I’m Googled out!
Google sent me an email last week. It read: “Dear Google user, We’re getting rid of over 60 different privacy policies across Google and replacing them with one that’s a lot shorter and easier to read. Our new policy covers multiple products and features, reflecting our desire to create one beautifully simple and intuitive experience [...]
BlackBerry bungling twins thorny ending
I’ve just finished reading the New York Times report on the departure of the twin CEOs at BlackBerry HQ, RIM. If the situation were not so critical for RIM shareholders it would actually make hilarious reading, something akin to a black comedy. For a start, how many companies do you know have two CEOs? The [...]
Greek Economics 101
From the country that brought us philosophy, democracy, ouzo and language (all the previous words are Greek), comes some economic theory to bring Greece and Europe out of the economic doldrums. It’s doing the rounds via email but it is so brilliant in its simplicity I felt it worth sharing here. It is a slow [...]
Let’s cut ‘em off at the pass, Tonto!
Paranoia reached new heights with news out today that a US government committee has launched a full investigation into the potential security threat of Chinese telecom equipment companies operating in the United States. TelecomAsia reports that the House permanent select committee on intelligence (HPSCI) said in a statement that a preliminary 10-month review of Huawei [...]
More FCC BS – Bill Shock syndrome strategy
“Wireless carriers agree to end bill shock” declared the CNNMoney headlines, “those surprise overage charges on your wireless bill will soon be a thing of the past.” Oh really! The story was either written by an extreme optimist or someone who knows very little about the machinations of carrier billing or customer behavior. Despite the [...]
RIM, on the edge of a precipice?
Poor old Research In Motion (RIM), purveyor of the once mercurial BlackBerry, are finding the going tough these days, and it looks like getting a lot tougher! To add to its recent less than scintillating sales performance, market percentage loss and failure of new models and iPad competitor such as the BlackBook to make any [...]
What Steve Jobs has taught the telecoms industry.
OK, enough is enough. We all know Steve Jobs has resigned as Apple CEO and we’ve been inundated with stories and theories about what will happen at Apple in his absence. My personal favorite headline of the last week was ‘Jobs exit opens door for nimble Apple rivals’ and from Reuters, no less! What nimble [...]
Revolutions reveal revolting trends
First it was unrest in the Middle East, then riots in the UK, now it’s reaching that bastion of free speech and human rights, the USA. I am referring here to the relatively new concept of shutting down telecommunications service at the whim of government on the slightest hint of political or social unrest. It [...]
Wielding the knife becoming a popular pastime
I continue to be perturbed by headlines from the telecoms industry declaring staff cuts to reduce costs and improve profitability. Is there no other means to placate investors than to resort to such radical and life-disrupting means for people that have not necessarily failed in their jobs? Today’s workforce appears to have become a totally [...]
Adult content dilemma looming for NBNs
The rollout of national broadband networks for the early-adopter countries is uncovering some very interesting challenges. That least expected is the slow take-up of subscribers to the blindingly fast fiber networks. Is it because the technology is scary, the cost too high or consumers are happy with what they have? Whatever the reason, suggestions are [...]