Apple's Steve Jobs at D8: Plenty of insight with ammo in reserve for WWDC
On AT&T…
On TV…
Apple CEO Steve Jobs doesn’t seem interested in revolutionizing TV the same way his company changed the mobile phone industry. But he is hopeful that newspapers will find a way to tap into iPad technology to keep the news flowing and keep us from becoming a nation that gets its news from bloggers.
Hey, should I be offended?
Apple’s CEO spent 90 minutes Tuesday evening on the stage of the “D: All Things Digital” conference, kicking off the event, which is being held near Los Angeles this week. During the Q&A session, he tackled a lot of different topics - from the iPhone prototype that was lost/stolen and the back-and-forth battles with Adobe over Flash to his thoughts on AT&T’s network and the competitive relationship with Google (Techmeme).
There was no news, of course. Jobs will be back on stage in less than a week to deliver a keynote address at his company’s Worldwide Developers Forum in San Francisco. That’s where everyone seems to expect the big iPhone announcement to take place.
But he did offer some insight into where tablet computing might be going and why television isn’t necessarily the industry that he wants to tackle, something many of us had already figured out given the company’s lack of love for its AppleTV product.
I wasn’t in the audience at the D8 conference so my take on the event is based solely on what I’ve read in tweets, live blogs and other posts. What I’ve gathered from his comments about TV, it seems that until the set-top box can be blown up and re-launched with some sort of new user interface, there isn’t room for yet another set-top box on the television.
He jabbed at companies like Roku and TiVo, which have tried to enhance the TV viewing experience with set-top boxes of their own - but really haven’t gained much traction. He even jabbed at Google, which announced Google TV at the I/O developer’s conference last month.
I don’t know that I necessarily agree with Jobs’ assessment of television’s future, largely because consumers have shown that they can be receptive to new technologies if the companies providing them offer enough value. TiVo introduced a disruptive technology that people loved once they understood it. But it also made huge marketing and advertising missteps in its early years, as well as some poor partnership deals that forced into becoming a perpetually niche product while cable and satellite companies offered DVR technology in their own set-top boxes.
Google, on the other hand, recognized that consumers want to be able to watch all content on their living rooms screens - whether from a cable provider or hosted on the Web - and has come up with a multi-pronged approach that includes set-top boxes but also TVs themselves that would have its technology built in.
Newspapers, Jobs said, are in trouble and could make some money by bringing their content to platforms like the iPad - but they’re going to have to get more aggressive about cutting their prices, going for volume and figuring out ways for people to pay for hard-earned content.
Asked if tablets could replace laptops, Jobs used the analogy of early automobiles. Trucks were the preferred vehicles because people needed them for their farms. But, over time, transportation evolved and people started to buy passenger cars. That didn’t spell the end for trucks - it just fragmented the markets into different types of buyers. The same goes for the laptop/tablet game.
Finally, in terms of AT&T and its exclusive relationship for the iPhone in the U.S., Jobs offered no hints of a deal with other carriers in the future but did say that AT&T has the fastest 3G service in the nation and that’s it’s getting better - but that he also wishes it would get better faster.
So do we, Steve. So do we.
Key videos to watch:
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Bicycle training in the Netherlands
Bicycle Training in the Netherlands (2)
The full route of the "Verkeersexamen" (Traffic Test) In Utrecht in the Netherlands. It is a 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) long bike ride though normal traffic in which the children (12 year olds) encounter a number of different traffic situations that they will also encounter once they ride their bicycles to secondary school.
Dutch bicycle masterplan
Dutch bicycle masterplan 1990. Things have of course moved on since this film was made nearly 20 years ago. However, this is what is interesting. While some other countries drop their targets, the Dutch met theirs. They have now set new targets for increase in cycling.
Great Wall Fresh
Want to see the Great Wall of China?
Forget strolling along a crowded along a section of the Great Wall that was recently reconstructed. Experience Great Wall Fresh, a family-run business committed to guiding you along the most spectacular hikes the real Great Wall has to offer, and treating you to delicious Chinese country food picked fresh from the Chen family garden.
A Full and Vigorous Accounting of the BP Oil Spill
President Obama promises a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the Deepwater BP Oil Spill as well as the relationships between government regulators and the oil industry in remarks from the Rose Garden. The President is joined by former Senator Bob Graham and former EPA Administrator William K. Reilly, the chairs of the Bipartisan
National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.
