PC Sales in Free Fall

(4/28/2013) Now we know how many people DON'T really need to buy a personal computer (or laptop) if they have an alternative. Tablets are good enough for many people.

Product Redesign

(4/22/2013) Product redesign suppose to improve the current product, increase profit margin, beat the competitors, and/or attract more consumers. However, sometimes a product redesign makes things worse. There are two examples.

The first one is Tropicana package redesign. It went from a very recognizable package to a generic-look dull package. I really don't know what the administrators were thinking.

The tops are old packages. Those are much nicer.

Another example is the logo redesign of Gap. You may wonder that is a magic work of new CEO trying to show that Gap will enter a new era - from bad to worse.

Is Apple's Day Really Over?

(4/21/2013) Apple's stock price has dropped more than 40% from it's highest point last year. Is Apple's day really over? One analyst gives you seven reasons why he think Apple high time will not return anytime soon.

Windows 8 Hurting PC Sales?

(4/10/2013) This news sounds insane, but it is real. "Global shipments of PCs fell 14 percent in the first three months this year, IDC said. That's the sharpest plunge since the firm started tracking the industry in 1994." When I worked as a reporter covering PC industry (when PC industry was booming in late 90's), a new Windows OS was always anticipated and viewed as a demand driver for all PC related companies.

How does it turn upside down this time? Is PC now too powerful and complicated that low usage users just turn to tablet? Or maybe some heavy users switch to Mac (Apple's Mac don't have such a serious problem at all) and say good buy forever to Microsoft? I guess so.

Smaller Seats and Overbooking Piss Air Passengers

(4/8/2013) Smaller seats and overbooking are major complaint of air passengers in 2012 and it's getting worse. I noticed that overbooking is more common than before. Do you feel the same?

First Airline Charging Passengers by Weight.

(4/2/2013) We know heavier passengers will consume more fuel on the plane (well, same as on any vehicle). Now Samoa Air will charge the passengers by their weight (of course, including your baggages). Will this pricing scheme come to the US? Imagine this: passengers carry all their stuffs and weigh on the scale, and other people are in a line. You will hear someone scream "What????.." Isn't it funny? Pricing by weight is reasonable. If it becomes real, we will probably be more careful in stuffing our luggages.

Game Changing Technology

(4/1/2013) Tired of paying hefty monthly fee to the cable companies or the satellite dish? There might be a (sort of) solution. Aereo TV may allow you to skip cable companies and it just won a first court decision.

"Subscribers to Aereo can stream live broadcasts of TV channels on mobile devices using miniature antennas, each assigned to one subscriber. The service was launched in March 2012 in the New York area at a cost to subscribers of $12 a month. The company in January announced plans to expand to 22 U.S. cities."

Combined with this news (30% Of Internet Users In The U.S. Would Consider Becoming Cable Cutters: Survey), I would say the cable companies need to find other way to be connected with their subscribers.

(4/10/2013) NBC news has a more detailed report about Aereo TV vs. broadcasters. Though the technology is disruptive, I am not sure whether Aereo can really win in the court. Those media broadcasters are just very powerful and they can cut the broadcasting off.

(4/11/2013) So far, it looks like the lawsuit against Aereo is not that successful. A Boston local TV station's request to shut down Aereo is turned down because no 'irreparable harm' can be proven.

(11/21/2014) Following the ruling of the Supreme Court, Aereo files Chapter 11 bankruptcy today.