WEEKLY BLOG COMMENTS – No. 48
DATES: 2013/01/20– 2013/01/27
ANALYST: Domingo Trassens
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THEME: United States
Subject: In her column “Opinion”,
the columnist Peggy Noonan comments two
lessons on how conservatives and Republicans might approach their future, and a
look at the meaning of Barack Obama
My Comment: Barack Obama is not a Jimmy Carter.
He likes to play with drones and kill enemies in distance, but he is a
vulnerable foe on the ground. He has a serious Achilles’ heel. He is not a good
negotiator and he will be wounded in the fight against Republicans. Lesson one
for President Obama: Learn to negotiate if you want to end your last
four years healthy. (2013/01/25)
Story: SEC Nominee Signals Shift
Subject: Journalist Jessica
Holzer explains Obama taps ex-prosecutor Mary Jo White, portending an increased
policing of Wall Street.
My Comment: The information available shows
that Mary Jo White, ex-prosecutor and current SEC nominee, has strong
background as a “cop” of Wall Street and prosecuting terrorists.
We understand that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is a federal agency which hold primary responsibility for enforcing the federal securities laws and regulating the securities industry, but will Ms. White be flexible enough to fight against crime without create panic through the aisles of Wall Street? Sometimes, the “cops” only see criminals. (2013/01/25)
We understand that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is a federal agency which hold primary responsibility for enforcing the federal securities laws and regulating the securities industry, but will Ms. White be flexible enough to fight against crime without create panic through the aisles of Wall Street? Sometimes, the “cops” only see criminals. (2013/01/25)
Subject: Journalists Caroline
Porter and Joe Barrett comment about the bad weather across the country with
stories from Embarrass, Minn.
My Comment: Winter is winter: cold wind, snow,
foggy mornings, short days... We cannot expect something different.
(2013/01/24)
Subject: Journalists Siobhan
Gorman and Jay Solomon explain Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defended the
Obama administration's handling of the September terrorist attack on the U.S. Benghazi , Libya
My Comment: The hearing of Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton before Senate and House committees about the attack on the U.S.
Consulate in Benghazi , Libya
Story: Obama Vows Aggressive Agenda
Subject: Journalist Carol E. Lee
writes a complete coverage of the presidential inauguration as President Barack
Obama is publicly sworn-in to begin his second term. This story includes
opinions of different political leaders about President Obama’s speech and his
agenda for the second term.
My Comment: Today everybody talks about the
main actor of the scene: President Barack Obama. Personally, I would like to
underline the words of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell related to
Inauguration Day.
Mitch McConnell said: “The president’s second term represents a fresh start when it comes to dealing with the great challenges of our day…Republicans are eager to work with the president on achieving this common goal, and we firmly believe that divided government provides the perfect opportunity to do so.”
Myself I am strong believer on the principles of democracy. I believe in the opportunity that different voices, different minds can work together to achieve common goals for the best for the people, for the best for the nations. (2013/01/22) 2 Recommendations
Mitch McConnell said: “The president’s second term represents a fresh start when it comes to dealing with the great challenges of our day…Republicans are eager to work with the president on achieving this common goal, and we firmly believe that divided government provides the perfect opportunity to do so.”
Myself I am strong believer on the principles of democracy. I believe in the opportunity that different voices, different minds can work together to achieve common goals for the best for the people, for the best for the nations. (2013/01/22) 2 Recommendations
Subject: Journalist Peter
Nicholas explains that when Joe Biden took the oath marking the start of his
second term as vice president, some observers said that he may be thinking of a
promotion four years down the road.
My Comment: From my perspective, the
speculations about the 2016 presidential campaign from the side of the
Democrats are not appropriate in this moment. Last November they won the
election. Now they have to perform their current obligation: govern. It is
insane that in the start of a new term, they are thinking again about political
campaigns. (2013/01/21) 3 Recommendations
Story: 'I Did It': Obama Takes Oath
Subject: Journalist Peter
Nicholas says “President Barack Obama took the oath of office Sunday in a
private ceremony at the White House, opening a second term in which he will attempt
to push tighter gun controls and an immigration overhaul through a divided
government, while confronting Iran
My Comment: The oath ceremony is something
formal. The important moves come next. (2013/01/20) 2 Recommendations
Subject: Journalists Julian E.
Barnes and Drew Hinshaw write the British and U.S. Mali
My Comment: The statement of U.S. Secretary of
Defense Leon Panetta: “Just as we cannot accept terrorist attacks against our
cities, we cannot accept attacks against our citizens and our interests abroad”
doesn’t solve the problem. The fact is that when a country like Algeria
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THEME: Europe
Story: U.K. Economy Shrinks
Subject: This story explains that
in the last 2012 quarter, the U.K.