National: A Coastal Community Braces for Oil
Dutch Keep Water at Bay
Global warming is a cause for serious concern in low-lying countries. The Dutch aren't waiting for a catastrophe; they're taking measures to solve the problem now. City planners, take note!
機車情人 重裝登場-2010台灣國際機車展
2010台灣國際機車展4月15日~18日，在台北世貿一館盛大展開，這次的展覽整合台灣機車產業完整的供應鏈，呈現台灣上、中、下游各項產品，因應節能減排趨勢，中華汽車更在展覽中發表首部電動機車；本屆展覽並有台灣機車產業高峰論壇、戶外試乘、機車特技表演、台灣機車博物館、機車情人選拔等多項週邊活動，內容相當精采，歡迎喜愛機車的民眾到場參觀。
Junction with separate cycle path (Netherlands)
Some think a separate cycle path can be dangerous at junctions. This video shows a typical junction in the Netherlands with a separate cycle path where cyclists have the right of way over turning cars. It is far from dangerous. As can be seen, all the cars give the bikes priority. Mainly because they simply obey traffic rules, but also because of the right design of the junction. Cyclists are very visible for cars and there is enough space for drivers to wait for passing cyclists without being in the way of other cars. Everything runs smoothly at this junction in 's-Hertogenbosch (a.k.a. Den Bosch) on a Friday afternoon. In rush hour it can be much busier.
See this junction in Google Street View: http://tinyurl.com/rompertsebaan2
DoItByCycle.com - Roundabouts Explained
DoItByCycle.com - Crossroads
DoItByCycle.com Traffic Lights & Junctions
Cycling in Holland - Alkmaar (and surroundings)
The 1963 Elfstedentocht, the coldest and most difficult in history, was recently the subject of a very enjoyable film.
Cambridge. A crash and the public response
It's become quite common for cyclists in the UK to video their cycling in order to catch evidence of motorists misdemeanors. This video from Cambridge shows how a cyclist is hit by a car while cycling, and the remarkably unsympathetic response of the average BBC Look East (local news TV programme in Cambridge) viewer...
I used to commute along roads very near here myself when I lived in Cambridge, and just like Paul in this video, I'd occasionally have more than a close call and actually be hit by a car.
The comparison with cycling in the Netherlands is remarkable. While I cycle much more now than I ever did in the UK, not once have I had the least bit of hassle here due to a driver.
While Britain continues to ignore the need for decent cycling infrastructure, the situation will remain the same. The cycling rate will continue to flatline and cyclists will continue to be treated as outlaws with no legitimate place either on the road or on the pavement.
Copying Dutch infrastructure which gives cyclists direct journeys in safety is the only way of turning this around. Real action is needed. Not yet more empty promises.
I know of many Dutch people who make cycling videos, but not one of them records their cycle rides to catch "evidence". Rather, Dutch cyclists' videos are made to record pleasant experiences of cycling. There are many of them on youtube.
Isn't it better that cycling should be something enjoyable and full of good memories ? Something not only for commuting adults but that you're also happy for your children to do ?
I came across the Cambridge video on the I Pay Road Tax blog, thanks to a tip from Biking Brits.
Geplaatst door David Hembrow op 00:01 9 reacties
Labels: britain, cambridge, cars, comparisons
Fietselfstedentocht - a jolly ride through the countryside
Cycling in the rain of the Netherlands
Autumn Cycling in the Netherlands
Cycling in the snow; 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
2010上海世博EXPO开幕式-谷村新司 星
2010上海世博EXPO开幕式-谷村新司 星
昴 詞/曲: 谷村 新司
目を閉じて何も見えず 哀しくて目を開ければ
荒野に向かう道より 他に見えるものはなし
ああ 砕け散る 宿命の星たちよ
せめて密やかに この身を照らせよ
我は行く 蒼白き頬のままで 我は行く さらば昴よ
呼吸をすれば胸の中 凩は吠き続ける
されど我が胸は熱く 夢を追い続けるなり
ああ さんざめく 名もなき星たちよ
せめて鮮やかに その身を終われよ
我も行く 心の命ずるままに 我も行く さらば昴よ
ああ いつの日か 誰かがこの道を
ああ いつの日か 誰かがこの道を
我は行く 蒼白き頬のままで
我は行く さらば昴よ 我は行く さらば昴よ
Monday, May 31, 2010
什麼是設計
東海大學「設計邊境」第一堂／主講人：姚仁祿／學校的教育體制，多是符合工業革命制度的設計與需求，很容易抹殺了人們的原創性，課堂中並引用TED TALK影片「學校教育扼殺了創意？」（中文字幕），引導同學討論。
VIDEOS : BP's next move
VIDEOS
BP's next move
Sun, May 30: The anger is growing along the Gulf Coast after BP's best hope to stop an oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico failed. It's now being called the worst environmental disaster in U.S. History. Crystal Goomansingh reports.
