Your point about “craps” was also a lot of fun. I have a few craps in the android store myself and can’t understand why a mobile web app usually doesn’t make more sense.

I’ve asked them, no reply so far. It’s a rent-seeker’s monopoly, so all they have to do is make the software contingent upon paid-up dues or whatever. I’m sure they would love to be out of the hardware business.

I’ve been yelling for a cellphone radio in an iPad mini for a year. The LTE versions already talk to the cell towers. How hard would this be? The carriers could subsidize the purchase with the voice plan. For that matter, why not put a cellphone and LTE functionality in the whole laptop range?

It also seems to me that iPads have a longer useful life than cell phones. Our iPad 2 is fully functional and sells houses daily. The current iPhone at the time was either the 3GS or the 4. Apple killed the category, but the tablets’ longevity may be contributing to their woes at the moment.

If the Galaxy S4 has an IR beam, that means we could open Supra boxes without buying a dongle, right? I won’t hold by breath. I can’t imagine the MLS oligarchs giving up their dongles without a fight.

Overall the direction we are going is exciting and I am looking forward to the next generation from both Samsung and Apple. Should be some good things coming.

With a headset, the ungainliness of a tablet is less of a problem. The Galaxy Note II hits that niche pretty pretty squarely.

> Apple needs to build one and market it to professionals who don’t want to carry as many devices with them.

Yup. It may be interesting for you, if you switch back to iPhone, to get used to the iOS workflow. Android’s style of daisy-chaining applications is a nice solution to the multi-tasking problem. You’ll miss it when you go back.

I have an S3 and I love it. The S4 appears to have a few more features but I am not certain that I would find use for them.

If I had to replace my phone right now I would want an iPad mini with a top end bluetooth earpiece. Too bad as you stated the lack of this product is an unforced error on the part of Apple. I truly think there is a market for a tablet with phone functions built in. Apple needs to build one and market it to professionals who don’t want to carry as many devices with them.

http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=15603

The S4 doesn’t do much of my stuff, but at least it’s doing some of it. For example, you can make your face the password to unlock the phone.

The more banks make on fees and less on actual interest, the more we have to worry about. When banks are more concerned with the investment banking fees they make on packaging loans or the tens of other fees they make on bundling and selling mortgages, than they are on whether the homeowner and home are appropriate for the loan, you have a systematic issue.

Even the rating agencies are paid by the very same people that they rate. If there are two regulators and you can pick and pay, do you pick the one that is going to tell you the truth or the one that tells you what you want to hear?

While Greg always puts these things so eloquently, I would look at it another way. When everyone is incentivized to fleece the store, why are we surprise when the store is empty? Or a better question, why do you put your goods in the store?

Europe is really struggling at the moment though (look at Cyprus) – they may be in it for the long haul….

FWIW, I represent the lesser fools in all of this. They’re doing very well, and I’m doing as well as I want to be.

We need to hear from you, Sir. I always like your take on things