On CE - For Dealers, Distributors and OEMs of Consumer Electronics throughout EMEA

Motorola Mobility drops the idea of using smartphones to power laptop-style accessories-- the company confirms to CNET development on the Webtop concept and the Lapdock accessory line is over.

"While consumers around the world have adopted Webtop and the concept spurred a lot of innovation in the industry, the adoption has not been strong enough to justify continued resources being allocated to developing Webtop on future devices," Motorola says.

The latest batch of Motorola smartphones (starting from the Photon Q and Droid Razr M, HD and Maxx HD) do not support Webtop.

Unveiled back at CES 2011 with the Atrix 4G, Webtop remains an interesting idea-- software allowing smartphones to become the brains of either of laptop-style docks or TV entertainment hubs. Described by some as the future of mobile computing, the combination allowed for a "full PC experience" complete with touchpad support and browser.

However the early version was both expensive (the first Lapdock accessory cost $500) and provided an unsatisfying user experience. Motorola did refine the system, but further effort was in vain in the face of general consumer apathy.

The company will instead focus on slashing costs as well as "core principles" such as better battery life, LTE and making sure all smartphones carry the latest Android updates.

Go Motorola Confirms Death of Webtop, Laptop Accessories (CNET)

As the world waits for the launch of the Surface tablet, rumours emerge on Microsoft's future hardware ambitions-- the launch of a Surface-branded Windows Phone 8 smartphone.

The first round of speculation comes from the China Times, with a report claiming a Surface smartphone will be available from H1 2013. More rumours come via BGR, with a "trusted source" saying Microsoft plans to take on the high-end offerings Apple, Samsung... and its own vendor partners.

Does Microsoft want to anger the smartphone vendors, just like it did with tablet makers such as Acer? What about Nokia, who put its entire fortune behind Windows Phone?

"People familiar with the matter" confirm to Reuters Best Buy founder (and ex-chairman) Richard Schulze accepts an offer to examine the Best Buy books-- first steps in a potential buyout worth up to $11 billion.

Earlier in August 2012 Best Buy offered Schulze access to financial data (as part of the due diligence process) in order to improve a 2nd offer of acquisition, following the previous refusal of a first offer from the founder.

Talks had broken down then-- but resumed soon after Q3 2012 results showed profits dropping by 91% Y-o-Y to $12 million.

Apparently Schulze is also negotiating with "at least" four private equity firms in order to form a consortium and submit a buyout proposal to Best Buy. Such a proposal is still in early days, and will probably only be finalised sometime after mid-November 2012.

According to Reuters Schulze estimates Best Buy is worth up to $10.9bn (including debt).

In the meantime Best Buy suspends profit forecasts in order to give time new CEO Hubert Joly time to construct a turnaround plan while it continues to close store and attempt to slash losses further.

Go Best Buy Founder Presses on with Buyout Plan (Reuters)

Go Schulze Can Continue Trying to Buy Best Buy

Pacific Media Associates (PMA) expects sales of home theater projectors will hit $915 million by year end with strong growth on both a volume and revenue basis over 2011.

"During last year's holiday season, sales of home theater projectors hit an all-time high," says Michael Abramson, VP Pacific Media Associates. "We expect another new high this holiday season. Attractive offerings in the sub-US$1000 segment are tempting new buyers in both developed and developing countries. And in the mid-range and high-end segments, manufacturers have refreshed their lineups with performance improvements across a range of features such as brightness, native contrast ratio, wireless capabilities, and 3D."

In terms of shipments, the two main resolutions – native 1080p and native 720p – are forecast to register double-digit growth this year with gains across a variety of channels, including storefronts, online, and home theater installers. Sales of 4K home theater projectors were launched on a worldwide basis earlier this year. So this will be their first full holiday season of availability.