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Comcast, the major cable conglomerate is buying NBC-Universal which is a television network as well as film production company. This is a very scary purchase for $30 Billion because it give Comcast control of a large amount of content. Comcast has had a history of not being a very good content company and better at the distribution. The best example of this is when Comcast bought TechTV and merged it with it’s gaming channel, G4. While TechTV had high-quality content, G4 didn’t and Comcast made the TechTV shows more like the G4 programming and canceled many of the great shows TechTV had. The main reason that Comcast bought the channel was because they wanted the TechTV audience but they didn’t care about the shows or the people who made the shows.

One idea is for if the merger goes through, which is in the hands of the FCC, is that NBC would operate the same as they currently do, and take over the operation of all of Comcast Productions as well because they have proven themselves very successful at producing content. This is the best option because it would leave NBC to do what it is best at and Comcast would continue to  be the giant cable monopoly that they have been. However, if Comcast tries and interfer with the NBC content, then NBC can be in a lot of trouble! The other fear of this purchase is that Comcast would then have partial ownership of Hulu, the online video site which competes with their own Fancast. I hope the FCC put a lot of thought into the ramifications of this purchase before approving it because it could severely disrupt the television industry.

The iPhone has been considered to be one of the best smartphones currently on the market. It allows people to stay organized on the move with a convenient device that is “always on and always connected” and includes crucial applications for business people calendar, contacts and email. Although these apps are pretty good for the average users, they leave more to be desired for the business user. The largest limitation for business people is the limitation to only synchronizing with one exchange account. Another problem is the limited calendar functionality, it once again is fine for the average user, and I use the calendar on my iPod Touch all the time, but, business people want more. The contacts app should add the ability to subscribe shared contacts lists which is very common in the world of big business.

My solution to these problems is that Apple should make Pro versions of the core applications for example, Contacts Pro, that add the functionality for business users and sell the  upgrade for a minimal price, even 99 cents and I’m sure a lot of iPhone owner would buy it. In fact, if it was 99 cents for the upgrades, I would even consider the upgrade because it could make the iPhone a much more productive device.

In 1997, Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy and probably would have gone under had Steve Jobs not returned! When he returned, the first thing that he did was kill off the excessive products Apple had at the time and created Apple’s simplifed product line-up that we see to this day! The other major thing Steve did was kill the licensing program, which allowed other computer manufacters ship computers running Mac OS. This was hurting Apple’s business and because of that they ended the program and Apple came back with a vengence in the late 90’s.

Fast forward to 2006, when Apple switched to Intel processors for their machines. People began to realize that through a minor hack they could install Mac OSX on their non-Apple hardware, thus bringing the birth of the “Hackintosh” phenomenon! Apple had tried to sue people and stop this but they were unable to contain the craze. Then, the next generation of clone manufactures arrived. Psystar attempted to sell computers that were significantly less expensive than Apple’s computers and they came pre-installed with Mac OS. Apple, immediately sued them for copyright infringment anda violation of the Digital Millenium Copy Right Act (DMCA). Last week, as I reported on The Weekly Spin episode 48 Apple won their judgment once again suppressing the clones. I know this won’t stop people from Hackintoshing their own machines, although Apple will try a peruse them for that as well.  In fact, Apple, has disable Atom processors, the processors used in many netbooks, from running Mac OS which stops Hacintosh Netbooks which is had become very common. However, if Psystar won this, which was highly doubted from  the start,  it would greatly harm Apple’s business and could cause a repast of many of the problems of the 1990’s! Luckily for Apple, poorly working clones won’t be sold and if you want a fully working Mac OS machine you will need to get a Apple computer.

The Financial markets have been tough these past few years and by the estimates of the Federal Reserve will continue that way for the rest of 2009. People have been forced to accept lower wages and many have lost their jobs. Many people have had trouble making ends meet, and I have a few ideas on how to save a good amount of money.

1. Cancel Newspaper subscriptions

Newspapers not only cost money, but also take up space and why bother with the cost and mess when you could read news online for Free? Just subscribe to the free RSS feed and now you can read it on your computer instead of in paper.

