Apple Should Think Differently About Wall Street

Apple can't win when it comes to Wall St. Today's Street is more about high-stakes betting on fast growth than investing in the long term, and Apple's piled up enough assets to take care of their own financial well-being for years to come. Apple has a responsibility to long-term investors that, conveniently enough, matches up nicely with their own corporate DNA. 

Profits aren't necessarily driving share prices and big money deals right now. But potential sure is. So what? Play the long game, Apple, and share price will take care of itself.

Apple has exhibited staggering growth over the past decade or so, blowing out its own revenue records quarter after quarter while amassing close to $200 billion in total assets according to March 2013 filings (see chart below). That's more than twice the value of Google's assets, in case you're keeping score. Both iPad and iPhone sales continued to show year-over-year growth last quarter, and both broke company sales records during the previous quarter, which included the 2012 holiday shopping season. As Brian Proffitt noted, tablets are hot right now and they're particularly hot for Apple; Q2 iPad sales were up 65% from the same quarter last year.

But shares of AAPL are still off more than 35% since peaking at 705 last September. Meanwhile, Tumblr - a company with revenues somewhere between minimal and "underreported" - just sold for $1.1B. Instagram can tell a similar story. Why? Instagram and Tumblr had both racked up tens of millions of users churning hundreds of millions of page impressions with hardly an ad in sight. That spells potential - boundless untapped monetization potential - in their suitors' eyes. 

Shares of Tesla have spiked nearly 400% over the past year and the electric car maker literally just posted its first-ever profitable quarter. To compare, Apple posted a $9.5 billion profit in Q1 2013; Tesla reported profits of $15 million for the same quarter.  And yet Apple's share prices tumble while Tesla's climb a hockey stick growth curve. Why? Tesla's just now showing the kind of traction that could really disrupt a big industry. Again, potential. Poor old Apple has already torn up the music and wireless businesses. Unless they make a serious push to tear another dinosaur of an industry apart, there's no high growth opportunity in AAPL stock.

So what's a shareholder-accountable Tim Cook to do? Keep his poker face steady and solider on towards Apple's next game changer while continuing to grow iPad and iPhone revenues in the meantime. Cook's already done the right things in giving Jony Ive the keys to the kingdom, readying iOS and OS X updates for WWDC, issuing dividends and stock buy-backs and managing expectations ahead of a slow summer for products.

Cook even teased major disruptions during an interview at D:11 earlier in the week, naming television and wearable technology as two big markets Apple is keenly interested in exploring further. Of course Apple's been talking TV for a while now, which is part of the investor frustration Cook also acknowledged Tuesday night. And then there's the $10 billion Apple plans to spend on capital expenditures this year: $1B is earmarked for retail stores, leaving $9B for "a variety of areas," including manufacturing equipment and data centers. 

In other words, any suggestion that Apple is adrift without a plan for the future is utterly unfounded. Apple may not be telling the public what it's next move is, but it's clearly got a big thing or two in the works. 

Whether an Apple led by Tim Cook and Sir Jonathan Ive can remake a company like Steve Jobs' Apple did remains to be seen. But with nearly $200 billion to work with, there's literally no need for Cook and company to rush or investors to panic. Yes, Apple should take a moonshot soon; iPad isn't (yet) the volume product iPhone is, and iPhone's epic success might not last forever in wake of the Samsung-led Android charge. Iteration will only serve the company for so long.

Apple execs will tell you that innovation is key to Apple's corporate culture. It's in their DNA. Perhaps Apple would do well to take a page from their arch-rival's playbook when it comes to public risk taking. Whatever you think of Google's Glass and self-driving car projects, nobody's accusing Larry Page and company of resting on their laurels. Google's got a million and one projects coming and going and dropping out of the sky at developer conferences. Apple and Google are very different companies with very different philosophies around developing and shipping products, but Google has gained mindshare - and driven up their share price - at least partly due to their brash, cutting-edge experiments in the future of human-computer interaction. 

