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Met this week in Barcelona at Mobile World Congress, major mobile phone manufacturers have outlined what will be the year 2011, presenting their new products. Unsurprisingly, most attention has focused on smartphones, which should represent the majority of handset sales in France in 2011, according to projections by the GfK. More conventional phones were usually stored in corners, out of sight. Here's what can be learned from this series of ads.

The consecration of Google

Nothing stops Google in mobile. "There are 350,000 activations Android phones each day, 170-enabled devices, and 150,000 applications available," said Eric Schmidt, now at Barcelona.During the fair, the mascot of Android – a little "droid" apple green – was omnipresent and the stand of Google, with its slide, was among the attractions not to be missed. Android smartphones team as all the most sought-after Samsung S2 Galaxy, Sony Ericsson XPERIA 2, Atrix Motorola, LG 3D Optimus. Despite the lack of Apple, who shunned the event yet, the iPhone has nevertheless made about him, with rumors of leaving a smaller and cheaper.

Smartphones as powerful as a PC

As with PCs, the processor is a key issue for smartphones, and is now very high in the selling points of manufacturers. Display images in high definition or in three dimensions without slowing the phone in fact requires ever more powerful chips.During the show, Nvidia and Qualcomm fought a war from a distance, each claiming to have introduced the first quad-core chips for mobile devices. Motorola presented its side in Europe's Atrix, a smartphone that has the ambition to replace the PC. Once placed on a pedestal, the device connects to a TV and a keyboard, which lets you surf the Internet, write notes or see videos on the big screen as you would with a computer.

Everything for the game

Smartphones have nothing to envy the portable game consoles business card. In opening the show, Sony Ericsson unveiled the XPERIA play Sunday, a phone that incorporates the same buttons that control the joystick on the PlayStation. Fifty games will be available for launch in March, including the great classics of the first Sony console.For its part, LG has chosen to equip its new phone with a screen similar to that found on the Nintendo 3DS, capable of delivering 3D images without the need to wear special glasses. Four titles are optimized for 3D French publisher Gameloft, whose racing game Asphalt 6, will be delivered with the phone.

Faster and faster Internet

Such as PCs, smartphones will spend this year to Internet connections at very high speed. In France, mobile networks are not yet deployed, but abroad, including Japan and the United States, operators have taken the lead. NTT DoCoMo, ZTE, Alcatel-Lucent and Verizon offered during the fair test sessions on their stand of LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G technology as the successor to 3G.Visitors could participate in the parts of multiplayer video games or conversations in high definition video.

Facebook encrusted in smartphones

Facebook already offers applications for most smartphones, including iPhone and Android. INQ HTC and went further, presenting him with his consent, the first phones with the colors of the social network. HTC Chacha and Salsa as well wear a button on their Facebook facade, which lets you share one click messages and photos with friends. They also combine the SIM card directory with the contact list on the site. Dozens of phones like this should appear in the coming months, said Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder.

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Very unpleasant surprise in the U.S.. Only 36,000 jobs were created in January. Economists were expecting an average of 145,000 and some even 200,000. Weather conditions were execrable advanced to explain the difference between the expectations of observers and the first estimate given by the U.S. Department of Labor.

"Employment rose in the industry and the retail trade but fell sharply in construction, transport and storage activities," the ministry said.

To make matters worse, revisions to employment figures in 2010 by the Labor Department showed a recovery later than expected. The creations were again two months later than previously indicated, in March 2010 only.Over the full year, the U.S. economy created 215,000 fewer jobs than previously calculated.

Two pleasant surprises come somewhat counteract this flood of bad news. Job creation has been revised upwards in December, to 121,000 against 103,000 originally counted. Finally, estimated on a different basis, the unemployment rate appears low in January, at 9% against 9.4% in December. Analysts expected a rise in the rate at 9.5%.

"After the publication of all the market indicators of employment, the situation is unclear," says Julian Thomas, an economist at Natixis. "But the scales tip the wrong way." Economists Exane BNP Paribas prefer to remain optimistic: "The acceleration of activity in the first half of 2011, confirmed by recent investigations progress, should allow the recovery of employment of grow "

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After three consecutive weeks, the CAC 40, which closed last Friday above the 4000 points (4017.45 points exactly), ended on an uptick, Monday. The CAC 40 gained 0.39% to 4033.21 points.

At the London Stock Exchange, the FTSE-100 rose 0.81% to 5943.85 points, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the Dax ended with a small increase from 0.08% to 7067.77 points.

