iThank.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs.

“The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented.” – Barack Obama.

Posted in Cupertino's Reign | Tagged | Leave a comment

One Bad Apple.

In an era where a new smartphone makes a debut once a week (or so it seems) Apple’s latest (and according to the blogosphere / social networking sites, etc.) ‘underwhelming’ release warrants a much closer review.

For example; the company has achieved economies of scale regarding this handset (which means that the profit margins are higher now than they were previously). Moreover, it’s what’s inside that really counts (if any given armchair expert actually paid attention to the software / firmware updates within this edition of their smartphone juggernaut). Finally, the company is not going to release a new handset just because people expect it as much as Apple is going to continue to do as they deem appropriate period.

That said, for all of the other Apple wannabes (Samsung; RIM; Microsoft, etc.) they would pretty much give anything to be in the enviable position that Apple is in (and, by extension, dealing with the marketplace on their terms vs. following it in the fashion of the aforementioned as well as those not mentioned firms).

Granted, this iteration of the iPhone might not be their ‘best’ but it is anything but their ‘worst.’

Posted in Cupertino's Reign | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Parallel Universe.

On a day when all eyes (well, those that pay attention to this space anyway) are / will be on Apple’s latest and greatest products making their debut; Microsoft’s Zune is yet another (failed) product that’s being put out to pasture.

Think about it; when was the last time (if ever) that Redmond ever had a product announcement that generated even 1/2 of the press that Cupertino does? Perhaps ‘never’ is the operative word…

(Source) Slash Gear: http://goo.gl/nzEUr

Posted in Convergence for a Converging World | Tagged | Leave a comment

I’m Your ‘Ice Cream Man…’

Google’s latest Android OS (Ice Cream Sandwich) seems to have been inadvertently (and/or perhaps it seems that way) leaked into the public purview via an unsuspecting eBay sale / purchase.

Long story short, the non-tech-geek / average consumer (end-user) who on some level must seem overwhelmed by the never-ending upgrade / new OS release-cycle within the smartphone space has to in some regard wonder: what does all of this mean for me (if anything?)

(Source) The Times of India: http://goo.gl/wL1Dn

Posted in An Alp View | Tagged | Leave a comment

Playing Catch-up (Forever?)

The upcoming week looks to clearly belong to Apple… (indeed, this is the idiot savant stating the obvious)…

Meanwhile… back in Redmond… Microsoft can’t win for losing at this juncture (okay, hyperbole aside their current lot / woes are essentially self-inflicted) as the latest OS update (Mango) just so happens to debut prior to when Apple is expected to unveil their latest and greatest (until this point in time) iPhone 5.

Long story short; Redmond will continue to play catch-up period. Simply put, the reasons are: 1) lack of critical-mass regarding developer enthusiasm; 2) decent (but nothing to write home about) handsets (unless they happen to pull a major coup with Nokia alliance and what is projected to be released by year’s end) and, 3) they still come off as a ‘me-too’ offering within the entire smartphone space (especially when it comes to tying everything back to the desktop… which is still largely their underlying premise… even if it be perceived vs. actually real… it’s still the case that Windows crammed into a handset is underwhelming at best).

(Source) ARS Technica: http://goo.gl/4Rlqd

Posted in Convergence for a Converging World | Tagged | Leave a comment

Just Plain Dumb!

Verizon has sued the FCC (in America) yet again… which should not come as a surprise. This is a company (like others within this space) that charges any given consumer roughly $400.00 for an early-termination fee (should they decide that they want to switch their cellular / mobile carrier). Moreover, this is a carrier that has touted having the best network coverage; line speeds and service that wants nothing more than to see ‘net access in America be tiered (so that they can essentially continue to focus on gouging the average consumer with more charges).

For example; consumers in America tend to pay for a monthly bundle of services (which generally-speaking are comprised of cable TV; cellular coverage and Internet access) for about $250.00 with line speeds that are throttled down by their respective ISP (hint, hint: Comcast / AT&T and, of course, Verizon) as the nation (that pioneered this technology) continues to fall woefully behind (#12 at the outset of 2011) in ‘last-mile’ line speeds (from the fixed-line to any given home) due to a lack of broadband investment and a lack of competition, D’UH! (hence, why Verizon is suing) as the ‘free-hand-of-the-market’ is one) not actually free; and, two) failing (simply put!)

(Source) SF Gate: http://goo.gl/4pa2p

(Source) Forbes: http://goo.gl/o6GkM

Posted in Convergence for a Converging World, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Three’s Magical.

Amazon’s newest Kindle (Fire) is still David vs. Goliath (when it comes right down to it) however, with the price; browser (which is genuinely unique) and robust content (via Amazon itself of course) this offering looks to have (at least) a fighting chance. Now; whether or not it can fell a giant is something completely different.

From Computer World: http://goo.gl/5xvZC

Posted in Convergence for a Converging World | Tagged | Leave a comment

And, They’re Off!

With the official launch (at least announcement date) set, the frenzy around Apple (and the legions of fans; prognosticators and pundits) has (in all probability) kicked into overdrive… Now, after the dust and smoke clears, let’s see how many of them are accurate (with their predictions).

From Mashable: http://goo.gl/YHNXU

Posted in Cupertino's Reign | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Telephone Call.

As the backlash (due to consumer complaints in America and the EU) rising cost structures (from inflationary pressures and the less than desirable nature-of-the-beast) that is working in said environment and competition from other destinations become greater and greater factors; India’s Outsourcing Industry is facing a myriad of constraints (that are part and parcel part of the maturation cycle).

The underlying challenge for the industry is how to re-invent itself whereas it can provide a value-add to not just their international clientele but to the growing domestic demands that are also presenting new opportunities to service.

From the BBC: http://goo.gl/fMqKA

Posted in Convergence for a Converging World | Tagged | Leave a comment

Leaving No Stone Unturned.

Apple & Samsung’s tit-for-tat litigation is akin to a Pop World Tour (as far as the far-flung places that are being covered) with the exception that it’s anything but a form of ‘entertainment’ for the parties involved: it is a battle that is growing increasingly contentious and negative regarding the PR; implications, and the stakes therein.

In sum: this entire ‘exercise’ is taking the notion of ‘coopetition’ to a whole new (and convoluted) level.

From the WSJ: http://goo.gl/PNG0N

Posted in Cupertino's Reign | Tagged | Leave a comment