Easterangel - Business News & Research

Sony and the Playstation Portable

2006-04-03T04:54:00.000-07:00

In my opinion Sony's venture into the handheld gaming industry is a very wise move. Only Nintendo is in this industry and the market is really vast right now.

Unlike the N-Gage, Sony has the capability to dish out a number of games due to its relationship with game publishers who were successful in launching titles for the PS1 and PS2.

However, the big difference is that Sony opted to put lots of bells and whistles into the PSP. Things that seem to look good at first but only skyrockets the price and then the market realizes that they don't need it.

Take into the consideration the UMD Movies for the PSP which has now been declared as a flop. Why would you want to watch movies in such a small screen when you have a DVD Player at home? They say you can watch movies wherever you are like in the bus. But you already got the PSP, an awesome gaming machine in your hands, you've got action on the bus!

Now Nintendo is set to launch the Revolution console. This is a very good example on why Nintendo is loved by gamers. Reports have it that unlike the XBox and the PS3, they will not put a hard drive in it. Instead they will enable the console to accept USB flash drives and other memory cards! This is great! It not only brings the cost down but also gives the user what type and how much storage they can afford.

The beauty of simplicity.

The Cost of Power for Data Centers

2005-10-27T17:04:00.000-07:00

This informative article from SearchDataCenter.com gives us an idea about energy costs at data centers.

"According to Richard Sneider, managing director of Concord, Mass.-based InterUnity group -- the research firm that produced the AFCOM survey -- the primary reason for new demand is the increased densities of servers and switches. More powerful machines packed into tighter footprints is causing cooling headaches, and cooling that equipment eats up a lot of power."

"According to IT infrastructure vendor, West Kingston, R.I.-based American Power Conversion Corp., the total cost of ownership for a rack of servers is between $80,000 to $150,000 per rack, and power consumption accounts for 20% of that cost."

IT energy crisis reaching critical mass
by Matt Stansberry

The Future of Residential VOIP

2005-10-12T03:57:00.000-07:00

I think this Linksys-Skype product will be the future of VOIP for homes.

CIT200

The Conventional Wisdom

2005-10-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

The conventional wisdom is that real estate is a better investment channel than the stock market. However, based on this article from Forbes Magazine, stocks were better in a longer period of time.

Real Estate Vs. Stocks

A Travel-Heavy Job for a Recent Graduate

2005-10-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

This article from college journal shows how tough it can be to land a job that requires heavy travel.

"On most weeks, he leaves home Monday morning and returns Thursday evening. 'It doesn't really feel like I'm back until Friday night because I get home so late on Thursday," he says. "By Sunday I'm thinking about how I have to get up the next day at 4 a.m.'"

Grad's Travel-Heavy Job Is Harder Than Expected

VOIP Maket Projections

2005-10-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

If you need some VOIP market projections then this past research of mine might be of help to you.

Consumer VOIP Market

$100 Laptops!

2005-09-30T00:35:00.000-07:00

Technology costs are shrinking. After our coverage of rolling out cheaper mobile phones, now comes affordable laptops! The target is $100 and again it will be distributed mainly to rural areas of poor countries.

I pray and hope that this plan pushes through along with the mobile phones. People from all walks of life can now participate in this interconnected world!

$100 Laptop Effort Gains Momentum

The Tensions of Trade

2005-09-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

Here is another article discussing the inequalites of global trade due to cheap labor. Cheap labor to some first rate economy but not to those who have to buy clothes and food for his family deeply rooted in third world poverty.

The rapid rise of China's sock town

Palm... What Went Wrong?

2005-09-29T00:50:00.000-07:00

It was a surprise to see splashed all over the news pages that Palm and Microsoft will now partner on the Treo. Years ago this was unthinkable since both were major players in the handheld market. But times and technologies have changed in just a few years. In this insightful article from Michael Singer of ZDNet, it enumerates the mistakes Palm had made along the way as it struggled in the fast changing handheld market.

Five reasons for Palm's slide

Finland is at No. 1

2005-09-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

Finland is still the most competitive economy in the world with the United States at second place.

Finland Tops Competitiveness Index--Again

Nothing is a sure thing!

2005-09-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

Nothing is a sure thing! Even a great ball player misses a slam dunk. Even real estate players can lose their shirt!

Our next article shows that you must be careful with real estate. The old adage that it is always a good investment since the value always appreciates isn't always true. The cases are in the American setting but they can be true in other parts of the world as well.