Investors have played the card of caution for several major economic appointment.They expect including tomorrow's meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) and the speech of U.S. President Barack Obama on the State of the Union.

On Monday, President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee gave the kickoff of a year 2011 marked under the seal of the international retailer, to reporters and foreign ambassadors in Paris (live webcast Facebook and Dailymotion), his goals for the G8 summit in late May at Deauville and the G20 early November Cannes.Le head of state has sought to draw the conclusion imbalances afflicting the international economic system. In this context, the G20 "shall be effective if it is to remain legitimate."

Markit index up

PMI Flash (Markit) reflects the overall expansion of activity since the French resort activity to 56.9 points, higher for four months.The composite index of purchasing managers (PMI) in the euro area will be known 10 hours and new orders in industry in November 2010 at 11:00, still in the eurozone.

Renault out of the wood

As for values, ArcelorMittal suffered profit taking (-1.10%). Steelmakers produced 1.4 billion tons of steel in 2010 (+15%). Growth welcomed but fears of overcapacity in 2011. Schneider is also subject to profit taking (-1.68% to 111.20 euros), while Saint Gobain (2.68% to 42.71 euros) is leading the CAC 40 increased by a favorable rating analysts UBS.

Renault (0.57% to 47.32 euros) evidence "multiple" on the case of industrial espionage which are believed to three frames of the group, said Sunday the group's CEO, Carlos Ghosn.Earlier in the day, counsel for one of three executives covered by the suspicions had called Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn to provide proof of charges that founded the lawsuit from the manufacturer fast cash without a hassle.

Automotive side, Toyota is the world leader in 2010, despite repeated reminders of vehicles.

Danone gained 0.33% to 44.96 euros. According to La Tribune, Danone Dumex interested in India, a manufacturer of baby foods. A nugget in its sector: Dumex is number one in China and India.

Sanofi-Aventis: 0.22% to 50.98 euros

Also down, Sanofi-Aventis after the announcement of the extension on Monday its takeover offer for Genzyme, always the same price of 69 dollars per share, or $ 18.5 billion in total, until 15 February."While these discussions have continued and have included sales teams and executives from both Sanofi-Aventis and Genzyme, significant differences remain regarding the CVC (certificate of conditional value) and the potential value of the offer Sanofi-Aventis, and there is no guarantee that parties will reach agreement, however, warns Sanofi.

France Telecom: 0.81% to € 16.26

France Telecom, however, slightly ahead slightly by 0.84%. Orange, a subsidiary de'opérateur negotiated the acquisition of part of investors to share the platform for sharing videos Dailymotion, valued at approximately EUR 150 million.

Sopra: 5.86% to 66.98 euros

Sopra earns 2.3% after announcing it relaunched its proposed listing of its subsidiary Axway Software, which will occur in the second quarter. This project was suspended last September 20.

Note also that Nicolas Sarkozy will announce on Tuesday a call for projects on five coastal sites for an investment of 10 billion euros. French and foreign manufacturers are mobilized for this competition.

EADS: 0.74% to 20.54 euros

The helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, a subsidiary of European aerospace group EADS, expects to deliver fewer planes this year, but its turnover is expected to remain at least stable and orders stagnate, said Monday its CEO Lutz Bertling. Sodexo holds its general meeting at 16.30.

The solar industry is in turmoil. On December 9, professionals taking short, the government declared a three-month moratorium on photovoltaic systems. In other words, all projects – other than small panels for individuals – are frozen. The measure follows the successive falls of subsidized tariff and tax incentives designed to burst the "bubble".

"The Prime Minister wanted to develop new rules of the game to progress without inflation," said Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, responsible for energy. For his part, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, Minister of Ecology, co-pilot consultation exercise with industry. The new framework was announced in mid-February.

At Bercy, actors, SMEs and energy giants, are involved in consultation meetings, with more or less good grace as their respective interests."Everything is played or nearly so, the services of the department have already prepared the ground well. We are moving towards a minimum service, including a further reduction in tariffs, "said one participant.

Daniel Bour, president of Sunnco GC, messages from the administration are daunting: "To suggest as the basis for the future a maximum of 500 megawatts (MW) connected annually in France, while in 2010 almost 700 MW were connected, is amazing. In Germany, more than 7000 MW have been connected by 2010, a ratio of 1 to 10. "

The solar sector ahead in unity. More than eighty companies, grouped under the banner of the association without borders ecology, chose confrontation judiciary.The State Council must consider today an application for annulment which is to suspend the effects of the decree, said Mr. Alexander Faro, lawyer of Ecology without borders. Particularly affected, the retroactive nature of the text that sometimes froze the projects undertaken over the past two years payday loan lenders.

