New Blackberry Phone, Code name London

The device is rumored to be the first phone than would be running on the new Blackberry QNX operating system. It is expected that the new device may launch late next year. The new Blackberry is rumored to have the following specs:

1.5 GHZ dual core processor
1 GB of RAM
16 GB onboard storage
8 megapixel rear camera
2 megapixel front camera

It looks like Blackberry has finally gotten on board the band wagon and redesigned its original design. I believe RIMM is finally getting the picture and heading in the right direction. The question is, are the new QNX devices enough to turn the company around.

Source: The Verge

Groupon Fastest Growing Company In History

Groupon already has been called the fastest growing company in history.

In Groupon’s second full year of business, 2010, it pulled down $713.4 million in revenue, according to its IPO filing. The revenue a year earlier was $30.47 million. That’s a growth rate of 2,241%. Yes, you read correctly.

(Groupon’s “revenue” is the amount of money a consumers pays for a Groupon offering. Gross profit, or the money Groupon actually retains after sharing revenue with its merchants, was $280 million last year and $10.9 million the year before. That an even faster rate of 2,462%.)

Here is a look at how other hot tech companies, including Google and Amazon.com, grew in their earliest years. Groupon puts them to shame.

Google, 2004 IPO

2000 revenue (first full year): $19.1 million

2001 revenue (second full year): $86.4 million

Growth rate: 352%

Amazon.com, 1997 IPO

1996 revenue (first full year): $15.7 million

1997 revenue (second full year): $147.8 million

Growth rate: 838%

Salesforce.com, 2004 IPO

2002 revenue (first full year): $22.4 million

2003 revenue (second full year): $50.99 million

Growth rate: 128%

(Note: for years ended Jan. 31, 2002, and Jan. 31, 2003)

eBay, 1998 IPO

1997 revenue (first full year): $5.7 million

1998 revenue (second full year): $47.35 million

Growth rate: 724%

iPad 3 Launch

Now that the iPhone 4S was launched consumers are now waiting for the new iPad 3 to be released. We can assume that the iPad 3 will launch in spring 2012. Asian sources estimate that the launch could happen during March next year at the earliest. I expect the launch to happen closer towards the middle of next year.

One of the challenges in determining the launch date is Apple's dominance in the tablet market. Many companies launch a new product to compete a competitor. There are no tablets that are currently able to compete with the iPad 2. Apple's recent earning show that iPad 2 sales have increased  146% to $2.8 billion compared to the same period in the previous year. Apple sold 11.1 million iPads which marks a 166% increase over the previous year.

The lack of competition may push Apple to delay the lauch to later in the year to allow the company to further maximize iPad 2 sales.

The iPad 3 is expected to have the following:

Retina Display: People were expecting a retina display with the iPad 2; but the iPad disappointed them with the same display of the previous iPad. Now followers are waiting for an iPad 3 with a retina display. There is a rumor that the iPad 3 may offer a resolution of 2048×1536 pixels.

SD Card Slot: People are expecting a revolution in Apple iPad 3 with an SD card slot. Hopefully Apple may introduce SD card slot with the third generation iPad.

Improved HDMI: Yes iPad 2 also supports HDMI playback but you need to have Apple digital AV adapter, and that comes at an additional cost of $39. So it is much expected from iPad 3 to have an HDMI port that eliminates additional requirement of the HDMI cable.

Camera Flash: A camera with flash is a much-waited feature of the iPad; people were expecting iPad 2 to have camera flash; now we would be wondering if iPad 3 will have camera with flash.

Thunderbolt: The iPad 3 may have a Thunderbolt port. That will offer power, video and data connectivity using the same connector at lightning speed.

Wireless Synchronize: People are expecting iPad 3 to offer wireless sync of content rather than the traditional wired connectivity.

The Nasdaq (QQQ) Continues To Follow Through

The Nasdaq (QQQ) continued to follow through the last two days holding the pivot point we have been watching. We need the market to create a new high which I marked with a yellow line in the chart. We need a new high to ensure that the current bullish trend is still intact. If the market were to fail to create a new high then it would be at risk for a possible sell-off.

Nasdaq (QQQ) still Bullish

The market bulls felt some pressure over the last few days after experiencing a hard selloff . I turned bullish on the nasdaq when it broke above the high the of trading range. It is not uncommon for the market to pullback after breaking above a tough resistance point. You have to remeber to follow the signs the market gives us. The last pivot point held after a retest and so far looks like it is heading higher. I marked this retest with a yellow arrow. I will not turn bearish on the market until the $50 support level is broken. If the lows break after this much of a move I would expect a large move down. I would then look to short the market heavily at that point. I will remain bullish and follow the market trend until I see signs of change.

Close Avon (AVP) Position

I'm closing the AVP position even though it hasn't stopped us out or hit our target. This taking way to long to move. Avon should have popped much faster if it wanted to rally. We are better off looking for another play. Avon is pretty much near our entry price so it's a break even trade.

Book Some KONA profits

We hit $7, book some profits, we got a 40% move in one day. Nice ride from $5.20 I have a big target of $7.50-$8 which is a retest of the pivot. I expected to get this move over several weeks and we got it in a day.