3 ways you can go broke in real estate

Cell Phones for Everybody

2005-09-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

A bit of good news even if the real product hasn't arrived yet. The major mobile phone makers are now scrambling to make cheaper phones that will be marketed mostly to Asian and African countries.

Motorola will be rolling out handsets in the sub $40 category while Philips is in the works for a phone that can be priced below $15!

Motorola Introduces Dirt-Cheap Cell Phone For Developing Countries

Ebay Day!

2005-09-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

Today we will have Ebay day and provide two posts for this great internet business model. But how does the business model really work in simple terms? My next answer to a Google Answers question shows the basics and also addresses the security issues Ebay has to tackle to keep on going.

The eBay Business Model

Senior Citizens and Ebay

2005-09-27T05:08:00.000-07:00

Continuing with our Ebay series... we will now look at how seniors are finding ways to make money at Ebay. It just goes to show that the internet isn't just for the young ones.

The 55-Plus Crowd Takes to eBay Auctions

Chinese and Tourism

2005-09-26T07:02:00.000-07:00

In this very interesting article from the Financial Times, the articles describes how Chinese tourists enjoy their trips abroad.

"But there is one aspect of the modern tourism experience in which Chinese tourists more than hold their own: shopping. A recent report by AC Nielsen found that Chinese travellers are the world’s most extravagant shoppers, with average expenditure on outbound trips reaching US$987 per head – exceeding the famously high-spending and luxury-loving Japanese. Travellers to Europe spend even more, averaging US$1,781 per trip."

The peculiarity of Chinese tourism

Business Models of Virtual Communities

2005-09-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered how virtual communities make money? Virtual communities are places wherein people post ideas, ads or just about anything that comes across their minds. It's not just advertisements anymore and some are actually making money these days.

In this research I posted at Google Answers, we examine the different ways these types of websites try to keep their heads above water.

The Business Side of Virtual Communities

Answers at the New York Times

2005-09-25T17:15:00.000-07:00

The New York Times recenty had a feature on Goofle Answers! You can get a heads up on what this 3 year old service is about and maybe we can answer your question!
Need Answers? Ask Anybody

India and China

2005-03-06T02:14:00.000-08:00

China is Asia's current Tiger Economy and India will soon follwo suit. This article from the Economist shows how these two countries have done it and also how they can learn from their each other experiences.

Economist.com

The Business Battle Ground - CEOs vs. CFOs

2005-03-05T04:09:00.000-08:00

This interesting article from Slate Magazine tells us the reasons why a CEO and CFO do not always see eye to eye when it comes to business decisions.

CEOs vs. CFOs - Who's smarter? By Daniel�Gross

business blogs -- beyond the hype

2005-02-09T02:13:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the very long delay in posting some new business reading materials. Kind of busy the past few weeks and will probably continue to be hectic until March.

Blogs, blogs and more blogs. Marketers say that blogs provide contributions to a company's bottomline. Is this true or just hype? Our next article provides a very good discussion on the debate. Read before you suggest a blogging project to your boss.

business blogs -- beyond the hype

Business News: A Looming Hollywood Strike

2005-01-24T05:53:00.000-08:00

The next big Hollywood blockbuster might not be around the corner just yet as a big labor strike looms in the horizon for the whole industry.

Economist.com | The movie industry

Google Answers Research: Smart Card Factory Issues

2005-01-16T02:34:00.000-08:00

I had a lot of fun with the challenges that came with this research. It was a tough one with a time limit but the hunting part was great!

Google Answers: Smart Card Factory Issues

Business Tips: Manufacture for Yourself

2005-01-10T16:12:00.000-08:00

If you are in the business of manufacturing customized products for different clients, maybe you can learn from them and perceive the market needs for a particular type of new tool. In this way you can develop a new product and thereby expand your business. Read our next link and find out how one entrepreneur was able to successfully transform his company this way.

Entrepreneur - bizjournals.com

Google Answers Research: Internet/mobile conferences in Asia & Europe

2005-01-07T16:34:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in attending some internet and mobile conferences in Asia and Europe? These lists of events could come in handy.

Google Answers: Internet/mobile conferences in Asia

Google Answers: Internet/mobile conferences in Europe

Business News: Wireless disaster relief

2005-01-04T04:43:00.000-08:00

In the midst of the tsunami disaster, Cisco will embark on an ambitious and creative way to help using real-time disaster management.

