Steve Jobs' Health Back In the News

Apple Stock Effected By News, Company Won't Take A Big Hit In the Long Run

By AMIR ALI SAID

If you checked into any business channel over the past two days you'd know two things about Apple. They delivered strong reports and 78% profit. The other looming news however, dealt with Steve Jobs. His health is a problem once again, and Apple has now reported such. The news came a day before Apple was set to report. Thereby not effecting any part of the company's report. But you couldn't say the same for the stock as it was down seven dollars at one point in the day. Like the last time, the news of Jobs' health proved to be a problem for the companies stock.

Although the news of Steve Jobs health effected Apple's stock, I don't think it will ever effect the company's success. Apple is a company in it's own right that was helped along by Steve Jobs. But there are people in positions at Apple that could take over in the event that Steve Jobs is permantely out of the company because of health issues. Plus, the Apple products can sell themselves. I don't think anybody purchasing an iPhone or iPod thinks of Steve Jobs overseeing the every day operations of the company. Apple is company that can do as much on its own without Jobs, as it can do with him.

I think it's clear, more than ever, that Steve Jobs will most likely not be seeing Apple into the next "phase" of the company. His health seems to be taking a decline and it's not being told like that through the news. But as far as the company goes, no matter what, it will prosper. I think the innovation and research and development teams are already in place. So Steve Jobs leaving the company will certainly be a blow to the company, a sad time and event, but it will not stop the company's success in the long run. Maybe not even in the short term, except perhaps a couple of weeks.

European Antitrust Investigators Look Into Google

Possible Foul Play Involved With Google AD Service

By AMIR ALI SAID

According to a New York Times article, European antitrust investigators are asking questions surrounding Google. The investigators are asking advertisers if Google ever suggested that they increase spending in return for improved visibility in its Web search results. In order to explain the magnitude of that statement, I'll break it down for you. Investigators are wondering if Google offers great visibility on the AD column. Some AD's are more visible than others at times, and investigators are wondering if Google charges for that bonus.

I don't think Google is participating in any foul play with their search engine. However, I think this investigation will turn up a few things. I think it's common sense for Google to charge for AD's. Think of it as an added piece to their Google AD rate. Its business. I don't find any faults with Google if they actually are charging. But what I do wonder is why this is coming up now. Something like this would certainly have been spotted years ago. But even thought this "discovery" has come towards the beginning of the year I expect this investigation to have a short life span.

The investigation has been around since late last year. Their about 120 questions on a questionnaire sent as part of the European Union’s inquiry. The questions range from simple to complex. But I haven't seen all of them. However, I can tell you that if there are 120 questions then this investigation may be more serious than you think. Google is a large company. An investigation of this nature can go two ways. The investigators lose their jobs in the process of their inquiries. Or, Google faces some sort of penalty. I think that this investigation will turn out as a combination of both those outcomes.

Money solves practically everything. But with a European investigation I don't think money will be involved. Instead, a team of lawyers will have to band together in order to get Google out of this ditch. Trust me, I think a company like Google can afford top of the line lawyers with a lot of influence. Hence, like I stated earlier, I expect this investigation to be over in no time. If that doesn't happen, then Google's in for something they may not have seen yet. Too bad I don't think that'll happen. Tune in for a couple updates on this developing investigation.

Facebook Gets Big Investment From Goldman Sachs

Net Worth of Top Social Networking Site Reaches $50 Billion, Move To Publicly Traded Company Inevitable

By AMIR ALI SAID

According to various reports, Goldman Sachs has invested $450 million in the Social Networking site Facebook. That's a hefty amount of money in one of the most popular social networking sites out there. But this investment in the company has led to the site's worth reaching $50 billion. To give you a little insight into how big that is I'll tell you which companies Facebook is now worth more than. Facebook is now worth more than eBay, Yahoo and Time Warner. Just in case your wondering, each company that I just mentioned has been around longer than Facebook. But even though that's true, Facebook is emerging as a leader in the social networking market. This investment will only fuel it more.

Facebook and Twitter are the kings of social networking right now. It's a battle for the number one spot and right now I'm not sure who holds it. However, this huge investment from Goldman Sachs has pushed Facebook into a new day. The company has now gotten a hefty investment from one of the greatest banks to ever exist. There's no mistaking the interest and belief the bank holds in Facebook after their investment. Let's not forget, when any company in particular makes an investment in another it's a sign that they have a vested interest in that company. But above all, with this Facebook situation one more thing has been raised. The possibility of Facebook being a publicly traded company.

There has already been rumors and talk about the site possibly going public. But now that the site has reached a $50 billion net worth it seems like that move would be inevitable. The company is now worth a lot of money and it's in the spotlight. According to a washingtonpost report, the Securities and Exchange Commission is preparing to launch an investigation into Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Zynga stock trades. When investigations come around, anything could turn up. But besides that, Facebook would certainly want to stay a step ahead of Twitter. They could achieve that by making smarter, more effective, quicker moves.

