Consumer Technology World Brief
Microsoft has finally launched its Windows 8 OS and reportedly sold 4 million copies of Windows 8 in 3 days. That is a warm welcome to a much awaited OS, but it remains to be seen if the new Windows OS gains popularity (and market share) in the smartphone segment – where the innovation, users and money is moving towards. However it is also important to note that tablets are fast becoming an important tool with Microsoft releasing its first tablet, the Surface, which is geared specifically to businesses, Apple releasing the iPad Mini, a smaller version of its blockbuster tablet and Google which came out with a new version of its Nexus tablet. The tablet market is growing market with much more room for growth as in the last quarter alone tablet sales has increased 43% compared with over a year ago. The tablets trends is only rising now with perhaps a marriage between technologies where phablets which are phone and tablets will start to become a trend.
North America World Review
October has been the month of debates, speeches and promises in the biggest economy in the world. The elections in the U.S are being closely watched globally as the elections process and the results have huge economic implications with the Obama administration being re-elected for another four years. This is because not only is this is going to be costliest elections in the history of U.S but also because of the inherent policy directions to be taken by the democratic government and its implications to the global economy.
The hurricane Sandy has not helped the process with it striking during the last eight days of the elections campaign and it has created enough damage to have reportedly negatively affected the U.S. economy with damages of over USD 50 billion and if confirmed would make it to be the second costliest hurricane only behind hurricane Katrina.
Asia World Review
October has been a month of rebound for the Asian continent. South Korean exports have risen for the first time in four months and China’s manufacturing expanded for the first time in three months as output and new orders climbed. These are some of the signs of the rebounding Asian economies. However for Japan, the outlook for the Japanese economy has not improved significantly. While the central bank has adopted an aggressive monetary stance, deflation continues to pose a challenge. Exports, manufacturing, and consumption have decelerated, and the economy is likely to contract in the third quarter of 2012.
Anti-Japan riots, the torching of car showrooms, bloody attacks on hapless drivers of Japanese cars all has since eased since the row over disputed islands reached its peak last month. However the effect was lingering in Japan as it posed a question of future investments into China with total investments already reaching USD 85 billion with USD 6 billion last year alone. However retailers are still pushing forward with plans of expansion into China as they cannot afford to ignore the growing China market. This shows promise that even with tough diplomatic relations current plans into China will proceed but the same can’t be said for long term plans if diplomatic relations are not improved on.
Europe Review
On the other hand in Europe there is a downward trend – Germany’s manufacturing sector weakened further in October; Greece forecasts an even deeper recession and bigger debt load in 2013 and Eurozone unemployment hit a new record of 11.6 per cent. A positive vote on fresh package of spending cuts – Greece’s fourth in three years – includes a two-year increase in the retirement age from the current average of 65; salary and pension cuts and another round of tax increase is needed on both the austerity measures and the budget if Greece is required to secure Euro 31.5 billion in fresh loans from the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Without this money, which will be used largely to recapitalize the country’s banks, the country will be bankrupt by the middle of the month.
