Asset Software

Asset Allocation Software:
Investment software to calculate, compare, and implement, the mix of asset classes/investments that you feel is best for you or your clients. The only calculator that treats all of one's assets together, like they should be in the Real World, so you can evaluate the whole picture at once. Get total control over asset allocation (and every number in every year) instead of being locked into what a software company thinks you should be doing. Input contributions/withdrawals, rate of return assumptions for each asset, or asset class, and see 75 years of estimated growth for all of the Current vs. Proposed allocation mixes (with separate Personal and Qualified portfolios).

If you're a frustrated Financial Profiles/NaviPlan/Morningstar investment software user, this is for you. Works well with any efficient frontier/portfolio optimization program. Excel spreadsheet-based investment portfolio software for do-it-yourself asset allocators and financial advisors working with high net worth clients.

HALO 3 Leaked

Is it a plot to ruin Halo 3's much hyped debut on Tuesday? A scheme orchestrated by Master Chief's nemesis The Covenant? Probably not, but bootleg copies of the most widely anticipated video game in history -- no matter how terrestrial in origin -- are stealing some thunder from next week's launch.

Numerous bloggers are reporting that purloined versions of Halo 3 are all over the Internet, available for play to Xbox 360 users who have modified their systems to defeat Microsoft's copy protection software. Gaming industry bloggers at MaxConsole are reporting that one source of the illegal files is a hacking group called Paradogs. Also, a version of the game appeared to be available as a 7.3-Gbyte download from a peer-to-peer file sharing site called Isohunt.com as of Friday morning.

Downloading and using bootleg software is illegal in the U.S. and many other countries. Microsoft has estimated that pirated software costs the computer industry about $40 billion a year in lost revenue.

Bootleggers aren't the only ones that have helped to blow the official launch date for Halo 3. Earlier this week, British catalog merchant Argos conceded that an administrative error caused it to hand over copies of the game early to customers who placed pre-orders over its Web site. Copies sold to Argos could be one source for the Halo 3 files circulating on the Net.

Indeed, a shrink-wrapped copy of Halo 3 that originated at Argos was recently spotted on Ebay's U.K. site selling for $500. When it's officially released, the basic version of the game will sell for about $60.00. Retailers have to date taken more than one million pre-orders for Halo 3 -- an industry record.

The leaked files are doubtless causing some consternation in Redmond. Microsoft has spent millions on Halo 3 marketing and promotion campaigns that will culminate in elaborate launch events Tuesday in New York City, Seattle, Miami, and Los Angeles.

Halo 3 stars Master Chief, a biologically enhanced soldier who has to blast his way through a futuristic, 3-D landscape to survive and accomplish missions. He squares off against The Covenant, a shadowy terrorist alliance. Version 3 of the game, developed by Bungie Studios and published by Microsoft, features a host of new levels, weapons, vehicles, and level types.

Most retailers are selling the title for around $60. A special "Legendary Edition" sells for about $130 and includes a helmet-style case, bonus discs, and collector's art. Microsoft is also planning to introduce a special Halo 3 version of the Xbox 360 that's emblazoned in the same green and gold colors sported by Master Chief.

Apple Won't Support Unlocked Phones

People who unlock their iPhones in order to connect to wireless carriers other than the exclusive service provider AT&T won't get any support from Apple if the phone breaks, even if it's still under warrant, Apple said Friday.

A group of anonymous developers at iPhoneSIMfree started selling this month software that once installed would enable the smart phone to work on any service provider with a standard GSM SIM card. T-Mobile is an example of a carrier that would work on the modified iPhone.

Asked whether someone installing the software would break their iPhone warrant, an Apple spokesman said in an e-mail, "Apple does not support unlocked iPhones."

Aside from changing the SIM card, no other hardware modifications are needed to unlock the iPhone, according to iPhoneSIMfree. SIM -- or subscriber identity module -- is a smart card that's inserted into GSM phones. The card contains subscribers' telephone account information.

Purchasing the unlocking software is done through the PayPal payment service. On Friday, however, the iPhoneSIMfree said it was experiencing "PayPal issues," and asked potential buyers to send the site an e-mail in order to get alternative payment methods. The software cost $50, and there are no refunds.

According to the frequently asked questions on iPhoneSIMfree, the software works on iPhone versions up to 1.0.2. The creators claim the software won't affect any of the iPhone features except for visual voice mail, which is exclusive to AT&T.

People installing the software, however, could find that it doesn't work, if Apple decides to break it in a future software upgrade for the iPhone.

Apple launched the gadget in the U.S. June 29, making it available only through Apple's retail or online stores, or through AT&T. The company started selling the device in Europe this week. Since its debut, Apple has sold more than 1 million iPhones in the U.S., and expects to ship at least 10 million over the next year.