RED HERRING | Wireless disaster relief

Business Tips: FInding your market niche

2005-01-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

Our next link provides an interesting story of how one company wanted to build itself as a green company but ended being bought by consumers not because they have environment friendly products but due to the durability of the latter. This case shows us that sometimes we should be sensitive to how customers perceive our company and not how we see ourselves.

Entrepreneur: Wood protection the natural way

Case Study Feature: A Quiet Storm Ahead

2004-12-29T02:12:00.000-08:00

Amidst all the concerns about politics, terrorism, etc. One factor that isn't getting much press these days will affect the global economy in the months and years to come. On January 1st, clothes and textiles will be free from quotas that has bound this industry for the past 30 years. Who will profit from this change in policy, who will be on the losing end, what will be the repercussions to our society?

This article from the Economist website shows the possible implications of lifting textile quotas.

Economist.com | The freeing of the world�s textile trade

Google Answers Research: Conferences and Events about Weblogging

2004-12-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

Here is another research that concentrates on building lists. This next research concerns itself of providing a list blogging events (seminars, conferences, etc) for the dates Nov. 2004 and the year 2005.

Google Answers: Conferences and Events about Weblogging

Business News: The sting of Christmas spending

2004-12-27T18:08:00.000-08:00

In our next featured article, the author mentions that during Christmas parents spend irrationally for their kids. As a case in pont, he cites his own purchase of an outdoor playset for his kids.

WSJ.com - Love & Money

You might ask... is this really the proper way to celebrate Christmas? Click on the link below.

Let's have a better Christmas

Case Study Feature: The German Hyperinflation of 1923

2004-12-26T18:06:00.000-08:00

Our next case study is about the German Hyperinflation of 1923. I am posting here 3 articles for you to read to get to know about this interesting financial story.

The German Hyperinflation of 1923

Commanding Heights : The German Hyperinflation, 1923

Loads of money

Google Answers Research: List of Sites : Free Stuff/Offers/Brochures _Mailed_ to Me

2004-12-21T06:13:00.000-08:00

One of the best types of research I like to do is to make lists I find on the web. In our next research work, a clients asks for a list of websites that will snail mail to you free brochures or offers of their products.

Google Answers: List of Sites : Free Stuff/Offers/Brochures _Mailed_ to Me

Business Tips: In Toytown, a New Set of Rules

2004-12-20T02:50:00.000-08:00

If you are a specialty toy retailer, then you need to jazz up your store. It will not be enough to compete on price these days against big store discounters.

"By turning their outlets into destinations akin to theme parks, today's stores hope to attract high-end shoppers willing to pay for top-of-the-line toys. Locations must be glitzy and filled with surprises, such as the professional hoofers who tap dance Heart and Soul on the giant, light-up keyboard at the revamped FAO Schwarz on Fifth Avenue. Sure, few customers will make it to the store every week, but the retailer can market to the masses year-round through the Web and catalogs."

In Toytown, a New Set of Rules

Buying tips: This is the best time to buy a Digital Camera

2004-12-18T01:25:00.000-08:00

Retail stores are slashing prices for older digital camera models to clear out for higher megapixel devices.

"Digital camera prices fell 7.4 percent to an average of about $192 as manufacturers released new models and discounted older lines to take advantage of expected heavy demand during the holiday season."

Top Technology News Sponsored by Audi | Reuters.com

Business Ideas Corner: Professional Christmas Decorator

2004-12-16T02:04:00.000-08:00

Do you want to be a Professional Christmas Decorator? For a fee, you will be tasked to put Christmas decorations in someone's house. This new business idea might be too late for the coming Christmas celebrations but it will be a good business to keep an eye on it for the next year.

StartupJournal | Enterprise

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of Christmas... what does it really mean?

Business News: Google hits the books

2004-12-15T01:41:00.000-08:00

Google announces it's newest long-term project of digitizing books from 5 prestigious libraries (New York Public Library, Harvard University, Oxford University, Stanford University and the University of Michigan). With this project Google takes the information race a notch higher. I expect Yahoo and Micrsoft to follow suit with partnership with other libraries.

If and when Google completes this massive undertaking, it will mark the realization of one of the early visions for the Internet of making hundreds of library resources available online.

Google hits the books - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - December 15, 2004

Case Study Feature: 45 Million Children To Die!

