BUSINESS BRIEFING
BUSINESS BRIEFING
Saturday, February 3, 2007; Page D02
TECHNOLOGY
Apple Wants Vista Delay
Apple wants some iPod and iTunes users to delay upgrading computers to Windows Vista, warning that the iTunes music software may not work well with Microsoft's new operating system, which was launched Tuesday. Apple is studying compatibility issues, which include the inability to play downloaded music and videos, and plans an iTunes update in a few weeks.
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
E.On Raises Offer for Endesa
Germany utility E.On raised its offer for Spain's Endesa to $53.4 billion as it delivered its final bid in a more than year-long takeover saga. It was left alone in the race for Spain's biggest electric utility after Spanish rival Gas Natural withdrew its bid on Thursday. Endesa Chairman Manuel Pizarro told reporters in Madrid that his company's board planned to meet Tuesday to discuss E.On's bid.
AUTOMOTIVE
GM to Expand Warranty
General Motors will add a warranty of up to five years or 100,000 miles on parts including engines for many of its used vehicles in the United States. The coverage for model years 2000 through 2006 on Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile and Pontiac powertrain parts will be in addition to the current 3,000-mile, three-month warranty for the entire vehicle.
NHTSA Probes Pontiac Fires
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating engine fires in 72,000 Pontiac Grand Prix cars. The probe involves 1999-2002 Grand Prix GTPs with supercharged V6 engines. NHTSA received 21 complaints from consumers, including 16 involving fires that started five to 15 minutes after the vehicle was parked with the ignition switched off.
AIRLINES
Delta, American Increase Fares
Delta Air Lines raised domestic airfares by $5 each way late Thursday, and American and United airlines matched the increase yesterday. Alaska Air and Midwest Airlines followed suit.
TELECOM
Mediacom, Sinclair Reach Deal
Cable operator Mediacom Communications said it reached a retransmission agreement with Sinclair Broadcast Group to settle a dispute that cut off local broadcasts to 700,000 subscribers. Terms weren't disclosed.
Hunt Valley, Md.-based Sinclair pulled its signals from Mediacom cable systems after the companies failed to agree on a new contract.
