Jul 2, 2013 | General
It may be too early in the summer to report this. If they’re any kids reading, I apologize in advanced. But Apple is launching it’s 2013 back to school sale and season.
Apple’s Back to School Program runs from today (literally, July 2 today) until September 6. Top goodies include a $100 Apple based gift card…so long as you buy a Mac. You can get a $50 gift card…with the purchase of an iPad or iPhone, but this is for first time purchases only. These opportunities are available at Apple stores, Apple online stores, and Apple campus stores. They’re promoting many back to school accessories for and with these purchases. Oh yeah, in order to benefit for this after school program, you have to be a college student or a parent.
This is a start, but only a start. Though I hate to admit it, it’s good that they’re doing a back to school program this early. For goodness sake, they’re even talking about Christmas sales in July! Plus, in much of the country, colleges start in August. But that’s the only good thing about this back to school program. Apple could be more generous. First, high school students, and even jr. high students, could use this program. For their future, they need the highest quality technology to learn and grow. They’re using iPads in many public school systems. Plus, wouldn’t Apple make more money if they included more people? So they need to include at least the high school crowd in this. And they can do better than just a $100 and $50 gift card. Surely they can throw in some free accessories. Yes, the recession may be over on paper, but a lot of families are still struggling. I read an article saying 76% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Wouldn’t a few more freebies ease that burden? And wouldn’t a few more freebies build better consumer relations?
Jun 10, 2013 | General, Wireless
Now it’s almost time for Waze?to be bought?by Google. Waze is an Israeli based navigation and traffic?app. The purchase will probably be announced and finalized during this week.
As much as $1.3 billion dollars are expected to change hands because of this buy out. Some fear Google will significantly alter or cancel the app altogether. Apparently, they have nothing to worry about. Waze is expected to run as it always has. Though Waze has 47 million users, less than a third are active. This app is known for it’s pristine accuracy. It’s being constantly updated as users are driving. Ironically, Apple made a bid for Waze.
Keeping Waze independent is the best thing Google can do. This app has tens of millions of users around the world, and it praised for running smoothly. Why ruin a good thing? Plus, with Google’s backing, instead of changing Waze, it can expand it. This is a great opportunity to increase active users and users in general. If they can do that, then both companies will get stronger. I can’t believe Apple made a bid for them. I kind of wish they had. It would have saved Apple from one of the most embarrassing blunders, Apple maps, in tech history. But how long will Waze remain independent?
Jun 5, 2013 | General, News
When I think of Amazon, I think of books and Kindles. I think of bookstores, or what used to be bookstores before Amazon Kindle got so big. I think of reading books on my Kindle at airports and other places. How did groceries get in the midst?
Well, Amazon is going in the online grocery business. It’s been years in the making. It’s called Amazon Fresh. Since the late 2000s, in Seattle, they’ve been delivering eggs, fruit and meat products. Within the next week, Amazon Fresh plans to expend to San Francisco and LA and if they’re successful there, Amazon Fresh will move to 20 other major cities in 2014. But while the online grocery business has skyrocketed lately, competition is fierce. They have Kroger, Wal-Mart and Safeway, just to name a few. To tell you the truth, we don’t even know if the Seattle venture was that successful. Amazon Fresh is keeping a tight lid on the results.
I’m pretty pessimistic about this one. First off, the competition is just too steep. Personally, I would like to see someone knock Wal-Mart off, and if Amazon Fresh can do it, more power to them. But I don’t see that happening. It’s hard to even make a profit in the grocery business, much less the online grocery business. I know the online grocery business will cater to some demographics. But some of us actually like to go in the store, get the products with our own hands and get out. From the lines I see at the check out counter, I’m not the only one. Will you be logging on to Amazon Fresh when it comes to a city near you?
May 28, 2013 | General, News
I heard the majority of Americans get their news from late night TV. I don’t blame them; I see the way mainstream media is going. But Buzz Feed, a social media hub, teams up with CNN and You Tube to bring serious news issues to this demographic.
