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New Google Mobile app – an app with soul |
New Google Mobile app – an app with soul Posted: 09 May 2012 04:34 PM PDT After a relatively long wait, Google announced today that they have launched an update to their Google Plus iPhone app. As I type this post, my phone seems to be taking its own time in downloading the update which gives me the impression that this particular update is a fairly significant one. In fact, Google seem to almost want the Google plus app to be part of your normal day to day experience by stressing that “we're not interested in a mobile or social experience that's just smaller. We're embracing the sensor-rich smartphone (with its touchable screen and high-density display), and transforming Google+ into something more intimate, and more expressive”. The most significant line in their announcement to me, was their justification for the iPhone app upgrade, “today's new iPhone app is an important step in this direction—toward a simpler, more beautiful Google”. I’m not sure about you, but I feel this is probably the biggest hint Google has publicly dropped of their efforts in moving toward a more ’social’ and a more ‘mobile-centric’ strategy for their future. So what areas have they improved on? Hangouts on your iPhone – in addition to the above improvements, a great step forward is the ability to utilise hangouts directly via your iPhone. For someone whose closest friends are spread across five different time zones – be it Orlando, Oxford, Colombo, Singapore or Melbourne – the flexibility to perform hangouts virtually anywhere in the world is a significant improvement in terms of convenience and connectivity. If there is any criticism of the app, at least for now, is the fact that the +1′s and the number of comments tend to go unnoticed on some posts due to the colour of the buttons. Also, I wish Google plus would let me upload more than one image at a time. It is quite annoying that images need to be uploaded one by one. Overall though, I think this is quite a momentous and significant step toward a more social Google. A Google, who is trying to shun away from the perception of an ‘algorithm driven’ company to a more ‘humanistic company’ and is taking bold steps in connecting with their users at the most basic of “sensory” levels. The iPhone update is rolling out now to the App Store (version 2.0.0.5888), and according to Google, the Android update is coming out in a few weeks which includes some “extra surprises”. Google claim that the new mobile app is “an app with sense and soul”, but what are your thoughts on the new mobile app? Have you tried it out yet and what are it’s features you like or dislike most? Feel free to share your thoughts with us below. © SEOptimise - Download our free business guide to blogging whitepaper and sign-up for the SEOptimise monthly newsletter. New Google Mobile app – an app with soul Related posts: |
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Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis |
Posted: 09 May 2012 11:17 PM PDT The implosion in Spanish banks continues. On Wednesday, Spain nationalized BFA, the 8th nationalization since the start of the crisis. After sinking 3 billion into CatalunyaCaixa, Spain tried to privatize the mess but there were no offers at zero euros. Clearly CatalunyaCaixa bank is worth less than zero. Meanwhile Der Spiegel reports "Bundesbank has no idea of what is happening in Spanish banks". Mish readers do. The Spanish banking system is without a doubt bankrupt. Let's take a look at half a dozen articles courtesy of Google Translate. Spain Nationalizes BFA It's official: Spain nationalizes BFA and control 45% of Bankia The Economy Ministry has revealed that 100% nationalize Bank Savings Financial, which control 45% of Bankia, while it has announced in a statement that the state will provide the capital "strictly necessary" to clean up group.Spain "Invests" 33 Billion Euros in Bankia Please consider Bankia State support now amounts to 33,000 million euros The Bankia State support now amounts to 33,000 million euros since the beginning of the financial crisis in 2008. Most of this figure corresponds to the guarantees that both the matrix, Finance and Savings Bank, as banks that participated in the merger have asked the Treasury and has yet to return. The last government a restructuring plan of the entity involved the injection of public funds by up to 10,000 million.Another 40 Billion Euros Needed Here is a number 100% guaranteed to rise: Government tightens provisions in banking, another 20 to 40 billion euros required The Government of Mariano Rajoy will be imposed on the bench in two batches sanitation of real estate assets that exceed the 75,000 million euros, since the initial 54,000 million would be added an amount not yet determined but will be