Tech Predictions for 2013: It’s All About Mobile, says a ComScore report. The predicted continued explosion is another reason I remain positive about Qualcomm (QCOM).
The new ETF for Bill Gross’ Total Return Fund is BOND. It’s done well since its introduction last year — better than the mutual fund of the same name. BOND is smaller and more nimble. It’s yielding 2% which is better than cash.
Money Magazine has a piece on BOND in its March 2012 issue, but I can’t find it online. Drat.
Friends love Home Depot. And with justification. It’s done very very well.
I believe it’s run out of steam, for now. P/E is now 23.7, which is higher than net income growth for its full year of 16.3%. Last quarter over previous comparable quarter was flat. I did read HD’s annual report management letter. It’s very impressive. They’re doing some ultra-neat things.
How To Permanently Delete Your Facebook Account. I haven’t checked this. But I know the source. And I’m guessing it works. Click here.
Microsoft’s Surface Pro Is Most Unrepairable Tablet to Date, says iFixit. Even less repairable than the iPad. Should this report deter you from buying the Surface Pro? Probably not, though personally I’m not turned on by the Surface Pro and Windows 8. But that’s for another discussion. For the unrepairable report, click here.
NetFlix isn’t offered overseas. But German friends want it. They emailed me this morning:
There is a neat little browser extension for the browsers, Google Chrome and Mozilla, Firefox called Hola Unblocker that let’s users access Netflix, Pandora, Hulu and other services from outside the US. I am using it on Chrome and it works flawlessly for Hulu and Pandora.
If a million Europeans discovered Hola Unblocker and started paying NetFlix money, that could really boost NetFlix’s revenues.
Ten Things I learned on the weekend.
1. Buy a car with the longest warranty you can. Modern cars have computers. You can’t repair computers. You can only replace them. Replacing computer circuit boards costs megabucks.
2. Don’t believe all the error messages you see with your new computer car. Sometimes the messages will disappear all by themselves. Are you listening Mercedes?
3. New technology lightbulbs — CFLs and LEDs — will burn forever. Maybe. But many deliver awful light. Check for “warm white.” Before you buy lots, check the color of its light bulb and whether your spouse can stand it.
4. Some CFL (compact fluorescent) lightbulbs are too big for your fixtures.
5. UPS and FedEx shipping prices are going through the roof. One reason Amazon’s Prime rate — free shipping is such an incredible deal.
6. Don’t buy it. You don’t need it. You won’t use it. And you don’t have anywhere to put it.
7. If you haven’t worn it in the past year, give it away. Even if it’s new.
8. Stop buying three of something because you like it. They’ll have a better, cheaper one tomorrow.
9. Clothes shrink in closets. There’s nothing you can do, except stop buying stuff, (and stop eating?)
10. Check your car’s inspection ticket. Mine expired last April. No one caught me. Why? Dumb luck.
Bonus tip: The less you own, the fewer light bulbs you’ll need to change. I had to replace several “long-life” CFLs on the weekend that lasted less than a normal 60 cents tungsten bulb. Go figure. Now I’m trying LEDs. Those things are real pricey.
Favorite weekend New Yorker cartoons.
House Science Committee Questions Existence of Meteors
WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)-The chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology said today that the committee would hold hearings next week “to settle the question, once and for all, of whether meteors exist.”
“The media has been in something of a frenzy recently on this whole topic of meteors,” said chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas). “I think it’s irresponsible of them to frighten the public about something that, at the end of the day, may be about as real as unicorns.”
Rep. Smith said that he had seen recent reports of the “so-called Russian meteor” of last week, but added, “Maybe it’s the scientific skeptic in me, but this `meteor’ may just have been a bunch of fireworks that some Siberian fellow set off after drinking a little too much Stoli. It is winter, after all, and that’s how those folks keep warm.”
The Texas congressman said that he and other meteor doubters are worried that scientists had “a vested interest” in convincing people that meteors are real: “They want the government to spend more money on science, and, let me tell you, that is the last thing the Science Committee is going to do.”
As for the scientific theory that meteors may have killed the dinosaurs, Rep. Smith chuckled, “That theory would also have us believe that there were dinosaurs.”
Harry Newton, who is stunned. Though his MRI says stuff in his shoulder is torn, his shoulder is clearly getting better — all by its lonesome self. And without physical therapy, without specific exercise and without an operation. At this rate, my shoulder will be fine in a few month months and I’ll be able to serve. For now, I’m still playing tennis, running around and feeling healthy. The body heals itself, apparently. It’s wonderful.
The Traders Expo is on today at the New York Marriott Hotel on Times Square. I plan on going for an hour or so.
If it ain’t broke, don’t muck with it.
The “long-life” 50/100/150 watt CFLs seem to fail based on the number of times they are turned on and off. The way we use the 3 position bulbs CFL fails faster than a normal 3 position incandescent bulb. I can buy 6 of the 50/100/150 watt incandescent bulbs for $10.50 or 1 of the CFL bulbs for $10.95. I am stocking up on the 3 position incandescent bulbs.
Of the 10 lessons you learned over the weekend, my favorite is #6. If only I stashed the money I spent on things I didn’t need, never used, and spent more money to create space to store them in. I guess that is just the way our society is or the marketing professionals are doing an outstanding job. Most of us have more bedrooms in our houses than we have people to occupy them. Most of us have more than one car, even though we can only drive one at a time. Let’s not even talk about the latest and coolest gadgets that we bought, which is now sitting somewhere collecting dust. I would dare to suggest that for most people, a fortune was spent on such items that later in life, most would rather have the money. I guess, it is no wonder that ebay and Craigslist are thriving. I guess it is never too late to become a “Power Seller” on ebay. 🙂
Amen. I’m actually giving new, unworn clothes away. I’m freeing up space everywhere. Feels great.
Giving things to charity is good, however, if you wish an income tax deduction make it worthwhile…your accountant will probably charge you twenty bucks or more for making out the extra form required by the IRS for each separate charity.. We learned to donate material things to only one charity. Yard sales are good…if you have a yard, unlike Harry who’s yard is many stories above the sidewalk.