$10.7 Billion profit in 3 months

Once again, the oil companies show how to screw the world to new levels of profit. As reported today, ExxonMobil made $10.7 billion in profit for a single quarter. A quarter is 3 months, more or less 90 days. Most companies, shoot most countries wish they could sell that much in a quarter. But Exxon, naw think big. They think "how can we overcharge the world with our monopo...er cartel". Its horrible they get to do that and even worse that Congress allows it.

DS Lite

Remember the bygone days when a system had to be out for 2 or three years before it was re-designed it a much smaller and cuter package? Usually at a lower price? I miss those days. Now you just feel like a chump for not waiting for the sleeker model.

That seems to be the case with the new DS Lite that Nintendo has announced. The new design apparently is white, works the same but is 1/3 smaller and 20% lighter. Overlap comparison here. Its going to released in Japan for $145 converted to US.

My speculation is it will be released here in the US in early Summer for same price as the current DS model.

When to Buy Stuff

According to CNN.com, there are certain times that is is best to make relativily big purchases.

The highlights:
Air tickets: Wednesday, and further from departure date the better the price
Televisions: April
Houses: Winter
Cars: end of the month for quotas, late summer for clearing out models
Video Games: They say holidays, I say first few weeks out have best deals, otherwise have to wait year+ for the clearance or Greatest Hits price drop.

24 Season 5 Opener

The first 25 minutes...the best season opener ever. Holy @#$%!!! Heard the rumors of who they will kill off but for them to actually do the two they chose after those previous seasons of development is amazing and ballsy. The message is clear: predict nothing for you have no idea what will happen.

Businesses at the economic driver seat?

According to an article on CNN.com, with consumer spending slowing down to housing appreciation decreases, energy increases and interest rate increases, the economy will not only sing along just fine but grow. The reason is because businesses, now flush with cash after five years of Bush tax cuts, will start investing in their own business. Great news. Only took about five years for them to do this. The idea is neat, and honestly I hope the business writer is correct on her assumptions but for me it just rings false.

The reason is simple: why would a company spend a healhly amount of money on itself when the very people it depends on, the consumers, are indicating they may not be buying their stuff for a while? That is like building a new wing on a house while a forest fire rages a few miles away. In theory, if the business invest on themselves, that means more stuff being made, which means more workers, etc etc, but in this new global age, I don't see most of the money making it into American hands but foreign hands. As our trade deficit shows, once american money goes overseas, only a very small percentage makes it back.

Most distrubing in the article was no mention of the workforce. For all the investing companies may (and its a big may) make, none of the talk seems to be about their own workers. Raises and bonuses for the average worker will probably continue to decline as will pensions and other benefits. All this indicates to me, that for a country where businesses has become king, if they do gain the reigns on the economy, they might not never let it go and the only ones that will be hurt is the average worker and the consumer. Hopefully time will prove me wrong.

PS3 $500?

CNN.com predicts $500 dollars for the PS3 whenever it rolls it. I think it will come out about November for a retail of $299.99. The reason is simple, Sony is hurting. The PSP is not performing up to expectations, PS2 sales are sliding, and no killer game in the horizon. Also, MS is on very shaky ground in Japan but they have a year to solidify their hold. Simply put, if those execs want yearly bonuses, they got to come out the gate running and give Nintendo and MS a very very bloody nose. A competitive price point is the way to do it.

MacWorld 1/06

Steve Jobs did his traditional January Apple promo that gets lots of press as Apple has been riding a hell of a wave of new products that get people interested in hearing about them even if not going to buy them. Started in '01 with the iPod. So, like many, was waiting with baited breath for what new toys that Jobs was going to introduce. What we got was Apple's new laptop and desktop that run on the Intel chip, a new expensive toy for the existing iPods, and some upgrades to existing software. Suffice it to say, a major disappointment. Maybe the next round of product annoucements. If want the specifics, Engadget did an outstanding job covering the event so I am just going to link to them. Starting with their live blogging of the live keynote (heh makes ya giggle thinking about it).

If want to read details about what was introduced...click here as its a nice summary of all the articles Engadget put up about the new stuff. General info:
MacBook Pro - Slimmer design but identical look to the Powerbook, powered by 2 1.67 or 1.83GHz chips with 512 of RAM and lots of bells and whistles. Basically the most powerful laptop you can buy I do believe. Also expensive ($2000 or $2500) as all get out but then most laptops in this range are. Apple where is the cheapy versions for those that want to dip their toe in the Apple world?

Intel iMac - The all in one computer. The monitor and all the stuff that usually resides in a tower is built right into the monitor casing. Fantastic for those with limited office space or those that just like their shit to look good. This one has the Intel 1.83 or 2.0Ghz chip, ATI x1600 graphics processor. 17 or 20 inch displays. Price is $1299 and $1699. For the design type etc, its priced competivily to the Windows based PCs (if can find em). Then again, if how it looks doesn't matter so much, might as well blow the money on a Windows based tower that would be much more powerful and upgradable.

iPod Radio Remote - The only real toy that is iPod related. Just what it sounds like. Its a remote and its a FM reciever. The display is on the current gen Nano and iPod screen with ability to remember stations. Very useful toy, but also very expensive at $50. I am going to wait however as don't really need the remote feature and would prefer some kind of small add on that plugs into the bottom but otherwise interfaces with the iPod the same. I have enough wires and crap to keep up with, I don't need another.

Other stuff was also shown including updates to iLife, iWork, .Mac, and OS X. Since I know next to nothing about those software suites have no comment. Again read up here. Lots of info to be had.

Tetris goes DS

Tetris is showing up for the DS. Why should you care? Three words: Wi-Fi Internet
Yep, Tetris DS will allow for online play. Finally can prove how good your are or not against up to 4 players. Expected release date is 3/20/06 but since this is Nintendo only believe it when actually see it on stores shelves.

Abramoff pleads guilty

Abramoff pleads guilty. Who is he? Basically good at getting what he wants by any means necessary including buying off Congressmen. Should be interesting to see what his testimony will reveal since apparently 20+ congressmen may be involved. Of course proving it is a different animal but the reading should be entertaining.

In related new, 49% American adults think Congress is corrupt. To that I say, only 49%? Apparently this country is not as cynical as I thought. To me, all of congress has to be corrupt. I don't care who they are or how lofty the goals, it just doesn't seem possible to get elected and not become corrupt. The money required is simply to high and too many favors are needed to be repaid to not become corrupt.

As an aside, if they are serious about corruption, investigate those congresmen that somehow get much much much wealthier in office. The average congressmen gets in the neighborhood of $150,000 a year while in office. That salary doesn't explain the literal millions of dollars worth of stuff they somehow magically are able to afford once they get elected.