Amid the breaking news of this investment expectations have soared higher for Facebook. An investment of its nature is certainly market changing. Goldman Sachs has sent a statement to Twitter and anybody other doubters out there who don't think Facebook can lead the social networking era into a new wave. But the thing about this investment that's puzzling is that Facebook received it. Twitter came along and changed the whole market, and for awhile appeared to blow Facebook out of the water. But now, I no longer have that feeling. Where's the money backing Twitter?

Apple TV Moves From Download to Streaming

Leading Tech Company Releases Updated Version of TV

By Amir Ali Said

Apple has released their most anticipated Apple TV overhaul released. The Apple TV service uses the download-to-own model in favor of an HD Web streaming rental business. Apple plans to make movies available for $4.99 for DVD rental. This move is right in line with the film business' piracy-combatting mission to make titles available for easy legal downloads through multiple platforms. Multiple platforms including, Apple's iTunes to Netflix (which Apple TV will support); Amazon, Hulu, and video game consoles, and soon youtube.

Apple's new push with the Apple TV goes to show that physical discs and permanent downloads are going away. Instead, consumers are buying on an on-demand basis. On the TV route, Apple is selling segments of shows for $.99. That move is dividing companies all over. Disney and Fox are the only majors that are with Apple. BBC America is also on board with some of its shows. Apple TV users will be able to watch the movies and commercial-free TV segments within thirty days of the rental. Once users have started watching the programs, they'll have 48 hours to finish them.

After seeing the Apple TV I started to consider if I really valued my XBOX 360 with it's Netflix service. Or if I should invest in the Apple TV instead. I started thinking about all the problems I had in the past, and I was practically sold on buying the Apple TV. Hey, what can I say, Apple has an influence on most people. Their products are efficient and they just look cool. The Apple TV is no different. With Apple TV pricing being so low, I certainly think it's worth the investment.

One more thing, I want to be on the right side of history with Apple. I'd like to say, "I bought that when it first came out," meanwhile the product is selling out and a hit around the world. Something that most consumers have come accustomed to when it comes to Apple products. I expect the Apple TV to join the surge of the "Apple takeover." I think the Apple TV is going to do well, and hopefully I'll get one.

Apple Poised To Strike Back

Tech Company Announces "Special" Event, New Products to Be Unveiled

By Amir Ali Said

Apple has announced a special event-taking place September 1st. However, Apple hasn't disclosed what will be unveiled. Thanks Apple, because now any and everybody who knows about the event will be on the edge of their seat, waiting to see what Apple has to offer. I for one can't wait to see what Apple has to present. Ideas are being tossed around, like a new TV that apple has created, a new IPad, or even new iPods. Nevertheless, if Apple presented a toy phone, most people, even me would want to go get it.

Whenever Apple has events, they seem to draw big crowds and media attention. This event seems like its going to draw huge crowds just off the fact that no body knows what's going to be unveiled. Plus, it's a "special" event that should be treated as such. Press and Media will be ready at any instant to report on what is unveiled, hopefully, it'll be televised. I think Apple is going to come out with a new set of products that'll blow consumers away once again. They'll certainly achieve that, if they unveil the TV that has been in the news.

One thing that may be a long shot is the unveiling of a new phone. However, in my mind, I'm not sure if that's out of reach. Research in Motion has an ad-campaign showing off the Blackberry Torch, the new phone that combines keyboard and touch-screen. The Torch is a huge development in the smart phone war between RIMM and Apple. Apple needs something to strike back, what better than a smart phone that has similar features to the Torch, but yet, better.

Web Designer Sues Facebook For 84% Stake In Company

Old Craiglists Job May Land Employer Billions of Dollars

By Amir Ali Said

Yesterday, news broke, that Facebook will try to get a New York web designer's claim for majority ownership of the website thrown out of court. A complaint by Paul Ceglia claims that a 7-year-old contract he signed with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for software development, entitles him to 84 percent of the company. According to Ceglia's attorney, Terrence Connors here's how the Facebook creator and web designer met. The two met when Zuckerberg responded to an ad Ceglia had posted on Craigslist looking for someone to develop software for a street-mapping database he was creating.

Zuckerberg offered to take on Ceglia's project for $1,000, Connors said, and then told Ceglia about a project of his own, a kind of online yearbook for Harvard students that he wanted to expand. Ceglia said he gave Zuckerberg another $1,000 to continue work on Zuckerberg's project, "The Face Book," with the condition that Ceglia would own a 50 percent interest in the software and business if it expanded. The percentage grew to 84 percent based on a clause that added a percentage point for each day the project went past its Jan. 1, 2004, due date.

Now here's Zuckerberg's take, and basic research. Facebook's domain name wasn't registered until 2005. This is what Ceglia is suing Zuckerberg for, majority ownership in Facebook. He's not suing for majority ownership in "The Face Book." Who would've known an article could decide whether a man receives billions of dollars and majority ownership of a thriving social media network. I don't think Ceglia is going to win, so long as Zuckerberg and facebook don't get nervous and settle out of court. A simple look at when "Facebook's" domain name was registered, and when this alleged contract was created, and this whole case will be over.

