Samsung's Problem Is Not Android's or Google's Problems

Source:  Forbes.

Samsung is not doing well.  It has not done well since the Galaxy S5.  But to put things in perspective, most mobile companies other than Apple would love to be in Samsung's position.  Who would not want to make billions a quarter instead of losses or simply breaking even?  Still, it is what it is and Samsung's flagship devices are not doing it for the Korean tech giant. 

On the high-end it's being hit hard by Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and getting creamed by Chinese brands and other similiarly featured and priced Android devices on the mid to low end segment of the mobile market. 

Some would go as far as to say that this on the whole is an Android issue.  I respectfully disagree.  Android is doing just fine if you're on Google's pure OS - Nexus continues to lead the way, if not in sales, in demonstrating just what Android is truly meant.  Sure, it's fully featured with Google apps but that is what Android is.  For others who use Android and add their own apps like Samsung, they simply are not adding anything that the rest of the market isn't doing.

Sure, there is Samsung's own mobile wallet but it is not doing or offering anything that is not already available with Google Wallet. And between the two wallets, which will you be more likely to use?  The native Google option or the one Samsung bought to compete with Apple Pay that Samsung did not develop or think through thoroughly to differentiate. 

Samsung and other Android device maekers' problem is the "me, too" syndrome.  And this is the perfect time for Google to go hard with the Nexus brand just as it is launching its own wireless service here in the United States.  It proves that innovation is alive and well on the Android ecosystem, provided that you're in the Nexus ecosystem. 

WTO Reject Origins In Meat Products

Source:  Market Watch.

It's strange that the WTO rejected US requirements that meat packaging include information on origin of the meat, where the livestocks are born, raised, and slaughtered.  In response, Congress is working to remove such requirement.

Canandian and Mexican meat producers had contended that this US labeling requirement discriminates against their livestocks.  And American ranchers are in support of it.

How about the consumers?  It's likely consumers in the US would love to be as informed as possible.  Perhaps, meat companies that are willing to go through with the rejected labeling standards should be able to command a premium since consumers would know where the meat comes from.

Those who applaud peeling back this requirement in the US obviously includes the North American Meat Institute while consumer-advocacy groups saw the WTO ruling as another example of multinational companies working to weaken US regulations meant to protect consumers.

Regardless of which sides you fall under, this is perhaps an opportunity for a meat processing/packing company to continue with the current labeling requirement to charge a bit more for their product and pad their margins.