Raw Video: Oliphant on Mulroney (May 31)
Raw Video: Oliphant on Mulroney (May 31)
Raw Video: Justice Jeffrey Oliphant has found former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney breached federal ethics guidelines in the past. Raw video. May 31.
Raw Video: Justice Jeffrey Oliphant has found former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney breached federal ethics guidelines in the past. Raw video. May 31.
富士康12跳 世界工廠出問題！ 台商太剝削？陸勞不耐操？廉價勞工不再！企業管理要改！
來賓：
嘉農發展基金會總裁 蔡武璋
環球經濟社社長 林建山
資深媒體人 楊憲宏
Call out 香港大專師生監察無良企業行動項目 幹事 鄭依依
富士康連續發生員工跳樓事件，中國官方媒體新華社發表評論指出，顯示中國經濟發展方式轉變的緊迫性，也反映出傳統發展方式的時代之痛。近來中國罷工、員工殺害雇主或自殺屢見不鮮，隨著經濟轉型，過去被認為廉價、服從、穩定的勞工正在急遽變化。
富士康12跳！中國勞動市場轉型預示？
富士康驚傳第十二起跳樓自殺案件，而諷刺的是，數小時前，鴻海集團董事長郭台銘才親自帶兩岸以及國際媒體到深圳廠區視察。郭董深深鞠躬道歉。如何看待富士康問題？
全球電子代工龍頭的鴻海集團形象重挫，富士康在香港股市的股價重跌一成多，創下七個月來新低。郭台銘極力澄清，富士康絕對不是外傳的血汗工廠。
本田大罷工！勞工意識高漲？
日本知名車廠本田汽車位於廣東佛山的零件廠，上千名中國員工不滿薪資過低要求加薪，從21號晚間開始大規模罷工，導致零件供給不足暫時關閉在中國的四座裝配廠。市場預估本田每日產值損失可能超過2億人民幣。本田中國管理方面表示將積極展開對話，但何時復工則尚未有時間表。
世界工廠的背後，勞工境遇悲慘
沿海工廠的基層勞工，往往都是鄉村來的農民工，在中國總數有兩點三億，其中沿海城市就有一億六千多萬名農民工，佔了城市人口的兩成七。在戶口二元制的政策下，這群農民工在城市沒有戶籍、薪資低，食衣住行全靠資方掌控。南方周末：「人像碎片般的活著！」，40萬人的工廠，非得軍事化、機械化的管理？
世界銀行的報告指出，中國維持基本生活水準費用，每月是1685塊人民幣，但絕大多數的沿海農民工底薪在1000元以下，平均每週得工作66個小時，每月得加班120個小時，才能拿到1685元工資。
薪資低，迫使勞工不得不加班，但加班後精神狀況不佳，加上持續的壓力，勞工的處境堪憐。員工抗壓不足？索求無度？雇主苛刻勞工？
世界工廠面臨轉型，老闆亦難為
員工動輒罷工、自殺、殺害雇主，大陸勞工變了嗎？對企業會有多大傷害？台商管理大有問題？在企業眼中，原本和低工資及密集勞力畫上等號的中國，也開始改變。中國政府08年中國實施《勞動合同法》包括設定基本工資，以及配合一胎化政策，給予女性員工產假及育嬰津貼等福利樣樣不少，而沿海基本工資也不斷調漲。
薪資、穩定度、勞動合同法…大陸勞動成本的改變？雇主如何調整薪資待遇與管理方式？60年代管理方式始終不變？老闆必須與時俱進？
當中國勞動成本越來越高，世界工廠的未來，影響產業重新布局的下一步。薪資漲、勞動意識抬頭、動輒跳槽忠誠度低、中國的勞動市場優勢不再？世界工廠位置不再？企業的大陸布局會因此調整嗎？該因此調整嗎？
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Reinstall Mac OS X
Reinstall Mac OS X
1Insert your Mac OS X Install DVD or Installation Disc 1.