Funny as it sounds, maybe Apple should look to Google as a source of inspiration. No, I don't expect Tim Cook to skydive into WWDC next month. But Google found its cash cow in optimizing ads against search and now it can afford to experiment with basically whatever it sees fit. iPod and iOS devices have given Apple unimaginable financial resources of its own, and Tim Cook's bunch should ignore the naysayers, keep refining iOS and swing for the fences when they're good and ready.

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10 Reasons Why Your Business Should Be in the Cloud

You likely already use cloud computing in your personal life, whether it's checking your e-mail, listening to online radio, keeping track of your finances or storing photos. The same convenience and improvements cloud computing offers in your personal life translate into your work life, as bringing your business into the cloud has many benefits that will help your budget and streamline productivity.

We've put together a list of the top 10 reasons why you should consider using the cloud to your business advantage.

1. Instead of purchasing expensive hardware or software to use a particular program, cloud computing gives you access to programs or applications powered by someone else's servers and networks. The cost savings from not having to pay for equipment and programs that will quickly become outdated will be extremely helpful to your budget.

2. You'll save money on data storage because your systems won't be burdened with as much memory-consuming digital information. Cloud computing enables you to store and manage data outside of your own computer network.

3. Most cloud-based solutions take extreme precautions to protect your data so that you can feel comfortable storing it outside your own location.

4. Your entire organization will be able to collaborate on projects even if you have teams in different countries or continents. Everyone will be able to work simultaneously on the same documents, presentations, videos and more. Many businesses both small and large are successfully using cloud computing to collaborate on projects on a global scale.

5. If you don't have access to your computer and need to access an important file, it's not a problem. You can use any web-enabled device such as a smartphone, tablet device, or netbook to log into the cloud-based solution you use and find the data you need.

6. Certain cloud-based services give you the ability to increase your processing power. Even if you just need boosted processing capabilities for a short time, you can do it without investing heavily in expensive equipment.

7. Small businesses can leverage the cloud to access tools that they would normally have trouble affording.

8. Large businesses can use the cloud to equip the entire organization with tools that previously had to be installed on each computer, which ate up IT time and was costly.

9. Your employees won't have hardware or software issues resulting from cloud computing, so your IT team will be able to focus on other issues.

10. Finding ways to integrate cloud computing into your business now will pay off later, as more and more business functions can be performed in the cloud. Think of it as a wise investment in your company's future that also pays big dividends in the present.

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Here Is Why You Should Consider T-Mobile Smartphone Use for Your Internet Access

T-Mobile is one of the largest wireless carriers in the United States, the fourth largest with nearly 34 million customers as of 2010. The company has won four J.D. Power Awards, awards that gives praise and acknowledgements to T-Mobile's commitment to its customers and quality service. T-Mobile was recognized, with these awards, for its customer care, overall customer satisfaction as well as call quality.

T-Mobile is known for its "Even More" plans that are available for both individual and family users alike. What's more, T-Mobile has captured a segment of the market not catered to by virtually any other major wireless carrier: those who want discounted rates. In fact, T-Mobile is one of the only wireless carriers to offer prepaid cell phone plans at an affordable rate. For example, one of T-Mobile's newer prepaid plans costs just $30 per month and gives you a combination of 1500 talk plus text minutes, in addition to a small amount of data usage.

Of course, T-Mobile also offers its share of smartphones if you're interested in connecting to the Internet. For their Smartphone plans, however, a 2-year contract is usually required and, like most other wireless carriers, you must purchase a data plan.

T-Mobile Plans for Smartphones

T-Mobile Smartphone Internet plans are simplified, though, because you can simply choose from one of the company's Even More plans that bundle voice minutes, text messaging as well as data usage. T-Mobile is known for offering valuable, one-time specials that allow you to lock-in a rate for a limited time when you're purchasing a plan. For example, T-Mobile's special offer in April 2011 allows you to get unlimited text, talk and data usage for only $79 per month. In contrast, this is the regular monthly price for the company's unlimited talk and text with 200 Megabytes of data plan.

If you don't need quite so much talk time and think you'll use T-Mobile's text messaging and Internet services more, you can also get an Even More that gives you either 500 or 1000 minutes along with text and web services. For example, you can get 500 minutes of talk time, unlimited text messages and 200 Megabytes of data for $60 per month.