Whatever the legal consequences of this episode, many in the industry does not seek to discuss the phenomenon of overheating. "The industry has experienced abuses, sometimes wacky projects driven by the only hunting for grants. This wave will stop, says Stanley Nahon, director in the consulting firm Booz & Company. Meanwhile, smaller players, the weakest will disappear.Large, declaring that they accommodate themselves to lower subsidies of 10% to 15%, already anticipating this concentration. "Some SMEs are pointing the finger EDF New Energies whose dominance could, they fear, allow remain the only survivor.

Electricity bill

Ed despite the difficulties, the industry will at least enjoy the dialogue to halt attacks considered systematic. Beginning with the rise in electricity prices that would be due to the growth of photovoltaics: "At most, the entire cost of solar energy production in late 2010 represents less than 1% of the electricity bill paid by consumers, "says Daniel Bour.About the argument for the invasion of Chinese solar panels, the boss of SunncoGC argues that "the development of power plants in France has actually started two years ago." In other words, it takes a minimum of time, volume and visibility to develop this industrial sector.

"Right now, solar is viable in any country in the world: everyone should have this in mind, says Stanley Nahon. But unlike others, France has been slow to react to market overcapacity, marked both by falling prices of panels and the high amount of subsidies. "

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In a market supported by confident and good indicators in Europe and the United States, the CAC 40 finished sharply higher Tuesday night and closed above 4000 points. A peak not seen since ten months.

On Wednesday, the trend may remain green, while Asian stock markets have stayed the course early this morning and bullish as Wall Street closed last night revived later. United States, the strong performance of IBM and Apple have reassured the financial world. And good macroeconomic news have taken over. According to that day, at 14.30 in the U.S., housing starts and building permits in December.In addition, a perspective analysis techinque, the next resistance is at 4090 points for the CAC 40.

Note, however, last night, the rating agency Standard and Poor's has warned that the debt rating of the United States "will be put under pressure" if the government does not soon a "credible plan" to reduce its budget deficit.

Edenred, Ingenico, Seb and Pierre & Vacances published

Also on Wednesday, banking stocks remain controlled while the finance minister, Christine Lagarde, hopes that the new tests for strength of banks expected to be completed by late spring. The official said Tuesday that details of the tests was discussed.

Vivendi U.S. authorities on Tuesday approved with conditions the acquisition by Comcast of a majority stake in NBC Universal.A step that will allow Vivendi to finalize the sale of its interest in NBCU and cash it will allocate funds to the repurchase probably from Vodafone SFR.

Eiffage The group was selected at the expense of Bouygues, yet the most likely candidate, and Da Vinci for the financing, design, construction and maintenance of future high-speed line (HSL) Bretagne-Pays de la Loire, a market estimated at 3 no fax payday loan.4 billion euros.

Alstom and Remy Cointreau will unveil on Wednesday its sales in the first nine months of their fiscal offset.

Edenred, the former branch of prepaid services group Accor announced a croisssance 7% of its annual sales, supported by Latin America and confirmed its 2010 earnings will range between 310 and 330 million euros .Accor will release on Wednesday.

Ingenico announced Tuesday again raised its 2010 earnings targets after posting organic growth of around 14% in Q4.

Seb reported late Tuesday a turnover up 15% for the full year 2010, to 3.651 billion euros, bolstered by sales in China.

Pierre & Vacances himself has posted a 11.7% increase of its quarterly revenue, supported in particular by its activity in property development.

IMS again in the fourth quarter benefited from higher metals prices, which resulted in an increase of 38.9% of sales over the last three months of the leading European distribution special steels.

ASML Holding on Wednesday announced a net profit up sharply in the fourth quarter thanks to strong demand for next-generation hardware. The world leader in lithography equipment for use in the etching of printed circuits on silicon wafers, has also announced a share buyback of one billion euros over the next two years and a doubling of the dividend on fiscal year 2010, to 0.40 euros per share.

BioMerieux unveil its turnover for the year 2010 after market close.

Note that yesterday, Gemalto rose over 6.6% at the close Tuesday night after signing a large contract with Japan for mobile payment.

It's official: by the end of the month, Jean-Paul Bailly, 64, will be succeeded itself at the head of the Post Office for a further term of five years. But like all public proceedings, renewal requires a little routine screening, a little disturbed by the prospect of the Christmas truce.

