Deal Brewed
Compaq Computer announced a five-year, $100 million deal to equip Starbucks coffee shops with wireless Internet access. Compaq will supply iPaq handheld computers and other equipment to provide high-speed wireless Internet access while patrons sip their mochas.
Soaring Sales
Microsofts online travel service, Expedia, recorded its first quarterly operating profit, and says the picture looks even better in the current quarter. Expedia reported sales of $110.2 million in its third quarter, compared with $58.8 million a year earlier, and an operating profit of $4.4 million.
Siemens Move
German technology powerhouse Siemens is making a push into the North American computer consulting business. It announced plans to fold Entex Information Services, which it acquired last year, into its consulting arm, Siemens Business Services, creating a services company with about 5,000 employees.
Priceline Boost
Shares of name-your-own-price travel service Priceline.com took off after an analyst at The Goldman Sachs Group said the company was on its way to profitable recovery. Anthony Noto says Priceline is still in a turnaround phase, “but the progress made to date positions the company to better control its destiny, with [the first quarter] potentially being its last unprofitable quarter.”
Microsoft Money
Microsoft has formed a partnership with Citigroup that will enable users of Microsofts Internet service to send money via e-mail. Citigroup will offer its C2it online money transfer system through The Microsoft Network. Users provide info on the bank account or credit card to be debited, and the recipients e-mail address. Recipients get an e-mail saying money is waiting for them, after which they provide details on where to deposit the money.