My Comment: This story titled “U.K. Economy
Shrinks” says: “The U.K. Britain 2008.”
We have to add that it looks like the London Olympic Games were not enough “economic engine” to move forward the country through all of 2012.
Bad news after all the efforts the British crown made to start the Games with the “Queen” jumping from a parachute! (2013/01/25) 2 Recommendations
We have to add that it looks like the London Olympic Games were not enough “economic engine” to move forward the country through all of 2012.
Bad news after all the efforts the British crown made to start the Games with the “Queen” jumping from a parachute! (2013/01/25) 2 Recommendations
Subject: Journalists Ainsley
Thomson and Jason Douglas explain the United Kingdom Britain 2008.” They also talk about
the speech Primer Minister David Cameron at the World Economic Forum (Davos , Switzerland
My Comment: U.K. Europe on the feet of the former British Empire . His attitude shows an arrogance
that is not appropriate to these circumstances. He cannot climb to the top of
the mast and give orders to the others, while he never accepts to go down and
rows like everyone else. (2013/01/23) 1 Recommendation
Story: Spain's Recession Deepens
Subject: Journalists David Román
and Christopher Bjork comment that “Spain
My Comment: The problem is the recession hits
first the people without permanent jobs or low income and the retirees. And the
information from Spain
Story: Cameron Pledges EU Vote
Subject: Journalist Alex Brittain
writes that leaders from several European governments bridled at U.K.
My Comment: The problem is that U.K.
However, the experience of the first 10 years of euro-zone showed that in the European Union under a flexible system, everybody was managing its obligations with others without responsibility and sometimes against their own national interests due to the corruption of their leaders. The best samples were the crisis generated byIreland Portugal Greece Spain Italy
The “laissez-faire” economic system doesn't work in a community where everybody only thinks in the "dolce vita".
If theUnited Kingdom
However, the experience of the first 10 years of euro-zone showed that in the European Union under a flexible system, everybody was managing its obligations with others without responsibility and sometimes against their own national interests due to the corruption of their leaders. The best samples were the crisis generated by
The “laissez-faire” economic system doesn't work in a community where everybody only thinks in the "dolce vita".
If the
Subject: Journalists David
Gauthier-Villars and Adam Entous say France US Mali
My Comment: The Malian operation was started by
France
Subject: Journalist William Boston
writes German Chancellor Angela Merkel's bid for a third term in office
suffered a blow when left-leaning opposition parties defeated a coalition of
her Christian Democrats and Free Democrats with a razor-thin one-seat majority
in an election in the state of Lower Saxony .
My Comment: The results of the election in the
state of Lower
Saxony
anticipate a tough year in German politics during 2013. The Christian Democrats
really were the winners but through the system of coalition the Social
Democrats together with the Greens added more votes and they took control of
the state.
Till the general election of September, we will see a hard fight between Angela Merkel – current Chancellor - and Peer Steinbrück from SPD with implications in the international politics.
I believe two crucial topics are the European Union’s stabilization and the relationships US-Germany. In the European environment there are also 3 key factors: the fluctuation of the euro, the “facto” leadership betweenGermany France UK
Despite all the hurdles that Angela Merkel had to jump during the last two years, her position continues strong. Across2012, in different moments, the political
observers thought the “end” for Ms. Merkel had arrived, but she survived in
good conditions. Her “chronic headache” is the poor performance of the FPD –
partner of her coalition - during the last few years. (2013/01/21)
Till the general election of September, we will see a hard fight between Angela Merkel – current Chancellor - and Peer Steinbrück from SPD with implications in the international politics.
I believe two crucial topics are the European Union’s stabilization and the relationships US-Germany. In the European environment there are also 3 key factors: the fluctuation of the euro, the “facto” leadership between
Despite all the hurdles that Angela Merkel had to jump during the last two years, her position continues strong. Across
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THEME:
The World: Middle East, Asia , Africa …
Subject: Bill Gates posts a
letter in Wall Street Journal with comments about his participation at the 2013
World Economic Forum, in Davos.
My Comment: I recognize that Bill Gates is a
controversial personality, but I have to applaud his campaign to fix health and
education problems around the world. From Davos , Switzerland
Subject: Wall Street Journal
publishes a note written by ASSOCIATED PRESS from Davos , Switzerland Algeria
My Comment: Now at least the “mea culpa” came.