HTML and CSS Code, Intense Work

With HTML and CSS Time Is Money

By Amir Ali Said

Learning CSS and HTML code is fun. Just in case you didn't notice, I revamped my blog and made it three columns, along with a few minor changes. It's part of a design that I wanted to change to. But the best part was learning how. I'll start off by saying, its A LOT of code. There are so many different things that you have to do. The thing is, if you're one space off with code it can ruin your whole site. All the code has to be precise and correct. Then there's the seperate templates.

All of the different templates have code that need to be started from scratch if you really want to customize your blog. These templates are part of the "Advanced" template that Typepad offers. This Advanced Template is only for those users who know code, and know how to use it. When learning how to use HTML code its not easy at all, it takes a lot of time. I have a new understand of why programmers and website creators are paid so much by the hour because of the intense work that they put in.

Great Marketing Translates Into More Sales

Successful marketing has brought Madden 10 into the hands of adventure gamers. Adventure gamers are players who like to play Gears of War, Army of Two, COD (Call of Duty), Naruto etc. I have a lot of friends that play those kind of games. But I noticed that since Madden 10 was released most of my friends who are adventure gamers bought Madden 10. That is incredible! Most of these friends who have Madden 10 said, in the past that they don't really like sports games.

Most of my game catalog is sports games so I found that statement absurd. I have Madden dating back to Madden 07. However, I haven't gotten Madden 10 yet. That’s because I have a system in place where I give the most recent Madden game a month before I purchase it. The main reason why is because of glitches and bugs. Usually in a month glitches and bugs should be fixed. However, if you buy Madden 10 the day it's released you may buy a Madden 10 with all the glitches and bugs. I learned my lesson from Madden 07. I think Madden 10 may have the most sales in the Madden franchise, once more adventure gamers start getting Madden 10, it's a rap.

Apple & Facebook Gear Up For Epic Battle Against Google

By Amir Ali Said

After reading Liz Gannes article on Apple and Facebook taking down Google, I had to give it some thought. When I first started reading, I thought there was no way Google could be taken down. But as I continued reading, I thought to myself, "Wait, this could actually happen." Whether this happens or not, its a great topic to bring up. I gave it some thought and I think its going to happen. Google over the past few years have been getting out of the search market, but is it to late? Does Apple and other companies already have markets on lock, to the point where Google can't eat a substantial part of their money? My answer is no, I think its too late for Google, and this news won't help at all.

Apple is very large company. They started off putting a lock on the computer market, but they learned very fast that they could branch out into other markets. Apple has gotten into the cell phone market, to be specific, the smart phone market. In the smart phone, market Apple has a substantial hold, shared by Research in Motion (makers of the Blackberry) and some Verizon cell phones. Apple also creates computer software. Nonetheless, Apple is a big company who is capable, teamed up with the right ally to take down Google.

Facebook is a social networking website with a strong base. Along with Twitter, they’re the leaders in Social Networking. They have more than 400 Million active users. Facebook is a huge social networking site, teamed with Apple could be disastrous for some companies. Case in point, Google. In this article, you see just how disastrous this team could be, not only to Google but Amazon and PayPal as well.

Google was a company built by Larry Page and Sergey Brin on search. Together, they intended to create a much better search engine. They originally called their search engine "BackRub." Well, that went on to become "Google" as we know their search engine today. The ironic thing about Google's IPO is that its top competitor, Yahoo! made $8.4 million before the company had an IPO. Since the creation of Google, the company has branched out into the cell phone, web browsing, and operating systems markets. In each market, Google has tried to establish its self, but search is their native land. However, Google has had success in the cell phone market.

Apple & Facebook Vs Google

BlackBerry Search, Verizon Help!

By Amir Ali Said

Pop told me that now I can get a blackberry. I'm hype! I began my search for a blackberry today. But then I remembered how it was when I first started looking for blackberry smartphones. It was a grueling experience to say the least. Mainly because Pop and I have Verizon Wireless phone service. So that means that there are only about 5 or 6 blackberry's to choose from. I would love it if Verizon had most, if not all of the blackberry's, Research In Motion (makers of the Blackberry), offers. But unfortunately it's not like that. Maybe the problem is that Research In Motion doesn't offer all their phones to select carriers. But I can't complain, it's all business.

The blackberry I want is the Bold 9700. Problem is, it's only offered with AT&T and T-Mobile phone service. So my second choice would be the BlackBerry Tour 9630, but that phone is rumored to have all sorts of problems. The most important being the trackball. Then the browser is kind of slow, but I think you could pay to have it upgraded. But at least it's offered with Verizon Wireless. So my final choice is the BlackBerry Curve 8530. But the problem with that phone is that the keys are small, and apparently the phone feels cheap. Basically, the Tour is my only choice, since it fills my requirements. But I'm cool with it, since I'm going to have a BlackBerry. I mean come on, a BlackBerry is great. It beats any flip phone I ever had.