2. Cut Your Landline

Another great way to save a lot of money is by canceling your landline subscrription and that saves a quite large monthly fee, and just have everyone call your cell phone and now you will always have your main phone with you at all times!

3. Subscribe to Bargain Hunter sites

I know that there are things people want to buy but, a lot of stuff is out of price ranges now, but may become more affordable laer. I like to check sites like: Woot, Lifehacker and Engadget which all provide daily baragins mainly in technology but also in other topics as well.

4. Buy used

I mentioned why buying used is so great and it truley is a great way to save cash so that you can get what you want and save money at the same time.

5. Buy off-brand

You don’t need the big brand-name products and off brand is fine. I do this with many gadgets like memory which you don’t need Sand disk, generic brands do just fine and save you a lot of money.

Digital music downloads have redefined the music industry and although this is much better for the consumer, the record labels are still trying to stick with their old methods that drive consumers to piracy. I believe that there are several methods the record labels need to adopt in order to save the industry and their business or record labels will become a thing of the past.

1. Abandon DRM

People have said for quite some time they want no restrictions on the music they bought legitimatly and they are just being treated like trash by the record labels. Amazon MP3 was the first to sell DRM-free Mp3s and iTunes recently went DRM free as well. People just want simple music files!

2. Let People Rip their CDs

When people bought CDs in their prime, they did not have any idea computerize media would become so prominent and why should people pay again for their music instead of just ripping, copying from disk to computer, and use them on their digital devices. The law around this has been a gray area for way too long and this needs to end because people should be allowed to copy music they legally own.

3. Let the Artist Choose the Price and Distribution Model

Several artists have chosen to distribute their music for free over the internet, and have let people try their music before they buy it and if they pay they get to choose the price. The two leaders of this movement were Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails. Radiohead also, distributed MIDI files of some of their sonegs so that listeners can make their own remixes and mashups. They also created the model of picking your own price and being able to buy if first for free and then go back and pay what you want.

These three practices will save the record industry and could restore faith of the consumers. This can save a large industry that has been poorly managed for a long time.

You don’t need to be a major Apple Fanboy like me to know that Steve Jobs has been on medical leave since January and will not be returning until June and this has brought Mr. Jobs’ health into question and if he is going to be able to return to Apple as CEO. Mr. Jobs had pancreatic cancer in 2004 and although it was treated people, especially shareholders, have questioned if he can continue to lead Apple and if he is about to die who will take over the role of Apple CEO after him. Although Apple claims that Steve will be returning in June and resume his role but, he is 54 and not immortal so at some point in time, he will have to step down from CEO either from resigning or dying while still CEO and many people are wondering who will succeed Steve.  History lesson here, when Steve was fired in 1984, Apple declined until he returned and Apple lost it’s hold on the Personal computer market that it created. The problem was that no one had the charism or skills Steve does and   I have looked at the people I think are possibilities to take over the CEO position and weigh in who I think will be chosen although I hope this plan will not have to be put in action anytime soon.

The Contenders:

Tim Cook

Tim Cook is the obvious choice since, he is the Chief Operating Officer and while Steve is on medical leave he is Interim CEO. He is a very  well qualified business leader but, I do not think he has the charisma that gave Steve the cult following nor, the vision that has fuel Apple’s innovation.

Phil Shiller

Phil Shiller, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, is well know for helping Steve in his keynote demos and has worked with Steve since he ran NeXt Computer which means he may be more in tune with the Steve’s plan for Apple. The one worry I have is lack of business experience and if he could be an effective CEO and well as a visionary.

Scott  Forstall

Scott Forstall, to me would be the ideal candiate as far as being the visionary who can attract the Apple Cult following as well as keep the vision for Apple’s future alive. The only downside is that he does not have the business experience but, I think if he keeps Cook on as COO as the Business guy and he runs the vision and keeps the Apple culture alive.

Winner:

As I said he is ideal for keeping the Apple cuture alive and not only that reminds me of a younger Steve Jobs and would be good to keep the vision for Apple’s future alive and the culture that keeps the public interested in Apple.

