With the iPad poised to be another money making device for Apple, you might be interested in a few of their devices that did not do so great.
Fox News has a pictorial history of Apple’s not so popular devices. Click here.
How many did you own?
Now that the actual iPad specifications are out, what is your opinion of this new device? Is it a stripped down Mac that is basically a fancy netbook, or is it a beefed up iPhone that will bridge mobile device and personal computer? Maybe something else entirely? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Personally, I will be doing what I always do with all new tech; sitting back and let the early adopters shake out the bugs.
Watch CEO Steve Jobs introduce the iPad:
The great thing about Apple is there is always an interesting rumor floating around about an upcoming gadget or event. As I noted in an earlier post, Apple is rumored to announce a new tablet device based on its popular iPhone format. Now it is rumored that Apple will halt it’s exclusive partnership with AT&T.
A post today on Apple Insider reported that another site, HotHardware.com, has information from an “anonymous inside source” that AT&T will lose their iPhone exclusivity on Wednesday, when Apple is also expected to introduce its long-awaited touchscreen tablet. The article indicate that AT&T may lose it stranglehold on the service for the device, it is also tired of the iPhone being a data-hog and continually causing problems to the cell provider’s network. Since the sources are anonymous, please read the articles yourself and make your own decisions (Apple Insider – HotHardware.com).
Even if all of the rumors are wrong, you have to admit that Steve Jobs and the folks at Apple are always keeping people guessing about what’s next. I know I will be watching the announcements closely.
The above photo is an artist’s concept. NOT A REAL MAC!
Media outlets are buzzing about the idea of a new Apple tablet computing device. Rumors have increased that Apple will release this new gadget at the end of January. The Wall Street Journal reported that it could start shipping as early as March. Here is a link to one of the WSJ articles. Here is an AP article.
The idea of an Apple tablet device has been around for a while. The image above is just one artist’s idea. Here are some more cool concepts.
I enjoy Twitter just as much as the next person. In fact, you can follow me at twitter.com/jjhelp or click on the tab to the left. But would I buy a device that does nothing but send and receive tweets? No!
If you’re interested in picking up a TwitterPeek, you can buy it exclusively on Amazon.com for $99 or $199, depending on your desired service plan.
Click here to read more about the device.
Below you can watch Engadget.com Editor-in-chief Josh Topolsky preview the TwitterPeek mobile device on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Are you a shy entrepreneur? Often times great business ability and the ability to network don’t go hand-in-hand. The New York Times has an article that provides tips to overcome your introverted tendencies and start networking effectively.
While most people instantly think about approaching strangers whenever the term “networking” surfaces, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can begin by “seeking out familiar faces, such as relatives and friends,” she says. “Starting with someone you know makes it easier to get your networking career under way.”
Click here for the full article.
Another great article on the subject comes from Ivan Misner, PhD., the founder of BNI (Business Networking International). After years of developing networking business and giving speeches in front of large audiences, Ivan discovered that he was an introvert.
Now more than ever, I truly believe that whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you can be good at networking. Both have strengths and weaknesses. If you can find ways to enhance your strengths and minimize your weaknesses, anyone can be a great networker.
Click here to read the full article from Entrepreneur.com.
Have you reviewed your life insurance portfolio lately? Do you know the benefits of using permanent life insurance as part of your retirement planning? Permanent life insurance offers benefits for income planning purposes: The vehicle serves as a “hedge” against the prospect that income tax rates will rise in the future.
Click here for an article from National Underwriter that talks about making cash value life insurance part of your income plan.
Life insurance premiums have been at historic lows for several years. The reduction in premiums were caused by people living longer which resulted in more premium dollars to the insurance companies and continual rise in the stock market. Now that the flow of cheap capital has halted and companies have suffered losses on investments, it is speculated that premiums for term and universal life insurance will increase.
Industry experts gathered at a recent conference in New York, NY speculated that changes in the capital markets will force insurers to revamp products. Click here for the full article.
Now might be the perfect time to purchase that policy you have been putting off.
A 59 year-old man in England took out a bet that he would live to see the year 2007 after being diagnosed with cancer and given just months to live. After winning that bet at 50-to-1 odds, he made a new bet of seeing 2008 at 100-to-1 odds in June of 2007. He will collect over $16,000. Full Article.
Morgan Stanley has raised its outlook on the life insurance industry. The outlook on the overall industry was upgraded stating, “concerns about capital adequacy have diminished and the fundamental outlook for the group is improving.”
Morgan Stanley said it expects book values to sharply increase when life insurers report second-quarter earnings and if credit markets remain stable, book values may rise just over 20 percent on average.
Many life insurers are holding significant excess liquidity at their subsidiaries that might be used to invest in bonds, boosting net interest income, and the benefits of various expense-reduction programs could be seen by the end of the year, the brokerage said.
Click here for the full article from Reuters.
On the flipside, Standard & Poors is maintaining its negative outlook for the life insurance industry. The rating agency indicates that there will likely be more downgrades than upgrades over the next 6 month period.
Click here for the full article from National Underwriter.