JMBrazil, I don't want to hurt your feelings but the democracy we are talking about is the democracy of the rich and NOT the ordinary people... Democracy does not mean that you can freely go and vote but it also means you lock those up in prison who steal public money, you lock those up who kill innocent people i.e. Ike Batista's son. It is true that Brazil came a long way in the last 15 years thanks to FHC and his government and yes it's true that Brazil became the 6th largest economy ahead of United Kingdom who is a small island with an 80 million population in comparison to the large area Brazil covers in Latin America with huge mineral resources... If it were not for the demand for these resources, what would you be selling to China & Russia or the rest of the world, beside Embraer jets and Brazilian beef?! Brazil has a very complicated tax system and a lot of bureacracy that put off a lot of foreign companies investing in the country.. Lets not forget the corruption.. It is not everywhere but it is in ALL government controlled entities... Tell me about schooling, health system, public transport, infrastructure of the country.... You can't just pay $US700 a month wages and give 'bolsa familia' to millions of Brazilians and expect progress... The ones who are benefiting from the economic growth are the ones who already had money and the recently growing middle class.. But as this article highlights, when the bubble bursts, it will be those middle class who will be paying the price and the ones with low wages won't be affected as they have been living on low wages all their life... Short term, yes, you can make money but long term you might find yourself losing your trousers...
Great article and solid points about Brazil. Every single point you have made is very valid for Brazil. Unlike Russ Winter I still do live in the country and have seen the changes and huge price rises in the big cities such as Rio, Sao Paulo and up North of the country in the popular tourist destinations such as Salvador. I tend to compare the prices to London hence going out in Sao Paulo is at times 3 times more expensive then London!!! Sub-par service everywhere and yet asking for a 1st class service prices... Why? Well the country is not used to Western life standards hence anyone or any establishment providing service just above these sub-par services can charge huge prices yet people seem to pay without questioning anything... No price control in the country.. Corruption rife from the very bottom to the very top in the government.. On that note, the only decent government Brazil had since I have been here was Fernando Henrique Cardoso's (FHC) government who fixed Brazil's economy and then got ousted by Lula's CORRUPT government who has done nothing since coming to power but just kept on riding the waves on false promises to the population.. Since 70-80% of the population is poor, their votes were easily purchasable by the Labour Party of Lula. Dilma Rouseff is the same.. These people are filling their own coffers whilst investing nothing in the infrastructure of the country... Middle class are buying everything on Credit Cards in 5-12 times instalments and paying huge interest rates to the banks and Credit Card companies. As you have rightly said, the bubble is soon to be burst and lets see what happens.. The "Mensalao" (public money used for vote buying and filling the pockets of Lula's followers) case brought against the previous government members that is currently in process at the high court of Brazil is a true testament of how the government here functions... It's all show and hype and unfortunately honest Brazilians who are paying 40-50% tax on their salaries and in return receive nothing from the government are the ones paying the high price..
"If Steve Jobs were still alive, would the new map application on the iPhone 5 be such an unmitigated disaster?" asks Joe Nocera. It's a question many others are also asking, given the huge backlash to iOS 6 Maps. But to Nocera, a potentially bigger concern is that Jobs' absence will limit the risk-taking that drove Apple's (AAPL) meteoric rise. Joshua Topolsky: "The iPhone 5 is unquestionably the best iPhone ever made ... but right now Apple seems to be in a holding pattern, too comfortable or too scared to take real chances." (also: I, II) [View news story]
I agree with you.. From the article you would think that every single person on this earth is LOST and everyone is using maps on their iphone to find their way around!!!! Has anyone managed to find any defect with the iPhone 5 thus far?!! I didn't think so... The apps for the map can be easily fixed if need to but as I said earlier, I doubt very much that everyone who has bought an iphone walking or driving around to find their way to their destination using this app. Pathetic article..
Apple (AAPL) is seeking U.S. bans on 8 Samsung (SSNLF.PK) smartphones, Bloomberg reports. The devices include four Galaxy S II models and the Epic 4G, but not the Galaxy S III or the Galaxy Nexus. The S III was launched too late to be included in Apple's suit, thus an injunction request might require another legal action. But the Nexus was declared to be infringing - was it spared due to its use of stock Android (previous), or is it already covered by a pre-trial injunction? (more) [View news story]
@jjmc My Mrs is using one of those Nokia Lumia phones and all I can say to you is they are terrible.. Even she admits it is terrible & inferior to the iphone 3s that i am using and this view is coming from someone who doesn't get off the phone which should not be discounted...