The Algerian foreign minister acknowledged that the security forces made
serious mistakes in the hostage crisis at the Saharan gas plant in which many
foreign workers were killed by the military strikes. Despite it is late for the
dead hostages, we hope that in the future, Algeria
Subject: Journalists Adam Entous,
Julian E. Barnes and Drew Hinshaw comment France Mali
My Comment: I think a military operation like
the attack on the Malian rebels requires a previous agreement among the
countries that will lead and support the war with troops and other resources
including transportation and fuel. It is not like a dinner among friends where
after the food everybody puts some money on the table and together they share
the costs. (2013/01/24) 4 Recommendations
Subject: Journalists Yaroslav
Trofimov and Maria Abi-Habib write about a United Nations report related to the
torture practice at Afghan police and intelligence-service jails.
My Comment: This story says that the Mr.
Karzai's spokesman affirms that: “The Afghan government is not implicated in
crimes against detainees, and the torture and abuse of detainees is certainly
not our policy." But the fact is the prisoners are tortured and the
government doesn’t want to assume responsibilities like in the case of
corruption. With this kind of people it is impossible to achieve something
serious. (2013/01/21)
Subject: Journalists David
Gauthier-Villars and Cassell Bryan-Low write the casualty count at the four-day
crisis in the Sahara was higher than previous expectations.
My Comment: Sunday January 20 evening: till now
nothing is really clear about the Algerian gas station attack. Some European
sources say that it is possible the death toll climbs to more than 80.
(2013/01/20)
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THEME: Latin America
Subject: Journalists José de
Córdoba and Gabriele Parussini write Mexico
My Comment: The drama of the French citizen
Florence Cassez jailed since 2005 in a Mexican prison for a dubious case
had a sudden end due to the order of the Supreme Court of that country to free
her. Nevertheless the freedom of this woman will not change the attitude of a
corrupt police apparatus that frequently commits abuses that are not admissible
in countries that claim themselves democratic and with Christian principles.
(2013/01/24)
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THEME:
Economy, Business and Technology
Subject: This article comments on
IBM’s financial results related to its fourth 2012 quarter.
My Comment: Today IBM is one of the most
complicated technology companies to evaluate the real performance of its
business because it doesn’t sell packages of software or machines for units. It
sells very complex solutions that include software, hardware, services and
consulting for big corporations, government and academic institutions and small
business.
Its
business structure is organized in 4 main units: Global Technology Services, Global
Business Services, Software, System and Technology and Global Financial. And
under each unit, we find complete platforms of tools and solutions. For
example, the Software unit includes: DB2, Cognos, SPSS, Lotus, Rational, Tivoli
About the news, according to the financial results published on January 22, we see the Software unit was the only business that registered growth in revenues. It grew 3.5% for the quarter and 2.0% for the year both compared with a year ago.
But through the comparative 2012-2011 financial results posted the same day, we see that its total revenues of the fourth 2012 quarter were $29.30 billion compared with $29.49 billion from a year ago (-0.6%) and its total revenues of the complete 2012 were $104.51 billion compared with $106.92 billion a year ago (-2.35%).
Ginni Rometty, IBM chairman, president and chief executive officer in the document distributed by the company says: “Our performance in the fourth quarter and for the full year was driven by our strategic growth initiatives -- growth markets, analytics, cloud computing, Smarter Planet solutions -- which support our continued shift to higher-value businesses.” Really, as external analysts we don’t have elements to reject or discuss this statement from who is in charge of the “helm” of IBM since near a year ago. (2013/01/26)
About the news, according to the financial results published on January 22, we see the Software unit was the only business that registered growth in revenues. It grew 3.5% for the quarter and 2.0% for the year both compared with a year ago.
But through the comparative 2012-2011 financial results posted the same day, we see that its total revenues of the fourth 2012 quarter were $29.30 billion compared with $29.49 billion from a year ago (-0.6%) and its total revenues of the complete 2012 were $104.51 billion compared with $106.92 billion a year ago (-2.35%).
Ginni Rometty, IBM chairman, president and chief executive officer in the document distributed by the company says: “Our performance in the fourth quarter and for the full year was driven by our strategic growth initiatives -- growth markets, analytics, cloud computing, Smarter Planet solutions -- which support our continued shift to higher-value businesses.” Really, as external analysts we don’t have elements to reject or discuss this statement from who is in charge of the “helm” of IBM since near a year ago. (2013/01/26)
Subject: This article comments on
Google’s financial results related to its fourth 2012 quarter.