You can also sign up for T-Mobile's Internet plans with your Smartphone apart from talk and text plans. If you don't need as much talk and text time, then the company's web plans can give you data access when you need it. T-Mobile's 4G Smartphones require data plans that are as low as $10 per month, which allows 200 Megabytes of data usage monthly. The other plan for 4G Smartphones that T-Mobile has is one that gives you an unlimited amount of web and data access for just an extra $30 per month in addition to your voice or text message plan.

3G and 4G Smartphones

Like other major wireless carriers in the United States, T-Mobile provides a plethora of options with the latest phones and Smartphones if you're interested in using data and surfing the web. T-Mobile operates both a 3G and 4G network across the country, and which phone you choose depends on whether you want access to the latest network technology. In simple terms, 4G networks provide faster downloading speeds and are overall more reliable than 3G technology, but 4G networks are not available in all markets, as of spring 2011.

When you're looking for the right Smartphone to buy, T-Mobile has a full line of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capable, Google Android and Windows-powered phones. For example, the T-Mobile myTouch 4G phone is designed to be a mobile video chat phone that contains a built-in high-definition camcorder and 5 Megapixel camera, Wi-Fi functionality that lets you make calls over Wi-Fi, as well as native support for GPS. The T-Mobile myTouch 4g Smartphone operates on the Android operating system and the phone comes in either black, white, red or plum. Other 4G Android phones include the T-Mobile G2X, the G2, and the Samsung Galaxy.

There are also numerous 3G Smartphones available on the T-Mobile network. The T-Mobile Comet, a web-only exclusive deal through the company's website, is an affordable Smartphone that's typically free with a 2-year contract. The Comet is yet another Android-platform Smartphone that provides easy access to all of Google's services, such as Google Search, Maps and Gmail. The phone is also Wi-Fi capable, like many other of T-Mobile's 3G phones. Other Smartphones in this category include the LG Optimus T with Google, the Motorola Charm with MotoBlur, the Nokia Nuron and the Motorola Cliq.

New Devices on the T-Mobile Network

T-Mobile also has other devices made for Internet use that are in the Smartphone category, but have much more to offer. For example, the Nokia Astound is one of T-Mobile's latest touch-screen Smartphones that's one of the slimmest around. The BlackBerry Bold 9780 is a smartphone built with the latest BlackBerry 6 and offers a unique Web-surfing experience. It contains built-in WiFi, has support for GPS like all BlackBerry handhelds, and contains a suite of multimedia features. Yet another interesting product, the Deal Streak 7, is essentially a tablet PC that offers a 7-inch multi-touch screen and full-Flash support for Internet applications. The Dell Streak 7 also contains a built-in e-reader app that lets you read books for the Amazon Kindle platform.

T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless

Whether you've have been a long-time customer of T-Mobile or have just found a plan that you love, the telecommunications marketplace is about to change. In March 2011, AT&T announced a deal with the company to purchase T-Mobile for nearly $39 billion. This acquisition of T-Mobile by AT&T is not set to finalize until sometime in 2012, and the meaning for current T-Mobile customers is unclear. However, this deal could mean greater and more widespread network access for T-Mobile customers. In other words, you'll be able to connect your T-Mobile Smartphone to more towers across the country than before, which is a positive for consumers.

All in all, T-Mobile offers excellent Internet and web2go plans for Smartphone users and is one of the top companies competing in the cellular network marketplace. From the availability of its 4G network across the country to the many Smartphones available for use on its network, many customers in the United States are raving fans and loyal to T-Mobile.

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The Main Reason Wimax Should Be Considered Your Top Choice

Much to the delight of consumers, there has never been a better time than now to be in the market for a wireless internet connection. Although there are a number of different choices you can choose from, the bottom line is that you're going to get a fast broadband connection no matter which provider you sign up for. That doesn't mean they're all the same though. In fact, there is one choice that consumers should set their sights on and for a reason they might not have anticipated.

