It's called "Sourcing," Bitch!
I've been seeing and engaged in several discussions on sourcing the past couple of weeks. Mostly about Apple, of course, but also about others, including Microsoft. Funny thing is most of these discussions focused on tech when the meat was the sourcing.
Having just finished watching Breaking Bad (http://breakingbad.wikia.com/wiki/Breaking_Bad_Wiki), I thought of a little analogy to explain the importance of sourcing. Walt's method of cooking meth is the tech. His formula and technique are what turn the raw chemicals into Blue Sky (http://breakingbad.wikia.com/wiki/Blue_Sky). Obtaining those chemicals is sourcing, or procurement, and not all of his components are so easy to source (http://breakingbad.wikia.com/wiki/Methylamine). Without the tech, people can still make the meth, just not as well as Walt or Jessie. But without the sourcing, even Walt is stuck (and desperate enough to rob a train (http://breakingbad.wikia.com/wiki/Dead_Freight)). Good tech is important, but it's nothing without good sourcing.
Applying this to a real discussion: when people discuss Apple using sapphire screens for the next iPhone, they focus on the tech used to make the screens, but they gloss over the sourcing required to make it happen. Yes, Apple allegedly is deploying impressive tech to make this happen, like ion cannons to cut the sapphire wafer-thin (http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/11/apple-fires-its-ion-cannons/). But they'd have nothing to cut if Apple did not source the aluminum ore necessary to synthesize sapphire. Apple's ability to obtain and lock up supply is a huge advantage, preventing rivals from matching many hardware features. While not as sexy as tech, sourcing is a major strength of Apple's and something their rivals need to work harder to counter. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Brain Hack
I've been at a bit of a loss in describing the nature of my brain surgery (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2014/06/like-i-need-hole-in-my-head.html). It is corrective in that it improves my blood flow, but it is also pre-emptive because it is meant to prevent a full stroke. But today, I was reminded of an often overused term that totally fits: brain hack (http://www.cracked.com/article_20166_5-brain-hacks-that-give-you-mind-blowing-powers.html).
Unlike those mind tricks and pharmaceutical boosts often referred to as brain hacks, my hack is legit. I'm running a bypass from a temporal artery to cerebral through a hole/exploit in my skull. It's not a cure; it's a workaround. It's an outside-the-box (the box being my skull) solution to an intractable problem. That's a hack. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Amazon Half-credit
Having seen Amazon's Fire Phone and their pitch for it, I have decided Amazon does not deserve that full credit for innovation, but rather a half-credit. Yes, they did show off something new, but most of the benefit is for Amazon, not their customers.
First, there's the Firefly feature which allows you to scan anything to find a match on Amazon. It's helpful if I'm trying to save a buck by buying from Amazon instead of from the place that has it for me to look at, but what about the million other online retailers? If I'm that price-conscious to be showrooming, then why would I choose to not comparison shop online where it's so easy to do.
Second is the free year of Amazon Prime, a $100 value. Great if you already use Prime, in which case you get one free year. For everyone else, it's a free hit of a product they hope you enjoy enough that you'll keep paying for it, like those "50 free hours" of Aol or that first hit of crystal meth.
Admittedly, I'm sure there is an audience of Amazon hardcores who will get a thrill from Firefly and the free (actually, prepaid) Amazon Prime, but these aren't features for everyone. I'd go so far as to say, Amazon is acting like a freemium service company - free for all to use but funded primarily by its paid customers, Amazon Prime being its paid service and Fire Phone being a premium feature. Not that there's anything wrong with the freemium business model. It's just that most companies are obvious about it. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Jacked up arms
When you go the hospital for brain surgery (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2014/06/like-i-need-hole-in-my-head.html), people warn you about headaches and that big scar on my cranium, but no one warned me how messed up my arms would look. I went under with one IV and woke up with three more inserts and a bunch of extra bandages. In fairness, I am a tough stick, but damn, I got stuck a lot. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Like I need a hole in my head
I keep talking about needing unnecessary things like I need a hole in my head. Well, I guess I'm getting those things because I'm getting a hole in my head. Right now, if you're reading this when it posts. The procedure is an extracranial-intracranial bypass (http://neurosurgery.ufl.edu/residency/about-us/clinical-specialties/extra-intra-cranial-bypass/) to connect a blood vessel from my scalp to my brain. If all goes well, I'll post a follow-up in a couple of days. Maybe. I might be jacked up for a bit, so maybe check my Twitter (https://twitter.com/SumocatS). [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
