EXPECT this year’s smartphones to take better photos, run more
powerful apps, offer faster downloads, and deliver bigger, better
screens.
But you should also expect to pay significantly more for
them, as experts warn the pocket-sized devices are set to hit our
pockets harder than ever in 2017.
The warning follows Samsung’s
Galaxy Note 8 launch in New York this week, which saw the world’s
leading smartphone maker unveil its most expensive handset yet.
The
device will cost $1499 when it arrives in stores on September 22 — $150
more than last year’s Note and $300 more than Samsung’s flagship Galaxy
S8 released earlier this year.
But Telsyte managing director Foad Fadaghi said Samsung would not be
the only major smartphone company lifting its prices well beyond the
$1000 threshold.
“This year we’re going to see the re-emergence of the premium smartphone market,” Mr Fadaghi predicted.
“We’ll see a number of handsets at a very high price point.”
THE RISING PRICE OF SMARTPHONES
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Price: $1499 (up from $1349)
Features:
— Dual l2-megapixel OIS cameras
— 6.3-inch Super AMOLED curved screen
— Water and dust resistance
— 64GB storage plus memory card slot
— Improved stylus
Apple iPhone 7 Plus
Price: $1569 (up from $1529)
— Dual 12-megapixel cameras
— 5.5-inch LED-backlit screen
— Water and dust resistance
— 256GB built-in storage
— TouchID fingerprint scanner
Google Pixel XL
Price: $1419 (up from $1099)
— 12.3-megapixel camera with smart software
— 5.5-inch AMOLED screen
— Easy access to Google Assistant
— 128GB built-in storage
— Rear fingerprint scanner
http://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/mobile-phones/samsung-apple-target-hip-pockets-as-battle-for-smartphone-sales-heats-up/news-story/02854298f5ebe942831aefe2175a9446
"... It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings."....I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Saturday, August 26, 2017
WELCOME TO THE 21ST CENTURY OF NO SECURITY IN YOUR OWN HOME OR PROPERTY AS WARRANTLESS SEARCH AND SIEZURE HAS BEEN GRANTED BY THE US CONGRESS AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE REPUBLICAN POTUS TRUMP IN DC, VA AND MD FOR NOW UNDER THE GUISE OF THE METRO RAIL SYSTEM NEAR PROPERTY - CLEARLY AGAINST THE 4TH AMENDMENT - YET THE SO CALLED IGNORAMUS CONGRESS THUS ALLOW ONCE AGAIN TO SUBJUGATE AND SUPPRESS ANOTHER FREEDOM FROM ITS PEOPLE
A bill that will allow homes to be searched without a warrant was
passed with overwhelming support by the United States Congress, and
signed into law by President Trump—and it happened with no media
coverage and very little fanfare.
On the surface, House Joint Resolution 76 looks harmless. The title of the bill claims that its purpose is “Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia to enter into a compact relating to the establishment of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.”
However, there is one major red flag buried within the text of the bill that stems from the list of “powers” given to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, and it violates one of the basic tenets of the U.S. Constitution.
This clearly goes against the Fourth Amendment, which states that Americans’ rights “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.”
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-08-26/congress-quietly-passed-bill-allowing-warrantless-searches-homes-only-1-opposed-it
On the surface, House Joint Resolution 76 looks harmless. The title of the bill claims that its purpose is “Granting the consent and approval of Congress for the Commonwealth of Virginia, the State of Maryland, and the District of Columbia to enter into a compact relating to the establishment of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.”
The proposal for a safety commission to act as a wing of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority may sound logical, when its power includes thing such as the ability to “Adopt, revise, and distribute a written State Safety Oversight Program” and to “Review, approve, oversee, and enforce the adoption and implementation of WMATA’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan.”“Whereas the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, an interstate compact agency of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland, provides transportation services to millions of people each year, the safety of whom is paramount; Whereas an effective and safe Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority system is essential to the commerce and prosperity of the National Capital region; Whereas the Tri-State Oversight Committee, created by a memorandum of understanding amongst these 3 jurisdictions, has provided safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.”
However, there is one major red flag buried within the text of the bill that stems from the list of “powers” given to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, and it violates one of the basic tenets of the U.S. Constitution.
The text gives the Commission the authority to enter property near the Metro Rail System “without limitation” and without a warrant, for the purpose of “making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing.”“In performing its duties, the Commission, through its Board or designated employees or agents, may:Enter upon the WMATA Rail System and, upon reasonable notice and a finding by the chief executive officer that a need exists, upon any lands, waters, and premises adjacent to the WMATA Rail System, including, without limitation, property owned or occupied by the federal government, for the purpose of making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing as the Commission may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this MSC Compact, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass.”
This clearly goes against the Fourth Amendment, which states that Americans’ rights “to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause.”
