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Shop Saavy for the HTC/Google Phone = 6th Sense Version 1?

I discussed earlier on how a rapidly emerging “sixth sense technology revolution” is emerging, enabling consumers to have significantly more real-time, instantly actionable data on their world.  This is enabled by software that connects to open source and/or publicly available online data, delivered wirelessly.

Shop Saavy is a cool feature through the HTC Dream or HTC Magic is a fantastic practical example.

Looking for the best deal on any product with a bar code?  “Use the camera to scan any bar code and if ther is a better deal to be had, Shop Savvy will find it – online or in town”

I just bought an iphone 3GS. I was torn on the two phones for a while and decided to go with iPhone because it’s more proven and has more immediately high-utility apps (I just had a flashback to utility curves in Econ class…and my professor who seemed like an alcoholic, as theorized by a college friend). I know that the HTC will eventually kick iphone as in it’s entirety and I’m rooting for HTC/Google to do so because open source is the future.  Just look at facebook and it’s Friend Connect and OpenSocial integration…it has created a massive wave of sites that plugin to Facebook and further increase it’s total impressions.

If you’re like me…you want it all now yesterday.

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Is Microsoft’s Bing Advertising Campaign a Waste of Shareholder Money, Bordering on Window Dressing?

Situation: Microsoft is Advertising Heavily on Google in Attempt to Win Share for it’s Bing–it’s newly branded search engine.

Since they compete head to head, and it’s a zero sum game in this scenario, it’s apparent to me that someone’s making a bad decision. Specifically, I believe one of the following two scenarios is taking place: 1) Microsoft is taking advantage of Google’s underpriced advertising and is successfully acquiring customers at Google’s direct expense OR 2) Microsoft is overpaying for advertising and not acquiring customers at <= their worth

From data I’ve gathered, I strongly believe 2) is taking place. In my humble opinion, this is another case where a big company is performing “window dressing” to make their company look more competitive than it is. Some would say they are spending SHAREHOLDER money to impress shareholders instead of using shareholder money to make them money.

The Hard Evidence: 1) From observation, Microsoft is advertising with mediocre branded campaigns in attempt to change someone’s behavior. The following evidence explains why: CASE 1) Microsoft is advertising on Google owned properties like YouTube

Bing and Decide Ad
Bing and Decide Ad

2) People who click go here: http://www.bing.com/?FORM=M00FCA&Publ=GOOGLE&Crea=STND_SEARCH_OVERLOAD_IS_O_300x250&cc=ca

Okay great! I’m looking at a Youtube video. Am I in the headspace to begin searching just because you say “From now on Bing & Decide?” No. Consumers don’t CARE! They CARE about ACCURATE, FAST, and RELEVANT search.

CASE 2: Microsoft is massively overtaking internet inventory, paying well-above market prices to ensure huge delivery.  In fact, Microsoft launched a huge company on several big properties including Facebook to ensure it could guarantee its delivery.  Some would argue that’s fine at face value.  However, it wasn’t necessary for them to do this.  In reality, for example, the could have easily paid the market price like everyone else and bought a similar volume of impressions spread out over more days. There was plenty of inventory for them to buy without resorting to this.   (Note: I believe I’m not explaining this as eloquently as possible but I’m in a rush).

CASE 3: Bing lacks a solid retention program to be effective. Okay. So, I’ve searched on Bing.com. Now what?

On their landing page, they have a small blended-grey text that says “Add Bing to your browser.” The truth is that many Americans simply will glance over it.

Parting words (I want to wrap this up quickly and get back to work)…

Yes, there are several other companies who are smoking Microsoft in their ability to attract new search clients. It’s also easy for me to sit here and criticize without providing examples of companies who are outperforming them. I’ll finish that part later and/or upon request.

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Major Change in America’s Arbitrage over Asia?

I believe there’s a huge upcoming megatrend between world superpowers that’s receiving little attention/consideration.  Relatively inexpensive products and services from Asian countries will have a significantly reduced comparative advantage over North American/European products/services.

Why? As the value of American/European currencies–plagued by massive debt obligations–diminish, Asian goods/services will be relatively more expensive.   In other words, it will become decreasingly attractive to buy globally than domestically. Therefore, their buying power will be diminished and the huge arbitrage opportunity, which has lasted for decades, may become less lucrative for importers of cheap Asian products/services.

What are the implications to you as an individual?

If you’re seeking financial protection and stability, you should consider using inverse ETFs on the US dollar and/or buying foreign indexes to profit from the current and intensifying wealth redistribution.

If you’re an entrepreneur/marketer, there’s now an increased incentive to sell overseas because foreign Asian currencies will be worth relatively more.

If you’re seeking employment, you should consider increased education and/or jobs that expose you to doing business with Asian countries.

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The Great Global Warming Swindle

1) From June 4th, 2009: NASA Study Acknowledges Solar Cycle, Not Man, Responsible for Past Warming

2) 31,000 scientists reject ‘global warming’ agenda

“More than 31,000 scientists across the U.S. – including more than 9,000 Ph.D.s in fields such as atmospheric science, climatology, Earth science, environment and dozens of other specialties – have signed a petition rejecting “global warming,” the assumption that the human production of greenhouse gases is damaging Earth’s climate.”

Maybe Al Gore can set his own CO2 level to 0?  I think that would help mankind.

Maybe my two of college professors will stop peddling this stuff and look at the facts? One of my college professors even recommended a carbon tax…