Greenlight's Einhorn Reconsiders Research In Motion Position [View article]
Yes, technology sector is going to have a challenging year, not the least of which is the consumer who appears to be taking a "wait and see" as regards their next gen smartphones and tablets.
How Much Is Research In Motion Really Worth? [View article]
Solid analysis of RIMM's future. It is not as bleak as other's have predicted. However, there does need to be good showing on there next generation products, which we are learning more and more about. If they can pull it off, and there is no reason to believe that they cannot, there is a future for RIMM throughout the world.
BB10 is a "bet your farm" product (as is WIndows Moble by the way). RIM has placed so much importance on it (aided by the media frenzy) they must be succesful to stem the flow of their customer migrations to other products. This fall will truly be interesting; Microsoft, Apple, RIM all with new products coming out for the Christmas season. Frankly, I hope they are all successful and keep the marketplace competitive, innovative, and consumer centric.
It is going to be a fascinating year for mobility, as it already has been so far...
Research In Motion (RIMM -3.3%) launches BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, an effort to prop up its enterprise device management software business by adding support for Android and iOS devices. Critics have argued the solution doesn't support many of the advanced features found on RIM's BlackBerry Enterprise Server. The company still refuses to license its BlackBerry Messenger software for use on non-BlackBerry devices. (previously) [View news story]
This obstinance will force IT organizations to readdress their 'blind' loyalties to RIM products. While organizations are liberating their associates to find the best tool for them, RIM seems intent to ignore the please from their existing customer base.
So Much For That Bubble Of 'Overvalued' Stocks [View article]
If RIM can't get bb10's out the door with considerable success (personally, I think they are still stuck on their BES model, along with other legacies), then it will be very difficult for them to gain back their US market. That being said, they are still strong in the international space - that is the real key to survival if nothing more than a cash flow basis to support real innovation.
Frankly, I think they already lost the US, which is not necessarily a "killer" for them shorter term.
Rackspace: A Poor Business Model That's Severely Overvalued [View article]
Emerging technology continues to offer RAX the opportunity to leverage purchased server gear. Simply put, a large powerful server for customer A may still be overkill for customer B, C, D many years later. As equipment becomes more reliable with sophisticated fault tolerance and early notifications of pending failures, these servers will surely see more than 3 years useful life.
The real gem is "load balancing" all customers in a virtual world across all servers in the farm, therby maximizing their utilzations more and more.
By the way, servers are not the most costly part of a virtual computing farm, it is the disk arrays and software - by a wide margin.
T-Mobile Should Attack Apple Head On [View article]
Microsoft has lost its competitive gusto many years ago. The more it tries to tackle other verticals, without that gusto, the more they will become a distant follower. As long as Ballmer is there, they will continue to flounder and only survive through their existing "locked in" customer base.
T-Mobile Should Attack Apple Head On [View article]
Interesting article, but not sure it would be effective without similar support from the other majors. The issue, if we would like to call it that, is that Apple has a product that consumers want - plain and simple. They are hoarding or maximizing value from their inventions. Their marketing is superlative. Lastly, they got the carriers to subsidize their product, it's marketing, and proliferation throughout the industry.
Apple, nor the carriers can be faulted - Sprint learned that lesson the hard way and had to succumb to the high subsidy 'penalty' for selling a near "loss leader" hoping that it would drive incremental business. Only time will tell if Sprint's decision proves to be salvation or epitaph for them.
Innovation in our society is rewarded by the consumer of that innovative product. The consumer has proven they will go to great lengths to acquire products and/or services they want. This is first year entry level Marketing 101.
I would suggest that the carriers should understand that Apple is not the enemy - their own innovation may be at fault. If AT&T were to take all the subsidies paid Apple over the past 4 years, what type of product could they have brought to market? What about Verizon?
Innovation takes risk and offers higher rewards. Partnerships mitigate risk, but may compromise profitability over the former. That's what it is supposed to accomplish.
I would suggest that Apple is not the villain here, rather a partner that has provided innovation and technology that the consumer WANTS - that makes the winning story.
Don't Count Research In Motion Out Yet, It May Surprise You [View article]
To say "It looks like Americans want to kill RIM" is pure folly. With all of our challenges as a country, do you really, REALLY believe we are rallying around a cause to "...kill RIM..."? Let's see, when I buy a phone under a two year contract, let me think of whom I want to kill in the marketplace first.
RIM has been resting on its laurels for years and now is behind the technology curve, by a considerable margin. This is both in devices and services (and the architecture for the service). The launch of the tablet was premature and indicative of a company that was looking in the rear view mirror.
Sirius XM Will Find Adding Subscribers More Of A Challenge [View article]
I for one had XM/Sirius. Once they went out on THEIR proverbial limb by paying exhorbitant fees to the likes of Howard Stern, I decided I'm not going to pay for it any longer. Many have provided rational alternatives to Sirius to grow their base. They should take a lesson from TIVO and consider life time owner licenses for the duration of the radio/vehicle. That I would have jumped on since I keep my cars for 6 to 8 years.
Also, my commute is relattively short at 15 minutes each way, so paying the month fee for 600 minutes of potential usage in the car did not seem practical for me.
