"...Maps has proved to be the killer blow though...."

Finally, an appropriate use for the trite cliche "killer app".

SMP Bad, Beer good?

“In some of the use cases we’ve seen, [the] second core is detrimental because of scheduling.” Having looked at the multi-core options on the market, he said, the performance didn’t justify “the size and cost of putting in that part".

I'm sorry... what? The Android kernel is Linux, and since kernel 2.6.26, Linux has had an awesome multicore thread-scheduling algorithm. Maybe he's saying the Dalvik VM doesn't take good advantage of it? Or is he just slagging 50 years of continuous improvement in the state of the art of symmetric multiprocessing?

I guess it's more like post #2 (@Anonymous Coward) says: "We don't do it, and our competitors do, so it must suck."

BTW, I'm pretty pleased with the performance of my Motorola Droid 4. If multi-core is a performance detriment, I haven't noticed it yet.

A product for the same clientele which would buy

a Romain Jerome "Day&Night" watch: $300,000, only tells you if it's daytime or nighttime, and looks fabulous on your wrist.

The intent is not functional, unless the function is screaming "LOOK HOW MUCH MONEY I HAVE!"

This press release was a triumph

I'm making a note here -- HUGE SUCCESS

Of course, it's a triumph of public relations technology: the ability to re-announce 40-year-old technology and make the technical press believe it.

@Dave P 1 re: Soldering Irons

Actually, I recommend a lower-wattage iron, since their operating temp is lower. Poorer cauterization, less nerve damage (so your...patient.... gets more of the full experience before the nerves die).

@Will Godfrey

"The only things I consume are food and beverages."

The laws of physics say otherwise. Specifically, "Conservation of Mass". And plainly, you've never "consumed" beer... otherwise you'd know, "You never buy beer, you just rent it."

"And no, I don't consume oxygen. I actually very generously add a few carbon molecules to it."

I'd like to see how well that works out if we lock you into an airtight box. I'm sure the extra carbon atoms attached to those oxygen atoms you need won't interfere with your metabolism.