2Restart the computer and hold down the letter "C" as the computer starts up.
3Continue to hold down the letter "C" until you see a grey screen with an Apple and a small spinning gear.
4Select your language on the Welcome to the Mac OS X Installer screen and click "Continue".
5Click "Continue" on the following screen.
6After reading the Software License Agreement, click "Agree".
7Select the volume to which you are going to install. "Macintosh HD" is the default name.
8Click the "Options" button in the bottom corner of the window and select your installation type.
9Click "OK" and then "Continue". You will be presented with a confirmation window at which point you can click "Install" to proceed.
THE CORPORATION [1/23]
The Corporation is today's dominant institution, creating great wealth but also great harm. This 26 award-winning documentary examines the nature, evolution, impacts and future of the modern business corporation and the increasing role it plays in society and our everyday lives.
Denmark Pavillion for Shanghai Expo 2010 / BIG
In my opinion Bjarke Ingels, founder of BIG, is one of the best architects when it comes to give shape to the interests of an “unspoken” client on public buildings,either representing the values of a country or a culture. All with exceptional syntax and presentation skills.
And BIG’s latest project (in collaboration with Arup and 2+1), the Danish Pavilion for the Shanghai 2010 Expo, does it again, by taking the best of living in Copenhagen and placing it on China for visitors to experience.
The Finnish pavilion
The Finnish pavilion will look like a "giant kettle", in the words of the architects. For images of the Finnish pavilion.
Video: At the Swedish pavilion
In his guided tour, we see all five "rooms" that will house the exhibition. As you will have noticed, the pavilion is not ready yet :-), but construction is proceeding rapidly, without major hiccups. Currently, air conditioning and sprinkler systems are being installed. Soon, when the walls are complete, the outside panelling will start being put into place. The installation of the exhibition will begin just after Chinese new year, in February. And on May 1, you'll be able to walk through these rooms just like Sven did.
The Swedish Pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010 in 上海
Interview with the yo-yo artist Rasmus Wurm
青岛音乐之帆小草合唱团
Dr. Hans Blix hates bombs but likes nuclear power. "Today the world is spending 1,400 billion dollars on the military expenditure. Could we do not better with that, in trying to save the planet?"
Bengt Frithiofsson tastes the red wine. By Tobias Andersson Åkerblom
Video: Day 3 of the 72 HOUR RACE TO INNOVATION
Video: Day 2 of the 72 HOUR RACE TO INNOVATION
Video:Day 1 of the 72 HOUR RACE TO INNOVATION
Video: The inauguration of Swedish pavilion
Video: Visit from the Swedish King to the Swedish national pavilion day
Video: Visit from the Swedish King to the Swedish national pavilion day
May 23 we celebrated the National Pavilion Day for Sweden, and we were honored to welcome His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf and the Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, Ms Maud Olofsson as our distinguished guest on this very special day.
Fashion show at the Expo Center on National Pavilion Day
Fashion show at the Expo Center on National Pavilion Day
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Graffiti Analysis
Graffiti Analysis 2.0: Digital Blackbook from Evan Roth on Vimeo.
Graffiti Analysis (iPhone) - DustTag v1.0 from Evan Roth on Vimeo.
Graffiti Analysis 2.0: Digital Blackbook from Evan Roth on Vimeo.
Graffiti Analysis 2.0 Playback Screencast from Evan Roth on Vimeo.
Graffiti Analysis 2.0 Capture App Screencast from Evan Roth on Vimeo.
In new NASA photos, see Gulf of Mexico oil spill from space
The folks at NASA have assembled a series of time-lapse photos, over a 35-day period, of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Using images from its Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, or MODIS, tethered to its Aqua and Terra satellites that orbit the globe, the series shows the view from space of how the spill — which began on April 20, 2010 with the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig — has progressively gotten worse through May 24, 2010.