On Thursday, the Elysee kicked-off the process by ensuring that the President intended to appoint Jean-Paul Bailly, chairman of the board of directors of the public group, a position he has held since 2002. No blur in this terminology. This position allows, indeed, seize the committees of the National Assembly and Senate, which must decide on this nomination.A novelty of the constitutional reform of 2008.

In fact, the board of directors of La Poste, which appoints its president, a choice which will then be validated by the Council of Ministers. But like all current directors, including Jean-Paul Bailly-saw their mandate expires Dec. 16, he was also imperative to move forward on this plan.

The Deposit arrives

On Thursday, a decree of the Ministry of Economy has adopted 14 of the 21 appointed members of the board of directors of La Poste, including Jean-Paul Bailly himself as a "personality chosen for their skills" . The seven staff representatives had been elected in recent weeks.Therefore, a final board in its current form will meet December 16 and in the days following, the new council will be held to formalize the appointment of Jean-Paul Bailly.

This new board, however, will have to evolve further in coming months. To mark its entry into the capital of the postal company, Caisse des Depots et Consignations (CDC), in fact, requested that three representatives on the board of his new participation instant credit reports.

The eruption of the establishment of the rue de Lille as a shareholder alongside the state is also one of the major innovations with which Jean-Paul Bailly will rely on the occasion of his re-election. No doubt, the Deposit, which is preparing to invest 1.5 billion euros in the Post Office will ensure that the officer praised for his handling of a difficult social honor its financial commitments.To initiate this new phase, Jean-Paul Bailly, now reinforced by his tutelage, might be tempted to reshape his own team. And particularly in La Banque Postale, given the importance that the branch represents the group's strategic plan.

Everyone knows that relations between Jean-Paul Bailly, Patrick Werner, the architect of the development bank, are far from rosy. The two men but managed to work effectively all these years. Everyone will have noted, however, that Patrick Werner, whose term has already expired, even before that of Jean-Paul Bailly, has not yet been confirmed in his post …

In fact, according to the statutes of La Banque Postale, its chief executive may exercise his functions until the first council meeting after the expiry of his mandate.In this case, Jean-Paul Bailly, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of La Banque Postale, has until March to decide. Behind the scenes, the battle rages.

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U.S. stock markets opened down on Tuesday. The Dow Jones lost 0.52% and the Nasdaq 0.63%.

On Monday, Wall Street has welcomed the record figures of resales of existing homes. The Dow Jones closed up 0.28% at 11,164 points, its highest level in six months, the Nasdaq gained 0.46% to 2490 points and the S & P 500 rose 0.21% to 1185 points .

On the foreign exchange market, the euro fell slightly against the dollar in late morning, the greenback continues to benefit from the rebound in sales of existing homes. The European currency was worth 1.3936 dollars around 11 h00 dollar against 1.3969 the previous day.

On the macroeconomic front, investors now expect the U.S. the S & P / Case-Shiller home prices. Gold prices for detached houses fell more than expected.For its part, the Federal Housing Finance Agency will announce its own figures on this subject in the wake. The U.S. will also publish the index of consumer confidence and investors: it is a pleasant surprise since the index rose more than expected in October, although it remains close to its lows.

DuPont profits fall

The side of values, the American Chemical DuPont announced Tuesday a net profit down 10% in the third quarter, better than expected and raised its annual forecast of earnings per share.

For its part, the U.S. manufacturer of electronic components Texas Instruments net profit up sharply and better than expected in the third quarter, thanks to a surge in sales no fax pay day loans. Net income jumped 60% year on year to $ 859 million in the third quarter.The group's turnover grew 30% year on year to 3.740 billion. Texas Instruments has warned that its fourth quarter results would be affected by a slowdown in demand for semiconductors in the consumer sector.

Always on the side of values, Office Depot has reported preliminary results above expectations. The band announced $ 2.9 billion in sales in the third quarter (+ 4%) and net income of $ 54 million. The group will release its final results tomorrow.

Also note, the holding company of Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, announced after the close of Wall Street, the arrival in its midst of hedge fund manager Todd Combs, which could eventually solve the problem of the estate of billionaire .Warren Buffett says that with his partner Charlie Munger has sought for three years for someone like Todd Combs "to manage a significant portion of the investment portfolio of Berkshire." 39 years old, Todd Combs, has been running five years Castle Point Capital, a hedge fund specializing in financial services.

