Jan Cifra - Latest Comments

Re: HTC and the Android dilemma

Jan Cifra — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:27:47 -0000

See the problem with the incumbents is that they are still fighting handset vs handset as they did in the past with feature phones or non-smartphones. In those times you could differentiate by design of the hardware and general handset features. But today you can't really differentiate just by that. Today the mobile space is a battle of ecosystems. The value will be captured by the ecosystem or value network owner. That is why most of the success of Android will be captured by Google and not by HTC, Motorola or Samsung. That is why Amazon can afford to sell the Kindle Fire with a loss - the value of the Kindle Fire is captured through the sale of goods throughout Amazons ecosystem. Apple captures the value of its ecosystem by pricing them into the hardware. And even Apple realizes it has to step up its ecosystem game - iCloud is a clear move towards that goal. So if I were HTC I would ask myself - can I be happy with a low margin business of just building the hardware for Google and Microsoft or do I want my own ecosystem? They are doing HTC Sense - the brand is strong so I presume they could take android and build their own ecosystem like Amazon is doing. You can already see that the vanilla Android ecosystem will be dominated by Google's Motorola and maybe Samsung, even if Samsung is already building its own ecosystem in Bada.

Re: HTC and the Android dilemma

Jo347 — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:01:22 -0000

Okay do the Apple part for the mobile phones. On the other hand Apple can develop new features much easier than anybody else because of its wide spectrum of products and related know-how. Lower costs for differentiation clearly makes Apple hard to be beaten. The real hard question would be how the HTC can get out of it with the resources it has at the moment?

Re: Libya

Jan Cifra — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:32:33 -0000

I think that any country with a dictator on top is not stable in the long run - as witnessed by the examples in North Africa and the Middle East. But that is not the point of this post.

Re: Libya

Lala — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 03:56:35 -0000

Who said that Libya wasn't a stable country under Gaddafi?

Re: iOS5

Jan Cifra — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:18:31 -0000

I have to persuade the Cosmic Girl to take my 4 and I'd buy a 4S. If you're still in NYC - by a 4S.

Re: iOS5

Sajfa — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:17:00 -0000

Nice John, myslim, ze na Vianoce idem do toho 4S.

Re: Heroes…

Jan Cifra — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:57:48 -0000

Words to live by, aren't day. Sad day.

Re: Heroes…

Peter Cifra — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 05:26:50 -0000

Your time is limited so don't waist it living someone else's life,
don't be trapped by dogma which is living with the results of other peoples
thinking, don't let the noise of others opinion drown out your own inner voice.
Most important have
the courage to follow your heart and intuition they somehow already know what
you truly want to become, everything else is secondary. -Steve Jobs

You've got to find what you love, your work is
going to fill a huge part of your life and the only way to be satisfied is to
do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love
what you do. If you have not found it yet keep looking and don't settle. As to
matters of the heart you will know when you find it. -Steve Jobs

Re: Is Apple calling Samsung’s bluff?

Jan Cifra — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:49:39 -0000

It is not about generic DRAM. I think both Toshiba and Elpida in Japan produce memory - Nand and Mobile Ram. I agree that nobody can supply the amounts that Samsung can but that is the point. Samsung hoped and maybe still hopes that Apple will be unable to diversify its purchasing away from Samsung. I am saying Apple is calling that and let us see whether it was a bluff or not.

Re: Is Apple calling Samsung’s bluff?

Me — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:44:04 -0000

Mate, Japan only have specialty memories in hand. General ones are made in Taiwan/Korea/China. So whether the Apple like it or not it must buys memory from Samsung. Because there are no-one else to buy from. You should know that, you have been working for one the DRAM supplier anyway.

Re: Windows 8

Jan Cifra — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:30:36 -0000

That is what they all say. I'll believe it when I see it... How is the battery life if you use flash? Do you regularly watch flash video on the phone?

Re: Windows 8

Jakub Hanzel — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:28:54 -0000

SGS2 no probs with flash.

Re: HP, Palm and WebOS

Dellserv — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 15:34:09 -0000

hp has a long run in wasting shareholders money...

Re: Google and Motorola

Jan Cifra — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:17:07 -0000

Well I think that it will make the other OEMs more willing to listen to what Microsoft has to say. The thing is the Androids price tag just increased by 12,5 billion. That is a lot of money.

Re: Google and Motorola

Stephen Gugu — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:57:15 -0000

Interesting analysis Jan, i however disagree with the view that HTC, LG, Samsung will find Microsoft more welcoming. Microsoft has a pseudo marriage with Nokia and as things stand the Android systems looks like a better option than the Windows software... the number of the applications out there, the support given by Google to mention a few reasons. Maybe in time windows will become more attractive.

