Windows RT was NOT a misstep. Surface and Windows RT allow Microsoft to quell the critics that would be all over them if they allowed Apple to offer them high margin hero devices and others, the PC's Dead crowd, who would say ARMH's killing Wintel. Microsoft can now support ARM and Atom 4"-15" devices from all ODM's including the Surface group within. The Windows 8/RT strategy allows ODM's like Lenovo and Nokia to pick and chose the processor chips best suited for device functionality and prices. It's going to be real interesting to see devices like Lenovo's K900 smart phone with Atoms running WP8 (Windows RT).
Some Apple (AAPL) commentary: 1) Horace Dediu estimates the iPhone and iPad's component costs respectively rose 29% and 65% Y/Y in FQ2, well above rev. growth of 3% and 40%. This, along with a mix shift towards iPads, is mostly responsible for Apple's gross margin drop (rather than price pressure). 2) Tero Kuittinen sees similarities between 2013 Apple and 2007 Nokia. "The strongest parallel is in the weird way both companies started fighting the consumer preference for larger displays … and then dug in as margins began eroding rapidly." Tim Cook may have just hinted a bigger iPhone will eventually arrive. But how long will it take? (yesterday) [View news story]
It's not absurd to compare them but they are nothing alike. Apple's got everything that Nokia lost and that's why Nokia went for Windows Phone. They'll be three mobile ecosystems, Android, Apple and Microsoft, and Nokia just need to be in 3rd place. Nokia can now focus on hardware devices and mobile ecosystem and leave the heavy software lifting to Microsoft and save $1-2 billion a year.
Intel's (INTC) Haswell CPU line will officially launch on June 3, the chip giant announces; CNET reported 3 weeks ago Intel has begun shipping Haswell parts to OEMs ahead of a launch. More costly CPUs are expected to arrive first, followed by low-end CPUs later in the year. Meanwhile, Intel confirms it wants to sell Atom CPUs for $200 Android touchscreen PCs (previous), while adding systems based on its Core CPUs could sell for $400-$500. [View news story]
Intel's going all in with Atom 22nm and that's huge.
Totally absurd. Apple's head in the sand, one size fits all arrogance has lead to their 40% stock drop and their dual OS misstep means their MacBook is now a legacy non-touch screen over priced toy.
Lenovo's Z400 Touch (13") and Z500 Touch (15") with Windows 8 blow away the MacBook Pro 13 at a much more economical price. Apple's Mac sold 4 million units last quarter which is 2.3% of PC's? Long ABX, AAPL, GLD, FSC, INTC, LNVGY, MSFT, NOK and STO.
Can Windows Phone Fight Back Against The Apple Onslaught? Memento Mori Microsoft - Part 2 [View article]
Microsoft's Windows 8 adoption rate continues to match that of prior Windows versions despite all the lame PC's Dead and Start Button rhetoric. Windows Phone is nothing but a variant of Windows RT and it's adoption rate will be tried closely to the overall Windows 8 user experience. Windows 8 devices, like Lenovo's Z400 and Z500 Touch, are starting to increase in acceptance and Intel's Haswell will increase performance, lower battery use and decrease prices across the board. I can wait to replace my Lumia 900 WP7.8 with a Lumia 920, 928 or 950 next year after I get a Lenovo Z500 15" Touch.
Fifth Street Finance Corp.'s Upcoming Q2 2013 Net Asset Valuation Estimation [View article]
It's been pretty amazing owning FSC for the last three years while collecting 11% dividends. I did unload 50% of my position when it soared to $14 in early 2011 but bought it back when it crash back. Nothing currently in the news makes me want to unload any of my 11,000 shs.
The PC Industry's Powerful New Weapon Against Tablets Is About To Be Unleashed [View article]
Wow, you're really a misinformed blogger. Intel's Atom chips are NOT $175-327, more like a 10th of that price. Win8 is not $200 for ODM's more like $80 and that's a steal. Lenovo's Z400 and Z500 blow away anything Android or Apple has to offer.
WinArm (Nokia) and Wintel (Lenovo and others) are alive and well providing the content that IT dummies make $100,000-200,000 a year providing. The younger generations are just as arrogant and ignorant as all generations were when they were young.
Nokia's death notices have been very premature for over a year now. It seems that a year ago the Lumia 900 wasn't upgradeable to WP8, then Nokia was going bankrupt by now and finally the Lumia 920 was too heavy and Microsoft was going to make a Surface Phone.