My Comment: Larry Page, CEO of Google said: “We
ended 2012 with a strong quarter” because for the fourth 2012 quarter, the
Internet company posted revenues of $14.42 billion from $10.58 billion a year
ago, and also the total 2012 revenues were more than $50 billion for the first
time in the history of the company.
Additionally, Google posted revenues of $1.5 billion for its new unit of Motorola Home business that includes hardware and other items related the Motorola smart-phones.
Despite the apparent optimism of the Google management for the advance in the integration of the Motorola Home business, till now, it is not clear if the new “hybrid model” will continue working together forever. (2013/01/26)
Additionally, Google posted revenues of $1.5 billion for its new unit of Motorola Home business that includes hardware and other items related the Motorola smart-phones.
Despite the apparent optimism of the Google management for the advance in the integration of the Motorola Home business, till now, it is not clear if the new “hybrid model” will continue working together forever. (2013/01/26)
Subject: This story comments on
the IDC report related to the smart-phones sold across the world during the
last quarter of the previous year and the complete 2012 year.
My Comment: It is not secret! Today the
smart-phone market is heated by a fierce competition. It is like a formula 1
race where the top leaders cannot stop to change tires more than few seconds
because the next competitor immediately surpasses the driver who was stopped.
About the Huawei Technology, its third position in the “Top Five Smart-phone Vendors” of the fourth quarter 2012 was a very important “jump” without any doubt. However, this strong advance doesn’t imply the Chinese maker will continue growing at the same pace in the future.
We have to analyze a little the IDC report of the “Top Five Smart-phone Vendors, Shipment and Market Share, Q4 2012 (Units in Millions)” to see all the landscape. (Source: IDC news release for the media,24 Jan
2013 ).
Vendor - 4Q12 Unit Shipment:
1. Samsung: 63.7
2. Apple: 47.8
3. Huawei: 10.8
4. Sony: 9.8
5. ZTE: 9.5
Vendor - 4Q12 Market Share
1. Samsung: 29.0%
2. Apple: 21.8%
3. Huawei: 4.9%
4. Sony: 4.5%
5. ZTE: 4.3%
Vendor - Year-over-Year Change
1. Samsung: 76.0%
2. Apple: 29.2%
3. Huawei: 89.5%
4. Sony: 55.6%
5. ZTE: 48.4%
If we look the “Year-over-Year Change” column, definitively, Huawei (+89.5%) was the winner followed by Samsung (+76.0%).
But if we see the “4Q12 Unit Shipment” column, Huawei is the third a long distance from the top leaders Samsung and Apple. Similar situation, when we observe the column “4Q12 Market Share”.
And here is the point: the results of a quarter are similar to the results of a formula 1 race. From there to be the “champion” of the season, you must to have enough “engines” to maintain the leadership across all the year. Till now we don’t know if Huawei have all the elements to continue shortening the difference from two leaders: Samsung and Apple.
Both Samsung and Apple have strong “apparatus” to continue fighting at the top: plentiful resources of marketing, commercial structures and engineering with expertise in the products that they are selling.
Independently of all, the Huawei’s results are a “warning” for Apple. The company co-founded by Steve Jobs has to cover the smart-phone segment with products of all prices from the high-end to the low-end. A month ago, Apple informed that is working on the development of cheap devices.
About Nokia, HTC and Research in Motion, these three players had a very bad 2012 and during the fourth quarter they lost significant market share due to the strong advance of Samsung, Huawei and ZTE.
We have to review the complete Calendar Year 2012 of the smart-phone market to figure out the situation. These are the numbers of IDC of the total 2012 year (Source: IDC news release for the media,24 Jan 2013 ):
Vendor - 2012 Unit Shipment:
1. Samsung: 215.8
2. Apple: 135.9
3. Nokia: 35.1
4. HTC: 32.1
5. BlackBerry: 32.5
Vendor - 2012 Market Share:
1. Samsung: 30.3%
2. Apple: 19.1%
3. Nokia: 4.9%
4. HTC: 4.6%
5. BlackBerry: 4.6%
Vendor - Year-over-Year Change:
1. Samsung: 129.1%
2. Apple: 49.6%
3. Nokia: -54.6%
4. HTC: -25.2%
5. BlackBerry: -36.4%
In this ranking we don’t find Huawei, but we see the “tragedy” of Nokia and the “dramas” of Research In Motion (BlackBerry) and HTC.
During the last few days, Nokia made a lot of noise talking about the strong sales of the new Lumia smart-phone based on Windows 8.
