Apple unveils iPhone grand plan

posted by Raghav Somani

The iPhone’s break-through touch screen means that Apple’s mobile handset is a virtual blank slate, and the ability to write mobile software free from the usual constraints is likely to have software geeks salivating.

“You’ve got the ultimate in flexibility in user interface,” says Van Baker, an analyst at Gartner.

“That, combined with a big, high resolution screen, makes it an intriguing platform in the mobile space.” John Doerr, a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, underscored the excitement around the iPhone’s potential to emerge as a powerful new software platform on Thursday.

Taking the stage at Apple’s headquarters immediately after Mr Jobs’s presentation, Mr Doerr announced a new $100m venture capital fund dedicated to backing companies that are building software for use on the iPhone. Mr Doerr said Apple’s software plans could lead the iPhone to emerge as the “third great platform” for software makers after the personal computer and the worldwide web.

“In your pocket, you have something that’s broadband and connected all the time. It knows who you are and where you are. That’s a big deal. It’s bigger than the personal computer,” he told the cheering crowd.

Retail King of the Subcontinent

The Story of Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the year.

Posted by Raghav Somani

Pantaloon’s Kishore Biyani has become India’s largest retailer, and has recently been names the Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the year.

In India’s chaotic markets, Kishore Biyani is the unchallenged king of retail. He has the knack of catching rivals off-guard and striking where it hurts most.

And now that he’s set himself the task of retaining control of the largest retail space in the country, he won’t let anyone – suppliers or international promoters included – catch him slacking.

The latest to face the wrath of the 43-year-old is South African hypermarket Shoprite, which opened shop in Mumbai last month through a franchise agreement with local company Nirmal Lifestyle.

The hypermarket began retailing products from big boys Nestle, Unilever and Procter & Gamble at consumer discounts of 20-30 per cent, lower than even Biyani’s purchase prices in his Big Bazaar and Food Bazaar stores.

Instead of chewing his nails, Biyani turned confrontationist, asking why the multinationals were offering Shoprite better prices, even withdrawing Nestle products from his stores when the company did not respond.

Two days later the Nestle products were back, but not before the company had clarified its stance. Says Biyani, “Shoprite is involved in predatory pricing. There are rules against this in every part of the world.”

But as a result of his tough stance, the three MNCs have asked Shoprite to roll back the offers or face withdrawal of supplies, he says.