For Convenience’s Sake…

Posted on January 29, 2012 by John

In the name of ‘convenience’ Google will begin more closely tracking your online activities (in order to further tailor their ads to any given end-user).

In theory; that sounds like perhaps a fairly benevolent development. Yet, in reality it also seems like – yet another – step that the firm is taking in both consolidating as well as expanding their respective power (particularly in light of the fact that you are unable to opt-out of said move). Note the disclaimer on their homepage…

(Source) Columbus Dispatch: http://goo.gl/qiCQ5

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And, It Is?

Posted on January 28, 2012 by John

With the claim that he’ll take the firm ‘to the next phase’ RIM’s new CEO has clearly left himself some wiggly-room due to just how ambiguous a statement that is!

So what you’re essentially saying is that if you’re able to turn it around and/or watch it continue to crash in a flat-spin that all the requisite bases are covered… The cynic in most observers in all probability feels that a sizable golden parachute is in order…

(Source) The Washington Post: http://goo.gl/4b8tb

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1999 Revisited: Sustainable?

Posted on January 27, 2012 by John

With Facebook (supposedly) set to file for their IPO as early as next week; the question isn’t whether or not the firm has gained traction (it obviously has) as much as if / whether or not they’ll be able to sustain any post-IPO-offering momentum (look to LinkedIn as perhaps the best benchmark / example up until this point in time).

In other words, is this just the Bubble 2.0 and/or is Social Networking ‘really / truly’ the next big thing (as was Pets.com / Web Van and a host of others who went the way of the Dodo?) Building a sustainable business model via mining the data that end-users willingly post (perhaps not as willingly if any given prospecting / offer becomes too intrusive…) is a challenging prospect that’s still (as of yet) unproven…

(Source) WSJ: http://goo.gl/atTWL

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A ‘Dark-side’ App?

Posted on January 26, 2012 by John

Apple’s luster looks to take a hit (at the very minimum from a PR standpoint which seems far too lenient) for the continuing reports of (borderline) inhumane working conditions throughout their far-flung supply chain (i.e., the PRC in particular).

(Source) The New York Times: http://goo.gl/5kPh2

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In Another (Parallel) Universe…

Posted on January 25, 2012 by John

While the news out of Cupertino continues to demonstrate foresight; industry dominance and a gamut of other positives (not all as such) Nokia stumbles (akin to RIM) as this former industry leader / pioneer tries to right a ship (that’s clearly hit a very rough patch) with their underwhelming Smartphone alliance with Microsoft.

(Source) Reuters: http://goo.gl/rLNim

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Doubling Down!

Posted on January 24, 2012 by John

Apple’s doubling their quarterly profit is yet another (in an ongoing streak that’s clearly remarkable) milestone whereas nay-sayers must pause to scratch their heads as their fan-base cheers in awe… and, all points in between come to grasp just how powerful (in both pro and con respects) this firm has become…

(Source) SF Gate: http://goo.gl/VfJ8n

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A ‘Radical Impact Maneuver?’

Posted on January 23, 2012 by John

RIM’s decision (today) seems like it is long overdue; too little too late and (perhaps) nothing more than a cosmetic attempt at addressing the firm’s entrenched organizational / structural deficiencies (that have brought it to a stage of what appears like an inescapable flat-spin)…

(Source) The Telegraph UK: http://goo.gl/tSRXA

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An ‘Open’ Book.

Posted on January 22, 2012 by John

Apple’s 180 (degree) turnaround of their former support of open publishing standards essentially goes the route that any given firm (e.g., industry leader) takes: it’s our way and/or the highway… In other words, for all that they’ve criticized Redmond’s tactics (in the past) Cupertino looks to be taking an eerily parallel route.

(Source) ZD Net: http://goo.gl/Mhh0P

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Case Closed?

Posted on January 21, 2012 by John

The massive push-back from both the business as well as consumer-side of the ‘net debate regarding on-line piracy seems to have swung in the favor of the upstarts that battled against the corporate behemoths (at least for now). Nevertheless, this conflict looks to be far from over (when viewed from a long-range perspective).

(Source) Reuters: http://goo.gl/EOAer

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That Don’t Move Me…

Posted on January 20, 2012 by John

Nike+ FuelBand is their latest foray into the growing convergence between athletic-wear and digital services (gadgetry). And, if their past track record is any indication the firm might just have another big hit on their hands (as what was once the exclusive domain of world class athletes continues to become more readily available for countless consumers the world-over).

(Source) WSJ: http://goo.gl/qd4RT

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