Life isn't what it seems.

Know before one talks, Only to Find One does not know enough.

[efspartan-blog]

The Apple Watch, is it a flop?

It’s been some time since the release of the Apple watch, and while it was highly anticipated the actual product most likely a flop. New reports indicate a 90% sales drop from release.  History Back in 2013 I wrote an market research essay predicting the features of the Apple Watch based on industry reports such as orders for two different sized LCD screens being made by apple. Lo and behold it came out with two sizes.

In 2013 we already had the Pebble smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear, Sony was on its second iteration called the Sony SW2, the Toq and Martian. What we all expected from Apple especially those from the industry was a class leading design and utility that would set the standard and push these early developers to do better.

In fact it might have been because of the heavy focus on the hardware, the final fit and finish of the Apple Watch that these rumor mills and industry experts were expecting that caused the Watch we see today. Design The external hardware, the design of it as a watch is absolutely glorious completely setting a new standard as to what a smart watch should achieve for. The internals, however, not so much.

You see unlike a normal watch Casio’s, Rolex, Breitling, etc, whose internals last nearly forever, and have no real sense of depreciation, perhaps even appreciation as times goes on, the Apple Watch inherently is a digital device.

First, let’s bypass the whole notion of whether or not its useful, let’s just focus on the device itself. As a digital device, its internal components, the cpu, the battery, the display, is what really drives the device, the differentiating factor between an Apple Watch and a Breitling, for example. As we all know Moore’s law, processing power doubles, Doubles, every 18 months, so by next year this time, the Apple Watch 2 would have come out with vastly more utility/processing power than the current generation. So what does this mean? Well what it means is that the Apple Watch will depreciate faster than car fresh off lot driven straight into a ditch then waterboarded in the river. The Average option of an Apple Watch cost nearly 800 CAD, 800! For what? The Fit and Finish? And what happens when the Watch 2 comes out? Does anyone remember the first iPhone? Is that first iPhone worth it’s a original price? The difference here is that if Breitling or Rolex decided to introduce a new watch, the previously generation would most likely become more valuable as they become more rare and more limited. The actual function between the old Breitling and the new one differs very little. I’ve always considered this an issue with Apple’s marketing attempts at trying to sell the watch. It’s trying to sell the watch for all the wrong reasons. A smart watch is inherently a progressive device, the next one will always be better than the last one. So pricing it at the same price as a flagship smartphone, or perhaps I should mention the ones priced to compete with a new car, to be completely idiotic borderline insanity isn’t really going too far.

At this point you might say to yourself, “Well, people buy brand new smartphones every couple of years at full price, so why not the Apple Watch?”

Good question, here’s the answer, it’s because Apple decided to position itself to compete with the luxury watchmakers rather than the rest of the smart watches currently in the market. In contrast, the Smartphone scene doesn’t have anyone else other than Apple and Samsung as top dog with everyone else, Sony, Nokia, Blackberry trailing far behind. In the watch scene they’re competing with everyone and their mothers for the real estate on a person’s wrist.

Don’t get me wrong, I like new technology, though I may have a Casio Aviator sitting on my wrist now, I still find very little reason to spend money to replace it. Solutions? Apple still can salvage it this situation. They can offer free or discounted internal upgrades, because clearly majority of the money and focus went on external design. Especially for the 13K versions. (Can you imagine sitting with a 13K Apple watch that barely functions two years down the road while everyone else with fresh 800 bucks has better functionality and design?)

There is another side to this, mostly a Chinese Cultural thing, but this is getting a little long winded so I might follow up in a separate post. Thoughts? Why do you think it’s not working out so well? Sources:

http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-watch-sales-estimates-2015-7

[efspartan-blog]

China’s Economy and What it means for Canada’s Real Estate

China’s Situation As you may have heard the Chinese stock market is currently in a frenzy. Not the good kind either, it’s in a selling frenzy. On Wednesday, July 8th 2015 the Chinese government stepped in by freezing half of the stock market from trading. This includes their abilities to issue any more stocks.

They’ve also requested, or perhaps commanded a fair share of companies to buy back stocks. For those who don’t know this causes the number stocks available on the market to be lower effectively lowering supply, thus raising prices as demand remains the same.