I agree that this will definitely complicate the relationship with other OEM producers but from Google's point of view they could keep watching Apple make some good returns out of offering the full service pack, phones, tablets and phone software, or join the fray and see how it goes.

The jury is still out there but this will surely spice things more!

Re: Google+

Guest — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 08:07:39 -0000

hm, i cannot see the apple inspiration, but on the other hand i don't use apple products ;) What i see is a facebook like page.

Re: How Google got what they wanted, or why I wouldn’t write Nokia off just yet

Stephen Gugu — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:46:39 -0000

Interesting views Jan, i am with you on this one. I belive Nokia is not quite out yet, i liked the window 8 play, it was the only play as you put it and it took guts. Am just wary that the market is moving so fast and there is still no response from Nokia... They better have the new 'iPhone' when they launch otherwise it may just spell disaster for them.
Lets keep watching the space.

Re: How Google got what they wanted, or why I wouldn’t write Nokia off just yet

Jan Cifra — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 04:42:20 -0000

Yes Windows Phone 7 and Windows 8 don't share their code base the way iOS and Mac OS X do. I don't think think it is necessarily bad but what I do think is not a good idea is the fact that Microsoft wants to use the same OS for both tablet and pc form factors. I know that the UI is different but MS should really consider dumping the registry model and come up with something more efficient and new.

Re: How Google got what they wanted, or why I wouldn’t write Nokia off just yet

Prateek Jain — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:48:12 -0000

Well i am not sure about the DNA of Microsoft because Windows Phone 7 was actually built from scratch. About Windows 8, MS is backing on their Metro UI which i think is really great but yes old core might be a problem, But it could be an advantage as well because it supports all the native windows applications and can act as an competitive advantage.

Also, correct me if i am wrong, Windows Phone 7 & 7.1(Mango) are different from Windows 8(this will run on desktop, slates, notebooks and netbooks). Nokia had the deal for Windows phone and not the actual windows and according to the deal nokia will not be the exclusive partner but it will be the only company which is allowed to differentiate its phone by adding its own components to windows Phone 7.

But i agree that the super positive reviews of windows 8 will surely boost Windows Phone 7 sales and will improve the perception of consumer towards MS and its mobile OS.

Re: How Google got what they wanted, or why I wouldn’t write Nokia off just yet

Jan Cifra — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:14:45 -0000

Indeed Mircosoft does have something interesting on their hands. I am still not sure whether the model - new interface on old core will work. It seems to me that it is time to start from scratch for MS but I guess it is not in their DNA.

I think the iPad2 is a fantastic device that still has limitations. Some of them will be addressed on Monday at WWDC but some will remain. Question is whether Nokia will be agile to move into this space fast enough and with a killer product. Definitely a space to watch.

Re: How Google got what they wanted, or why I wouldn’t write Nokia off just yet

Asparuh — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:01:50 -0000

Interesting point, the current reviews of Windows 8 are very positive, that could be an opening for Nokia, IF they indeed have the contractual advantage over other phone makers with Windows -- WHICH I am not 100% sure is the case - but maybe you have some data to back it up.

What Nokia needs to do IMO is build a really good tablet, the iPad2 sucks, and people are buying it just because there is nothing better out there. Android tablets suck even more. Meanwhile, Windows 8 is being positioned as the hybrid tablet / laptop OS, and IF Nokia is able to make a tablet on which you can do real work, rather than just browse the net, they may be on their way to a second youth.

Re: “Real Work”

Jan Cifra — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:30:45 -0000

You should start your own business by the looks of it - and hire me.

Seriously job scoping or shaping is not yet possible in most companies and I feel too special to fit in a box. Pun intended.

Re: “Real Work”

Lenka Jilek — Thu, 12 May 2011 14:33:02 -0000

great post! I often think about this and adjust my own demands. this would be my current list:
great team - hardworking, passionate people who are willing to cooperate
flexible working hours; preferably completely on my own terms
lots of room for creativity
the product / service is something useful
freedom to use my own methods (especially when leading a team), trust from the management
no useless reports or paperwork
honest, fair communication - within the team and towards the customers!
and no dress code:-)
and this one might sound silly, but after I've experienced it, I won't take anything less: a playful, relaxed atmosphere. work does not have to be stressful!
although, all of these things are easily replaceable by great money - for a while. sometimes you need to make a compromise if you want to support yourself:-)

Re: My profile by Michael

Jan Cifra — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:42:35 -0000

Thx for doing the profiles. There is a lot one can learn from them about our classmates. Especially because we did not have the time spend time with everyone.

Re: My profile by Michael

Michael Finelli — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:30:36 -0000

I'm honored and humbled! Thanks for the compliments, for actually reading my blog, and for filling out the profiling!