US finally getting the Nano

In 2008 Indian car company, Tata Motors introduced the world to the Tata Nano. Earlier this year it was finally on sale in India and later in Europe. In the coming months it will be released in the US. The significance of the Tata Nano is that it's the world cheapest car when it was first released it was just over $2000 and is now about $3000. It's about the same size as a smart car and can do about 60 mpg. The Nano would dominate the city car market. When it comes to the US it will open up jobs because of dealerships and I assume people that could never afford cars will purchase the Nano because of its tiny price tag so local business will prosper along with gas stations because more people will need gas.

World Series vs. the Olympics

There has been much talk about how the World Series is boosting the economy in both St. Louis and Arlington. Thousands of people are buying merchandise and tickets to the games that are selling at over $1,200. With the 2012 Summer Olympics taking place in London; many people are speculating the same kind of economic boost in Europe. However it is actually proven that the Olympics do quite the opposite. While people do spend a lot of money to attend the events and buy merchandise, the host city is forced to use the taxpayer's money to pay for things like the venues and getting everything prettied up for the visitors when the money could be used for things that would actually help the economy. The reason why the World Series helps cities make money and the Olympics doe the opposite is because MLB teams are privately owned. Arlington and St. Louis only gain money because they don't have to spend any money or at least very little money in hosting these kind of events.

http://www.alternet.org/story/56128/?page=entire

7 Billion by Halloween

The U.N. has predicted that the global population will hit the 7 billion mark by October 31. The population will only continue to grow as the years pass, straining both elastic and inelastic resources. Sub-Saharan Africa's population is expected to go form 900 million people to over 2 billion by the end of 2025, just 14 years from now. The population has increased exponentially over the past couple of centuries. There were just a billion people in 1804 and we didn't reach 2 billion until 1927. In took just 32 years to reach 3 billion, in 1974 we reached 4 billion, and in 1987 we reached 5 billion people. In 1998 we finally reached 6 billion and just 13 years later 7 billion. It's estimated that in 2025 there will be about 1.8 billion people will be living in water scarce areas. Water is with a doubt the most important inelastic resource for survival. For some reason poverty and big families seem to go hand in hand. Environmental analysts such as Lester Brown say that the best way to slow the loss of our resources is to "accelerate the switch to smaller families."

http://news.yahoo.com/challenges-loom-world-population-hits-7-billion-040835519.html

The "New" iPhone

This Friday Apple will be releasing it's 5th generation iPhone. No, it's not the iPhone 5, but the iPhone 4S. AT&T stated during the release of the iPhone 3GS that the "S" stood for speed. I would assume it would mean the same with this release as it's processor is seven times faster, has twice the memory, surfs the web at "4G" speeds, and has a new technology called, Siri, that completes tasks at your command. Some are saying that the "S" stands for Steve as in iPhone 4Steve alluding to the former cofounder and CEO who was diagnosed a few years ago with pancreatic cancer that forced him to resign in August, and pass away the day after the announcement.

While the iPhone 4S is being trashed by most people, AT&T has reported that they have sold over 200,000 in 12 hours and even calling it the most successful iPhone launch ever. Apple's preorder supply ran out in less than a day. So if so many people are disappointed with this release and the iPhone 5 rumored to be out in just 8 months, I am very surprised at just how well the iPhone 4S is doing. I have preordered one just because iPhone 3GS's battery is messed up and has been dying after using it for only 10-20 minutes. This is not a widespread problem so is the 4S selling so well because of Steve Jobb's death, or that the iPhone 4S is truly the bes smart phone out there? Or could it be that sales will even out as customers are afraid supply might be scarce, or is it because the novelty of the product?

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-10-08/apple-iphone-pre-orders/50706650/1

Starbuck's Stimulus Package

Starbucks has teamed up with Opportunity Finance Network and announced their "Jobs for USA" program. The program will kick off on November 1. All Starbucks locations will collect $5 donations to distribute through the OFN to 180 financial institutions. Those 180 financial institutions supply loans from"charter schools to grocery stores nationwide." In the 27 years of existence the Network has collected over $23 billion and created over 300,000 jobs CEO Howard Schultz has stated that "This is about using Starbuck's scale for good." Starbucks Corp. hopes to have a $5 donation for every person who cannot afford to donate $5.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Starbucks-pushes-job-growth-apf-1602029736.html?x=0

The "Buffett Tax"

Earlier this year, billionaire Warren Buffet stated that many billionaires like himself actually paid less in taxes than many of his employees due to loopholes in the system. On Monday, Obama is expected to officially announce the 'Buffett tax" on millionaires. It would raise taxes on people who make over $1 million a year. The new set of taxes would be part of the plan to save $3 trillion over the next 10 years. Although it sounds like a good plan (at least to me), other than helping out the debt, Obama is suspected of having an ulterior motive. Some suspect the only reason this move is being done is because it would garner more voters for the 2012 election. I believe this is long overdue, although I'm not the biggest fan of his ulterior motive.

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-propose-buffett-tax-millionaires-225402476.html

Apple vs. Samsung

Three days ago, Germany's Dusseldorf Court announced it's decision on whether the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 should be banned in Germany. The tablet was banned because Presiding Judge Johanna Brueckner-Hofmann believed that "Apple’s minimalistic design isn’t the only technical solution to make a tablet computer, other designs are possible". The verdict surprised many, as what Apple wanted seemed quite severe. This verdict could possibly spread to other countries in the European Union, not just for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 but maybe all other tablets that use to the same basic design. This would give Apple a monopoly in one of the biggest tablet markets in the world.

http://9to5mac.com/2011/09/09/wow-apple-actually-got-samsungs-galaxy-tab-10-1-banned-in-germany/#more-92058

Nike Air Force 1

Nike is one of the few companies to ever not have their finances go into the red. They changed their name to Nike from Blue Ribbon Sports in 1978. Four years later, Bruce Kilgore designed the Nike Air Force 1, the first basketball shoe to ever feature air technology in it's sole. This one shoe (offered in three different stylings: high, mid, low), along with Air Jordan series, and the Nike Air Max line are the biggest reasons of why Nike's finances have never gone in the red. The AF1 was released with no advertising and was initially seen as a failure, it was only produced for a couple of months. In the late 1980's and early 1990's the shoe was rereleased, around the same time that Air Maxes and Air Jordans were at their peak. In the 29 years since the shoe was originally released it has raked in over a billion dollars for Nike and in 2005 it was estimated to have a profit margin of 70%. Not only that but the Nike hasn't spent a single cent on advertising the AF1. The Nike Air Force 1 is still being produced and worn today. It's regarded as one of the most significant shoes in sneaker culture.