Posted on November 27, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
Nick Carr has a good point this morning when he says that “everything that happens on the internet is complementary to the company’s core business” when talking about Google. However, Nick continues to argue that this is highly unusual, and probably not of much use to other companies. I tend to disagree.
Let’s take Intuit as an example. Yesterday, Intuit announced the acquisition of Homestead Technologies, a company that provides small business website creation and e-commerce. I see this acquisition as complementary to Intuit’s business. If Intuit can get more people to setup shop online, that increases the number of potential customers for their accounting and finance software. In fact, it would make sense for Intuit to give away free online storefronts, because their core strength is in the financial software that they could offer and plug-in directly to these new storefronts. Perhaps this is their plan. If it is, they are a little late to the game…
Posted on November 19, 2007 @ 11:14 pm
I am just about done with my b-school applications and found a lot of other blogs discussing ’08 applications. While I’m thrilled about going back, I’m also totally swamped with work and don’t have time to obsess about it like these guys.
http://thisblogisfreakinsweet.blogspot.com/2007/11/reflecting-on-my-interview.html
http://mbabound08.wordpress.com/
http://mbarunnergirl.blogspot.com/
Posted on November 17, 2007 @ 3:25 am
Today Gizmodo, posted a review of Seiko’s new e-book reader, next week Amazon is launching their e-book reader, and there are rumors that Borders will be partnering with Sony on a co-branded e-book reader (in typical Borders fashion).
These various products cost at least $300, so they aren’t a bargain. And I don’t see the appeal of having to carry around another clunky device. Instead, e-books should just work on a laptop, iphone, blackberry, ipod touch — and not require a specialized piece of hardware.
Given the high quality reading experience on the iphone, I would be surprised if Apple hasn’t at least had preliminary discussions with the major publishers. Not that I’m dying to read books on my iphone, but why not make it an option?
Posted on November 10, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
What an interesting city. I’ve been in Belgrade, Serbia for the last four days for work and will be heading home on Sunday morning. A few random observations:
* I’ve seen a lot of people walking dogs and it seems like a pet friendly city.
* The Internet connection at my hotel isn’t stable and it was the first time I’ve had difficulties sending a 5MB file in a few years. This is a reminder of connection difficulties that people have in emerging countries…
* A lot of the major chain stores are here (Nike, McDonalds, Zara, etc.) but I haven’t seen a Starbucks (yet).
* Everyone is smoking everywhere – a reminder of how nice the EU and US non-smoking laws are!