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-08-26/congress-quietly-passed-bill-allowing-warrantless-searches-homes-only-1-opposed-it
THE 10 MEMBER ECONOMIC BLOC OF 628 MILLION ASEAN HITS ITS GOLDEN 50 JUBILIEE - INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, THAILAND IN 1967 ADDED AFTER BRUNEI, CAMBODIA, LAOS, MYANMAR, VIETNAM
Fast facts about Asean@50
- Asean has the biggest population of any geopolitical bloc - totalling more than 628 million people (nearly 10 per cent of the world's population).
- Its member states have a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of US$2.5 trillion (S$3.4 trillion), up from US$1.3 trillion seven years ago.
- The Asean economy is the third largest in Asia and the sixth largest in the world, with the regional GDP growth rate higher than the global average.
- More than half of its population is under 30 years old.
- There is a wide disparity in population size. It ranges from 417,000 in Brunei to 255 million in Indonesia.
- Indonesia's GDP is still three times larger than the combined GDP of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The country's GDP is also close to the GDP of Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore combined.
- The country with the highest percentage of exports going to Asean markets is landlocked Laos (65 per cent). In second place is Myanmar, which sends 42 per cent of its total exports to Asean countries. The rest of Asean are at around 25 per cent.
- The top exporter to Asean markets is Singapore, followed by Malaysia and Thailand. Despite being the bloc's largest economy, Indonesia ranks fourth as an exporter to Asean.
- Thailand remains the manufacturing superpower in South-east Asia, with more than 420,000 manufacturing establishments. Cambodia has 71,000 establishments, Vietnam 63,000 and Indonesia 24,000.
- There are 227 companies in Asean with revenues over US$1 billion.
- There is a wide disparity in income per capita, ranging from US$1,246 in Myanmar to US$52,000 in Singapore.
- Overall competitiveness has been improving. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2016-2017, Singapore ranks No. 2. Five others - Malaysia (No. 18), Thailand (No. 32), Indonesia (No. 37), the Philippines (No. 47) and Vietnam (No. 56) - figure in the top half of the index.
- Within Asean, Malaysia sends the highest number of students (53,000) to international locations outside the region, followed by Vietnam (52,000) and Indonesia (33,000). Malaysia also receives the largest share of inbound international students, followed by Singapore.
- Malaysia and Thailand each receives significantly more international tourists (27 million and 24 million respectively) than their next Asean peers.
- Disputes over control of parts of the South China Sea remain a cause of worry. Improving infrastructure and IT capability are key challenges.
VIETJET PROMISES FULL CLOTHING FOR ITS FLIGHT ATTENDANT ATTIRE WITH ITS MAIDEN AIR ROUTE FROM HO CHI MINH CITY TO THE MUSLIM COUNTRY OF JAKARTA INDONESIA
LOW-COST Vietnamese carrier VietJet
has been cornered into assuring Indonesia that its flight attendants
will be fully clothed when it makes its maiden flight to Jakarta.
The
airline’s announcement that it will launch a direct route from Ho Chi
Minh City to Jakarta was shrouded in controversy because of a divisive
PR-stunt by the airline in 2012.The airline was fined 20 million Dong — about $A1100 — when it hosted a mid-flight dance by bikini-clad beauty pageant contestants without first gaining permission from the nation’s aviation authorities.
Five women, all candidates in a local beauty contest, performed the three-minute Hawaiian-themed dance while passengers recorded the show on camera phones and later posted clips online.
The controversial in-flight entertainment was to celebrate its maiden flight between Ho Chi Minh City and the tourist hub of Nha Trang.
SAMSUNG'S 3 GENERATION OF OWNERSHIP LIKE GRANDFATHER LIKE FATHER LIKE SON - ALL CONVICTED OR CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION AND EMBEZZLEMENT - FROM LEE BYUNG CHUL TO LEE KUN HEE AND LEE JAE YONG -
History repeats itself.
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's conviction on multiple corruption charges on Friday has brought back memories of the humiliation that has haunted the nation's biggest business empire's owner family for three generations.
The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Lee, 49, to five years in prison on Friday. He was found guilty of bribery, embezzlement, concealment of criminal proceeds, illegal overseas asset transfer and perjury in a massive corruption scandal that led to the ouster of former President Park Geun-hye.
The court said Lee is believed to have been involved in Samsung's provision of 7.2 billion won ($6.38 million) in bribes for the equestrian training of the daughter of Park's longtime friend and confidante Choi Soon-sil.
Lee's lawyer said he will appeal the ruling.
Since 1966
It started in 1966 when the progenitor of Samsung, Lee Byung-chul, was forced to step down to take responsibility for the "saccharin smuggling scandal."
