but to file the claim against Motorola since we have a fiduciary obligation to our shareholders to get value from what we invented.”

Memorylink is seeking to regain absolute patent rights for the invention and to be paid for the profits Motorola has reaped over the years from the widely used technology. A Motorola spokesperson said on Monday the company has acted in good faith with Memorylink and has remained in compliance with the written agreements between the two companies.

By Megan O’Neil

09
Apr

For Fourth Time, Chicago-Based Boeing Delays Delivery of 787 Dreamliner

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Business, Technology

CHICAGO – Boeing announced on Wednesday that for the fourth time it has delayed delivery of its 787 Dreamliner by approximately six months. Chicago-based Boeing cites production and supply problems and says expected delivery of the Dreamliner will be in the third quarter of 2009.

The airline maker says it will have 25 planes finished instead of the initial 109.

“Over the past few months, we have taken strong actions to confront and overcome start-up issues on the program. We have made solid progress,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Scott Carson in a Wednesday statement.

He added: “Nevertheless, the traveled work situation and some unanticipated rework have prevented us from hitting the milestones we laid out in January.”

By Stephanie Huls

09
Apr

Google Launches New Web Site For Chicago Transit Authority Rider Planning

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology, Transportation

CHICAGO – Public transportation riders in Chicago have a new way to virtually plan their trips through a collaborative effort between the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Google.

Chicago mayor Richard Daley and CTA officials announced on Tuesday that the new Google site will allow CTA users to get mapping and directions in 11 languages to help plan trips on buses and rail lines. Chicago joins Seattle, San Francisco and other cities that already offer the trip-planning service.

“The ease with which people can access information via Google demonstrates the true value of technology. It makes the world a global community,” Daley at a news conference on Tuesday.

The service is similar to CTA’s trip planner that would plan a customer’s travels on public transport. The new service uses Google’s advanced mapping technology. As an added bonus, the service shows users the difference in price between driving and taking public transportation.

By Stephanie Huls

04
Apr

ITA Awards TECH Cocktail Founders Eric Olson, Frank Gruber at CityLIGHTS

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology

CHICAGO – Several hundred technology executives, entrepreneurs and investors convened on Thursday night at Chicago’s Union Station for the ITA’s 2008 CityLIGHTS awards gala. TECH cocktail founders Eric Olson and Frank Gruber were among those who took home some hardware.

In all, six awards were handed out to individuals and entities that help make the Illinois technology community tick. Olson and Gruber won the namesake CityLIGHTS Award, which awards those in media, education, government and business who strive to promote the vitality of the local tech community. The winners even wore tuxedos.

By Brad Spirrison

22
Feb

Continental Airlines Orders 27 New Jets From Boeing For $2.5 Billion

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology

Continental Airlines has placed an order for 27 new jets from Chicago-based Boeing. The Houston-based carrier has ordered a total of 111 new jets to be delivered in the next six years.

The new order, which is for eight 777s and 19 737s, will cost an estimated $2.5 billion. New Boeing orders from U.S. carriers have been struggling as airlines have seen financial downturns in recent years.

Continental, which is the fourth-largest carrier in the U.S., has one of the largest orders for new planes with Boeing. Continental says it’s purchasing the new planes to replace its older fleet and to pursue growth opportunities. Continental has been in merger talks with Chicago-based United Airlines.

By Stephanie Huls

22
Feb

U.S. Cellular Jumps on $99.99-a-Month Bandwagon For Unlimited Calls

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Technology

Chicago-based U.S. Cellular has jumped on the $99.99-a-month bandwagon and has joined Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile.

All four companies will offer customers unlimited calls nationwide and no roaming charges for the flat price of $99.99 a month. There are different perks involved with each company as some include unlimited messaging, e-mail and Web service in their plans.

By Stephanie Huls