But it became quickly pretty clear that the main feature of the iPad will be its price. And this is very paradoxical coming from Apple. Remember the iPhone keynote ? Who would have care about the price ?

So what has changed in 2 years ?

We do expect more and more from those keynote. Apple and Steve Jobs were genius to keep all secret in the previous one, and it’s worked. During the iPhone’s keynote everybody was amazed. But now we expect not only something special, we expect something that will let us speechless. It clearly wasn’t the case last week. Expectations have grown and Apple should take it into account in its communication.

Price, Price, Price. I can not even imagine the people reactions if the iPad would have go on sales for a 1000$ as it was rumoured. The tablet does not embed what apple fans and late adopters seek. No iSight, No connectors, No Multitask. etc. etc. As a result Pricing became soon the main interest. Again expectations have grown.
But wait a minute…Is it that bad ? No of course no. The design is still fantastic, the screen seems to be very good and of communication seems also ok. So why to be so unfair about the Tablet ?

Simply because Apple isn’t the only one anymore to propose well designed phones or computers. Competition is harder and everywhere. Companies like Nokia are now delivering the Booklet 3G for 575 Euros. The Nexus One phone on sales for 500$. And I bet we will soon see more and more “Apple killer” products. Consumer now have some alternative to get a well designed and efficient product for a good price.

Despite all this, Apple still has its fans. The early fan and older. And I guess no other brand has been able to create such a fan community and has been able to keep it over the time. My best advice to Apple : Keep your fan happy ! Keep me happy !!!

1. My cigarettes consumption will be inversely proportional to the growth of interest rates.
2. The apple tablet will not be as a big hit as predicted. I don’t believe in the argument that “the tablet will be the same to netbooks as the iPhone was to mobiles”. In fact this is the first time in Apple history that they will have to create a market. Mp3 players were there before they introduced the iPod. Smart phones were there before they introduced the iPhone.
3. Bankers didn’t learned the lessons and any strong regulations haven’t been put in place. “New golden Financial products” will emerge.
4. Main investments from VC’s will concern companies involve in Geolocalisation and Aggregators.
5. Susan Boyle isn’t nominated for the Brit awards but she will participate to the ceremony, and maybe she will win something.

Well I told you that predictions are difficult !

For the one interested, it was in the Los Andes Golf club situated in Carretera Central Km. 23. The venue is actually pretty nice even though it’s only a 9 holes course. The driving range is ok and the putting green is actually in front of the club house (no surprise).

The course itself is pretty narrow with most of the green protected by either Trees, Bunker or Water. It makes it more difficult and enjoyable. Par 3 holes are pretty long with one just under the 200 yards.  The greens are much faster than in Europe, due to weather condition as well as the grass in use. I spend a really great day out there, and lots of memories of Golf in London came up. This course is a good value for money given the possibility to golf in Peru. Expect to spend +/- 400 Soles (130$) all inclusive i.e. Green Fee, Caddy, Renting a set of clubs, Driving range, and obviously the drinks after the games !

So what I learned in 2009 :

1. Not having to wear socks all year is very enjoyable, as much as getting tanned in December..and spending new year eve in the beach
2. The Peruvian food is so rich that it get you fatter unless you exercise well, which is one of my 2010 plan
3. I can leave without phone for 6 months. But when I came back to use a Blackberry with a proper 3G connection I just love it again.
4. It’s weird, sometimes revolting to live in a country where there’s no middle class
5. Corruption and lack of education are the main ingredient of 3rd world countries
6. 3rd world country or emerging country are full of opportunities
7. But you cannot go into it until you fully understand the way it’s work , the culture etc..
8. SEO is very very boring but necessary.
9. I really can’t live without  Internet but I can survive with a tiny 1Mb connection speed. Well I try
10. although it’s hard to work 15 000km from your main market.

I wish you all a very happy new year. Look after yourself and be happy !!

We try to see as much as we could during the five days, and we walk through Manhattan like crazy. Next visit will be spend to visit Brooklyn and the Queens, as for sure there will be another visits !

What else to say appart that the New Yorker are very friendly and welcoming (even a bit better than the brits, sorry my friends ;-)

I’m not a trip advisor, but really NYC is a must see, at least once in its life. I will post a bit later some pics of this city break.

Fortunately it didn’t started like this guy and I’m happy now to never been in ski. What a dangerous hobby.

But let’s face reality. I had a lunch couple of days ago with some friends working in the square mile. One question I asked was “what will best describe the situation now ?” and we all came with the same answer : “we’re all at risk”. Last numbers here shows that people working in the financial area drops down from 350K to less than 270K in few months.

Meanwhile I continue to think that this turmoil is a fantastic opportunity. Difficult time helps some to engage themself on project they’ve been thinking on for  a while. It’s true that competition on jobs are sky high out there. But bottom line, it’s very good.

It will helps us to push a bit harder, a much harder I must say.

But first I should  “apologise” to all of you dear English readers…so please forgive any mispelling or/and conjugation error in the next coming posts. In a day where some people have recently swore-in front of 2 millions people, I solemnly undertake to do my best to write as correctly as I can.. dear English reader(s..?).

Now the good news is that my French blog still there, yes it iz..and it’s never to late to start learning French. if you would like…my dear English reader(s…?)