When it comes to fast wireless connectivity, cellular rules; nothing else really comes close to offering what it can. For example, Wifi just doesn't have nearly the same range, even though it may have the speed. Another example is satellite internet, which is not easy to use in a mobile capacity like cellular internet. Ultimately, Wifi was meant to be used as a home networking solution and satellite was meant to be used as a home internet solution. Ultimately, only cellular technology is up to the task of being a true wireless internet solution.

It should be clear which technology you should sign up for, but did you know there are several standards competing for your business in that realm? There are currently three solid contenders and each has their own advantages in one way or another. HSPA+ is based heavily on 3G technology but it features speeds just as fast as the others. Because of its infrastructure, it is relatively easy for it to expand, but the problem is that its future doesn't look as bright as the other two solutions. After all, you can only go so far with old technology. Another contender is known as Wimax. Unlike HSPA+, it is based on next-generation technology which means that it has much more potential for growth in the future. Believe it or not, this standard has also been around longer than the others and thus has had the opportunity to roll out a solid network.

Finally, there is Long Term Evolution or LTE. As its name implies, its goal is to be a cellular internet connection with lasting power, but it currently remains untested because it's the newest of the bunch. It may indeed be able to deliver on all of its promises in the future, but as it stands now it is not much different than Wimax. Even when you compare those two options in terms of future outlook, they both have nearly the same potential for growth. Although marketing campaigns will lead you to believe that LTE is clearly the way to go, the facts tell a different tale.

There is one more aspect to consider, and it could quite possibly be the most significant: data caps. HSPA+ and LTE both have relatively low data caps in place, which means that you may not be able to get the most out of your broadband connection. Wimax, on the other hand, allows for unlimited data transfer. For this reason, it should be considered your top choice when it comes to cellular internet.

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What You Should Realize About Gigabit Ethernet and GigE Bandwidth

Gigabit Ethernet is actually newer variation in the 10Mbps and also the 100 Mb per second Ethernet solutions. There are several benefits of this upgraded model that many homes and businesses are taking advantage of. The transfer of data is very fast and it is a very reliable system. This newer system can be implemented rapidly and it's quite easy to do. There is no need to make any additional purchases on extra tools.

This service presents many advantages that directly affect network capabilities for LAN services. It is used in homes and businesses and continually growing in use. It is deemed a very advanced variation of original Ethernet systems that offer reliable as well as fast data indication. This product offers very fast data transmission between various hosts along with mainframe computers. This specific overall technological innovation is definitely not new. Several business enterprises utilize this technology due to its many benefits.

A large amount of the increase in this system's popularity is due to all of the advantages. There are a number of benefits. In addition to the very fast data transmission that could be found on larger bandwidths, this specific brand-new system also enables online video and voice data signal transmission. This process is done simply and is very cost effective. The affordable costs and the simplicity regarding implementation makes this specific technology remarkably convenient to many users. This specific system is very easy for any user to utilize without the need to buy any more tools. All you need to do is some rewiring.

This specific new service tool works with the traditional Ethernet nodes. For businesses that want to improve their effectiveness by raising data transfer usage capacity, this brand-new strategy is the best option.

It is usually the most cost effective option given it removes the need to spend money on additional tools. Firms also save on staff training since migration for the new system is such a breeze. Consumers may experience a few minor disturbances in relation to the transition due to an overlap from the earlier plan but this does not last.

To acquire this innovative product you will first need to have all of the right equipment that is actually compatible with this specific technology. All computers and laptops that were put out in the last six years are compatible to this technology. For older computers, that are not compatible, all that is required is a network then there are plugs as well as network cards which were very affordable.

You do not have to acquire a brand-new router to have access to this product. All of that is required is introducing a compatible switch to your current router. You will be able to acquire entry to the network much faster. Launching this service will improve your internet connectivity and efficiency.

Gigabit Ethernet service is loaded with many benefits. It is fast and easy to arrange. But you should know that this system doesn't make your internet surfing any faster, nor will it make adding or perhaps downloading files any quicker. This depends on the velocity of your respective ISP. This specific new technological innovation works in cases where you have several models accessing the same network.

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