2004-12-13T16:10:00.000-08:00

"Unless the world's wealthiest countries comply with their past pledges, some 45 million children in the worlds poor countries will die needlessly over the next decade, according a new report released Monday by British-based development group, Oxfam."

45 Million Children To Die!

Industry Profile: The Business of Basketball

2004-12-11T07:31:00.000-08:00

I am a very big fan of basketball and the NBA. This time Forbes.com provides the business sense in this league and in other sports. In this section of Forbes you can find the most valuable team, their income and the primary concerns of the league.

Forbes.com

Business News: Apple says iTunes music store now accepts PayPal

2004-12-10T18:02:00.000-08:00

Now you can use your PayPal Account to purchase songs at Apple ITunes Music Store.

Apple says iTunes music store now accepts PayPal - Dec. 10, 2004

Buying Tips How the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 7E7 stack up

2004-12-10T17:31:00.000-08:00

In case you want to purchase a plane (instead of a mobile phone), here is a brief comparison between the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 7E7.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: How the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 7E7 stack up

Google Answers Research: Off shore software development services

2004-12-10T01:17:00.000-08:00

On our next research feature, a client from Australia wants to know about the advantages and disadvantages a company gets from outsourcing jobs overseas. Furthermore, he wants to see some tips about outsourcing jobs to different countries.

Google Answers: Off shore software development services

Google Answers Research: What happens to shares when a company is acquired?

2004-12-09T01:11:00.000-08:00

In this research, a client asks what happens if the company he invested in was bought? This is a pretty basic investment question but everybody should be familiar with this concept.

Google Answers: What happens to shares when a company is acquired?

Business News: Slowly saying goodbye to paper checks.

2004-12-06T15:32:00.000-08:00

Electronic payments have now finally surpassed paper checks in the US.

USATODAY.com - Electronic payments surpass paper checks

Business News: Apple iTunes Store Cost Varies

2004-12-05T15:33:00.000-08:00

Why the unequal pricing of song downloads at different Apple iTunes Stores?

"Apple Computer (NASDAQ: AAPL) recently launched its Apple iTunes Store in Canada. But is a website really a store when all the company appears to be doing is charging different rates in each country? If your in Canada, you've got the lowest cost for Apple iTunes, but not if your in the US, UK or Europe. Is Apple's pricing practice fair?"

Technology News: Apple iTunes Store Cost Varies

Business Tip: Using Online Auctions to Make A Living

2004-12-05T03:21:00.000-08:00

Startup Journal shows the different basic business models one could use to make online auctions, like Ebay, a source for steady income.

How to Make a Living Auctioning Items Online By PAULETTE THOMAS

Business News: Just How Cheap Is Chinese Labor?

2004-12-03T17:57:00.000-08:00

"The cost of Chinese factory labor is a paltry 64 cents an hour. Although that figure is rough, since it's pieced together from sketchy statistics, it's still the most thorough estimate ever compiled."

Just How Cheap Is Chinese Labor?

Google Answers Research: Patent Costs

2004-12-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

Have you invented something lately and thinking of protecting your work? It's time to get a patent! My next research shows the cost you have to expect when you apply for a patent.

Google Answers: Patent

Business News: IBM Exits PC Business

2004-12-03T08:23:00.000-08:00

Could this be an end to an era? IBM is now exiting the PC Business and will be sold to Lenovo, China's largest PC maker.

IBM puts PC unit up for sale / Chinese company showing interest in desktop segment

Business News: Peter Drucker and Rick Warren

2004-12-02T06:06:00.000-08:00

The Forbes website has more tidbits about Rick Warren. It seems odd to many that Peter Drucker and Rick Warren are good friends for many years. Here is an excerpt from Forbes:

"The Drucker-Warren relationship may surprise many readers, but it goes back two decades, to when the young minister came to Drucker for advice. Under Drucker's tutelage, Warren's own success as a spiritual entrepreneur has been considerable. Saddleback has grown to 15,000 members and has helped start another 60 churches throughout the world. Warren's 2001 book, The Purpose-Driven Life, is this decade's best seller with 19.5 million copies sold so far and compiling at the rate of 500,000 per month."

The article actually focuses more on the thoughts of Peter Drucker but this was a rare interview given by the business expert after Rick Warren urged him to grant a request by Forbes magazine.

