InvestorGeeks

Apple, Oh The Hypocrisy!

by Christian

Ah yes, when Apple does something sinister its ok because Apple wants to "control" the experience, and well Apple is the "good guy".

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has confirmed that the iPhone 3G has a kill switch that can remotely remove software from the devices.

Jobs told The Wall Street Journal that Apple needs the capability in case it inadvertently allows a malicious program — such as an application that steals user’s personal data — to be distributed to iPhones through its App Store.

"Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull," Jobs said.

Ok, let’s rephrase this shall we…

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has confirmed that the Mobile Phone has a kill switch that can remotely remove software from the devices.

Ballmer told The Wall Street Journal that Microsoft needs the capability in case it inadvertently allows a malicious program — such as an application that steals user’s personal data — to be distributed to Mobile Phones through its App Store.

"Hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull," Ballmer said.

So how do you feel about this? Steve is a control freak, and he has already used a form of this control.

But even if Apple had a good reason for removing the application, developers are concerned by the lack of communication from Apple about how and why certain applications are allowed or denied access to the App Store and why some are removed.

When the App Store was first announced earlier this year, company CEO Steve Jobs said there would be limitations on what applications could be sold. Specifically, he stated that porn would not be allowed.

First, why the control Steve? Secondly, why the dislike of porn? Not that I am excited and eager to download porn. Are you going to do the same with applications that promote violence? How about programs that relate to peoples habits or lifestyles that are not popular among certain crowds? Are you going to control that? I am tempted to believe that you will. This is yet another reason why I am bearish on Apple. So how could Apple have handled this better? Create an opt-in or opt-out program of these draconian measures.

Refreshing My S&P Prediction

by Christian

Folks, my prediction on the S&P went beyond my wildest dreams, and basically was spot on. Though the question is was I lucky or not?

(more…)

Where is the Panic Selling? Answer: It Ain’t Gonna Happen!

by Christian

Everybody wants a panic sale, they want a capitulation. Well folks I am willing to wager that it will not happen. And I think darkpools have something to do with this. Consider the following and the original.

Dark pools are on a hot streak. They’re tearing through volume records and turning into big-league market centers in their own right.

Goldman Sach’s Sigma X dark pool yesterday executed 406 million shares, making it the seventh-largest market center for U.S. equities. That put Sigma X in line behind Nasdaq, NYSE Arca, the New York Stock Exchange, BATS Trading, Direct Edge ECN and the National Stock Exchange. And ahead of all other venues.

Sigma X’s volume is up 100 percent over the last seven weeks, according to Rishi Nangalia, head of product development at Goldman Sachs Electronic Trading. "It’s a virtuous circle," he said. "We have more volume passing through from more clients and their algos, and as a result of higher fill rates, we get more flow, which in turn further increases the match rates." This surge is taking place against a backdrop of higher equity market volume overall and greater volatility.

(more…)