According to Buzz Feed COO Jon Steinberg, they plan to make 3 video a week for on You Tube. This ‘eight digit’ investment will take two years to carry out. They will use CNN as the mainstream news medium to deliver hard news to the young adult generation. The execs at CNN hopes this will help their medium keep in touch with Millennials.? Buzz Feed will use CNN archives for this new You Tube venture.
Well, I’m glad Buzz Feed is trying to reach this young generation with news. I’m glad it’s real news, not celebrity fluff. I’m tired of these kids who know all about Amanda Bynes and Justin Bieber but don’t even know where Syria is. That has to change, and I’m glad they’re doing something about it. I’m weary of CNN being the news partner in this venture.?I?guess it’s better than MSNBC?and it’s far better than FOX news. But?personally, I wish Buzz Feed teamed up with National Public Radio, RT, or a?more independent news firm.??Let’s face it, there are some?stories mainstream media are not going to tell you that young Americans need to?know. Look at how poorly the?mainstreamers covered the?Dr. Kermit?Gosnell case. So if Buzz Feed really wants be true and legit,?use independent media. Will you?or your?youngsters be turning to BuzzFeed/CNN/You Tube for your news source?
May 27, 2013 | Entertainment, General
This holiday weekend was a big one for film. The Fast and the Furious 6 and Hangover 3 made a combined 150+ million dollars in the past 72 hours. On June 7, a movie called The Internship will be released starring…Google.
The Internship stars comic legends Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. Their characters lose their watch business and now must start over. The take an internship at Google, in the Silicon Valley, and compete will people half their age and several times their tech savvy. But the real star is Google…that’s what they want you to think.
Real life Google exes like Sergey Brin make appearances. The Web giant built the set to the tee?for shooting in Atlanta, perfectly mimicking their Silicon Valley?headquarters. Their?logos and?T-Shirts are everywhere. They even wrote a couple of scenes. Note the timing of the movie: It comes out in the wake?of scrutiny over privacy issues about Google Glass.?Google CEO?Larry Page himself?hopes this movie changes the computer tech industry’s image. Another?exec?hopes this gets youth excited about computer science as potential careers.
I’m actually looking forward to seeing the Internship. First off, it sounds like great comedy. Second off, it does take you in a world many of us dream of.?I know I’m not the only one with the fantasy of interning/working in Silicon Valley. It’s PG-13,?so younger?teenagers can enjoy and learn from the?movie. And from reports I read, they did a good job walking the fine line between contributing to the move?and dictating the movie. And anything to improve the?our nations’ math and science scores. So, will you be buying a ticket this weekend?
May 22, 2013 | General, News
Over the past couple of weeks, the IRS has been in hot water over unfairly targeting certain groups. In the past couple of days, the attention shifted to Apple. Apple is accused by the US government of owing a $74 billion dollar tax evasion bill.
The focus is now on Ireland. ?A U.S Senate investigation of Apple exposed Ireland’s many loopholes and blamed the European nation for being the?iPod,?iPad and?iPhone maker’s?tax haven. According to some reports, some companies registered in Ireland have no employees other than executives. Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan), went so far as to say, “Apple wasn’t satisfied with shifting its profits to a low-tax offshore tax haven… It has created offshore entities holding tens of billions of dollars while claiming to be tax resident nowhere.” Ireland is expected to be grilled by their European neighbors about their tax laws as well.
Keep in mind Ireland, more so than in most European countries, is dependent on foreign companies like Apple, Google and Intel. Apple denies any wrong doing. In fact, they turned the tables, claiming the gov’t needs to do better getting with the changing technology and economy. In their defense, Apple testifies over half their revenue comes internationally, these funds are needed to build internationally.?They accused the US of charging so much in taxes, leaving them no choice but to go overseas.
I think there’s more at play here.?Keep in mind our deficit is $17 trillion dollars. Would the US come down on Apple so hard if we had a $17 trillion dollar surplus??Apple?has had a mixed couple of years. But now their stocks are coming back, now they’re dealt this blow? In the 1990s-early 2000s, Ireland?was the gem of Europe. Now, their economy is so bad even their cherished pubs are closing down. Now their…ahem…?’tax loopholes’ are coming under fire. What do you think is driving this Apple/Ireland scenario?