NASA says the oil slick appears grayish-beige in the images, and changes with the weather, ocean currents and use of oil dispersing chemicals.
Here’s a look:
The images only show oil at the surface — there’s plenty more beneath it.
蔡明介想撼動宏達電股王寶座聯發科下個戰場是智慧型手機？
聯發科在白牌手機市場的成功已有目共睹，而動輒要價新台幣一萬五千元的智慧型手機，成為聯發科下一個戰場，誰說聯發科不能再重返股王寶座？
二月十四日西洋情人節當天，傳出南韓ＬＧ，以及中國大陸手機廠ＴＣＬ、海信等３Ｇ手機晶片訂單下給聯發科的消息，受此激勵聯發科股價強勢反彈逾兩成，可見３Ｇ晶片對聯發科的意義不容小覷。除了３Ｇ晶片以外，聯發科還準備挑戰宏達電，切入智慧型手機市場，對王雪紅來說，這個情人節恐怕浪漫不起來。
手機業界人士表示，去年中成立的景泰通訊（二月十九日改名為景發科技，股本由二億元提高到四‧二億元），董事長林慧玲為前聯發科代理發言人，另一董事陳維漢則是聯發科前稽核主管，二者關係顯然非常密切；至於總經理張欣晴不僅是明基前手機部門主管陳盛穩的左右手，也是聯發科總經理謝清江在台大電機系的同班同學。
兩位同窗的合作默契是，聯發科朝智慧型手機晶片發展，景發則幫聯發科設計智慧型手機所需的軟體，二者整合成一套的智慧型手機turn key（統包）後，聯發科便可以像白牌手機一樣，賣給客戶全套的智慧型手機解決方案。由於陸續開發出ＧＰＳ、藍芽、WiFi以及多媒體等功能晶片，景發只要負責再將微軟的作業系統導入，聯發科就能夠複製白牌手機的成功模式，切入智慧型手機市場。
業者表示，聯發科雖然在中國大陸白牌手機市場攻城略地，不過，出了中國，聯發科的手機晶片便英雄無用武之地，因為諾基亞、Sony Ericsson以及摩托羅拉等國際手機大廠早有自己的盤算，不願將訂單丟給聯發科，為了繼續在手機市場擴張版圖，蔡明介便把腦筋動到智慧型手機的頭上。
智慧型手機價格將白牌化？
毫無疑問，電信業者總希望多一些人幫忙開發更便宜、效能更強的智慧型手機，試想，一支動輒要價新台幣一萬五千元以上的智慧型手機，一旦聯發科能複製在白牌手機的成功模式，將產品售價降低到五、六千元，消費者接受度勢必更高，電信業者也能增加更多的營收。問題是，除了聯發科以外，華碩、明基、廣達、仁寶以及鴻海等大型電子公司，都不約而同對智慧型手機很感興趣，約莫一年半前，當宏達電表明將轉切入品牌市場時，包括Vodafone、O2、 i-mate、惠普以及Palm等國外電信業者與知名品牌廠商便曾與華碩等代工廠密切接觸。
尤其，微軟為了要拓展手機市場的占有率，也開始扶植這些長期在ＰＣ與ＮＢ領域的台灣合作夥伴，想不到一年半過後，這些代工廠研發的速度竟然還是跟不上宏達電，國外客戶為避免市場流失，只好回頭請宏達電幫忙。
智慧型手機技術需要時間累積
顯然，智慧型手機的進入門檻不如想像中簡單。宏達電主管透露，關鍵就在於智慧型手機的技術是要時間累積的，尤其，軟體在智慧型手機扮演的角色非常吃重，核心團隊如果經常變動，找來的新人就算再厲害，還是要從頭開始解各式各樣的bug（小毛病），功能愈多，bug 就愈多，結果研發速度自然會落後於競爭對手；反觀宏達電核心團隊的十一位成員從成立到現在，除了卓火土因健康因素呈半退休狀態以外（仍擔任董事職務），其餘重要幹部都還留在公司打拚。