located between 20,000 and 40,000 million.Take a look at the numbers tossed around in that article. Amazingly, Rajoy lowered loan loss provisions from previous estimates. No Bid for CatalunyaCaixa, Value Less Than Zero Spain has already sunk 3 billion euros into CatalunyaCaixa, a nationalized bank. On Wednesday it sought to unload the bank to the highest bidder. There were no bids at zero euros. Kiss 3 billion goodbye, CatalunyaCaixa value to 'zero price' While the PSOE and the PP are engaged in a war of words over which political party has used more public funds to rescue banks, the Ministry of Economy continues with ongoing auctions nationalized entities. The most important is to CatalunyaCaixa, to which the state has injected nearly 3,000 million euros.Thus, the net value of CatalunyaCaixa is at best a negative 11 billion euros (negative 2.2 billion counting 8.8 billion in additional government guarantees), but not counting losses on 30 billion in wholesale debt. Eight Nationalized Banks El Pais reports Part of war: eight institutions taken over or nationalized in Spain There are few things more unpleasant for a government to explain the public bailout of the banks at a time when citizens are the biggest cut social rights of its democratic era. That is the case in Spain. The Spanish financial sector, has spent over three years to present himself as one of the strongest in the world to become the major concern in Europe.Germany Fears "Bottomless Pit" Der Spiegel reports "The Bundesbank has no idea of what is happening in Spanish banks" The German magazine Der Spiegel takes the events following the resignation of Rodrigo Rato as chairman of Bankia to emphasize the need for financial reform, not only in Spain but throughout Europe.Bottomless Pit is Exactly Correct Spain, like Greece before it, is indeed a bottomless pit. This is not a problem any amount of austerity or reforms can fix. Is Spain going to come up with 200 billion euros to support a trillion in bad loans? Here is the answer: Not now, not ever, never. The sooner Europe faces that simple fact the better. Instead, ECB president "Super" Mario Draghi spawned off the LTRO (long term refinance operation) that was supposed to have solved everything. That LTRO actually made matters worse. Spanish banks levered up on their own debt, and now yields are back above 6 percent and the banks are underwater on those bond purchases. Expect Slow, Devastating Torture In case you missed it, please consider Top Tweet in Spain "Do as Iceland Did, an approach I endorse 100%. The only solution that makes any sense is a breakup of the eurozone, That solution is coming, the only question is how. The best approach would be for Germany to kiss the euro goodbye immediately. The painful approach will be more bailouts, more austerity, more tax hikes (and no reforms) in the same devastating manner that destroyed Greece. Unfortunately, slow, devastating torture appears to be in the cards. Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List Mike "Mish" Shedlock is a registered investment advisor representative for SitkaPacific Capital Management. Sitka Pacific is an asset management firm whose goal is strong performance and low volatility, regardless of market direction. Visit http://www.sitkapacific.com/account_management.html to learn more about wealth management and capital preservation strategies of Sitka Pacific. |
Posted: 09 May 2012 07:12 PM PDT As Europe careens towards catastrophic certainty, German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble admits he is more worried about the uncertain rather than the certain. Please consider Bundesbank signals softening on inflation The Bundesbank, the most hawkish of central banks, has signalled it would accept higher inflation in Germany as part of an economic rebalancing in the eurozone that would boost the international competitiveness of countries worst-hit by the region's debt crisis.Catastrophic Uncertainty vs. Catastrophic Certainty For starters, higher inflation in Germany is not likely to stoke much demand. Such is the nature of German demographics. Furthermore, the idea Spain and Greece will be exporting more to Germany while all countries are still tied to the euro is complete silliness. Finally, it still has not dawned on central bank clowns and government bureaucrats this is a balance-sheet recession and ordinary rules do not apply. The best thing for Europe is a breakup of the eurozone and the sooner the better. Unfortunately, eurocrats cannot see the obvious and are hell-bent on preventing a breakup, citing fear of the uncertain. The irony is attempts to prevent what is certain (a eurozone breakup), unleashes the very "catastrophic uncertainty" they seek to prevent. Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List Mike "Mish" Shedlock is a registered investment advisor representative for SitkaPacific Capital Management. Sitka Pacific is an asset management firm whose goal is strong performance and low volatility, regardless of market direction. Visit http://www.sitkapacific.com/account_management.html to learn more about wealth management and capital preservation strategies of Sitka Pacific. |