"Come on. This is farce," says tech legal site Groklaw, incredulous Apple-Samsung jurors took only 21 hours to deliberate over a 700-question form one lawyer says would take him 3 days to understand. Groklaw is also unimpressed with contradictory statements from jurors, several verdict inconsistencies, and the fact jurors reached a decision without reading a 109-page instruction form (.pdf). Some lawyers are predicting this case will reach the Supreme Court, due to the issues it raises about UI and design patents. (more) [View news story]
Are u for real?!! Samsung a not well known company!!! Samsung got caught cheating and it is as simple as that.. That's what the patent laws are for, to catch those who copy others... Why do you think the pirate CDs and DVDs are illegal?! The same thing applies to Samsung... ;-)
Apple (AAPL +2.3%) rallies after Topeka Capital's Brian White decides to one-up his many bullish peers by starting coverage with a $1,001 PT (no typo). White, who made plenty of positive remarks about Apple while at Ticonderoga Securities, praises Apple's brand for being "able to touch the soul of consumers of all backgrounds." He also thinks China and a TV set could help out some. [View news story]
Well-connected startup sage Paul Graham says a Steve Jobs-less Apple (AAPL) will not be able to innovate beyond its current pipeline. "Apple's revenues may continue to rise for a long time, but as Microsoft shows, revenue is a lagging indicator in the technology business." (via) [View news story]
"but as Microsoft shows" Well lets just say Apple is NO Microsoft... Steve Jobs left the company in very good hands and we all know that Apple didn't come thus far under the control of a single man.. There are a lot of brilliant individuals working at this company who were most definitely were working alongside Steve.. I am sure Steve Jobs's brilliance must have rubbed on to at least a few of these guys.. so the future is a mighty shiny Apple for generations to come..
Bailing Out Of Brazil [View article]
Bailing Out Of Brazil [View article]
"If Steve Jobs were still alive, would the new map application on the iPhone 5 be such an unmitigated disaster?" asks Joe Nocera. It's a question many others are also asking, given the huge backlash to iOS 6 Maps. But to Nocera, a potentially bigger concern is that Jobs' absence will limit the risk-taking that drove Apple's (AAPL) meteoric rise. Joshua Topolsky: "The iPhone 5 is unquestionably the best iPhone ever made ... but right now Apple seems to be in a holding pattern, too comfortable or too scared to take real chances." (also: I, II) [View news story]
Apple (AAPL) is seeking U.S. bans on 8 Samsung (SSNLF.PK) smartphones, Bloomberg reports. The devices include four Galaxy S II models and the Epic 4G, but not the Galaxy S III or the Galaxy Nexus. The S III was launched too late to be included in Apple's suit, thus an injunction request might require another legal action. But the Nexus was declared to be infringing - was it spared due to its use of stock Android (previous), or is it already covered by a pre-trial injunction? (more) [View news story]
"Come on. This is farce," says tech legal site Groklaw, incredulous Apple-Samsung jurors took only 21 hours to deliberate over a 700-question form one lawyer says would take him 3 days to understand. Groklaw is also unimpressed with contradictory statements from jurors, several verdict inconsistencies, and the fact jurors reached a decision without reading a 109-page instruction form (.pdf). Some lawyers are predicting this case will reach the Supreme Court, due to the issues it raises about UI and design patents. (more) [View news story]
Apple Sells A 2 Headed Vision [View article]
Apple (AAPL +2.3%) rallies after Topeka Capital's Brian White decides to one-up his many bullish peers by starting coverage with a $1,001 PT (no typo). White, who made plenty of positive remarks about Apple while at Ticonderoga Securities, praises Apple's brand for being "able to touch the soul of consumers of all backgrounds." He also thinks China and a TV set could help out some. [View news story]
Well-connected startup sage Paul Graham says a Steve Jobs-less Apple (AAPL) will not be able to innovate beyond its current pipeline. "Apple's revenues may continue to rise for a long time, but as Microsoft shows, revenue is a lagging indicator in the technology business." (via) [View news story]