其次，智慧型手機的軟體作業系統（微軟）雖然與ＰＣ以及ＮＢ一模一樣，廣達、仁寶以及鴻海等代工廠也幫戴爾與惠普代工多年，甚至這些產品從頭到尾都是台灣廠商設計、製造的，然而，國內代工廠卻受戴爾與惠普等品牌廠商影響太深，養成完全放棄產品主導權的習慣，當客戶主力不放在手機上面時，國內代工廠也不會把資源集中到智慧型手機了。
業界人士表示，華碩算是這些年來國內廠商當中，最有誠意在這塊市場發展的公司，一個月光是花在研發智慧型手機的費用，據估計就高達五千萬元，儘管如此，截至目前為止，華碩幫Vodafone 等客戶代工的產品出貨量卻少得可憐，至於廣達、明基以及鴻海集團等成效也不如預期。看來，智慧型手機能長期維持高售價，不是沒有原因的。
歐美品牌廠商與電信業者雖然也把訂單丟給台灣其他代工廠，問題在這顆大補丸在吞下去以後，大部分人卻消化不良，景發雖有聯發科這個富爸爸撐腰，並引進兩家創投溢價增資，近期開始從一般功能的手機（feature phone）練兵，同時也取得ＬＧ的訂單，但是，這和智慧型手機的問世，還是有一段不小的差距，何況，連耕耘一段時間的華碩、鴻海集團都還在這個市場載浮載沉，聯發科真能再度演出後發先至的逆轉秀嗎？
所幸，外資圈對聯發科投下了信任票。其中，花旗環球證券亞太區半導體首席分析師陸行之便認為，聯發科下半年將推出二‧七五Ｇ智慧型手機ＩＣ解決方案；業界人士也表示，華碩、鴻海集團一開始就從難度最高的３Ｇ智慧型手機切入，短期內自然成效難以顯現，聯發科選擇先從二‧五Ｇ以及二‧七五Ｇ破冰，反而是比較務實的做法。
至於究竟有哪個客戶願意率先採用聯發科的產品，目前還不得而知，可以確定的是，聯發科和景發切入智慧型手機市場，還是需要一段時間才會看到具體成果。難怪，對於外界提起聯發科以及景發將朝智慧型手機市場發展的消息，公司總是低調否認。
不論如何，至少聯發科已經開始和客戶接觸了，有了中國大陸的成功經驗，業界也會對聯發科投注更多的注意力，業界人士表示，這是一條對的路，智慧型手機接下來肯定還很有得玩，儘管聯發科的智慧型手機晶片為二‧五Ｇ與二‧七五Ｇ，宏達電產品八○％以上為３Ｇ，短期影響有限，但長期而言，聯發科的威脅還是不容小覷。至於接下來蔡明介率領的聯發科團隊能否讓王雪紅交出股王寶座？時間將證明一切。
二月十四日西洋情人節當天，傳出南韓ＬＧ，以及中國大陸手機廠ＴＣＬ、海信等３Ｇ手機晶片訂單下給聯發科的消息，受此激勵聯發科股價強勢反彈逾兩成，可見３Ｇ晶片對聯發科的意義不容小覷。除了３Ｇ晶片以外，聯發科還準備挑戰宏達電，切入智慧型手機市場，對王雪紅來說，這個情人節恐怕浪漫不起來。
手機業界人士表示，去年中成立的景泰通訊（二月十九日改名為景發科技，股本由二億元提高到四‧二億元），董事長林慧玲為前聯發科代理發言人，另一董事陳維漢則是聯發科前稽核主管，二者關係顯然非常密切；至於總經理張欣晴不僅是明基前手機部門主管陳盛穩的左右手，也是聯發科總經理謝清江在台大電機系的同班同學。
兩位同窗的合作默契是，聯發科朝智慧型手機晶片發展，景發則幫聯發科設計智慧型手機所需的軟體，二者整合成一套的智慧型手機turn key（統包）後，聯發科便可以像白牌手機一樣，賣給客戶全套的智慧型手機解決方案。由於陸續開發出ＧＰＳ、藍芽、WiFi以及多媒體等功能晶片，景發只要負責再將微軟的作業系統導入，聯發科就能夠複製白牌手機的成功模式，切入智慧型手機市場。
業者表示，聯發科雖然在中國大陸白牌手機市場攻城略地，不過，出了中國，聯發科的手機晶片便英雄無用武之地，因為諾基亞、Sony Ericsson以及摩托羅拉等國際手機大廠早有自己的盤算，不願將訂單丟給聯發科，為了繼續在手機市場擴張版圖，蔡明介便把腦筋動到智慧型手機的頭上。
智慧型手機價格將白牌化？