Canada’s situation 

Both Vancouver and Toronto have a heavy Chinese investment in the real estate market. With the stock market crash in China we may begin to see some of the prices start to drop as company executives begin selling their investment houses to raise cash to buy back stock in the Chinese Stock Market. This will cause the higher end houses in Toronto and Vancouver to start dropping in prices as the market begin to have an over supply. With Vancouver’s houses being higher, and a heavier investment than Toronto we will mostly likely see it go down first.

The end result may be a selling frenzy of property in both cities and the housing bubble to burst like many experts have been expecting for many years now.

End Scenario  Now, no one has a crystal ball or anything, but if the Chinese Government’s market controls fail, then this may very well happen, or it may not. But, if you’ve got a few investment houses/condo’s that you’ve been on the fence about, selling. I’d say it’s probably a good time to sell. 

[efspartan-blog]

Economy, Policy makers aren't thinking big enough.

Just realized something, as I'm sitting through this Macroeconomics class. Policy makers whether in Canada or United States don't think large in enough in terms of who's involved in the economy. Right winged politicians believe in a deregulation and the belief in the Trickle down effect. The left wing politicians argue that doesn't work, and more social programs are required to provide the best to the people, taxing the top.

Who's right? Who's wrong? Is there even a right or wrong?

Well the those who don't know, The trickle down effect is what large corporations argue and lobby in congress and other forums to allow more tax cuts and other benefits from the government. The argument is: The large benefits from the top will eventually trickle down to the bottom of the food chain. The more money the company saves, from paying taxes, the more money it has to pay its employees and hire more people. This in turn allows more money to be in circulation in the system, people consume more boosting business, which in general boost economy. 

Sounds great right? Not as much as one my think. The effect described almost never happens in the modern age by most standards. So what's going on? Where's all that extra money going? 

In reality The trickle down effect happens, just not in the same country. The bottom of the food chain isn't the average American or Canadian, no the bottom of the food chain is in the third world countries where the minimum wage is ridiculously low. Those sweat shops, cheaper labour in the Oriental etc. 

How does a company decide that closing down an already built factory with a shorter supply delivery is less cost effective than building an entirely new factory in a country that's across the ocean, where everyone operates in a different language? 

Nothing against those workers, I've personally been there and worked in those conditions. It is dreadful. 12 hour shifts with 20 min lunch break. And that was one of the better working conditions. 

So the trickle down effect doesn't work, Policy makers are thinking within the North American Economy but in reality it trickles down and out of the country into other countries where ever it's more cost effective.

The government thinks and operates these policies for NA but the MegaCoporations operate Internationally.

So who's right? Left wing? Not necessarily, excess taxes is bad for the Economy, less attractive to businesses. But unconditional Tax cuts aren't helping either. Tax cuts should be given based on actual measurable benefits a corporation does for the country.  As my friend would say "If they ain't helping, they can get the fuck out."

[efspartan-blog]

Sub-Topic of Life, Love.

Love, this isn't an easy subject to talk about. Most people have different ideas about it. Some deny it exists, Some pretend it exists, Some enjoy it daily.  What is it? It is very close to insanity. Chemicals in the brain are released, making neurons fire sporadically and frequently. It causes nearly uncontrollable emotions and ,sometimes are, uncontrolled. It causes irrational decisions, and actions. Yet different people feel it differently. Just like some, who are naturally more tolerant to alcohol, some are more tolerant to the chemical changes inside the brain. And just as someone who is less complaisant to alcohol requiring only tiny amounts to be severely influenced there is someone who is less complaisant on chemical imbalances in the brain.

Love then, cannot be described from one person to another, its borders and boundaries cannot be placed from one person to another, its overall idea is only a placeholder for what each person feels differently but with the same result.  Love is a near instinctual aspect of humans.  Love causes pain, causes happiness, causes sadness, causes contentment, causes despair, and more importantly, love causes all at once. What it also causes for those who are more influenced by it, is a distraction. Experiencing all those emotions at once makes one loose focus on the task at hand. Lose focus on what needs to be done. In the current world, no longer is it just enough to have love, to have emotion, to be human. One must work, like a machine, without question, without hesitance, and without distractions. One must find a way to survive first, and sometimes, love has no slot in the timetable, and no place in the work schedule. And despite that, an opportunity would rise for the love of your life. You know it, You feel it in your bones. You want to just drop everything to chase after it. Screw the work schedule that can wait, blast the timetable it is not important. All you want to do, is spend every last waking moment with the love of your life. You loose everything that was once you. You loose everything that person originally found attractive. The hard worker, the duly disciplined, the occasional joker, the promising future, the potential mate. Gone. Replaced by a desperate person that once stood on that image. A slacker, uncontrolled desperation, a living shell, a person that once was, and the 'what happened?'  A saying once said, but long forgotten who has said it. The meaning though, is not lost. "Life lives, Life dies. Life laughs, Life cries. Life gives up and Life tries. But Life looks different through everyone's eyes" -Anonymous 