About the Huawei Technology, its third position in the “Top Five Smart-phone Vendors” of the fourth quarter 2012 was a very important “jump” without any doubt. However, this strong advance doesn’t imply the Chinese maker will continue growing at the same pace in the future.
We have to analyze a little the IDC report of the “Top Five Smart-phone Vendors, Shipment and Market Share, Q4 2012 (Units in Millions)” to see all the landscape. (Source: IDC news release for the media,
Vendor - 4Q12 Unit Shipment:
1. Samsung: 63.7
2. Apple: 47.8
3. Huawei: 10.8
4. Sony: 9.8
5. ZTE: 9.5
Vendor - 4Q12 Market Share
1. Samsung: 29.0%
2. Apple: 21.8%
3. Huawei: 4.9%
4. Sony: 4.5%
5. ZTE: 4.3%
Vendor - Year-over-Year Change
1. Samsung: 76.0%
2. Apple: 29.2%
3. Huawei: 89.5%
4. Sony: 55.6%
5. ZTE: 48.4%
If we look the “Year-over-Year Change” column, definitively, Huawei (+89.5%) was the winner followed by Samsung (+76.0%).
But if we see the “4Q12 Unit Shipment” column, Huawei is the third a long distance from the top leaders Samsung and Apple. Similar situation, when we observe the column “4Q12 Market Share”.
And here is the point: the results of a quarter are similar to the results of a formula 1 race. From there to be the “champion” of the season, you must to have enough “engines” to maintain the leadership across all the year. Till now we don’t know if Huawei have all the elements to continue shortening the difference from two leaders: Samsung and Apple.
Both Samsung and Apple have strong “apparatus” to continue fighting at the top: plentiful resources of marketing, commercial structures and engineering with expertise in the products that they are selling.
Independently of all, the Huawei’s results are a “warning” for Apple. The company co-founded by Steve Jobs has to cover the smart-phone segment with products of all prices from the high-end to the low-end. A month ago, Apple informed that is working on the development of cheap devices.
About Nokia, HTC and Research in Motion, these three players had a very bad 2012 and during the fourth quarter they lost significant market share due to the strong advance of Samsung, Huawei and ZTE.
We have to review the complete Calendar Year 2012 of the smart-phone market to figure out the situation. These are the numbers of IDC of the total 2012 year (Source: IDC news release for the media,
Vendor - 2012 Unit Shipment:
1. Samsung: 215.8
2. Apple: 135.9
3. Nokia: 35.1
4. HTC: 32.1
5. BlackBerry: 32.5
Vendor - 2012 Market Share:
1. Samsung: 30.3%
2. Apple: 19.1%
3. Nokia: 4.9%
4. HTC: 4.6%
5. BlackBerry: 4.6%
Vendor - Year-over-Year Change:
1. Samsung: 129.1%
2. Apple: 49.6%
3. Nokia: -54.6%
4. HTC: -25.2%
5. BlackBerry: -36.4%
In this ranking we don’t find Huawei, but we see the “tragedy” of Nokia and the “dramas” of Research In Motion (BlackBerry) and HTC.
During the last few days, Nokia made a lot of noise talking about the strong sales of the new Lumia smart-phone based on Windows 8.
From the
other side, HTC reported different efforts to recover market and for example,
now it is entering into the Myanmar
About
Research In Motion, this week it introduced the BlackBerry Enterprise Service 10, a new multiplatform enterprise
mobility management solution that makes mobility easy for business through a
single console for managing BlackBerry, Android and iOS devices and we are
waiting more news in next weeks.
In summary, it is early to define “trends”. We have to observe three or more quarters, to see the reactions of Nokia, HTC and BlackBerry and the possible entrance of Apple into the low-end niche. Meanwhile, we have also to follow the feed-back of the buyers of the Huawei devices and see if everybody is happy with the Ascend phones based on Android, the new “flag” of the Chinese maker. (2013/01/25) 2 Recommendations
In summary, it is early to define “trends”. We have to observe three or more quarters, to see the reactions of Nokia, HTC and BlackBerry and the possible entrance of Apple into the low-end niche. Meanwhile, we have also to follow the feed-back of the buyers of the Huawei devices and see if everybody is happy with the Ascend phones based on Android, the new “flag” of the Chinese maker. (2013/01/25) 2 Recommendations
Subject: This story explains
details of the financial results of Apple related to its quarter closed in
December 2012.
My Comment: The concerns about the financial
results that Apple posted on Wednesday January 23 are the “product” of a
sickness of some Wall Street investors who only see the world according to
their expectations and they never put their feet in the real world and walk
across the consumer technology market.