His second son was caught smuggling 50 tons of saccharin into the country as construction material. Then President Park Chung-hee ordered an investigation and Lee faced the risk of being prosecuted. But the street-smart businessman knew how to survive. Lee "donated" his fertilizer plant to the government and "voluntarily" stepped down as the firm's CEO. In return, Lee avoided prosecution.Nearly three decades later, the specter of prosecution came to Lee's son, Kun-hee.
Lee Kun-hee, 75, chairman of Samsung Electronics, has been in hospital after a heart attack in May 2014. He received a suspended jail term in 1995 for paying bribes to former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/08/251_235395.html
Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong's conviction on multiple corruption charges on Friday has brought back memories of the humiliation that has haunted the nation's biggest business empire's owner family for three generations.
The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Lee, 49, to five years in prison on Friday. He was found guilty of bribery, embezzlement, concealment of criminal proceeds, illegal overseas asset transfer and perjury in a massive corruption scandal that led to the ouster of former President Park Geun-hye.
The court said Lee is believed to have been involved in Samsung's provision of 7.2 billion won ($6.38 million) in bribes for the equestrian training of the daughter of Park's longtime friend and confidante Choi Soon-sil.
Lee's lawyer said he will appeal the ruling.
Since 1966
It started in 1966 when the progenitor of Samsung, Lee Byung-chul, was forced to step down to take responsibility for the "saccharin smuggling scandal."
His second son was caught smuggling 50 tons of saccharin into the country as construction material. Then President Park Chung-hee ordered an investigation and Lee faced the risk of being prosecuted. But the street-smart businessman knew how to survive. Lee "donated" his fertilizer plant to the government and "voluntarily" stepped down as the firm's CEO. In return, Lee avoided prosecution.Nearly three decades later, the specter of prosecution came to Lee's son, Kun-hee.
Lee Kun-hee, 75, chairman of Samsung Electronics, has been in hospital after a heart attack in May 2014. He received a suspended jail term in 1995 for paying bribes to former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/08/251_235395.html
Friday, August 25, 2017
IT NOW BECOMES CLEAR WHY THE JEWISH COMMUNITY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SUSPICIOUS OF REPUBLICANS CONSIDER WHEN THE VERY NATURE OF WHITE SUPREMACISTS RUNNING OVER MULTIPLE ANTI FASCIST GROUP MEMBERS AND KILLING A PERSON A WOMAN IN THE PROCESS AT THAT AND ALL RHETORIC FROM THE POTUS TRUMP IS BOTH SIDES AT FAULT IN CHARLOTTSVILLE - BRINGS ONE TO UNDERSTAND WHY CEOS ARE FLEEING AND GARY COHN RETORTS THE WHITE WASHING OF THE WHITE SUPREMACIST TERRORIST ACTION AGAINST US AMERICANS - WHERE SUCH ACTION REQUIRES GREATER CONDEMNATIONS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THIS UNITED STATES
Gary Cohn, President Donald Trump's top economic adviser, has
criticized the White House's response to Charlottesville,
Virginia, in his first public remarks about the deadly violence
earlier this month.
"This administration can and must do better in consistently and unequivocally condemning these groups and do everything we can to heal the deep divisions that exist in our communities," Cohn told the Financial Times.
Cohn said he felt compelled "to voice my distress over the events of the last two weeks."
Cohn, who is Jewish, was reportedly "disgusted" and "appalled" with Trump's response to white nationalists' role in the violence in Charlottesville. The president blamed "both sides" for the violence, which left one counterprotester dead.
"Citizens standing up for equality and freedom can never be equated with white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK," Cohn told the FT.
After Trump's remarks, Cohn said, he felt "enormous pressure" both to resign and to stay in the administration. But he told the FT he was "reluctant" to leave based on a "commitment" to the American people.
False rumors that Cohn was leaving the White House after Trump's remarks spooked Wall Street, appearing to spark a sharp dip in the S&P 500.
As Business Insider's Bob Bryan notes:
Nearly 400 of Mnuchin's Yale University classmates signed a letter strongly urging him to resign.
Mnuchin, however, put out a statement actively defending his boss.
"While I find it hard to believe I should have to defend myself on this, or the president, I feel compelled to let you know that the president in no way, shape or form, believes that neo-Nazi and other hate groups who endorse violence are equivalent to groups that demonstrate in peaceful and lawful ways," Mnuchin wrote.
http://www.businessinsider.com/gary-cohn-trump-must-do-better-after-charlottesville-2017-8
"This administration can and must do better in consistently and unequivocally condemning these groups and do everything we can to heal the deep divisions that exist in our communities," Cohn told the Financial Times.
Cohn said he felt compelled "to voice my distress over the events of the last two weeks."