毫無疑問，電信業者總希望多一些人幫忙開發更便宜、效能更強的智慧型手機，試想，一支動輒要價新台幣一萬五千元以上的智慧型手機，一旦聯發科能複製在白牌手機的成功模式，將產品售價降低到五、六千元，消費者接受度勢必更高，電信業者也能增加更多的營收。問題是，除了聯發科以外，華碩、明基、廣達、仁寶以及鴻海等大型電子公司，都不約而同對智慧型手機很感興趣，約莫一年半前，當宏達電表明將轉切入品牌市場時，包括Vodafone、O2、 i-mate、惠普以及Palm等國外電信業者與知名品牌廠商便曾與華碩等代工廠密切接觸。
尤其，微軟為了要拓展手機市場的占有率，也開始扶植這些長期在ＰＣ與ＮＢ領域的台灣合作夥伴，想不到一年半過後，這些代工廠研發的速度竟然還是跟不上宏達電，國外客戶為避免市場流失，只好回頭請宏達電幫忙。
智慧型手機技術需要時間累積
顯然，智慧型手機的進入門檻不如想像中簡單。宏達電主管透露，關鍵就在於智慧型手機的技術是要時間累積的，尤其，軟體在智慧型手機扮演的角色非常吃重，核心團隊如果經常變動，找來的新人就算再厲害，還是要從頭開始解各式各樣的bug（小毛病），功能愈多，bug 就愈多，結果研發速度自然會落後於競爭對手；反觀宏達電核心團隊的十一位成員從成立到現在，除了卓火土因健康因素呈半退休狀態以外（仍擔任董事職務），其餘重要幹部都還留在公司打拚。
其次，智慧型手機的軟體作業系統（微軟）雖然與ＰＣ以及ＮＢ一模一樣，廣達、仁寶以及鴻海等代工廠也幫戴爾與惠普代工多年，甚至這些產品從頭到尾都是台灣廠商設計、製造的，然而，國內代工廠卻受戴爾與惠普等品牌廠商影響太深，養成完全放棄產品主導權的習慣，當客戶主力不放在手機上面時，國內代工廠也不會把資源集中到智慧型手機了。
業界人士表示，華碩算是這些年來國內廠商當中，最有誠意在這塊市場發展的公司，一個月光是花在研發智慧型手機的費用，據估計就高達五千萬元，儘管如此，截至目前為止，華碩幫Vodafone 等客戶代工的產品出貨量卻少得可憐，至於廣達、明基以及鴻海集團等成效也不如預期。看來，智慧型手機能長期維持高售價，不是沒有原因的。
歐美品牌廠商與電信業者雖然也把訂單丟給台灣其他代工廠，問題在這顆大補丸在吞下去以後，大部分人卻消化不良，景發雖有聯發科這個富爸爸撐腰，並引進兩家創投溢價增資，近期開始從一般功能的手機（feature phone）練兵，同時也取得ＬＧ的訂單，但是，這和智慧型手機的問世，還是有一段不小的差距，何況，連耕耘一段時間的華碩、鴻海集團都還在這個市場載浮載沉，聯發科真能再度演出後發先至的逆轉秀嗎？
所幸，外資圈對聯發科投下了信任票。其中，花旗環球證券亞太區半導體首席分析師陸行之便認為，聯發科下半年將推出二‧七五Ｇ智慧型手機ＩＣ解決方案；業界人士也表示，華碩、鴻海集團一開始就從難度最高的３Ｇ智慧型手機切入，短期內自然成效難以顯現，聯發科選擇先從二‧五Ｇ以及二‧七五Ｇ破冰，反而是比較務實的做法。
至於究竟有哪個客戶願意率先採用聯發科的產品，目前還不得而知，可以確定的是，聯發科和景發切入智慧型手機市場，還是需要一段時間才會看到具體成果。難怪，對於外界提起聯發科以及景發將朝智慧型手機市場發展的消息，公司總是低調否認。
不論如何，至少聯發科已經開始和客戶接觸了，有了中國大陸的成功經驗，業界也會對聯發科投注更多的注意力，業界人士表示，這是一條對的路，智慧型手機接下來肯定還很有得玩，儘管聯發科的智慧型手機晶片為二‧五Ｇ與二‧七五Ｇ，宏達電產品八○％以上為３Ｇ，短期影響有限，但長期而言，聯發科的威脅還是不容小覷。至於接下來蔡明介率領的聯發科團隊能否讓王雪紅交出股王寶座？時間將證明一切。
Friday, May 28, 2010
Is Intelligence Overrated? (27.05.10) - TWStuff
What's your view?
