After the information Snowden leaked, the CyptoPhone500 was developed and had some pretty good success, increasingly so after the discovery of the fake cell phone towers. That was even with a price tag of $3,500. There are definitely people out there that will shell out for a high end phone. However, the difference between those phones and the Vertu phones is that the CryptoPhone was designed for tech savvy individuals that valued privacy. I think Vertu's best change for success is if they truly deliver on their promise for advanced hardware. I don't know if design alone is enough to warrant a 5 figure price tag.
I hold the opinion that Apple is on the decline. I believe that long term growth in the tech field is achieved by innovative companies releasing ground breaking technology. I just don't see that innovation in Apple without Jobs.
Naturally, Icahn disagreeing with my opinion does not bode well for my prediction. However, my worry with something like this is that Icahn is using his influence to better his exit point.
Loved the piece, great read. Definitely agree that it is human nature to feel uneasy during highly volatile periods. That is why if I am going to invest a high percentage of my available cash into something, it is in a company who has a product I strongly believe in. After the initial rise, I like to sell enough to cover most (if not all) of my initial investment so I am playing with the house's money. Gambling for huge returns is much easier to do when the money lost is not your initial investment. That is how, personally, I am able to stomach large swings and huge losses. Faith in a cutting edge product and knowing that even if the company goes bankrupt, at worst I break even. That is a risk/reward scenario I can handle.
Now what if there is not initial rise that allows me to recoup my initial investment? I generally place a stop loss on larger investments. If that point is reached (a point where I am comfortable with the amount lost) I will again do my DD on the company and decide whether it is better to find a new entry point or a new company to invest in entirely.
If capital controls and government intervention are your concern, simply convert your money into one of various decentralized currencies. Being that there are many options, this also allows for simpler diversification. Food for thought.
Great article David, really informative. The truth is a majority of people are grossly under prepared for retirement. In addition to that, I forget the exact statistic but a very high number of people tend to underestimate their life expectancy. There needs to be more education on retirement planning, and targeted at people of younger ages. People fail to realize what a large impact starting to save for retirement 15 or 10 or even 5 years earlier can have.
Bitcoin, while truly innovative at the time of its conception, lacks some of the technological breakthroughs associated with some of the newer released digital currencies. These newer currencies serve as platforms, offering products and services that go beyond just acting as a currency. I believe it is one of these that will eventually take over Bitcoin in the long term and ultimately pose as the superior alternative to fiat. One of these such alternative currencies is Xcurrency. Which in addition to being a currency, will offer completely anonymous transactions, text and video chat, and internet browsing. That type of breakthrough is unprecedented. Anonymity is the flavor of the week in virtual currencies. This is either a short term trend, or an indication of the direction the future is headed.
It is my understanding that, contractually, Apple did nothing wrong. However, ethically and morally, I believe Apple is at fault. Not all of the fault can be placed on Apple though. GT should not have agreed to such a one sided deal. Beyond that, I am reading that GT's CEO sold a great deal of shares prior to the announcement. Definitely a lot of shady practices surrounding this.
The fall of unemployment rates was achieved at what cost? Does this decrease the average salary earned by the average worker? There are certainly negative consequences to job creation and the subsequent fall of the unemployment rate. Additionally, there has long been an outcry for the raising of the federal minimum wage rate. What impact would job creation have on that?
Very insightful Charlie. Definitely agree. Seems there's a drop when investors are most optimistic (and naturally a rise when investor pessimism is at a high as well). In my mind, it's inevitable.
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Israeli Sirin Raises $25M, Hires Top Designer To Build Priciest Phone Ever
After the information Snowden leaked, the CyptoPhone500 was developed and had some pretty good success, increasingly so after the discovery of the fake cell phone towers. That was even with a price tag of $3,500. There are definitely people out there that will shell out for a high end phone. However, the difference between those phones and the Vertu phones is that the CryptoPhone was designed for tech savvy individuals that valued privacy. I think Vertu's best change for success is if they truly deliver on their promise for advanced hardware. I don't know if design alone is enough to warrant a 5 figure price tag.
Who Do You Believe About Apple Growth, Analyst Hacks Or A Self-Made Billionaire?
I hold the opinion that Apple is on the decline. I believe that long term growth in the tech field is achieved by innovative companies releasing ground breaking technology. I just don't see that innovation in Apple without Jobs.
Naturally, Icahn disagreeing with my opinion does not bode well for my prediction. However, my worry with something like this is that Icahn is using his influence to better his exit point.
The World’s Greatest Stock Picker? Bet You Sold Apple And Google A Long Time Ago.
Loved the piece, great read. Definitely agree that it is human nature to feel uneasy during highly volatile periods. That is why if I am going to invest a high percentage of my available cash into something, it is in a company who has a product I strongly believe in. After the initial rise, I like to sell enough to cover most (if not all) of my initial investment so I am playing with the house's money. Gambling for huge returns is much easier to do when the money lost is not your initial investment. That is how, personally, I am able to stomach large swings and huge losses. Faith in a cutting edge product and knowing that even if the company goes bankrupt, at worst I break even. That is a risk/reward scenario I can handle.
Now what if there is not initial rise that allows me to recoup my initial investment? I generally place a stop loss on larger investments. If that point is reached (a point where I am comfortable with the amount lost) I will again do my DD on the company and decide whether it is better to find a new entry point or a new company to invest in entirely.
How To Find The Best Offshore Banks
If capital controls and government intervention are your concern, simply convert your money into one of various decentralized currencies. Being that there are many options, this also allows for simpler diversification. Food for thought.
Managing Money For Retirement
Great article David, really informative. The truth is a majority of people are grossly under prepared for retirement. In addition to that, I forget the exact statistic but a very high number of people tend to underestimate their life expectancy. There needs to be more education on retirement planning, and targeted at people of younger ages. People fail to realize what a large impact starting to save for retirement 15 or 10 or even 5 years earlier can have.
Bank Of England On Bitcoin: ‘A Significant Innovation’
Bitcoin, while truly innovative at the time of its conception, lacks some of the technological breakthroughs associated with some of the newer released digital currencies. These newer currencies serve as platforms, offering products and services that go beyond just acting as a currency. I believe it is one of these that will eventually take over Bitcoin in the long term and ultimately pose as the superior alternative to fiat. One of these such alternative currencies is Xcurrency. Which in addition to being a currency, will offer completely anonymous transactions, text and video chat, and internet browsing. That type of breakthrough is unprecedented. Anonymity is the flavor of the week in virtual currencies. This is either a short term trend, or an indication of the direction the future is headed.
PayPal To Let Sellers Of Digital Goods Accept Bitcoin
An important step in the mass adoption of Bitcoin. The convenience and affordability offered by virtual currencies can only be ignored for so long.
Apple Takes The Lead In Supplier Responsibility, Accountability
It is my understanding that, contractually, Apple did nothing wrong. However, ethically and morally, I believe Apple is at fault. Not all of the fault can be placed on Apple though. GT should not have agreed to such a one sided deal. Beyond that, I am reading that GT's CEO sold a great deal of shares prior to the announcement. Definitely a lot of shady practices surrounding this.
US Posts Best Unemployment Figure
The fall of unemployment rates was achieved at what cost? Does this decrease the average salary earned by the average worker? There are certainly negative consequences to job creation and the subsequent fall of the unemployment rate. Additionally, there has long been an outcry for the raising of the federal minimum wage rate. What impact would job creation have on that?
Anatomy Of A Market Top
Very insightful Charlie. Definitely agree. Seems there's a drop when investors are most optimistic (and naturally a rise when investor pessimism is at a high as well). In my mind, it's inevitable.