Wednesday, August 22, 2012

New pills for your technology ills

While its utility is still questionable, Apple’s iPad has unleashed a new, internecine battle on the tablet front, which will involve both device manufacturers and OS providers

Back in January 2010, when Steve Jobs had showcased the iPad for the first time and dubbed it to be a magical device, his critics had scoffed and mocked him. “After all, it’s just a giant iPhone,” was what most analysts had said. But now that the iPad has been around for about two months and managed to sell more than two million devices already (and that too mostly in the US as it was not available in other parts of the world before May 28, 2010), they could well consider enrolling for Jobs’ marketing lessons.

Some other technology giants could also add their names to the list. For the first time in the history of technology, we have a device that has become a runaway hit and yet the purpose of its existence is still unknown! Most people would agree that an Apple iPad will not replace their existing desktop or notebook or even probably a net book in terms of usability. No matter how much one may claim to love this device, typing on it is not as breezy as doing it with a physical keyboard. So, does that mean that the only usability it has is in consuming media? Even in that case, the absence of Flash (refer to the heated debate between Adobe and Apple) would hurt the web browsing as well as media consumption experience for many. However, unfettered by all these ‘minor details’, Apple lovers were ready to queue up several hours in advance to order this gadget without physically holding it. Well, in that sense, we agree with Jobs that iPad is magical, even if it is owing largely to the Apple aura. And now this magic has made people sit up and take notice of the emerging demand for a product like tablet computers.

Already basking in the success of Apple iPad and the third generation iPhone, Apple has become the most notable technology company overtaking Microsoft in market valuation. On May 26, on NASDAQ Stock Market trading, Apple’s market value stood at an astounding $222.1 billion, which was a notch higher than Microsoft’s $219.2 billion. This is said to be just a build up to a new crescendo that will be visible post the launch of the new iPhone, which has just been launched on June 7, 2010. The company will start preorders for the same from June 15. The competitors of Apple may have been feeling left out for now, but they are not in any way looking at making things easy for the Apple iPad. As already discussed, this gadget’s utility is still not known clearly but it has already forced some big names (and some not so big names) in the industry to go back to their drawing boards and attempt to bring out similar devices to offer in the market. And it looks like those will be the not-so-notable names that will be the first to jump into this market. The two Taiwanese majors – MSI and Asus have both showcased their Windows-based tablet computers and are expected to launch the same in the market shortly. However, it’s the entry of names like Sony, HP, Microsoft and not to forget Google that will add the spark in this tablet market.


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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

happiness for tomorrow

Innumerable marketers are selling ‘happiness for tomorrow’ but ‘love market’ offers memories of the past... 

I pass by my ex-lovers, I would definitely be courteous to stop by and talk. But, I don’t understand the relevance of giving out a day or going to the extent of making friends with people who have deliberately been made a thing of the past. I would rather focus on making the present relationship better,” says 28-year-old Jaikaran Oberoi, who has been through a series of flings as well as serious relationships.

The nature of love differs across cultures and as scholar William Jankowiak observed, “Romantic passion is a byproduct of an interplay between biology, self, and society”. In a study to learn about the differences in Love across Cultures (LAS), it was discovered that the ‘Chinese participants were more endorsing of yuan (fated and predestined love) and the Russians were less likely to require love as a basis for marriage. While the Japanese agreed less with certain romantic beliefs, the Americans were more endorsing of secure attachments.’

However, no culture except the Vietnamese seems to have made place for the lovers who due to various reasons cannot be with each other. Though, the openness in marital relationships to admire the ‘old flames’ is admirable here, assigning a full-fledged ‘love market’ to the cause only hints at the society’s rules and conditions to temper down love in the very first place!

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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Still “good friends”

Will she, won’t she act with Ranbir? The rumour mills were set abuzz when Deepika Padukone was not seen in a soft drink commercial that featured Ranbir Kapoor and was a brand endorsed together by the duo when they were a couple. But Deepika has been vehemently denying such rumours and maintains that she shares a good equation with Ranbir and that there is no need to “read between the lines”! Let’s wait and watch when they finally get around to bettering the magic they had created in Bachna Ae Haseeno!


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Monday, August 13, 2012

Subhash Chandra, the media maverick, in an exclusive conversation with B&E

He came, he saw, he conquered ... Subhash Chandra, the media maverick, in an exclusive conversation with B&E, shares the eventful ups and downs that he faced during his journey to the top

B&E: Many second generation entrepreneurs do not appear as successful as their parents? Is it because of over expectations from them? Or is there any other reason? Your personal views on this ‘perception’...
SC: Yes, it happens due to over expectations at times. But, the phenomenon occurs mostly because of the fact that first generation entrepreneurs had no time to transfer the learning as they were generally too busy to build the business.

