8:45 AM
Apple already lost the rights to "iPhone" in Brazil, but their loss of the iPhone brand in Mexico may cost them a LOT more. A small IT company in Mexico registered "iFone" in 2003 (4 years before the iPhone existed) and Apple was rejected when they tried to register iPhone in Mexico in 2009...but Apple sued and was able to sell the iPhone in Mexico. But now the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in favor of iFone, so iFone can pursue damages from Apple and the 3 Mexican carriers that have sold the iPhone in Mexico. iFone could get at least *40%* of iPhone sales in Mexico over these past years...a nice payday for a little company!
http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-apple-iphone-mexico-ifone-20130315,0,4802470.story
Smartphones are choosing smartphones over learning to drive--before, driving was the only way to socialize with friends but now they can easily contact others. 30 years ago, about half of 16-year-olds had a driver's license, but in 2010 only 28% did. The number of 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds that could drive in 2010 also dropped by about 25% since 30 years ago.
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-autos-teen-driver-20130316-1,0,1801758,full.story
Carnival had a profitable quarter, but their stock is down because they reported that their problems have led to a reduction in advance cruise bookings. It is *not* a surprise that less people are reserving cruises with Carnival now--in addition to the prominent failure last month (4,200 passengers stranded in the Gulf of Mexico that had to be towed back to shore), Carnival has had *3* cruise ships break down this week:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-carnival-woes-20130315,0,4512758.story
http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-apple-iphone-mexico-ifone-20130315,0,4802470.story
Smartphones are choosing smartphones over learning to drive--before, driving was the only way to socialize with friends but now they can easily contact others. 30 years ago, about half of 16-year-olds had a driver's license, but in 2010 only 28% did. The number of 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds that could drive in 2010 also dropped by about 25% since 30 years ago.
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-autos-teen-driver-20130316-1,0,1801758,full.story
Carnival had a profitable quarter, but their stock is down because they reported that their problems have led to a reduction in advance cruise bookings. It is *not* a surprise that less people are reserving cruises with Carnival now--in addition to the prominent failure last month (4,200 passengers stranded in the Gulf of Mexico that had to be towed back to shore), Carnival has had *3* cruise ships break down this week:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-carnival-woes-20130315,0,4512758.story