First point: In its fiscal 2013 first quarter endedDecember
29, 2012 ,
Apple posed record quarterly revenue of $54.5 billion and record quarterly net
profit of $13.1 billion.
Second point: Its average weekly revenue was $4.2 billion compared to $3.3 billion in the year-ago quarter.
And here something very important, the list of units of products sold during the quarter:
1) iPhones: A record of 47.8 million units in the last quarter, compared to 37 million in the year-ago quarter.
2) iPads: A record of 22.9 million units, compares to 15,4 million in the year-ago quarter.
3) Macs: 4.1 million units, compared to 5.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Observation: We have to recognize the sales of Macs declined compared with a year ago, but the digital tablets didn’t cannibalize the Mac’s business.
4) iPods: 12.7 million units, compared to 15.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Observation: After the first version of iPhone and iPad entered, some observers expected the iPod’s sales will fall to zero).
5) More: from the operations during the quarter, Apple generated over $23 billion in cash flow.
How many technology companies can show similar figures in times of hard competition and economic crisis? (2013/01/25) 2 Recommendations
First point: In its fiscal 2013 first quarter ended
Second point: Its average weekly revenue was $4.2 billion compared to $3.3 billion in the year-ago quarter.
And here something very important, the list of units of products sold during the quarter:
1) iPhones: A record of 47.8 million units in the last quarter, compared to 37 million in the year-ago quarter.
2) iPads: A record of 22.9 million units, compares to 15,4 million in the year-ago quarter.
3) Macs: 4.1 million units, compared to 5.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Observation: We have to recognize the sales of Macs declined compared with a year ago, but the digital tablets didn’t cannibalize the Mac’s business.
4) iPods: 12.7 million units, compared to 15.4 million in the year-ago quarter. Observation: After the first version of iPhone and iPad entered, some observers expected the iPod’s sales will fall to zero).
5) More: from the operations during the quarter, Apple generated over $23 billion in cash flow.
How many technology companies can show similar figures in times of hard competition and economic crisis? (2013/01/25) 2 Recommendations
Subject: This article explains
details about the financial results of Samsung Electronics related to its
fourth 2012 quarter.
My Comment: Some people don’t like Samsung
Electronics because it is a Korean company that always pushes strong “wars” in
each market where it competes. The more recent case was the conflict of
interests with Apple that generated a series of trials across the world.
However, we cannot categorize Samsung as the “devil” of the technology industry. It has its merits despite that some people who don’t research well believe that all its products are stolen technology.
Every time that a technology company grows a lot, we always research about patents registered in the rankings of US patents about technology and frequently we find surprises. One of the cases was a week ago when we decided to know more about Samsung.
The US Top Ten List of 2012 Patents shows this information:
1. IBM with 6478 patents registered
2. Samsung with 5081 patents registered
3. Canon with 3174 patents registered
4. Sony with 3032 patents registered.
The list continues with: Panasonic, Microsoft, Toshiba, Hon Hai, General Electric and LG Electronics. (Data provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services).
For example, Apple is not among the Top Ten List members last year, while Samsung is the second after IBM that always makes a lot of effort in R&D (research and development).
Returning to the Top Ten List: Can a company with 5081 patents registered in one year be categorized a “devil” who steal from others? Definitively, no!
After this short analysis we have to conclude that there is a reason why Samsung remains the largest seller of cell-phones and smart-phones in the world and also with higher margins in its chip business. Congratulations for your 76% fourth-quarter profit (US$6.6 billion) and 18% revenue growths compared with a year ago! (2013/01/25) 3 Recommendations
However, we cannot categorize Samsung as the “devil” of the technology industry. It has its merits despite that some people who don’t research well believe that all its products are stolen technology.
Every time that a technology company grows a lot, we always research about patents registered in the rankings of US patents about technology and frequently we find surprises. One of the cases was a week ago when we decided to know more about Samsung.
The US Top Ten List of 2012 Patents shows this information:
1. IBM with 6478 patents registered
2. Samsung with 5081 patents registered
3. Canon with 3174 patents registered
4. Sony with 3032 patents registered.
The list continues with: Panasonic, Microsoft, Toshiba, Hon Hai, General Electric and LG Electronics. (Data provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services).
For example, Apple is not among the Top Ten List members last year, while Samsung is the second after IBM that always makes a lot of effort in R&D (research and development).
Returning to the Top Ten List: Can a company with 5081 patents registered in one year be categorized a “devil” who steal from others? Definitively, no!