Car dealers do not sell German BMW customers from Switzerland. The information was revealed Tuesday, October 19 by issuing Kassensturz, broadcast on television speaking SF1. While Swiss media are outraged, a spokesman for BMW in Germany says that the manufacturer wants to protect a "dealer network" Swiss.

With 1.34 Swiss francs per euro, the exchange rate between two currencies has increased by over 10% in just one year. The strong franc is hindering the competitiveness of the Confederacy. Even if the numbers do not show a sudden increase in shopping tourism, traders fear that the Soothsayer are attracted to attractive prices charged in Alsace, Franche-Comte and Germany.

The BMW case is not the first of its kind.In the 1990s, the Italian distributors of Volkswagen refused to sell their cars to Austrian and Swiss customers come to enjoy the devaluation of the lira. In 1998, the European Commission was inflicting on the German manufacturer fined 80 million euros to practice "anticompetitive."

In Switzerland, some recent cases are still in the hands of justice. One concerns the Nikon cameras.The other, toothpaste Elmex: in 2009, its manufacturer (Swiss) has been condemned by the Competition Commission (Comco) to a fine of nearly five million Swiss francs (3.7 million) for prohibits any of its Austrian manufacturers to export their products … in Switzerland instant payday loan.

"Island of high prices

"Since 2003, we sanction the worst restrictions on parallel imports because they constitute an obstacle to the law on cartels and divided the Swiss market, says Patrik Ducrey, Deputy Director of the Competition Commission. The case of BMW in Germany has really challenged. In the coming days we will decide to open a formal investigation on this. The manufacturer could be fined. "

The spokesman for BMW Switzerland, Beda Durrer, was "aware of the contract between the BMW and German dealers, but nothing more."In the BMW Car Jan-SA, located in Lausanne, the director Michel Humbert is surprised such a fuss. "The Swiss are not likely to buy their cars abroad. BMW Switzerland has not changed its prices relative to exchange rates. But we do a lot of promotions to bring our rates to those charged in Germany. "

"It astonished me," says Mathieu Fleury, Secretary General of the Federation Romande consumers. The history of BMW proves once again that home prices are set according to the purchasing power of people and not in terms of product value. "In Bern, the Federal Department of Economy described itself the land of William Tell as an island of high prices, "where" imported goods are 30% higher than in other European countries. "

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For the third quarter of 2010, Schneider Electric is returning to a pre-crisis dynamism. Areva Distribution, recently built, contributed largely to the swelling of the quarterly activity since this entity represents 12% of sales. But outside Areva, quarterly growth increased by 11.9% to $ 5.446 billion euros. In the first nine months of the year, the group speaks in its release of "record sales" at 14 billion euros.

"We have not quite erased the crisis, grade Emmanuel Babeau, chief financial officer of Schneider Electric, interviewed on BFM Radio this morning. "Emerging markets are well above pre-crisis figures, while developed countries are still behind."

All activities of the group returned to growth this quarter.IT Industry activities and continue their double-digit growth while the divisions and Power Buildings confirm their recovery.

Acquired in June, the subsidiary of French nuclear group distribution realizes for the June-September period, a turnover of 629 million euros.

Soon combined with the current average voltage to form Schneider Electric's Energy division of the group, it is, according to the statement, "it is on track to achieve the target of 1.1 billion euros in turnover business for the period June to December. "

Strengthening Russia

Following the presentation of its quarterly revenue, Schneider Electric has announced the acquisition of 50% stake ElectroShield-TM Samara, leader of the average power in Russia, about 265 million euros, or about 1 3 times the expected turnover for 2010.Subject to certain conditions and approvals, Schneider Electric would get the remaining 50% to similar financial terms.

Crochon Michel, Director General of the Energy Division of Schneider Electric, said: "This acquisition confirms our ambition to Russia, and allows us to expand our regional presence in line with our strategy to become a leader in the emerging economies.

In Western Europe and North America, sales increased by 11 and 6% from last year. An increase in part due to a favorable base effect, but not only. "In these countries, renewable energy is for us a new pocket of growth," said Emmanuel Babeau on BFM Radio.It is an activity that did not exist in our portfolio there are still three years "

The objectives identified

About its prospects, the group is optimistic. It provides, for the second half, a further resumption of Industry and Buildings. Geographically, it builds on the momentum of emerging economies but warned that the recovery mature markets expected to remain slow.

Finally, and most importantly, Schneider Electric has decided to raise its targets for 2010. He expects strong growth for the second half and an operating margin of between 15.5 and 16% for the full year.