3-Month Gasoline and Petroleum Usage Still Declining Posted: 09 May 2012 04:02 PM PDT The following chart from reader Tim Wallace shows three-month usage for February, March, and April compared to the same three months in prior years. click on chart for sharper image Tim writes.... Hello MishMike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List Mike "Mish" Shedlock is a registered investment advisor representative for SitkaPacific Capital Management. Sitka Pacific is an asset management firm whose goal is strong performance and low volatility, regardless of market direction. Visit http://www.sitkapacific.com/account_management.html to learn more about wealth management and capital preservation strategies of Sitka Pacific. |
Posted: 09 May 2012 11:26 AM PDT Courtesy of Google Translate here are a pair of articles on Bankia, Spain's third largest bank. Audit Shows Spain's Bankia Short 3.5 Billion Euros Inquiring minds looking for a reason for the jump in Spanish bond yields to 6.08% note Bankia audit confirms that the accounts of 2011 are inflated The shareholders of Bankia known in the coming days that bank accounts are overstated. This was unveiled today the online edition of The World that uncovers the traditional audit Bankia, Deloitte, has detected that the accounts of 2011 in the matrix of the group are inflated.Looking for a reason for that spike in Spanish sovereign bond yields today? Now you have it. PP Pleads for Bankia Help Please consider PP says "We must help Bankia, has deposits for 10% of GDP" PP spokesman in Congress, Alfonso Alonso, said that "no choice" to find a solution to the problems facing Bankia capital, recalling that the bank has on its balance sheet with deposits amounting to about 10 % of GDP.IBEX Down 2.77% News was unsettling to the Spanish IBEX Stock Market which fell 194 points, 2.77%, to 6,812.70, not quite a new low. For more on Bankia, please consider Spain to Spend €7bn-€10bn (It Doesn't Have), Bailing Out Bankia, the Nation's 3rd Largest Bank; Liar, Liar Pants on Fire Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List Mike "Mish" Shedlock is a registered investment advisor representative for SitkaPacific Capital Management. Sitka Pacific is an asset management firm whose goal is strong performance and low volatility, regardless of market direction. Visit http://www.sitkapacific.com/account_management.html to learn more about wealth management and capital preservation strategies of Sitka Pacific. |
Posted: 09 May 2012 08:04 AM PDT Spanish Bond Yields Back Above 6% Yield on the 10-year Spanish bond is up 22 basis points to 6.06%, having hit a high of 6.08%. It's Not Contagion Expect to hear talk of "contagion" blaming problems in Greece as a spillover into Spain. However, the fact of the matter is Spain is in deep trouble no matter what happens to Greece. Tsipras Plans to Nationalize Banks, Halt Additional Austerity Measures Bloomberg reports Greek Leaders Given Bailout Ultimatum Alexis Tsipras of Greece's Syriza party squared off with political leaders before talks on forming a coalition, handing them an ultimatum to renounce support for the European Union-led rescue if they want to enter government.What is Tsipras' Plan? Alexis Tsipras simply has to know that none of what he demands is remotely compatible with Greece staying in the Eurozone, yet he does not call for Greece to leave the euro. The reason is he would lose some support the moment he explicitly makes such a statement. Rather, he is saying all of the right things to win the next round of elections if he cannot work out a minority government now. In contrast New Democracy leader Samaras is a wishy-washy clown who is determined to stay in the Euro at any and all costs while pledging to work on changes to Troika bailout conditions. Given that no changes are acceptable to the Troika, Greece's days in the Eurozone are numbered. It will be a good thing for Greece (albeit initially very painful), once they finally get the nerve to tell the Troika to go to hell. Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com Click Here To Scroll Thru My Recent Post List Mike "Mish" Shedlock is a registered investment advisor representative for SitkaPacific Capital Management. Sitka Pacific is an asset management firm whose goal is strong performance and low volatility, regardless of market direction. Visit http://www.sitkapacific.com/account_management.html to learn more about wealth management and capital preservation strategies of Sitka Pacific. |
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