Images Courtesy of Apple Inc. (Apple.com)

Everyone has a favorite companies for certain types of products and I am not and exception and because of that, I would like to share with all my readers the brands that I prefer and why I do to hopefully help make buying decisions when it is time to buy a new product.

Technology:

Computer:
Apple

Non-Apple Computers:

HP

Printer:

HP

Headset:

Logitech PC Headset 960 USB

Camera:

Canon

Music Player:

Apple

Game Console:

Nintendo Wii

Services:

Photo Sharing:

Flickr

Email:

Gmail

Calendar:

Google Calendar

Blogging CMS:

Wordpress

Web Host:

1and1

Online TV:

Hulu

Backup:

Mozy

Other:

Tea:

Adagio

I have been taking Accounting Class for the last 10 weeks or so and I actually do enjoy it quite a lot however, I have made one observation, accounting on a computer reduces human errors and although there are downsides to depending on technology, the reward outweighs the risk.

Accounting is not extremly complicated, it can be confusing at times but, for the most part, it is basic addition and subtraction but, once you learn all the rules and processes the biggest issue that people run into is human error which I will admit can occur on both computers and paper but, it is much more prevolent on paper. The biggest problem is that people make mistakes; it happens to everyone and there is not real stopping it except by training accountants to be able to catch their errors and knowing how to problem solve. But, little things like writing a number in the wrong collum or  copying the wrong number could totally ruin a comapny’s finances.

Computers and Accounting software has made accounting a lot easier than it used to be because there is no handwriting and as far as mistakes a lot of modern software can point out errors. The Software makes sure you are using the proper account and makes sure that the technique is correct. I am not saying that this will resolve all the problems and will let anyone with a computer be able to  be an accountant but, it will curb the human errors. Although computers have glitches and power outages, the benefits of using a computer severly outweighs the minor inconvenences of technology.

It used to be that most companies would have to run and manage  their own servers in order to allow employees to send email. This is, however, is very expensive and very time consuming, however, as usual, Google has come up with a solutiuon called Google Apps which lets companies pay Google and use Gmail for their company email along with other Google services. Google Apps costs $50/user/year and if you compare that to the costs of buying, setting up and maintaing a server it is much less expensive. It also allows employess to utilize Google Contacts, Calendar, Chat, Docs and many other services. Another benefit of this is Google backs up their servers so users do not have to worry about backing up their data. This utilizes the best web application suite on the internet and makes web communication and collaboration easy. I reccommend that anyone who is starting a business or anyone overhauling their current email system to give Google Apps serious consideration.

Prior to the emergence of the Internet, business had to be facillitated over the phone, postal mail and in-person meetings but, now the Internet is well established and has grown and cultivated the development of many tools that have made communicating, networking, learning and doing business in general far easier than it was for the prior generation of entrepreneurs.

Before there was the Internet business people had to network by traveling to conferences or by a chance encounter in their day to day lives. Now there are tons of ways to network with people around the World without leaving your desk. In fact, there are even social networks who’s primary goal is to help people network like LinkedIN and many people have begun to use Facebook to achieve this goal now as well. These networks not only let people meet other professionals but, also let them have discussions and develop business relationships no matter where in they are in the World!

Communication used to only be done by phone calls, postal mail and in person meetings which made business slow and collaboration difficult. But now because of Internet communication and collaboration are much simpler and almost instantaneous! This because of the creation of services like E-Mail, Instant messaging, and many web tools like Basecamp that let people collaborate over the Internet.

The Internet also allows people to research and learn about business and learn all they need to know without having to read books that are outdated. It also let’s people help each other over forums and other networks to share ideas and advice.

Most importantly, the Internet allows people to do business over the internet and has spawned a whole new generation of businesses. With the Internet you can buy and sell products and services without having to operate a brick and morter store! It also has developed and entire new industry of products and services which has cause many new people to become entrepreneurs and develop their own businesses.

The Internet has greatly accellerated the Global economy and I believe that it will continue in the future and will be a great help to get us out of the current economic recession and make the global economy even stronger than ever.