Now Microsoft's looking up, 7% of tablet sales without counting the millions of Lenovo Yoga and Z400/500 Ultrabooks, Microsoft's says Nokia is their smart phone provider and Windows 8 is starting to gain traction. Every touch based W8 device sale is a Nokia smart phone potential buyer and that will grow each quarter. Nokia's main challenge now are devices like Lenovo's Ideaphone K900 which are going to give Apple and Samsung some real heart burn too.
The Apple-Microsoft Comparison Is Valid [View article]
Apple and Microsoft only have one thing in common and that's the consuming public which Apple caters to and Microsoft see as secondary to their enterprise customers. Apple strives to make consumer devices that have human interfaces that even dummies can used. Microsoft strives to provide the building components that allow enterprises to increase productivity and profitability. Apple has to strive find the next "big" thing while Microsoft buys or copy's it when it becomes a resounding success and has utility for enterprises.
The Apple-Microsoft Comparison Is Valid [View article]
Nice pro-Apple stance but Microsoft's doing quite well and so will Windows 8. I don't think anybody's calling for Apple's demise they're just trying to beat its PS down so they can steal some. That's what markets are all about, buying low and selling high.
More Than 7 Million Lumia Shipments Expected - Nokia Bears Just Don't Get It [View article]
A lot better then having a phone running Google's ad virus skunkware.
Apple: A $467 Price Floor Set By Share Repurchase Plan And Dividend Hike [View article]
Is Windows 8 A Success? [View article]
Some Apple (AAPL) commentary: 1) Horace Dediu estimates the iPhone and iPad's component costs respectively rose 29% and 65% Y/Y in FQ2, well above rev. growth of 3% and 40%. This, along with a mix shift towards iPads, is mostly responsible for Apple's gross margin drop (rather than price pressure). 2) Tero Kuittinen sees similarities between 2013 Apple and 2007 Nokia. "The strongest parallel is in the weird way both companies started fighting the consumer preference for larger displays … and then dug in as margins began eroding rapidly." Tim Cook may have just hinted a bigger iPhone will eventually arrive. But how long will it take? (yesterday) [View news story]
Intel's (INTC) Haswell CPU line will officially launch on June 3, the chip giant announces; CNET reported 3 weeks ago Intel has begun shipping Haswell parts to OEMs ahead of a launch. More costly CPUs are expected to arrive first, followed by low-end CPUs later in the year. Meanwhile, Intel confirms it wants to sell Atom CPUs for $200 Android touchscreen PCs (previous), while adding systems based on its Core CPUs could sell for $400-$500. [View news story]
Best Windows Laptop? MacBook Pro! [View article]
Lenovo's Z400 Touch (13") and Z500 Touch (15") with Windows 8 blow away the MacBook Pro 13 at a much more economical price. Apple's Mac sold 4 million units last quarter which is 2.3% of PC's? Long ABX, AAPL, GLD, FSC, INTC, LNVGY, MSFT, NOK and STO.
Can Windows Phone Fight Back Against The Apple Onslaught? Memento Mori Microsoft - Part 2 [View article]
Fifth Street Finance Corp.'s Upcoming Q2 2013 Net Asset Valuation Estimation [View article]
The PC Industry's Powerful New Weapon Against Tablets Is About To Be Unleashed [View article]
WinArm (Nokia) and Wintel (Lenovo and others) are alive and well providing the content that IT dummies make $100,000-200,000 a year providing. The younger generations are just as arrogant and ignorant as all generations were when they were young.
The PC Industry's Powerful New Weapon Against Tablets Is About To Be Unleashed [View article]
Can Windows Phone Fight Back Against The Apple Onslaught? Memento Mori Microsoft - Part 2 [View article]
Nokia's Sad Death [View article]
Now Microsoft's looking up, 7% of tablet sales without counting the millions of Lenovo Yoga and Z400/500 Ultrabooks, Microsoft's says Nokia is their smart phone provider and Windows 8 is starting to gain traction. Every touch based W8 device sale is a Nokia smart phone potential buyer and that will grow each quarter. Nokia's main challenge now are devices like Lenovo's Ideaphone K900 which are going to give Apple and Samsung some real heart burn too.
http://bit.ly/17n363O
The Apple-Microsoft Comparison Is Valid [View article]
The Apple-Microsoft Comparison Is Valid [View article]
How Should Apple Use Its Cash? [View article]