Lysette Anthony appeared on the show to promote her new play, No Expense Spared, with Joe McGann.
Where kebabs come from with Giles Coren
Food critic Giles Coren visits a kebab factory to see what goes in to making them and how much of it is actually meet.
Giles Coren interview (28.05.10) - TWStuff
Giles Coren appeared on the show to promote his new book, Anger Management for Beginners.
Note that I had to trim some of the 'coming up' stuff for timing reason
低價中國５大真相，你我正在付出的代價
你可能知道生活週遭充斥著中國製產品，但你可能不知道中國廉價產品的背後，讓其它國家的人丟了工作。毒奶事件後更讓消費者避之唯恐不及。暢銷新書《低價中國》作者哈妮，分享挖掘低價中國５大真相，告訴我們影響你我消費背後的真相？
Rod Beckstrom - The Starfish and the Spider
Rod Beckstrom is the co-author of The Starfish and the Spider: the Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations. The book analyzes in an entertaining way how a new form of organizations and a new style of management, based on starfish networks, is taking the business, social and geopolitical worlds by storm. Rod has advised government officials around the world. He has also given speeches on organizational structure, technology and leadership at the State of the World Forum, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Microsoft, Starbucks, Napster, Harvard University, Stanford University, and YPO Universities.
Billionaire Bill Gates's quest to eradicate polio
Billionaire Bill Gates's quest to eradicate polio
Nigeria is ground zero for the reemergence of polio. Now the country is making surprising headway against the crippling disease, in part thanks to an unlikely meeting of two leaders: Microsoft mogul Bill Gates and the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigeria's 70 million Muslims. WSJ's Rob Guth reports.
Nigeria is ground zero for the reemergence of polio. Now the country is making surprising headway against the crippling disease, in part thanks to an unlikely meeting of two leaders: Microsoft mogul Bill Gates and the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigeria's 70 million Muslims. WSJ's Rob Guth reports.
Obama: 'No silver bullets' for clean-up
Obama: 'No silver bullets' for clean-up
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Adobe and Apple CEOs square off
Adobe and Apple CEOs square off
Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen sits down with Alan Murray and fires back at Apple's Steve Jobs in latest round of Flash fight.
Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen sits down with Alan Murray and fires back at Apple's Steve Jobs in latest round of Flash fight.
Personal Finance Minute: Tips for Job Seekers
Personal Finance Minute: Tips for Job Seekers
Whether the labor market gains or loses jobs in coming months, the loss of more than 8 million jobs in the recession means those seeking work don't have an easy road ahead of them. Here's one career consultant's job-search strategy. MarketWatch's Andrea Coombes reports.
Whether the labor market gains or loses jobs in coming months, the loss of more than 8 million jobs in the recession means those seeking work don't have an easy road ahead of them. Here's one career consultant's job-search strategy. MarketWatch's Andrea Coombes reports.
Videogame Sales Get Shot Down
Videogame Sales Get Shot Down
The weak videogame industry showed no signs recovering as April sales fell 26%, the market's sharpest decline since last July. Dan Gallagher helps explain the decline and looks ahead to developments that could invigorate the industry's bottom line.
The weak videogame industry showed no signs recovering as April sales fell 26%, the market's sharpest decline since last July. Dan Gallagher helps explain the decline and looks ahead to developments that could invigorate the industry's bottom line.
Google TV debuts
Google TV debuts
Jessica Vascellaro has details on Google TV, which was just unveiled by the internet giant at its developers conference in San Francisco. Plus, social networking for kids and retailers use their stores to speed up shipping for online orders.
Jessica Vascellaro has details on Google TV, which was just unveiled by the internet giant at its developers conference in San Francisco. Plus, social networking for kids and retailers use their stores to speed up shipping for online orders.
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