In Response to Alex

I think the new acquisition of Facebook is brilliant by Mark Zuckerburg.  Buying instagram means big money in the near future.  I recently downloaded the app for my iPhone and I love it, the amount of photo editing you can do to pictures instantly right before you post them is awesome.  I would imagine Zuckerburg bought Instagram because of the similarities between that and Facebook, both have members post photos with captions everyday.  Gaining more members will me more profits, and that's what Instagram will bring.  I do not think that however that Instagram is worth a billion dollars at the moment, however in the near future, it definitely will be! I also think that Facebook paid way to much for Instagram and so do experts but it is being said that Facebook paid this premium because they did not want it to fall into their competitors hands.

In response to Jaycelyn’s post about Apple commercials

Do you think that Apple's ad campaigns make their products sound better than they are? Or do you think that the iPhone is better than say the Droid and the Mac is better than a PC?

I do feel that the Droid is better than the Iphone because there are more apps for free. Undoubtedly Android operating systems and the Droid phones are a spitting image of the Iphone. They both operate under the same principals and have some of the same applications but you still have Iphone loyal customer. I feel this is because some people have had them since the beginning, it was the first one of its kind and they understand how it operates.  In my opinion the Android market has not taken customers from Apple but, has stopped more people from going to the Apple Iphone. It is a very similar debate when discussing PC’s vs Mac’s. Do you think that it makes no sense when someone owns an Iphone but does not own a Mac computer? Are they buying the phone JUST to own an Iphone.

In Response to Brook’s blog Burger King vs McDonalds

I think that Burger King has seen the success of McDonalds and has changed some of they things they do to make their business more efficient. Burger King is starting to offer things such as wraps and smoothies that McDonalds has done for a few years now.  I feel Burger King saw an opportunity for growth because their customers were going to McDonalds to get what they could not get at Burger King. This is a risky business because they now have to take loyal customers from McDonalds, but understandably some people prefer Burger King to McDonald’s which will allow current loyal customers of Burger King to enjoy new menu items and tell others about the new delicious snacks on McDonalds menu.

In Response to Jacelyn's post about Apple

     I do think that apple is moving in the correct direction in establishing customer loyalty and keeping its shareholders happy. Apple has the largest assets ever owned by a single company. Apple holds nearly 80 billion dollars in cash. In keeping their shareholders happy Apple gave dividends back to very happy shareholders who’s stocks continue to hit record highs. Apple also listens to its customers and every complaint that they may have. Apple reminds me of L.L. Bean in the sense that they have terrific customer service and they are very helpful. Their replacement policy is not as great as L.L. Bean but if their product is ever at fault they do their best to replace it.

      I most recently purchased a Mac Pro and was VERY pleased with the customer service that I received and continue to receive from apple support. I left the PC world because of the cheap product I felt they made and poor customer service. My old PC had a defect from the start, they put to small of a fan in the computer so it would overheat and fry the mother board, my computer surprisingly lasted longer than it should have but in doing so I missed the replacement window, HP told me there was nothing they could do. I switched to Apple because I feel they offer a more reliable product and I know they have better customer service.

Do you think businesses would have an advantage in making its employees purchase Mac products because of their customer service?

In Response to Michael Thompson Vibrating Tattoo's

         Could this actually become something successful for Nokia?

   I do not think that this will become successful for Nokia. This is a waste of money that Nokia could use somewhere else, ex advertising, marketing, new products. This idea that someone would program their tattoo to tell them who is calling or to tell you if you have a voice mail or text message is just nonsense. I strongly believe ideas like this is why the US economy is doing so terrible. Because people can spend millions of dollars to research and develop  something as dumb as a vibrating tattoo. I believe that if Nokia spends millions of dollars on researching a product like this, they may not be around for much longer because this idea will flop. In what ways could this help out Nokia?

BlackBerry On The Way Out?

When was the last time you got a BBM? Maybe its because BlackBerry are only making up 5% of consumers purchasing. Android is leading the race with 48% but Apple is not far behind with 43% of market shares. Why are BlackBerry’s not selling? Studies show that consumers feel that BlackBerry is not keeping up with the fast growing Android and IOS phones. From games to apps Androids and iPhones cater to business professionals as well as college students and anyone looking for a cool new phone. Androids and iPhones offer the best cameras, highest resolution screens and newest applications.

            BlackBerry is still trying to grasp only the business professional market, or more plainly stated someone who does not want a phone with all the bells and whistles and that is their downfall. BlackBerry is losing this race much like the way Boarders went under, because they are not adapting to the growing market and listening to customers needs. BlackBerry’s are very particular when it comes to applications, games, and programs, those programs are only compatible with BlackBerry’s. While Androids and iPhones run different operating systems they use the same games and applications making them compatible with the competitors phone. If you were the marketing manager of BlackBerry, what would you do to increase revenue?

In Response to Matt Vest iPad 2

Has Apple outdone it's self again? Apple announced that it is releasing the iPad 2 and already is behind on filling orders. Its sold out and pre ordered to the max, so why would Apple release a product that it cannot keep up demands for? Why not wait and produce enough so 80% of the market can buy one the day they come out? Because of marketing. Apple wants people to not be able to get the iPad 2 because we all know that when your cannot have something that makes you want it that much more, thus driving sales and prices to a premium. Apple feeds off consumer competition who wants the first one? the customer with the largest wallet or the most amount of free time so they can stand in line all week. I like Matt's stance on economic recession and Apple outselling every product it makes. From iPhones to iPods Apples sales have gone where no other company has and the scary thought is that the U.S. has been in an economic recession this whole time. So i ask this question, How can the U.S. be seen as in a recession in the eyes of the business world when Apple is recording record sales and revenue? Unemployment rates are astronomically high, but somehow Apple is finding enough revenue to have over 80 billion dollars cash... which came from where.... Us.