Putting a price on Facebook

<b>week in review</b> Facebook's IPO inches closer with pricing announcement, while Oracle v. Google goes to the jury. Also: Microsoft books partnership with Barnes & Noble and the Samsung Galaxy S III arrives, sort of.

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Steven Musil

May 4, 2012 10:47 a.m. PT

4 min read

week in review We now know what investors will spend -- at least for a few seconds -- to get a piece of what is likely the most anticipated tech IPO ever.

Facebook is seeking to raise as much as $13.6 billion in its IPO, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission, which would value the company at roughly $88 billion. The company is aiming to price its shares between $28 and $35.

This paves for the way for Facebook and its bankers to begin the road show on Monday, with shares to start trading on May 17 or 18. While this valuation is lower than the $100 billion that has often been cited, the price will likely change depending on the success of the road show. The slightly lower valuation, however, could be due to Facebook's less-than-rosy financial results for its first quarter, which it reported last week.
• Is Mark Zuckerberg a risk factor for Facebook's IPO?
• Frustrated advertisers to Facebook: Take our money -- please!
• Facebook's IPO road show: Now on video!

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Oracle tries to rewrite history for Sun and alter Java's future

The Oracle v. Google case is about copyright, patents and the intricacies of the open-source world. But it's also about Oracle trying to get a do-over for decisions made by Sun's executive management.
• Oracle-Google: Prospect of a partial verdict or mistrial looms
• Questions from Oracle v. Google jury hint at copyright violation
• Oracle, Google lawyers spar over jury instructions

Barnes & Noble, Microsoft ink $300M deal on e-reading

The software giant will invest $300 million in a new Barnes & Noble subsidiary, giving it a 17.6 percent equity stake in the company. The Nook digital bookstore will be bundled with Windows 8.
• Microsoft deal allows B&N to go toe-to-toe with Amazon and Apple
• Could Microsoft-B&N deal foretell Windows 8-powered Nook?
• Barnes & Noble to add NFC chips to Nooks
• Barnes & Noble shares soar on Microsoft deal

Samsung unveils Galaxy S III phone with quad-core, Android ICS

The Samsung Galaxy S III comes to Europe later this month, though you almost certainly won't see it in the U.S. until summer. CNET's got the full specs and hands-on impressions.
• Samsung Galaxy S III vs. HTC One X vs. iPhone 4S
• Samsung Galaxy S III vs. HTC One X: Quad-core faceoff
Photos: Galaxy S III is plastic, powerful
First take: Samsung Galaxy S III

Samsung's Galaxy S III is plastic, but powerful (photos)

+17 More

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Is RIM getting its mojo back with BlackBerry 10?

RIM shows off its new software at BlackBerry World to rave reviews. But can the company deliver? And will it be enough to compete with Apple and Google?
• BlackBerry 10 Dev Alpha: Shape of RIM's future phones?
• RIM guarantees $10,000 to BlackBerry 10 devs in first year
• RIM CEO: We're not abandoning BlackBerry physical keyboards

Was Apple protest leader Mark Shields an 'accidental activist'?

More than 250,000 people signed Mark Shields' petition demanding better conditions for workers who assemble iPads. Shields said he fell into the cause accidentally. But he also does this sort of thing for a living.
• Apple critic Mike Daisey is as hot as ever