After this short analysis we have to conclude that there is a reason why Samsung remains the largest seller of cell-phones and smart-phones in the world and also with higher margins in its chip business. Congratulations for your 76% fourth-quarter profit (US$6.6 billion) and 18% revenue growths compared with a year ago! (2013/01/25) 3 Recommendations
Subject: Journalists Chuin-Wei
Yap and Paul Mozur say that China
My Comment: Giants but with “mud feet”!
After a period of low profile growth, it is true thatChina
These “giants” are taking a similar role that Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp and other Japanese electronic giants had 15 years ago.
Also like the Japanese, the Chinese are spreading business relationships across the world with very aggressive marketing programs that hit everybody they find in their way.
But like Sony, Panasonic and the other colossuses fromJapan
We have to observe that the new Chinese miracle is not 100% Chinese miracle. For example, Lenovo could never achieve its current stature without the IBM ThinkPad technology, the Intel microelectronics and the Microsoft software. Something similar happened in the case of Huawei that originally learned important secrets of the communication business next to 3Com, one the heroes of the networks and communication industry.
In summary, till now the main Chinese giants are companies with “hardware feet” or highly dependent of technologies they don’t have ownership. For these reasons, they can grow a lot but they will continue advancing like giants “with mud feet”. (2013/01/25)
After a period of low profile growth, it is true that
These “giants” are taking a similar role that Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp and other Japanese electronic giants had 15 years ago.
Also like the Japanese, the Chinese are spreading business relationships across the world with very aggressive marketing programs that hit everybody they find in their way.
But like Sony, Panasonic and the other colossuses from
We have to observe that the new Chinese miracle is not 100% Chinese miracle. For example, Lenovo could never achieve its current stature without the IBM ThinkPad technology, the Intel microelectronics and the Microsoft software. Something similar happened in the case of Huawei that originally learned important secrets of the communication business next to 3Com, one the heroes of the networks and communication industry.
In summary, till now the main Chinese giants are companies with “hardware feet” or highly dependent of technologies they don’t have ownership. For these reasons, they can grow a lot but they will continue advancing like giants “with mud feet”. (2013/01/25)
Subject: This article explains
the financial results of the last Microsoft quarter ended in December 2012.
My Comment: In the crucial week of the
financial results of the companies that ended a quarter in December, Microsoft
posted $6.38 billion net income and $21.5 billion revenues. It declined 3.7% in
net income and grew 2.7% in revenue.
We have to remember that Microsoft introduced Windows8 in October, but despite this factor,
its Windows business worked strong during the period.
From the other side, all the companies involve in the PC business have difficulties: Intel, Dell, Acer, AMD and others. Everybody knows that the smart-phones and digital tablets based on different technologies from Windows and x86 microprocessors are taking hard pressure.
Because of these factors, we have to conclude that the financial results of Microsoft were reasonable. (2013/01/25) 1 Recommendation
We have to remember that Microsoft introduced Windows
From the other side, all the companies involve in the PC business have difficulties: Intel, Dell, Acer, AMD and others. Everybody knows that the smart-phones and digital tablets based on different technologies from Windows and x86 microprocessors are taking hard pressure.
Because of these factors, we have to conclude that the financial results of Microsoft were reasonable. (2013/01/25) 1 Recommendation
Story: Stocks Grapple with Apple
Subject: This article explains
the negative reaction of Wall Street’s investors due to Apple’s figures were
under previous expectations.
My Comment: The punishment of the Nasdaq
investors against Apple stock has not surprise us. We see every time that a
“star” doesn’t shine well how the people involved with the Wall Street’s world
react. The problem will be if this sensitivity degenerates in a sickness.
(2013/01/24) 2 Recommendations
Subject: This story comments on
details of the financial results of the fourth 2012 quarter of Nokia.
My Comment: Good news! In the last financial
results, Nokia posted a net profit of US$269 million. After a series of
quarters in red, the comeback to the black figures is a positive step.
However, like its Chief Executive Stephen Elop I think the Finnish phone maker still is “very much in a period of transition”. (2013/01/24) 1 Recommendation
However, like its Chief Executive Stephen Elop I think the Finnish phone maker still is “very much in a period of transition”. (2013/01/24) 1 Recommendation
Subject: This story comments on
the negative numbers of the financial results of Siemens in the quarter ended
in December 2012.
My Comment: I think the fall in profit of
Siemens is consequences of a bad management. Its chairman Gerhard Cromme is
also chairman in ThyssenKrupp where he is target of shareholder criticism.