[efspartan-blog]

Red Bull Stratos

Here we go! Red bull Stratos, An attempt to jump from 120,000 feet on the edge of space. The atmosphere at that altitude is so thin, the space diver, Felix is going to go supersonic. Yes, you read that right. A spacesuit is of course provided but this will be the first time humans go supersonic with out the help of a jet propelling it or a craft to sit in. The plan is to take a balloon, a massive one, up to the edge of space at 120,000 feet. Jump out, and Free fall all the way down to 5000 feet, and pull the parachute.

The hope is to use the data collected to help future space bound humans to have a chance to eject or return to earth in case something goes wrong. Space Diving. International Space station lost life support? That's okay, Put on the suit and jump back to Earth. Space shuttle damaged? No problemo, hit the eject button and land safely.

This jump is going to occur in 6 hours at the time of this posting. I'll report on the outcome post jump in 6 hours! Or Watch the live Feed here: http://www.youtube.com/user/redbull/stratos  

[efspartan-blog]

Being Sick

Sickness, one hell of a ride.  Last week, I managed to catch something, No idea what it was but it was one hell of a roller coaster ride. Started with a headache, then escalated into a cough. By Friday night the headache was a full blown hallucination. I seriously thought there was automatic machine gun fire outside my window. Saturday was no better, the cough has gotten worse and the sore throat itched which made every breath and gulp painful. By Sunday night Diarrhea has set in. I could hear my stomach perform a full system flush. Every bit of fluid was being flushed out. Spent the rest of the week recovering. Couldn't concentrate on anything useful. The brain was just muddy, and foggy.  But, all better now. I hope. Vitamin C what a life saver.

What better way to remind yourself to eat more veggies. 'Tis the Season. 

[efspartan-blog]

NASA working on FTL travel (Faster than light)

Good News Trek Fans! Looks like NASA physicist Harold White is working on the warp drive! A quick run down of how it should work if you can't remember or new to the subject.  Most people know that our closest star system Alpha Centauri is 4.366 give or take 0.007 light years away. Which means it takes light, which travels at 299,792,458 m/s (meters per second), 4.4 years to get to Alpha Centauri. Look at it this way, Voyager 1, a space probe launched in 1977 (35 years ago), is now 121.97 AU (Astronomical Unit distance from Earth to the Sun) away. It has traveled 33 light hours. Just over a 1.5 light days or 0.004 Light years. So getting anywhere outside of our own solar system by conventional means is quite impractical for humans (We don't live long enough). As for attempting to travel at the speed of light, let me tell you now, it is quite impossible. Reference Einstein's Theory of Relativity. The faster you move the more energy you need, and to propel any amount of pass to the speed of light one requires an infinite amount of energy. Which ,conveniently, we don't have. So what is to be done? Enter the warp drive.

Warp drive is seen in many science fiction mediums From TV shows like Star Trek to games like Eve online. It allows the ship to travel faster than the speed of light thus making interstellar travel a feasible idea. What it does, is instead of trying break the rules of physics, it finds a loop hole. You say you can't propel mass to the speed of light? Okay, don't. Instead, move space around you faster than the speed of light. Its like one of those moments when you're sitting in a train station waiting to leave, and the train next to you starts to move. Only you can't tell if you're moving or if its moving. If we compress space in front of the ship, between it and the destination, and expand space behind it, allowing the ship itself to remain stationary inside the 'warp bubble' we break no rules! Because the ship itself is not moving, it also maintains the same time as it would be back on Earth. Thus we eliminated problems; the speed of light, the going back in time due to traveling faster than the speed of light, and...energy? Well, when the idea was first introduced, it was calculated that one would have needed exotic matter the size of Jupiter to power such a ship. Dr. White however has worked it out by changing the shape of the bubble and varying oscillation, the exotic matter required would be reduced to...the mass of Voyager 1. 1,600 lbs. Maybe even less. So from the size of gas giant 300 times the size of Earth to a meager space probe...I think we're on the right track. Dr.White says it takes about 500kg to warp a 10 meter bubble 10 times the speed of light. That's makes a 20 light year one way trip to nearest habitable earth-like planet, Gliese 581 c, 4 years round trip! We can live with that, it took three years for the first circumnavigation of the Earth, and only 18 survived from the original 237 sailors. Sources: http://www.tgdaily.com/space-features/66234-ftl-drive-is-feasible-says-nasa-scientist  http://techland.time.com/2012/09/19/nasa-actually-working-on-faster-than-light-warp-drive/  