Cohn, who is Jewish, was reportedly "disgusted" and "appalled" with Trump's response to white nationalists' role in the violence in Charlottesville. The president blamed "both sides" for the violence, which left one counterprotester dead.
"Citizens standing up for equality and freedom can never be equated with white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and the KKK," Cohn told the FT.
After Trump's remarks, Cohn said, he felt "enormous pressure" both to resign and to stay in the administration. But he told the FT he was "reluctant" to leave based on a "commitment" to the American people.
False rumors that Cohn was leaving the White House after Trump's remarks spooked Wall Street, appearing to spark a sharp dip in the S&P 500.
As Business Insider's Bob Bryan notes:
"Finance-focused political analysts warned after the rumors that
there could be a serious loss of investor confidence if Cohn were
to depart Trump's administration. Some observers doubt the
business-friendly and economically stimulative policies on taxes
and infrastructure promised by Trump can actually materialize
without Cohn in the White House."
Trump's Treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, who also is Jewish,
also faced pressure to resign following the president's remarks.
Nearly 400 of Mnuchin's Yale University classmates signed a letter strongly urging him to resign.
Mnuchin, however, put out a statement actively defending his boss.
"While I find it hard to believe I should have to defend myself on this, or the president, I feel compelled to let you know that the president in no way, shape or form, believes that neo-Nazi and other hate groups who endorse violence are equivalent to groups that demonstrate in peaceful and lawful ways," Mnuchin wrote.
http://www.businessinsider.com/gary-cohn-trump-must-do-better-after-charlottesville-2017-8
Thursday, August 24, 2017
SAMSUNG HEIR LEE JAE-YONG GETS READY FOR HIS VERDICT THIS FRIDAY ON CHARGES OF CORRUPTION AS THE SAMSUNG NOTE 8 GETS ITS DAY TO SHINE
On the eve of the court’s Friday ruling on Samsung’s de facto leader,
tension mounted in South Korea’s corporate community over how the
tycoon’s fate would impact the future of the world’s largest producer of
smartphones and microchips.
On 2:30 p.m. Friday, a local court in Seoul is to deliver its ruling on Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who is accused of five charges including bribery, flight of capital and embezzlement. The court decided to deliver the verdict without live coverage.
A special counsel has requested the court to sentence Lee to 12 years in jail, claiming that he provided financial assistance worth 43 billion won ($38 million) to the daughter of former President Park Geun-hye’s longtime friend in exchange for business favors.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170824000706
On 2:30 p.m. Friday, a local court in Seoul is to deliver its ruling on Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who is accused of five charges including bribery, flight of capital and embezzlement. The court decided to deliver the verdict without live coverage.
A special counsel has requested the court to sentence Lee to 12 years in jail, claiming that he provided financial assistance worth 43 billion won ($38 million) to the daughter of former President Park Geun-hye’s longtime friend in exchange for business favors.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170824000706
THE NEW JERSEY SENATOR ROBERT MENENDEZ (D-NJ) READY TO GO TO TRIAL SEPTEMBER 6TH ON CORRUPTION CHARGES
This year, the Senate has demonstrated the importance of a single
vote. Betsy DeVos’s controversial confirmation as education secretary
happened only with the tiebreaking vote of Vice President Pence. In late
March, Pence again broke a tie on legislation limiting federal funds to
abortion providers.
And last month, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) defeated the GOP’s effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act with a single flick of his thumb.
There’s more on the way. Later this fall, President Trump’s agenda could be impeded by a one-man blockade, Sen. Robert Menendez, who by then could be a felon.
The trial of the New Jersey Democrat, indicted two years ago on corruption charges, is set to begin Sept. 6 in a federal courthouse in Newark. A 12-person jury was seated this week. The trial is expected to last well into October; by Halloween, Menendez could be the first sitting senator in nine years to become a felon.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/in-the-year-of-the-deciding-vote-one-democrats-corruption-trial-could-change-the-senate--or-not/2017/08/24/d416ec2c-88e4-11e7-a94f-3139abce39f5_story.html?utm_term=.f6679fe96216
And last month, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) defeated the GOP’s effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act with a single flick of his thumb.
There’s more on the way. Later this fall, President Trump’s agenda could be impeded by a one-man blockade, Sen. Robert Menendez, who by then could be a felon.
The trial of the New Jersey Democrat, indicted two years ago on corruption charges, is set to begin Sept. 6 in a federal courthouse in Newark. A 12-person jury was seated this week. The trial is expected to last well into October; by Halloween, Menendez could be the first sitting senator in nine years to become a felon.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/in-the-year-of-the-deciding-vote-one-democrats-corruption-trial-could-change-the-senate--or-not/2017/08/24/d416ec2c-88e4-11e7-a94f-3139abce39f5_story.html?utm_term=.f6679fe96216
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