Microsoft Windows 8 Tablet HOPES to Rival iPad and 2 More Tech Titans on the Move

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google dominate over 80% of the global smartphone market, but have their sights on the rest too. Apple is working on new markets, and Google will more and more depend on its own manufacturing and direct sales. Shares of Apple traded up slightly at $586.25.

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Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG): One day following merger partner Innovate/Protect received a good Markman ruling in its infringement lawsuit against AOL, Google and others, Vringo (AMEX:VRNG) rises. A potentially helpful factor is analysis from SA’s James Altucher, who says the broad definitions allowed by the ruling for I/P’s patent claims raise the likelihood Google’s AdWords search ad platform will be announced to infringe on an I/P patent for ranking search and ad returns based on clicks.

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is up after the debut of Surface, as investors hope that Windows 8 will become a true rival to the iPad. Analysts are complimentary of Surface (S&P has raised Microsoft to Buy) but point out that the tablet does have potential to cause tension with Windows OEMs. Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) is remarkably selling off today. Noting this, Microsoft thinks Surface will be priced similarly to other Windows 8 tablets and, at least at the present time, plans only to retail it online and at Microsoft stores.

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