February 6th, 2010
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In an answer to US imposing restrictions to import of Chinese tires, China has imposed anti-dumping duties of around 100% on imports of broiler chicken from US. China is the biggest importer of chicken products from US and with this move the American companies would be hit hard. In 2008 China imported more than 500 thousand tonnes of chicken products from US alone.
This may be an indication of a trade war between the two superpowers of the world. Earlier China also questioned US on its support to Taiwan by supplying arms. US has also levied anti-dumping duties on drilling pipes, wire decking and electric blankets imported from China. China being the manufacturing hub of the world seems to be facing the toughest times of the recent financial crisis.
Rogues
February 6th, 2010
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This temple town is similar to university towns across the world. Everything in this town is managed by the temple trust, from food to lodging. It is located on the banks of the river Nethravathi, in the Dakshina Kannada district. It is a scenic drive from Bangalore (275Km) or just 100 Kms from the biggest university town of India, Manipal. Dharmasthala has a lovely Manjunatha temple, with a Lord Shiva Idol. This temple is visited by more than 10000 people daily and it is most crowded on Mondays and holidays. The town also has one of the remotest vintage car museums where you can spot Cadillacs, Rolls-Royeces, Dodges and Renaults. To your surprise all these cars are in running condition. You can also visit the Manjusha Art Museum which has some unique collections.
The operations beauty of this place is to see the temple volunteers serve tens of thousands of visitors piping hot meal everyday. The moment you sit for the lunch, within one minute you will be served the leaf and delicious food pours in almost instantly. It hardly takes 9 minutes to finish the lunch from start to finish. And all this happens simultaneously for a batch of more than thousand people in a huge hall.
Rogues
February 5th, 2010
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Symbian has completed making the entire source code, of its highly appreciated smart phone operating system, an open source. This move is one of the largest changes in business models towards open source model. Open source are software which can be appended and used by anybody who wishes to do so. This symbian software is valued at more than a billion dollar.
Why have they done it? The foundation says that it will promote innovation and help the platform develop much better applications than what symbian could do alone. However, strategically this move is going to hit the various smart phone manufacturers. This will reduce the entry barrier for new players and would increase the competition in this segment. It is not far when we could see these smart phones in every human being’s hands.
Rogues
January 31st, 2010
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Apple's Strategy
Steve Jobs is known for creating revolutionary products and launching them like a box office thriller. The movie producers should learn a few tips from him! The launch of IPhone marked a new milestone in the history of tech products. Now, it is the time for IPad. What is IPad? In the last few years, the world has seen that the technological gap between a phone and a computer is reducing. Earlier people were satisfied with a basic phone which can be used to communicate only. Gradually the products’ expected features like internet, WAP and data processing abilities crept into the basic features. However, mobile manufacturers could not break the ice to think further, which Apple has done. Apple is trying to create a new segment where people want a multipurpose mobile device through which all basic needs of a mobile and a computer can be experienced with ease. IPhone implemented this unique ‘Filling the Gap’ strategy successfully. It seems that Apple has made this ‘Filling the Gap’ strategy it’s unique selling proposition. Is it sustainable? The sustainability of a strategy depends on the entry barrier for competitors. If the entry barrier is low then apart from the first mover advantage, Apple will have nothing. It will not be able to milk this newly created segment for a long time. One feature which is valuable about this product is that more than one lakh applets can be accessed through this device. These features are currently used in Iphones and IPad is compatible with it. So, the product is different but the features are developed on a common platform which can be used only on Apple products. It reminds me of the era when Apple tried to rule the market with Macs which could use only Apple’s applications and software. This strategy of Apple decades ago, did not last much because the competitors could sniff it and Microsoft and IBM reaped the benefits. Is it that this time the competitors are not aware or Apple has done its homework well enough. Apple has penetrated deep enough in most of the developed markets with its platform featured products IPhone, iTouch and IPod. Gradually they are moving back towards the PC in terms of features. WOW! Steve Jobs seems to implement his old strategy well enough to reach the levels of Microsoft with huge strategic advantages. Analysts say that IPad will not be able to replace the PC/Laptop market but you do not know what Apple is all for. It will not be surprising if Steve introduces an iPC which will run on the same platform used for iPod, iPhone and iPad.
Rogues
January 26th, 2010
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Yeracadu – lake forest is what it means. A true gem in Shevaroy hills!
A little known hill station in Tamil Nadu near Salem, this place is more of a discovery. Infamously known as ‘poor man’s Ooty’, I’d rather call it ‘for those who are bugged of crowded and polluted hill stations like Ooty’. Yercaud has its own charm and beauty which you fall in love with soon after landing there.
First place which you’d invariably land up is Yercaud lake. First day of our trip » Read more: Yercaud – a gem in Shevaroy Hills!
January 25th, 2010
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At 0237 GMT a Boeing 737-800 took off from Beirut International Airport hoping to reach Addis Ababa in the midst of heavy rain and thunderstorm. Alas! It went off the radar just five minutes after take off. Eighty three passengers were on board along with seven crew members. The reason for the crash is not yet certain but the residents in the coast say a “ball of fire” crashing in the sea. Ethiopian airlines is a state owned company is well positioned in the African market. The matter of concern is what is what made it happen, whether it happened due to negligence of the company or technical fault. Who is to blame? It is said the the airlines industry is one of the few industry where the margin of error has to be kept lowest and still mishaps are happening. How low should be the margin?
Rogues
January 16th, 2010
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It is now time for Kodak to sue Apple and RIM. Kodak says that the technology for previewing pictures is patented by them. These patented technologies are exploited in iPhones and BlackBerrys. Kodak has already filed a complaint against them in the International Trade Comission, USA.Now, With Apple, Nokia and Google already in news for the bad things this will add some more spice in the international patent war.
Roges
January 16th, 2010
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world financial market
JP Morgan posted a surprising $3.3 billion profits in the last quarter of 2009 compared to $702 million in 2008. Goldman Sachs also crossed the magical figure of $3.4 billion in the second quarter of 2009. Except the credit card business ‘All is Well’. In June 2009 JP Morgan paid back the entire bailout amount of $25 billion. Is this the sign of another super bull run which lead to the financial crisis or is it a sign of sustainable growth for a prosperous future? Whatever, it is time for the bankers, businessmen, employees and job seekers to rejoice and celebrate!
Rogues
January 14th, 2010
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china's marvel
After showing its mettle in organizing the worlds biggest sports festival, the Olympics, China is in news again with the largest oil tanker that will sail across the oceans around the world. China is currently the biggest lender to USA with more than US$ 800 billion and with these achievements it can bargain even better in the days to come.
Rogues
January 14th, 2010
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smishing
Smishing is a word derived from the words SMS and Phishing wherein the sender tries to extract crucial financial information from the receiver. It works just like phishing mails. Every technology has its flip side and now it is the turn of mobile phones via SMSs. Beware!
This is an example of a (complete) smishing message in current circulation: “Notice – this is an automated message from (a local credit union), your ATM card has been suspended. To reactivate call urgent at 866-###-####.”
Surprisingly, China along with China Mobile, has taken the first move against Smishing, racketeering and lewd SMSs. All SMSs are being tracked and action will be taken against the senders of such messages, which may include termination of SMS service for the guilty.
Rogues
