Firefox, IE face a new challenger

I like the new tabs, crash control, instant bookmarks, and many other features. Firefox clearly has not innovated that much recently. For the time being, I will use both Chrome and Firefox until I can conclusively decide which one is the better browser for the long run.
www.newsoftwarepathways.com

Apple's admit-no-flaws strategy. Few people would argue that Apple has mastered the art of the high-profile product launch. But customer support after the launch is something else entirely, writes entrepreneur Christopher Herot.

Apple has recently suffered a rash of complaints from customers that the new iPhone 3G is more prone to dropping calls than other GSM phones, even on the same network. There have been various theories bandied about in the press. Richard Windsor of Nomura Securities blamed it on an "immature chipset" from Infineon Technologies. . . . Peter Burrows in BusinessWeek surmised Apple's software may be at fault.

True to its usual Soviet-style PR philosophy, Apple was stonewalling on the issue. This attitude may be causing strains in the relationship with AT&T, according to an account in [the] New York Times which reported that at the wireless operator there are "those who think Apple is too controlling with information and those who think Apple can do no wrong."

Perhaps the real clash is between the wireless industry, which no matter how good its technology must deal with the vagaries of [radio frequency] propagation (e.g. people walking into buildings) and a manufacturing company which prides itself on perfection. The wireless operators have figured out they can't make people happy 100 percent of the time and have learned, as a Verizon executive put it, to offer refunds "or maybe toss in a free ring tone and a couple months of free service." Apple's approach has been to preserve its image of perfection, even if it means denying the existence of problems long after they are visible to everyone. In a "PR 2.0" world where customers can band together and make themselves heard, how long can Apple hold onto its 1.0 ways?
herot.typepad.com

Acquisitions, in lieu of IPOs. Though the first half of 2008 saw not a single venture capital-backed start-up go public, Boston VC Jeffrey Bussgang says the continuing string of acquisitions offers at least some hope for investors and entrepreneurs.

To my surprise, there have been a good number of summer exits, providing some optimism during an otherwise grim economic picture as we head "back to school."

It appears that high-quality corporate buyers are still trolling for acquisitions and opening up their pocket books where start-ups with traction can be found. Here's my accounting of the situation (blend of public and private data):

This isn't to say that many VC-backed companies aren't affected by the economic environment - of course they are. As a VC mentor of mine once said, "When the NASDAQ is down 30 percent, I know I'm down 30 percent, I just don't know where!" That said, it was nice to see a few glimmers of light in the dark tunnel of 2008. Perhaps we'll see more of the same between now and year-end?
bostonvcblog.typepad.com

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