Comment on Node ant

Brian Flores — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:25:41 -0500

I think RIM's "era of dominance" is already long over, and they must pursue the "prosumer" marketplace more aggressively. Microsoft continues to improve its Windows Mobile offering, which have the benefit of connecting to an Exchange Server directly rather than requiring a separate Blackberry Server. The new version of Exchange mimics much of the functionality edge that Blackberry users enjoyed, such as policy enforcement and the ability to remotely "wipe" the phone. Blackberry needs to find a new paradigm, and these sleeker, sexier, more media-friendly phones seem like a good start.

Comment on Node ant

Brian Flores — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:43:58 -0400

Wow, who really comes up with these questions? Has anyone at Fast Company actually worked as a technologist in a real-world setting? For email and back-office productivity, we're already well down the path to replacing desktop applications with cloud-based ones (GMail, Google Docs). For many other classes of applications, I just don't see that capability in the near future. I can't see anyone trying to run Photoshop or a CAD/CAM program over a wire.

Comment on Node ant

Brian Flores — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:46:34 -0400

@Jack, I share your view that the pay packages of superstar athletes and movie & musical stars is another example of Nero warming up his fiddle, but the truth is that they generate positive revenue. The Yankees are one of the richest teams in pro sports because they have the whole shebang - the revenue from merchandising, the broadcast network, et al. Next time we think about going to a sporting event, perhaps we should make a donation to spur scientific innovation instead.

Comment on Node ant

Brian Flores — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:37:57 -0400

The key isn't pay; it's the total compensation! The overhaul of the tax code that limited CEO pay deductibility to $1 million caused executive compensation packages to bulge with options, perquisites, and creative forms of deferred compensation. Isn't Secretary Paulson still receiving deferred comp from Goldman?

Comment on Node ant

Brian Flores — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:31:05 -0400

I think it's important to look at this laptop refresh within the context of their larger product portfolio. I have to wonder if we won't see the nVidia video cards in the MB and MBP find their way into the next-gen iMac, which are probably due for a refresh next year. I would think that Apple would be better able to compete on price in their mainstream desktop line, rather than having to reduce the quality of their core components to sell a cheaper laptop.

Comment on Node ant

Brian Flores — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:33:12 -0400

I'm not buying it. Whoever suggested this "Big Idea" slid down this slippery slope and hit his or her head along the way. Apple has almost never been about "openness", except for its short, failed effort at licensing its OS to third party computer manufacturers. Despite the fact that Macs are now made with the same processors as their Windows counterparts, you can't just install Mac OS on any Intel platform. Philosophical arguments aside, it doesn't make any technical sense to unlock an iPhone for use on T-Mobile's network, any more than it does to unlock a G1 for use with AT&T.

Comment on Node ant

Brian Flores — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:16:18 -0400

Ellis, your arguments are as poorly worded as your logic is thin. Executive experience?

Fast Talk Response -

Brian Flores — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:29:35 -0400

Will Google's first smartphone give the iPhone a run for its money? No. But Google's second, third, and fourth smartphones on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint will collectively edge into Apple's market share and start an innovation war. Google's alleged openness (we'll see how Larry & Sergey react once someone codes an Android app that competes with a Google product like Mobile Maps) will also draw the DIY development crowd.

Comment on Node ant

Brian Flores — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:11:11 -0400

This is indicative of the kind of "hit & run" advertising campaign in which CP+K seems to specialize. They're the ad agency for the web savvy but attention deficient. CP+K can strike a good note in a battle, but they haven't won any advertising wars. Examining their other big clients, they gave us those horribly creepy Burger King ads and replaced the iconic VW "Drivers Wanted" campaign that was the brainchild of Arnold Worldwide with "Un-pimp Your Ride". I haven't been in a Burger King since that ad campaign began, and I still prefer Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" to Helga in the GTI.

Fast Talk Response -

Brian Flores — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:56:10 -0400

I'm not so sure I'd go as far as Brendan, but I do think an aspect of taxation should relate to one's carbon footprint. I think it would be pretty easy to develop a rubric that provides a rough order estimate of a person's carbon footprint via the square footage of their house(s), car(s), and other vehicles (planes, boats, jetskis) where applicable. Create a centralized database to track how many air miles Americans log each year, and you could similarly tax the rock stars and road warriors (or their respective companies) for the air miles they log.