Forbes.com: Peter Drucker On Leadership

Forbes.com: Purpose Driven

2004-12-02T05:58:00.000-08:00

Business Commentary: Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Church" - A Great Entrepreneurship Book

Forbes' columnist, Rich Karlgaard, mentions that he is very picky about business books. One of the best business book for him comes not from the world of finance but from a Christian perspective.

Forbes.com: Purpose Driven

Business News: BANNED IN THE USA!

2004-12-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

The CNN Money website lists some of the products that are banned in the USA.

Food:
a. Peppercorns
b. Epoisse Cheese
c. Akees
d. Mangosteens
e. Spanish Hams
f. Beluga Caviar
g. Cuban Cigars

Banned in the U.S.A.

Other Products:
a. Industrial Hemp
b. Ivory
c. Turtleshell
d. Imported Parrots
e. Sealskin clothing

Banned across America - Dec. 1, 2004

Case Study Feature: Risks in the Global Economy

2004-12-01T17:59:00.000-08:00

The Global economy is doing very well right now but according to some analysts, serious risk factors are looming just around the corner.

"Going forward, he said, there are risks. He pointed to the rise in the cost of oil, which has not been fully priced into financial markets, and stressed the likelihood of rising interest rates and the possibility of inflation spurred by loose monetary policy in the United States and many other countries, including China. Housing markets, which have boomed in the United States and around the world, are vulnerable, with a 'real estate bubble going on practically across the entire globe,' said Neumann. 'Higher interest rates will cause problems in [that sector].'

What, if Anything, Will Sink the Global Economy? - Knowledge@Wharton

Business News: Mergers

2004-12-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

Merger activities are once again on the rise to levels of 2001. According to some experts, this is a sign that US companies are expecting the economy to be on the path to recovery.

Money Center - bizjournals.com

However based on a study commissioned by Businessweek, customers hate mergers since it usually leads to lower service quality.

Why Consumers Hate Mergers

Case Study Feature: Airline Industry

2004-12-01T01:25:00.000-08:00

One of the best things about the web is finding free business case studies. Although you still need to purchase most of the studies out there, if you search hard enough, you can get good ones for vitually no cost at all.

This free case study sample from Businesscases.org is a good one as it talks about the "no-frills" airline industry.

Reinventing the Airline Business

Fun Economics: The Big Mac Index

2004-11-30T17:04:00.000-08:00

The words "fun" and "economics" usually don't go together in everyday language but this one is different. By using the Big Mac (Yes McDonald's famous Hamburger!) The Economist magazine was able to show how to measure the differences in the cost of living of different countries by comparing the different prices of the hamburger product.

It is fun and interesting.

Economist.com | The Big Mac Index

If you want to read more about the theory of puchasing-power parity, the article below gives a good explanation.

A Beginner's Guide to Purchasing Power Parity Theory (PPP Theory)

Business Research Tools: BizStats.com

2004-11-30T01:49:00.000-08:00

The Bizstats website is a very useful tool to find basic statistics about business categories.

BizStats.com - Useful Business Statistics online

One way to use Bizstats is to use it to find revenue growth of businesses in the US.

Percentage Growth of US Business

Google Answers Research: China's currency peg

2004-11-29T16:44:00.000-08:00

One of the most talked about issues in the global economy right now are the effects of a pegged or fixed Chinese currency, the yuan, to the US Dollar. Americans say that this is one of the factors making it difficult for the US economy to recover.

But how does China pegged it currency to the US Dollar in the first place? My next Google Answers Research shows how China and other fixed currency system countries maintain the level of exchange rate they desire.

The process is not for the weak of hearts.

Google Answers: China's currency peg

Business News: Inc.com | Top 10 Celebrity Entrepreneurs

2004-11-29T16:00:00.000-08:00

Inc.com recently published the Top 10 Celebrity Entrepreneurs. Former Lakers star Magic Johnson is rated at No. 1!

Inc.com | Top 10 Celebrity Entrepreneurs

Google Answers Research: Portable People Meters

2004-11-29T01:22:00.000-08:00

What are people meters? People meters are gadgets hooked up to your TV or radio to measure your viewing habits. However, this time companies are coming up with so called portable versions of this gadget that the audience can wear and can measure any TV or radion station they are viewing at a particular time inside the house.

Our research mainly focuses on the development of this technology by Arbitron and the challenges they faced in rolling out the service.

Google Answers: Market Research for Media with portable people meters