charlesn

Trump collected over one-quarter of a billion dollars in donations--$239 million to be exact--just for his inauguration. And here's some context:

Obama 1: $53 million
Obama 2: $43 million 
Trump 1:   $107 million
Biden:       $61 million
Trump 2:   $239 million

Notice a pattern? For his second inauguration, Trump raked in almost as much money as Obama 1&2, Trump 1 and Biden inaugurations put together! Hmmmm, let's see, any sign of corruption there? What would pay-to-play look like on an unprecedented gargantuan level? This is blatant, unapologetic corruption out in the open on an industrial scale. It's essentially a "For Sale" sign hanging in the Oval Office. And Elizabeth Warren is wondering aloud if "a line" was crossed?! How about today's news that the $trump meme coin shot up 70% for a time, and closed up 30%, based on news that big investors in it were getting invited to a private dinner with Trump. Any whiff of corruption there? Any suggestion that you could get private, personal access to the President for an evening if you invest a bunch of money in a meme coin that almost entirely benefits Trump? I mean, Christ, why even bother with these charades at this point and just set up a White House Venmo that goes directly to Trump's bank account?

Unfortunately for America, corruption is the least of our worries with this lunatic in charge. Between shredding the Constitution, tanking the economy and reducing our government to rubble, we have WAY bigger problems that demand our full attention and energy. 

Whim of the moment economic "policy" continues unabated. The world is not MAGA and doesn't believe Trump's con man threats, and the world has learned that Trump caves as soon as there's pushback. Late today, Trump began his inevitable fold to China, suggesting that China tariffs would be cut by 50%. It's a reward, I guess, for China offering... absolutely nothing. Art of the deal! Of course, halved China tariffs would still be an unprecedented 75%, so it's not like they're celebrating in Cupertino. Xi continues to have way more cards to play than Trump in this dumbest of all trade wars that Trump started--I can only hope Xi utterly humiliates Trump before making a deal. 

"51% of current users intend to upgrade in the next year." 

Oh, yeah, very typical iPhone upgrade cycle, half of all current iPhone users get a new one annually.

"40% are strongly interested in foldable or thin iPhones."

Definitely. And we know this because about 40% of Samsung and Google buyers are choosing their folding phones. We also know about the desire for thinner phones as proven by Apple canceling its thinnest iPhone, the SE 3, and replacing it with the thicker 16e. 

This, cough, "data" is about as laughable as it gets. You might even get the impression that Morgan Stanley had its finger--no, make that its hand--on the scale here, but I'm sure that couldn't possibly be the case! 

I would expect Apple to keep its late February/early March launch for the e phones. Coming at the midpoint of the cycle for the regular and Pro models, it brings renewed press and marketing attention to the whole iPhone line-up at a time when, up until now, the only iPhone chatter has been about what's coming in September. And with the 16e being an all-new model, you can bet right now that the 17e will be the same phone with a chip upgrade. 

My wife was just issued a 16e by her company as her work phone, and I have to think this phone has been a huge hit for enterprise. The phone is unexpectedly gorgeous in person--I think the best looking iPhone, hands down, and really premium feeling in-hand. The black model is stunning, the Darth Vader of phones, with a true black back (finally!) and sides to match the black screen when inactive. Honestly, if I didn't love the camera system in my Pro, this would be the iPhone I'd buy--slim, light, minimal camera bump. 

Not sure when this started, but I recently noticed that AI has come to Siri in CarPlay and so far, I have to say that I've been impressed! In the past, Siri in CarPlay couldn't answer most questions I asked beyond typical data like "What's the weather?" and similar. For other types of questions, the answer was always, "Sorry, I can't answer that while you're driving" which is an especially annoying reply in CarPlay! Now the answer to questions Siri doesn't know is, "Would you like me to check ChatGPT?" "Yes" brings a reasonably quick, detailed and accurate answer PLUS it's an answer to the question I asked! (Never a sure thing with Siri in the past.) Funny thing is, now that I know this is there as a resource, I use it more and more when on the road.