On the iOS and Apple

I just noticed that iOS 5 from Apple has been announced for this summer. And let me tell you, its presentation video on YouTube is absolutely amazing! But...

A few days ago, I come across some software that was only being developed for Android - that doesn't seem ok, right?, after all, Apple is the biggest brand in the smartphone market, integrating both hardware and software. But does it matter that much? This software developer stated that as he had limited resources, he had to focus on the biggest platform - and that platform is Android.

Actually, Android is, nowadays, the biggest smartphone software platform in the world, clearly leading the market in front of Apple, RIMM, Nokia and Microsoft systems.

Everytime I think of this, it reminds me something. Is it possible that by not opening / selling their software platform to other hardware developers, Apple will eventually lose this market in the medium term, being cornered to a niche position? Oh, yes - iOS is probably a better operating system than Lynux based Android... but does it matter that much, if an Android is able to do 98% of everything an iOS does, but at a cheaper cost and with a much wider hardware base? And what does this all reminds me? Isn't this all a replay of the PC operative systems wars we watched in the beginning of the 80's? Is it possible that Apple will be confined to the high-end users niche, and will see the bulk of the market going to Google, as it did in the PCs for Microsoft?

Let's wait and see...

Protests in Spain are on the rise

I said I few months ago, and I will say it again. A 40% youth unemployment rate is unbearable and will cause serious social unrest. Spain (and many more Southern European countries) should look at what happened in Tunisia and Egypt and take serious lessons - not hiding on being a Western democracy.

The problems that are being brought up are serious and real (unemployment, political class corruption,...) and should be dealt in a responsible and constructive manner. If not, the situation will only get deeper and deeper, and progressively more out of control.

http://www.publico.pt/Mundo/protestos-em-valencia-causam-varios-feridos_1498256

It was not only 2010 that has been wasted

Banco de Portugal (Portugal's central bank) has published a report, stating that 2010 has been a lost year for the Portuguese economy, as the much needed macro-economical reforms were not done. Actually, let me just give my 2 cents on this - it was not only 2010 that has been wasted. It really have been the last 10 years (my personal opinion, since Sousa Franco - Mateus - Guterres Government). And iof Portugal couldn't afford to waste a single one of those years, now, this is even a more urgent, undeniable truth - Portugal is no condition to delay the necessary economical and structural reforms, not even by a single month. They should start now!

http://economia.publico.pt/noticia/2010-foi-um-ano-perdido-considera-o-banco-de-portugal_1497886

Portugal needs to be competitive

I strongly recommend reading this interview with the economist (and former minister) Augusto Mateus. A very good analysis of the Portuguese competitive situation and a few hints on what could be a plan to tackle this root problem.

http://economia.publico.pt/Noticia/augusto-mateus-onde-portugal-e-competitivo-e-na-maodeobra-qualificada_1497682

New cycle

Today's election results were the only possible ones. They were the only ones that would make sense economically and politically. Who doesn't govern in a responsible, clean, sustainable way (or we could just sum it up to "who doesn't govern well") must be kicked out. People must be responsible for their actions. Period!

But the story doesn't end here. A lot more than a new party (or parties) in power, this election should stand out as a new cycle. A cycle in which Portuguese citizens are more involved into politics and actively demand that politicians actually behave in a responsible, economicaly and socially oriented manner. And that demand should not be only every 4 years, but daily - through constant involvement, pressure. By demanding good, reliable and unpartial information. By paying more attention to what really matters - and not to football or social circus. By demanding to know the costs of every single measure and who will pay for it.

Democracy is an incredible system - it gives every nation the government they deserve. Portugal can only ask for a better Government if it deeply demands it. Let the responsibility cycle begin - let's make it happen!

http://www.publico.pt/Pol%C3%ADtica/psd-vence-com-386-por-cento-e-direita-consegue-maioria-absoluta_1497644

Pordata

Access to free, unbiased information is at the root of freedom of speech and choice, and can enhance the political, economic and social evolution of a country.

This sentence could sum up the Pordata project, developed by "Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos". It is a huge database of social, political and economic data, coming from several decades back and that actually provides a clear overview of the evolution of the Portuguese society and its comparison with the rest of Europe.

And, this incredible project, has just been distinguished as one of the best e-Science and Technology projects of 2010, at the World Summit Awards promoted by the UN. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

http://www.publico.pt/Tecnologia/base-de-dados-pordata-distinguida-pela-onu_1497068

Unemployment rate evolution

News are out today that Portugal's unemployment rate was 12.6% in April, reflecting the degradation of business and economical environment in the country, and actually keeping the trend started in 2009. Still, we shouldn't look at that as a tipping point - actually, many reports (including SIBS credit and debit card system) indicate that Consumption in Portugal has just started to slow down, implying the readjustment will still continue and deepen for the next few months / years. That will naturally reflect in the Employment (smoothed by any Exports positive evolution), that is actually expected to reach 14.4% (or 800.000 active persons actively seeking for a job) in the next year / year and a half. If to that figure we had the 200.000 unemployed that stopped searching for a job (thus out of the official stats), we reach the 1 Million figure, and a 18% actual unemployment rate. And that... that is scary!

A big question should be how will we fuel the Economy to create new jobs for these persons!

http://economia.publico.pt/Noticia/desemprego-atingiu-novo-maximo-historico-de-126-por-cento-em-abril_1496785