Today big or small companies, everybody has to manage their operations
efficiently. During the last years, with frequency, the accounting of Siemens
has showed “strains” and other “things”. By the way, some years ago, top
executives of Siemens were involved in a complex case of fund manipulation.
(2013/01/23)
Subject: This story says AMD, TI
and others posted negative figures in their financial results of the quarter
ended in December 2012.
My Comment: Really, the problem of AMD is AMD.
It is not the soft PC-chip market. This semiconductor maker only for very short
periods worked successfully, but if we review its history, we can see that it
never found the way to grow continuously. We understand that the competition
against Intel is not easy due to the dimension of the leader of the market, but
during the last decade AMD had also different management problems. (2013/01/23)
Subject: This story says IBM continues
making money with the sales of their software based on Lotus Notes.
My Comment: Lotus Notes was one of the most
innovative software platforms of the 1990s and till now its foundation feeds
the development a new software solutions based on its tools, data bases and
collaborative principles.
Louis V. Gerstner, in that moment IBM chairman and CEO, was very smart when made the decision to acquire of Lotus Development for $3.5 billion. (2013/01/22)
Louis V. Gerstner, in that moment IBM chairman and CEO, was very smart when made the decision to acquire of Lotus Development for $3.5 billion. (2013/01/22)
Subject: This story explains the
efforts of Microsoft to help Dell in a financial way.
My Comment: Microsoft always had some
affinities with Dell, for this reason it is not strange that now it tries to
finance a buyout of the computer maker. But this is not the solution to the
Dell’s problems. Probably, it will be only a palliative.
As we said in different moments, Michael Dell has to convert the PC maker into a business solutions company. Selling PCs as its main business it will continue vulnerable to the fluctuations of the consumer market and the hard competition from the bargain providers. (2013/01/22)
As we said in different moments, Michael Dell has to convert the PC maker into a business solutions company. Selling PCs as its main business it will continue vulnerable to the fluctuations of the consumer market and the hard competition from the bargain providers. (2013/01/22)
Subject: This article talks again
about the disastrous deal of H-P in the acquisition of Autonomy Corp.
My Comment: The acquisition of Autonomy Corp by
HP was a “magic inspiration” of one or more technology executives who live in a
“fantasy world” and they believe that all they touch becomes “gold”. I don’t
think Leo Apotheker was the only person responsible for this disastrous deal.
(2013/01/22) 3 Recommendations
Story: Dreamliner Probes Intensify
Subject: This story talks about
the research regarding the battery malfunctions of the Boeing Dreamliner 787.
My Comment: The battery malfunctions that
grounded the Boeing Dreamliner 787 jet created a big problem and now the
research goes to the manufacturer of these batteries: GS Yuasa Corp.
GS Yuasa is a Japanese company founded in 1977 with a lot of experience in batteries for sport vehicles. By the way, its motto is: “The fun starts here”. Regrettably the “fun” will not start when an airplane begins to burn.
Ironically, some years ago, a series of Japanese batteries made by Sony created panic when mobile computers from different brands began to burn also from battery problems.
Now we see the important ofbatteries in vehicles and machines and what is risky when its materials are in bad conditions or their interaction with vehicles or machines doesn't work appropriately.
We have to hope this “fun” finishes soon because in this case Boeing and the airplane carriers will be in big trouble. There are a lot of economic factors involved in this issue. (2013/01/22)
GS Yuasa is a Japanese company founded in 1977 with a lot of experience in batteries for sport vehicles. By the way, its motto is: “The fun starts here”. Regrettably the “fun” will not start when an airplane begins to burn.
Ironically, some years ago, a series of Japanese batteries made by Sony created panic when mobile computers from different brands began to burn also from battery problems.
Now we see the important ofbatteries in vehicles and machines and what is risky when its materials are in bad conditions or their interaction with vehicles or machines doesn't work appropriately.
We have to hope this “fun” finishes soon because in this case Boeing and the airplane carriers will be in big trouble. There are a lot of economic factors involved in this issue. (2013/01/22)
Story: ZTE Warns of Loss for 2012
Subject: This article comments on
the last financial results of the Chinese maker ZTE.
My Comment: ZTE Corp says that “it expects a
profit for the first quarter of 2013, thanks to its strategic realignment.”
What “strategic realignment” implies for this Chinese company: more bribery for
contracts with corrupt governments?
As it
became public, ZTE was banned by the Norwegian telecommunications Telenor
for its business practices and in U.S.
According
to different sources, ZTE was founded in Shenzhen , China
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