Apple predictions? Stream event live today

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by Gideon

lol oh noes, it has the same DRM as the iPod Touch/iPhone.

Protip: If you don't like DRM, don't BUY a product with YOUR money that imposes restrictions.

Guess no one really cared when Amazon reached into your Kindle and took away that copy of 1984. But Apple who hasn't done anything of the sort? Slippery slope!

XKCD to the rescue:



Not that we're explicitly talking about piracy here, but this comic still applies.

[YAR1S]

I'd take a mac over a PC anyday. I've had so much trouble with my previous pcs and had to change them every few years.... I've had my mac for 2 years now and its like it came straight out of the box brand new.... no complaints. I suppose its what you need out of the computer and what you've been used to. Yes, they are pricey, but they are worth it in the long run and much easier to operate for those who only need a computer for email, internet, word processing, and music.

[tomato]

As promised, here are a few photos I took earlier today, may be interesting to some of you.

I got there just as the presentation was over, and the journalists were all sitting outside,
some typing on their laptops and some doing their presentations in front of heavy camera equipment and newstrucks.

There were a ton of people waiting, looking at one particular door, and a fair amount of security around,
so I waited a few minutes, too, to see what would happen.

Sure enough, Steve Jobs came out.

Almost didn't recognize him at first because he seemed to be surrounded by IT people / journalists and looked like just another guy. but if you look closer at the body language of the guy in the jeans and the woman on the right, you can see that they were security people. The woman got in my face a little bit for taking pics (got a good shot of that, too ) but I understand, she was just doing her job.
Probably happens to him all day long, doubtful he can even go to starbucks without a crowd gathering. Must be hard being a famous, rich man

Anyway, here goes.

[tomato]

See, on the last picture, the woman is pulling Steve Jobs aside because his Yaris just pulled up to pick him up. I think he said something about putting his Tablet (pardon me, iPad) in one of the compartments, but which one, there are so many.

[tomato]

What, no reaction to the photos?!!

You mean I braved security, risked my life and all, *cough* to bring you Steve Jobs on a platter @ YW and not a single comment? tsk, tsk, tsk...

[tk-421]

Haha well... It's really cool that you took those photos, but him getting into a Yaris would've pushed it over the top IMO.

[tomato]

had a good laugh at this video

(maybe it's female humour, I don't know, but this iPad name .... [shaking head]

here you go


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjU0...layer_embedded

(not sure it's entirely safe for work, depends where you work )

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by tomato

had a good laugh at this video

(maybe it's female humour, I don't know, but this iPad name .... [shaking head]

here you go


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjU0...layer_embedded

(not sure it's entirely safe for work, depends where you work )

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by tomato

had a good laugh at this video

(maybe it's female humour, I don't know, but this iPad name .... [shaking head]

here you go


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsjU0...layer_embedded

(not sure it's entirely safe for work, depends where you work )

Funny. Or as Stephen Colbert put it - the name iPad narrowly beat out the name TamPod.

[tk-421]

Hitler responds to the iPad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

[Altitude]

Originally Posted by tk-421

Hitler responds to the iPad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4

Yeah, the whole Hitler dubbing has been a bit played out though.

I do have to say this - a modern device that does not support multitasking is an EPIC FAIL! (yes that includes other mobile devices as well.) In terms of functionality, a cheaper netbook is actually way better than this device. Not so sure this one's gonna fly.

[tk-421]

[tk-421]

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by PK198105

gotta correct you there tk about netbooks not having touchscreens. you can actually get a touch screen to work on a netbook, but it involves a bit of DIY

here you go:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/8-9-Acer-Aspire-O...#ht_2474wt_915

Somehow missed this post... I also found an upcoming Lenovo IdeaPad that has multitouch too: http://su.pr/5tpTza

[cm07yaris]

my iphone multitasks just fine. while talking to someone on speakerphone i can browse the web, check email, use gps, etc. i can also listen to music while i browse the web, check email, etc. the whole multitasking bash is getting old, it's the only argument the haters have against apple's touch devices.

EDIT: here's your SD card slot and USB that are so important too...

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by cm07yaris

the whole multitasking bash is getting old, it's the only argument the haters have against apple's touch devices.

Single-tasking on the iPhone may be tolerable (I wouldn't know, I don't own one). But multitasking on a larger device (with a larger processor) such as the iPad is not only expected, it's essential.

I have much respect for the iPhone BTW. It's only because of that device that things like Google's Android and Palm's WebOS (and the awesome hardware that runs them) exist in the first place.

EDIT: here's your SD card slot and USB that are so important too...

Were you being sarcastic when you posted this? SD ports may not be extremely important, but USB ports?!

If you feel that it's fair for Apple to change the design of a port so that they can sell you an adapter later on that you will forever need to have attached to your (already overpriced) device, then by all means, go for it.

I, for one, find it completely unfair. To each his/her own.

[cm07yaris]

I don't view it as fair or unfair but as a reasonable approach to reduce the cost of the item. I would rather pay less for an item because it doesn't come with features which I believe aren't essential for the type of device such as the iPad. They should absolutely be made as available accessories for those that need/want those features.

I think the introductory price point of $499 is also very aggressive in it's respective market.

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100129PD217.html

[tk-421]

Originally Posted by cm07yaris

I don't view it as fair or unfair but as a reasonable approach to reduce the cost of the item. I would rather pay less for an item because it doesn't come with features which I believe aren't essential for the type of device such as the iPad. They should absolutely be made as available accessories for those that need/want those features.

I think the introductory price point of $499 is also very aggressive in it's respective market.

Apple's strategy is not about keeping costs down (at least that's not their main focus). It costs less to make a standard port such as USB than it is to create a proprietary one (basically a matter of supply+demand).

Here's some proof of what I mean:

1. The estimated bill of materials (BOM) for the iPad is $290. That means Apple earns roughly a 40% profit on each unit. (More info: http://bit.ly/94uQyC)
2. They can make $100 Android netbooks (with WiFi, ethernet, and USB ports galore) nowadays. Sure, the iPad is faster and has a bigger screen, but is it worth paying roughly 4 times more than this netbook because of those two things?
3. If Apple's focus were to keep costs down, then this comment by Steve Jobs himself would be complete BS:

"What we want to do is deliver an increasing level of value to these customers, but there are some customers which we choose not to serve. We don't know how to make a $500 computer that's not a piece of junk; our DNA will not let us do that. We've seen great success by focusing on certain segments of the market and not trying to be everything to everybody, and you can expect us to stick with that winning strategy."

(More info: http://bit.ly/2MG4Wp)

And finally, regarding your last post:

Originally Posted by cm07yaris

Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device - $489.00
iPad 16GB - $499.00

Please check out the estimated BOM for the Kindle 2 (I couldn't find the BOM for the DX version): $185 for a $359 device (~$174 profit), as opposed to $290 for a $499 device (~ $209 profit). And remember that the Kindle already has 3G built in.