[efspartan-blog]

The Internet Association

Finally, a lobbying group that helps us end users to retain their internet freedom. At least there is going to be some equal grounds and resources between TIA and MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America). That's good news! Perhaps us common folks can relax our wallets a bit on the donations. Many Large internet Corporations are involved including , Google, Ebay, Facebook, Yahoo, and many more. Their Website: http://internetassociation.org/

And their Blog: http://internetassociation.tumblr.com/

[efspartan-blog]

Japan- China Relations

As one may have seen recently in the news, China and Japan are going at it again. This time over fishing islands called Diaoyu in China, and Senkaku in Japan.

A little history

These islands located East of Taiwan, South East of Mainland China and West of Okinawa, Japan have been utilized by China, and Taiwan Fishermen for hundreds of years. However the main usage was by the Ryūkyū Kingdom. Whom occupied the islands for quite some time. The kingdom had a special relationship with China, as most Officials were of Chinese decent. China helped Ryūkyū develop new technologies and diplomatic relations. The Tokugawa shogunate of Japan accepted and authorized Shimazu one of the feudal warlords to invade Ryūkyū in 1609. Invasion experienced little resistance and while king (Shō Nei) was imprisoned in Tokyo for 2 years, he was later returned and the country retained its autonomy. For a period, the kingdom found itself under two rulers both China and Japan. In 1872 Ryūkyū became a province of Japan, and in 1879 it became the Okinawa prefecture. The problem

The islands in question however remained unoccupied and deserted through out the ages. Until the official annex in 1895 after the first Sino-Japanese war. In 1900 a Japanese entrepreneur built a Bonito a fish processing complex. The business failed in 1940 and remained deserted. Of course China, views the Treaty of Shimonoseki (Peace Treaty to end the Sino-Japanese war) as completely unfair, and while several Western powers stepped in to reverse parts of the treaty it remained a humiliation to the Nation. Thus the actual ownership of these islands cannot be truly or officially determined through history alone.

The Current Situation

Currently, China is protesting with the bottle fury of the Second World War. This isn't just the claims of island at stake, this is anger over Japan being pushy and post war actions that will never diminish in the memories of the Chinese. Japan who has never apologized for the war crimes committed, attempted to cover up the crimes by burning records immediately after the war, and writing history textbooks saying it never happened. Even to this day some Right-winged Nationalists deny the war atrocities ever happened and blaming it on communist propaganda.

Most people mistaken the protests as a feud of over islands, while the true underlying tone is this: "We the Chinese won't forget. We the Chinese are no longer the weak you remember in World War II" Japan has mostly kept quiet on the matter, other than keeping to their claims of the islands and demanding the safety of their Citizens and Property in China.

Let's be frank. The Decisions between these two nations will shape the future of the Global economy and the advancement of human society. If it continues to escalate Humans will take a major step backwards.

[efspartan-blog]

The iphone x

Well as everyone well knows the iphone 5 has come out. Along with it, the jokes and memes floating around the internet about iphone x. 

The only noticeable difference between the iphone 5 and the 4s is the slightly increase in iphone length, an apparently different core processor (A6 instead of the A5) that probably hasn't changed except for a increase in clock speed. And a new IOS 6 that doesn't even come with Youtube as a pre-installed app. Nor does it have Google maps. This is due to the recent feud between Apple, and every other phone company out there. And Here's Samsung's Recent Comeback. 

