Via Stuff, and the SMH, a headline that seemingly spells bad news for the iPhone in Australia: “iPhone not so multimedia friendly in Aust” The article goes on to say that the iPhone is unable to play many of the Telco giants mobile offerings, such as Vodafone Live, Telstra’s Big Pond TV or Optus’ ringtones …
Category Archives: Business
iPhone apps lift the game
It’s a fast moving world when you are developing for the mobile or web. We at Lingopal are in the throes of some fun stuff involving mobile phones and translation, and it was always going to be a nervous time when the iPhone apps launched. Sure enough, there are a few nice looking applications, but …
When money isn’t enough: Michelin Deserts
Michelin Deserts. I’d love (not even like) to buy each of these right now, but it seems that Michelin are determined to make it hard, or even impossible, for me. So hard in fact that I feel obliged to go elsewhere because I am so annoyed, but the product is so good that I really …
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Overworked: NZ and Australia
4th and 5th worst in the developed world. That’s where NZ and Australia stand in an ILO survey of the percentage of workers that work more than 48 hours a week. NZ scores 23.6% and Australia 20.4%. Despite my belief, the USA scored lower at 18.1%. But we have it easy (as I sit here …
Banks? Real estate? the worst is yet to come
a Little bank story for kids, courtesy of the WSJ, and as told to writer Brian M Carney by billionaire and Private Equity pioneer Ted Forstmann. Once upon a time, when credit conditions and the costs of borrowing money were normal, the bank opened at 9:00 a.m. and closed at 5:00 p.m. For eight hours …
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Great mousetrap, lousy website
These guys (Turtlepac) make petrol and inflation bags. The products seem to be very high quality, and come recommended by a bunch of people. I’m thinking of getting one to add capacity to my bike. It’s a shame that the website is so unusable. Every product page is akin to a paper catalogue – nothing …
Apple is cool, but their partners are not
Apple does everything they can to make dealing with them a great experience. But they are let down by the little things, and by some pretty big things. The little things I’ve talked about before. The big things are more serious. Their partners suck. Vodaphone, Vodafone (that’s how you spell it in Australia and Optus …
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Are you easy to manage? 10 ways to be
Today I sat on the train on the way home, in a crowded carriage. A woman got on board, talking on her cell phone, and rather than hanging up she talked through the entire 30 minute journey. That wasn’t so much the issue in the crowded carriage. The issue was that she spent the entire …
The Baupost story
Imagine making over 20% a year since 1983. Safely. $10,000 invested then would be worth about $1m now, but the original investors had $27m, and they have made over 6,100% after fees. Sounds like the sort of place you’d like to put your money right? Especially as Baupost boss Seth Klarman’s mantra is “Don’t lose …
Fairfax’s WAToday launches – if you can find it
Fairfax’s long- awaited Western Australia site is here. This, and the BrisbaneTimes are important as they show, or do not show, whether a major media company can enter a competitors market by launching an online site. Like say NZ Herald entering Wellington, or Fairfax NZ entering Auckland, or the WSJ entering the UK. This will …
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Timeexchange: really not the best name
timeexchange.co.nz it seems, as noted already in comments by ACTUS Technology’s President Joe, already exists as timeexchange.net, and he is not happy: Name: Joe P**** Email: ***@******.com Website: http://www.timexchange.net Lance, In reference to your post “A Trade Me Spin off – timeexchange”, I would like to ask you to have it removed or to note …
The WWDC Apple show – how it got so big
It’s the annual Steve Jobs speech at the WWDC – (Word Wide Developer Conference) on Monday morning US Pacific time. While we wait for the new iPhone, Snow Leopard and a host of other rumours, check out the history of Steve’s “just one more thing..” at his WWDC speeches. That link (do check it out) …
FIFO and relationships – not so good
The West, Perth’s only newspaper until Fairfax launches its’ much anticipated online effort, has an amusing yet sad article on the perils of working in remote mines. FIFO (Fly in, fly out) means workers get several days of constant work (say 8) followed by several (say 6) days at home. Mileage can vary – with …
Making (more) money from the falling housing market
US housing prices fell 14% March 2008 on March 2007. 14% is larger than the downpayment component of many US mortgages. Would your mortgage be greater than your house value if the house fell by 14%? How about in your first year of ownership? Mortgages like this are in negative equity, and owners should, ceteris …
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US recession and Australian resurgence
A recession has a defined meaning, from the USA’s NBER, via Wikipedia A recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP, real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales. A recession begins just after the economy reaches a peak of …
Lance Wiggs 