Net-Net, Sirius needs to retain its captured customers, not by signing up new and niche content and expect the entire base to pay for it.
I Expect More From Rackspace Hosting [View article]
Not sure what it takes to impress, but YoY sure appears rather strong, given the landscape of the last 24-36 months. Operating income: $23M to $31M to $39M seems to be a fairly decent trajectory. This is particularly so since many companies are now looking to reinvest in baseline technologies and look to hosting services. New software technologies will also spread the appeal of these alternatives for baseline hosting applications.
More bad PR for Research In Motion (RIMM -1.7%): Responding to widespread criticism of the appointment of Thorsten Heins as CEO, director Roger Martin suggests Heins was the best option since the only alternatives were to "hand [RIM] over to children, or morons from the outside who will destroy the company." Wall Street begs to differ. [View news story]
AT&T And Sprint: First Move Towards Cutting Smartphone Subsidies [View article]
For improved functionality, battery life, and ease of use, I don't think $36 or even $98 will deter buyers that truly want the technology for their business or personal use. If they upgrade every 24-36 months, the costs is less than a fast food hamburger and not near the calories.
It's a no brainer for most of their customer base. Younger generations (e.g. teen years) are getting the less expensive variety at their parents descretion, but can likely come up with the $98 upgrade in two years through their allowance and less burgers.
Greenlight's Einhorn Reconsiders Research In Motion Position [View article]
How Much Is Research In Motion Really Worth? [View article]
Why RIM Is Turning Off The Lights [View article]
These charts are breathtaking....
BB10 is a "bet your farm" product (as is WIndows Moble by the way). RIM has placed so much importance on it (aided by the media frenzy) they must be succesful to stem the flow of their customer migrations to other products. This fall will truly be interesting; Microsoft, Apple, RIM all with new products coming out for the Christmas season. Frankly, I hope they are all successful and keep the marketplace competitive, innovative, and consumer centric.
It is going to be a fascinating year for mobility, as it already has been so far...
Research In Motion (RIMM -3.3%) launches BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, an effort to prop up its enterprise device management software business by adding support for Android and iOS devices. Critics have argued the solution doesn't support many of the advanced features found on RIM's BlackBerry Enterprise Server. The company still refuses to license its BlackBerry Messenger software for use on non-BlackBerry devices. (previously) [View news story]
Amazing..
So Much For That Bubble Of 'Overvalued' Stocks [View article]
Frankly, I think they already lost the US, which is not necessarily a "killer" for them shorter term.
Rackspace: A Poor Business Model That's Severely Overvalued [View article]
The real gem is "load balancing" all customers in a virtual world across all servers in the farm, therby maximizing their utilzations more and more.
By the way, servers are not the most costly part of a virtual computing farm, it is the disk arrays and software - by a wide margin.
My Defensive Dividend Strategy That Still Beats The Market [View article]
Great article by the way.
T-Mobile Should Attack Apple Head On [View article]
T-Mobile Should Attack Apple Head On [View article]
Apple, nor the carriers can be faulted - Sprint learned that lesson the hard way and had to succumb to the high subsidy 'penalty' for selling a near "loss leader" hoping that it would drive incremental business. Only time will tell if Sprint's decision proves to be salvation or epitaph for them.
Innovation in our society is rewarded by the consumer of that innovative product. The consumer has proven they will go to great lengths to acquire products and/or services they want. This is first year entry level Marketing 101.
I would suggest that the carriers should understand that Apple is not the enemy - their own innovation may be at fault. If AT&T were to take all the subsidies paid Apple over the past 4 years, what type of product could they have brought to market? What about Verizon?
Innovation takes risk and offers higher rewards. Partnerships mitigate risk, but may compromise profitability over the former. That's what it is supposed to accomplish.
I would suggest that Apple is not the villain here, rather a partner that has provided innovation and technology that the consumer WANTS - that makes the winning story.
Don't Count Research In Motion Out Yet, It May Surprise You [View article]
Now where is that Motorola Star-Tac phone I had, I know it is here somewhere....I know it must send less data too
Don't Count Research In Motion Out Yet, It May Surprise You [View article]
RIM has been resting on its laurels for years and now is behind the technology curve, by a considerable margin. This is both in devices and services (and the architecture for the service). The launch of the tablet was premature and indicative of a company that was looking in the rear view mirror.
Sirius XM Will Find Adding Subscribers More Of A Challenge [View article]
Also, my commute is relattively short at 15 minutes each way, so paying the month fee for 600 minutes of potential usage in the car did not seem practical for me.
Net-Net, Sirius needs to retain its captured customers, not by signing up new and niche content and expect the entire base to pay for it.
I Expect More From Rackspace Hosting [View article]
More bad PR for Research In Motion (RIMM -1.7%): Responding to widespread criticism of the appointment of Thorsten Heins as CEO, director Roger Martin suggests Heins was the best option since the only alternatives were to "hand [RIM] over to children, or morons from the outside who will destroy the company." Wall Street begs to differ. [View news story]
AT&T And Sprint: First Move Towards Cutting Smartphone Subsidies [View article]
It's a no brainer for most of their customer base. Younger generations (e.g. teen years) are getting the less expensive variety at their parents descretion, but can likely come up with the $98 upgrade in two years through their allowance and less burgers.