 So what is Apple thinking? Well, Since Steve Jobs died, there has been a lot of speculation on Apple's Future. However it really shouldn't be who's in charge currently investors needs to be worried about, but the who's still in charge from the grave. Before Stevie died, he said all the thieves must pay for stealing his idea and that suing everyone of them even if it was last thing he did. Actually,its better you hear his own words: “I will spend my last dying breath if I need to, and I will spend every penny of Apple’s $40 billion in the bank, to right this wrong,” Jobs said. “I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product. I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this.” Read more: http://geekyroom.com/2011/10/21/actually-steve-jobs-wanted-to-destroy-google-android/#ixzz26eNkPb5l    Jobs was unable to imagine that another person/company could have came up with similar ideas and product unless they stole it. Unfortunately,That's like comparing Windows to Linux, or Apple OS to Windows. Or for that matter the original person who came up with the OS and Gates and Jobs stole from. It just doesn't work. 

Which is the reason why he is so paranoid, because he himself stole the original OS, along with Gates. So where is this company going? Apple spent a lot of money and effort suing Samsung, Google, HTC, etc. Whereas the effort should have been made into a phone that's actually substantially better than the last. The consumer market at least in North America and Europe will stand for another re-branding sell. So if you've been planning on buying an iphone 5 this Christmas, don't. Its a waste of money. But if you needed an really expensive Gift idea, which says "You are worth more than money, its the thought that counts." Then iphone 5 is the Gift Choice for you.

[efspartan-blog]

Life, The most complicated subject.

As a student, my job is to study. As a person, my job is to be a contributing member of society.  To become a person you must first be a student of life. And it is the most Complicated subject. One moment you think you got everything under control, and the next your career, your 5 year plan, your dreams are falling to pieces. Your futile attempt to pick up all the pieces only manages to cut you some more. Some say "Don't give up! There are plenty more opportunities out there." Some say "It failed because it probably wasn't meant for you, God has other plans."  Well, personally God hasn't been much of the equation. Then again, most people don't try and put God into their equation of life. I'm not religious, I have some religious friends some who may be reading this now. Their guidance has always been appreciated, and their wisdom dearly valued. But I always ask this question to myself when I'm down, or someone's got my nerves going orbit high. "What is the meaning of life?"  Humans have been asking that question since they could first ask questions. Why continue to live? To feel happy then miserable then happy again, only to achieve a end point of = 0? Death, for a non religious person, is quite a boring and insignificant point of the timeline. Nothing happens. Everything you've learned in life, the memories, the experiences, the important life lessons, the milestones reached, all gone. Some try to pass on it on to the next generation before hitting the ground. But I always thought, Yes, but so what? They try and pass that down, but a couple of generations later, information is out of date. A couple of us has done very well though, Newton, Einstein, and so on. Yet I try and look beyond that, 4.5 billion years later, Earth gets swallowed by the enormous sun, Humans probably long gone from that planet. And Humans may continue to expand throughout the universe till the end of time. But what happens at the end of time? Do we live outside of black holes? Why continue to live when the universe is dead? Go to the parallel universe? But then you reach infinity.  Religious people, Christians await the second coming of Jesus. They say human problems can never be solved by humans. Only God can. Which somewhat makes sense. If we're in the 2 dimension trying to solve a problem so fundamental to being the 2nd dimension only someone in the third dimension can see the full picture and solve it for us. Even if they do, why do they continue to exist? As I'm in a 2 dimensional world I'm not going to ask what the 3 dimensional beings. Clearly I can't understand it.  Think long and hard, Its all about reaching the end point. The single end point of life is 0 the cumulative end point of life is . Scientist has observed this sort of phenomenon, particles appear then disappear. You pop into existence, then you pop out. Problems are only problems if Humans identify them as problems. So then what is life? In the humble opinion of this 2 dimensional being, only short existence that's appearing which will disappear, its what one makes of it. Life is a blank sheet, It's really not complicated at all. In the end, this short existence can be anything one wants it to be. You want it to be meaningless? Continue to think that way, and it will stay that way. You want to be meaningful? Then your life will be meaningful. You don't want to think about the end? Then don't, enjoy the moment. You want to think about the end? Then do so until it hits you in the face. Events are only miserable if you believed it to be. Thus my 5 year plan doesn't mean anything. My Dreams Meant nothing. All I have to do is come with a new plan, a new dream. Those pieces are only worth something if I try to pick it up.  As they say, "TIME FOR PLAN B!"