Samsung Sparks Anxiety at Google

Samsung is on track to have the most market share in the smartphone industry. Almost all of their devices run the Android operating system developed by Google. As per the current license agreement, Samsung is owed 10% of Google's revenue from mobile ad sales. As Samsung continues to grow and become an evermore dominate player in the industry it may be able to dictate terms to Google, maybe demanding more revenue from Google, or exclusive rights to certain apps, or be able to deploy the latest operating system sooner than its competitors. It can be seen in Samsung's product line that it has recently started offering Microsoft Windows 8 phones in case relations with Google head down hill. This article shows how industry titans can leverage their market share to dictate terms to other industry titans. If Samsung's relationship with Google sours it can spell out a real opportunity for Microsoft who has been late to the smartphone revolution. Microsoft has attempted to bring smartphones to market but consumers response to the offerings was luke warm at best. Microsoft has revamped their mobile operating system, tightly integrating it into Windows 8. If Samsung builds hardware platforms this would enable Microsoft to gain significant market share. I thought this article was interesting because if Samsung begun exclusively selling the Windows 8 phone it would be a giant leap of faith. The phone hasn't proven itself in the smartphone marketplace just yet.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323699704578324220017879796.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

GM Plans Smartphone on Wheels

The ubiquity of 4G wireless broadband access has created an opportunity for GM autos. Although many consumers already have smartphones, there is a demand to have that technology integrated into the car itself. GM will be using wireless provider AT&T make available weather reports, road construction alerts, the ability to stream movies for back seat passengers, and stream internet audio. GM is attempting to bring new innovation to the market place, no other car manufacturer brings these offerings to the public at this time. If successful this would position GM as a market leader in consumer technology. As an IT professional I found this article interesting because I specifically look for the technology options available in a car. An entire generation is growing up with smartphones, laptops, and other technologies, if GM caters to the younger audience they might be able to build brand loyalty from a customer base in their early to mid twenties.

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2013/02/25/is-connected-car-really-coming-gm-to-offer-4g-next-year/?KEYWORDS=gm+plans+smartphone+on+wheels

Sony Announces PlayStation 4

Sony has debuted an upgrade to its third generation gaming console. Dubbed the Playstation 4, it will take advantage of the latest technologies graphics industry. Sony was once synonymous with innovation, design, and prestige. In recent years Sony's image has been dragged down a pothole ridden street leaving deep bruises as it failed to embrace new technologies. This new gaming console will be a first in the industry, it will leverage cloud computing allowing gamers access to a multitude games without leaving home, allowing users to post high scores in games via social media to interested parties, and allowing users to play these new games on Sony's portable gaming device, the vita. If this product works as Sony hopes it make help the troubled Japaneses electronic giant. This could be an industry game changer if titles are delivered via the internet, it would decimate companies such as game stop whose sole business is to sell new and used games.
I thought this was an interesting article because I too have always found Sony to be innovative but it seems as they have lost their way. Time will tell how the company survives in the next few years.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324048904578316574122583926.html?mod=WSJ_hppMIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond&_nocache=1361410907473&user=welcome&mg=id-wsj

Some Apple Employee Computers Infected with Malware

Many users of OSX, Apple's operating system believe they are immune to viruses unlike Windows users. That is changing. In recently months hackers have been coding programs to target Apple computers as Macs have penetrated the once dominate Windows market. Rarely does Apple acknowledge exploits in their operating system however the WSJ recently ran an article describing how an employee visiting a software developer site lost control of his computer when a virus overtook it. Just last year thousands of Mac users were vulnerable to a virus called Flashback. These viruses are more than a nuisance, hackers from foreign countries attempt to gain access to corporate networks via infected laptops to steal sensitive data for their own means. In a contentedness age companies have to view these external threats seriously as it hackers could bring the entire company down to its knees.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324449104578314321123497696.html?KEYWORDS=some+apple+employee+computers    

Push to Gauge Bang for Buck from College Gains Steam

Many see college as an investment that will provide a solid foundation to launch themselves into a successful career doing what one enjoys. This however is not a prerequisite for attaining a successful career and with the cost of going to college rising exponentially, for some career paths this is not a wise investment. Across the nation everyday there are college recruiters on high school campuses persuading children to go to school for majors that will be difficult to make financial ends meet. Although financial prosperity doesn't need to be a primary goal, when one is graduating with $80,000 in debt just for education, these students are setup for failure. In order to help students make a more informed decision about what the financial prospects are Sens. Ron Wyden and Marco Rubio are trying to introduce a bill that will collect salary information and where individuals went to college 18 months after graduation, and make it publically available. I think this is a prudent step in helping college bound children to know what the reputation of their chosen school is, and how much he/she can expect to make upon graduation and what their chance of gainful employment. Moreover, most people know art and music majors won't make much in their line of work but did what about lawyers? There is a significant surplus of lawyers graduating from college these days and it is very difficult to find a job in the respective field. If there was more data available to students when they're trying to figure out what he/she wants to do for the rest of the life, they would be able to make a more informed decision.

 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324880504578298162378392502.html?KEYWORDS=link+college+with+salary

Audi Plans to Attract More U.S. Buyers with Diesels

Paying a higher price at the pump reduces the disposable income consumers have, sometimes by a sizable amount. Many of the autos on the American roadways are powered by regular gas, Audi hopes to change that. They're introducing sporty cars in the American Market powered by diesel which is almost 30% more efficient than the conventional fuels we're using now. This is an interesting step for the company as it takes on competing fuel sources such as hybrids and electric cars. It makes sense for Audi to bring this type of car to market in the U.S. because we already have diesel infrastructure available, these cars don't have the problem of expensive battery replacement which further reduces the footprint on the environment. For years diesel has been the dominate fuel in Europe, the auto maker has extensive experience with these types of engines. If Audi is successful, other German manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen are sure to follow suit. It will be interesting to see how Audi's marketing plan matriculates into this low competition segment because many American view diesel fuel as expensive, loud, and dirty.

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2013/02/08/audi-plans-to-attract-more-u-s-buyers-with-diesels/?KEYWORDS=bmw+discount+luxury+car

Fixing Detroit

For most, when the city Detroit is mentioned people think crime, poverty, and an old symbol of what used to be the automotive capital of the world. Long before the economy started to deteriorate Detroit was losing its population as auto makers decided to outsource  production to other states or countries, then the economic collapse sent the city into a rapid decline.  This has lead to enormous budget deficits, an increase in crime, and foreclosed/abandoned buildings and homes which perpetuates more crime and drug abuse. This is about to change. A man by the name of Mr. Dan Gilbert has plans to revitalize this once because of American ingenuity and engineering. I thought this article was interesting because it portrays the city as fertile ground for business and economic development. Mr. Gilbert's vision is to bring the town back to the allure it once had but using his massive financial resources to building and restore old office buildings and bring downtown Detroit to a thriving community. This article ties well into a marketing campaign for an organization because there will surely be tax incentives, cheap rent, and businesses looking to expand into new and emerging markets in downtown Detroit.
I choose this article because it would be interesting to see how this progresses as the economic rebound, particularly in Detroit where the city is almost collapsing financially. 


WSJ Link:
http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2013/01/29/real-estate-news-leg-up-for-downtown-detroit/?KEYWORDS=detroit