I mean, with the plethora of set-top boxes like AppleTV, Roku, FireTV, ChromeCast, why would anyone in their right mind buy an all-in-one, especially from a known UI offender like Samsung (TouchWiz?).

Samsung should focus on making a TV with sound that doesn't suck (i.e., integrated wireless speakers that auto-calibrate) or maybe focus on style and setup for differentiation.

Whatever... they are a low-price disruptor and they essentially kicked Panasonic and Pioneer out of the market so they could foist this "app crap" on us. Whoever buys a Samsung "smart" TV deserves one I guess.

The only difference is that with Apple, it is simple and it works. If you doubt that, then look at how long a lead Google had with Wallet and how as soon as Apple Pay appeared, it's dominated the usage of contactless terminals.

Sure, Apple pushed it - but if it was a total pain, people wouldn't do it. There's always the fallback of actually using your card.

You don't think the same issues happen with cards vs. cash? Yeah, I go through stores already today just putting stuff in the cart, swiping at the checkout, collecting the receipt and never even looking at the bill until well after the fact (and sometimes never even then).

I manage my budget after the fact - hey that spongecake we bought was completely uneaten - never buy again. That TJs cold-brewed coffee habit is expensive but more cost-effective than buying beans and cleaning out the coffee machine... etc, etc.

Fact is, cards have already altered our spending habits and contactless does very little to modify that - it's just a nice shinier petina over the same rubric.

Amusingly the original Samsung Galaxy 7 released in 2011 (?) did require a phone subscription for their european offering. I kept thinking to myself, now that's a big phone!

Though manufacturers figured out the above - tablets will consistently be data-only devices, so they can sell you another unit just for voice.

Huh - 2 years of profit loss eh?
http://money.cnn.com/2013/10/2...

I'm no friend of MS, but you really need to work on your facts. The rest of your comment I can agree with.

Electrics and hybrids simply require less service. They die less often, they require less parts and can last longer between servicing. All this means the supply and service chain for automotive industry will take a big hit, and the non-replacement problem will impact the auto manufacturers to lose sales as well.

Solution (from their point of view): Remove one of the biggest selling points of electric motors: zero noise. Force the limitations (i.e., noisy) of gas-only cars onto the nascent electric industry. Create a hubbub about it and make it an issue even if the opposite may be true (people generally like quieter cars).

The Auto industry isn't going to go quietly like the HDD industry did when SSDs appeared (like SSDs, electric-motor vehicles are quieter, faster and have lower failure rates) - they plan on fighting tooth and nail to keep their profits up even if it takes buying legislation.

Sorry for your experience.. could you share your jurisdiction so I can avoid living there?...

I have no idea why Uber would be so blatant/stupid - any legal advice or even common sense would have told them that this kind of behavior gets a lot of attention very fast - and not the good, loving kind of attention either.

Unless they are really trying to get governments to make it hard for smaller "ridesharing" companies to compete. Burning the bridge after you cross? Does that make any sense?

Not only that, but a gas station is future super-fund site waiting to happen. Why do you think gas companies don't own stations anymore? The EPA would put them out of business actually cleaning up their messes.

While I'm not sure why GM can't sell many of their Volts I think that'll change once their newer model can seat 5 and has higher EV range and total range. It seems like Prius++ - not sure why folks aren't buying it.

So essentially pulled out of your ass. Teachers aren't allowed to talk about funding figures with parents or students, you know... so how do you get any of your 3x figures?

I understand what you're saying but where is your citation? Does this apply across all states? I find it hard to believe.

You gotta tell me - what do you mean by 3x funding?

The really good teachers know how to *use* such a valuable resource - let the student lead or advise. Engage the knowledgeable student by growing their ability to lead and teach. Just because it's math doesn't mean that's all that there to be learned.

See, I keep thinking of Mickey's good 'ol dog when I hear Plutocracy - I mean, who wouldn't like a world ruled by a cute, happy go lucky dog?