For once, the instant critical analysis of an Apple product announcement was muted, not ecstatic. The new iPhone was faster than its predecessor, and included a better camera. You could get it with double the storage. But the case design hadn’t changed a bit, and most of the changes involved subtle refinements. People expected something eye-poppingly new; Apple delivered a phone that didn’t tamper too much with a proven success.

The iPhone in question? Nope, not the iPhone 4S that Apple unveiled in Cupertino last week. I’m thinking of the iPhone 3GS, which the company announced back in June of 2009. Much of the punditoracy declared it to be a disappointment. (Here’s one example.

Read more…

Current gold prices are too high to sustain, and high prices will also hamper investment abroad, an executive of Chinas largest gold producer by output, Zijin Mining Group Co. , said Sunday.

The gold prices currently are unreasonable, Lan Fusheng, vice chairman of Zijin Mining, said in an interview with Dow Jones Newswires.

Prices have been boosted not only by peoples needs to hedge risks, but also by speculations, he said, adding that he thinks it would be sustainable for gold prices to stay at $1,200-$1,300 per ounce in the next few years.

Gold prices closed at $1,765 per ounce Friday, up about 34% from the lowest level of $1,318 in January.

Read more…

Try and pay the down payment from your own money, savings or by liquidating some assets. Opting for a personal loan can be a costly affair, as interest rates are very high. If you dont have enough savings or assets to pay up the money, then its wise to wait and build assets and savings that can come handy for the downpayment, when the time is right.

Down payment generally amounts to 10-20% of the total cost of the home, as banks generally fund only about 80- 85% of the loan amount. This is to make sure the buyer has some stake in maintaining the property.

Read more…

Joy Global Inc., which generated the biggest shareholder returns of any industrial company in America over the past three years, would now be worth about 50 percent more as a takeover target for Komatsu Ltd. or Volvo AB.

Joy Global, subject of renewed takeover speculation in the past month, more than quadrupled in value since 2008 and closed at $79.27 Wednesday. With Caterpillar Inc., the world’s largest maker of construction and mining equipment, buying Joy Global’s biggest competitor in July, the Milwaukee-based company may command a record $120 a share in an acquisition, Northcoast Research Holdings LLC and William Blair & Co.

Read more…

Probably much like dads worldwide, my dad would yell at us kids to turn off the lights or TV once we left a room. Given how much energy waste is rampant in corporate America, it appears he would have a full-time job in corporate America with all the devices left on.

Many leaders react with a yawn when I suggest that a simple yet effective energy saving technique is to dial down or turn off equipment.

Read more…

The blockbuster drug Avastin should no longer be used in advanced breast cancer patients because there’s no proof that it extends their lives and it presents dangerous side effects, the government said today.

The ruling by the Food and Drug Administration was long expected, but it was certain to disappoint women who say they’ve run out of other options as their breast cancer spread through their bodies. Impassioned patients had lobbied furiously to preserve Avastin as a last shot.

“This was a difficult decision,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg.

Read more…

Rome (CNN) — Italy’s new Prime Minister Mario Monti won a key vote of confidence in his new government Friday in Italy’s lower house of Parliament, as he seeks to lead the country out of financial crisis.

The lower house voted overwhelmingly in support of his fledgling government Friday, with 556 votes in favor to 61 against, a day after the Senate also voted 281 to 25 in favor.

Monti, who took office Wednesday, presented his proposals for the new technocratic government Thursday.

He said the main points of his program are balancing the budget, promoting growth, and cutting down on social disparities.

He also said overhauling Italy’s pension system, fighting tax evasion and cracking down on organized crime will be key steps.

The new prime minister, who replaces the flamboyant Silvio Berlusconi, has said he will also serve as finance minister until he nominates someone else for the post.

What’s next for Italy’s new government? Creating a new Italian government Italy’s post-Berlusconi challenges Big test for Italy’s leadership

Fears that Italy, the fourth largest economy in Europe, may not be able to manage its enormous debt have spooked global markets in recent weeks and sent the cost of government borrowing soaring.

Winning the confidence vote demonstrates that Monti’s government has the support of parliament to carry out its program.

Speaking to lawmakers ahead of the vote Friday, Monti said his government’s intention was to stay in power only until the next elections, due in 2013, and that would only happen with Parliament’s support.

“We will last as long as we have your vote of confidence,” he said.

Read more…