B&E: What is the most important thing that you advice your children?
SC: Actually two things. First, to always keep your promise, and second, get cheated but knowingly, or say know the people you deal with.

B&E: In your opinion, what is the biggest mistake of your life?
SC: The biggest mistake of my life was that I believed in the stock market and got carried away in 1999.

B&E: How has Subhash Chandra, the businessman, changed and evolved over all these years? Can you sight a few corporate incidents to help us better understand the same?
SC: As a businessman, I have definitely evolved over the years. Today my focus is not about only making money, but also to contribute to the society in a more meaningful manner.

B&E: In times of distress and business dilemmas what is it that keeps you going? Can you recall any such incident?
SC: Focus and determination to find the optimum solution for business dilemmas keeps me going. Vipassana (a meditation technique) has also helped me to remain calm and focused, thereby striking a right balance between work and personal life.

B&E: And what about ICL’s future?
SC: ICL is down, but not out!

Read more....

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Saturday, August 11, 2012

Quit boredom, visit Quito!

Situated at the foot of the active volcano Pichincha, and spread across a spectacular Andean valley, Quito enjoys a spectacular natural setting. As a matter of fact, owing to its natural beauty and myriad historical sites, this Ecuadorian city enjoys the reputation of being the first city in the world to be named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Stroll back in time, as you take a horse carriage ride in the old town. The Mirador El Panecillo statue, which is better known as ‘Virgin of Quito’, stands atop the Panecillo at the southern end of this colonial city. Bordered by the Government Palace on the west, City Hall in the east, Archbishop’s Palace in the north and the Cathedral in the south, is the La Plaza de la Independencia, a building compound of great significance in the 16th century, which is now usually jostling with tourists throughout the year. The former Archbishop’s Palace is now converted into a mini market with a series of small shops and boutiques. Walking into the narrow cobblestone streets transports you to another era.

A 20-minute walk from the old town and an entirely different world welcomes you with trendy cafes, multistory constructions, parks and museums. The new town (Quito) has a plethora of options for your itinerary. Do visit La Compañía de Jesús church, which is regarded as one of the most ornate structures in Ecuador. At the very top of the church is a 7-tonne gold leaf covering the ceiling. The church is one of the finest Spanish architectures one can find. To enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Pichincha Volcano and the Quito landscape, head straight to Quito’s best-known tourist attraction – El Teleferico, where the ‘Teleferico’ cable car takes you to an altitude of 4050 meters from where one can start an adventure-filled hike to the snow-capped volcanoes.

Set up on a hill overlooking Quito on one side and the valleys on the other, Parque Metropolitano, with a maze of forest paths, roads, sports fields and picnic areas is a picture of pure bliss!

For those planning to escape the crowds, there are many day trips organised by the city to its neighbouring regions. Visit the thermal springs at Papallacta’s or simply enjoy the picturesque view at the pretty pueblos dotted along the quaint Valle de los Chillos.


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Friday, August 10, 2012

FISCAL CONSOLIDATION

...GOVERNMENT BORROWING WOULD DO THE TRICK

At this point in time the expectations from the budget are muted. We believe that given the high fiscal deficit of last year, this will be a budget that targets fiscal consolidation and hence we believe that a degree of stimulus withdrawal is inevitable and also desirable. We believe that achieving the fiscal deficit number of around 5.5% of GDP should not be a challenge and given the economic indicators the government can reduce the gross borrowing figure significantly through lower spend on various subsidies.

This would be a measure that would take the form of retail fuel price increase and can be outside the budget. Similarly a drop in food and fertilizer subsidy would be the most market friendly way of reducing the fiscal deficit and would benefit the broad market besides the sector itself.The other market friendly way of bridging the deficit is to raise money by selling 3G licenses and stakes in government owned companies. While, the fate of disinvestments depends on the state of the markets, we believe that the government has assets which will have good demand. While the cut in subsidy bill is clearly a desirable outcome, it may not be accomplished in one go. We believe that in times like these when it is difficult for Corporates to borrow money from outside, a $10-15 billion of government borrowing in the overseas market would do the trick. It would leave domestic liquidity for corporate growth and provide cheaper finance to the government. The risk on exchange rates would be low because India is slated to become a current account surplus country once again over the next year. We believe that such a move would also be taken positively by the market.

Markets are unlikely to react positively if there is an attempt to increase revenue base by increasing taxation besides in the manner of rollback of stimulus granted in response to the slowdown.


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