MAC users suck....

[naisho]

Think Nokia's impending switch to WP7 will change this? I am a Nokia devotee and love Symbian (it's kind of like the Linux of mobile OS), but I'm worried about what will happen with Nokia after they make the transition. (I guess their Maemo OS was a bust . . .)

WP7 in the past few months has been gaining notoriety for sure, hands down. In the end it's the closest we've got between bridging Windows PC's and phones, and it can only get better. Nokia has always had a strong base overseas and outside the US..

What they're missing (WP7 and their phones) is the chicken and egg concept, they don't have any chickens, ie pawn people to lay their eggs and engulf the whole market like android/apple did.. so growth is gonna keep struggling until they reach a decent point.. If you look last year or the year before, windows handheld stuff barely even existed. Q2/Q3 of this year, you can see they're a minor player, but late to the game.

 

[naisho]

wot?

In short, it's like you are asking "what's your favorite food?"

My response would be like, well, sometimes I like to eat Pho, but I also like me a fresh NY pizza, sushi and teppan rank on the top 5 list, and I rarely will skip a chance at Chinese, but all in all I don't have something I would call the only cuisine I'd eat.

 

[Jiro]

In short, it's like you are asking "what's your favorite food?"

My response would be like, well, sometimes I like to eat Pho, but I also like me a fresh NY pizza, sushi and teppan rank on the top 5 list, and I rarely will skip a chance at Chinese, but all in all I don't have something I would call the only cuisine I'd eat.

wwwwwoooooooottttttttt?????????

 

[Jiro]

Isn't the fragmentation a big concern with Android products? Google is somewhat known for fragmentation issues in the past.

yup. huge amount of inconsistencies. That's why Google founder asked Steve Jobs for guidance.

 

[naisho]

Isn't the fragmentation a big concern with Android products? Google is somewhat known for fragmentation issues in the past.

Each company comes with their philosophy, both has its pro and cons.

Google's pretty good at being slow with updates. Look at Ice Cream Sandwich, it's only been announced specifically for the modern google products (Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus), while everyone non-google endorsed things are waiting to hear what about what happens to them. HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola (well, it's google's now) are left in a cave. Partly because of what they ended taking advantage of the free source and doing their own OS variations - you have HTC Sense, Motoblur (hope google takes that away), Samsung Touchwiz, so on.

In the end the whole android platform is a lot like the PC-windows platform right now. Lots of major players, you have Dell, Acer, HP, etc, all installing their 'bloat' software pre-shipped from factory, something similar to where a vanilla Windows installation would be desired by many others.

If you don't want to stick with what google offers, since their products get first dibs, you have to 1) wait to rely on your manufacturer or 2) do it on your own via root. I am always with the second crew.

 

[TWA]

The problem with some corporations paying out dividends is that they pay out when they shouldn't. For instance, Cisco refused to pay out dividends for years and when they caved in, they got in trouble. Let's not forget all of the banks that offered dividends prior to the economical meltdown. So it's hardly a surprise that Apple is holding out on it at the moment.

Apple hasn't paid dividends for years. It may happen again sometimes in the future, but I wouldn't get my hopes up over it right away. Apple has a lot of big plans and Steve Jobs wanted massive reserves, I think it's something like $65 billion.

There are upsides and downsides to it. However, Apple's growth is a good thing because it means they are creating more jobs.

Ah, of course, it's only the business that matters. How selfish to think that the shareholders should get a return on their investment!

Paying dividends is one of the fundamental components of the stock market. The whole point of the SX was to generate investment capital for a company, which they would then repay by dividends. Of course, the SX has been completely perverted these days, so I guess that idea is out the window, but I'm not about to pat Apple on the back for this maneuver.

And a BIG LOL at your last sentence. Where are those jobs being created?

 

[Jiro]

Where are those jobs being created?

have you seen how many people are making good money from making apps for iPhones?

 

[TWA]

have you seen how many people are making good money from making apps for iPhones?

That is different from "creating more jobs."

 

[Jiro]

That is different from "creating more jobs."

how? they have jobs. to create apps. and getting rich from it. because Apple gave them tools to do it.

 

[Reba]

that's why it's a conundrum. PC's so cheap that you end up paying even more than Apple computer in 4-years timeframe

Maybe. Maybe not. Within four years time, the owner might be in a different financial situation and be able to upgrade anyway. Or, the owner's requirements might change. Maybe four years ago he was a single guy living in a dorm and preferred a laptop. Now, he's married and thinking about a desktop for family use. In another four years, maybe he wants to network the family PC with a shared laptop. Maybe the kids want a PC with a huge monitor for games. Who knows? People's needs and resources change over the years.

beside - schools are selling MacBookPro/iPad at educational discount (some schools give it away for free for freshman) - usually 50% off. That's a huge deal.

Not as huge as free. Over the years, I've received and/or given away over a dozen computers, FREE. Three were Apple brand, the rest PC's or laptop. At least five went to students who couldn't even afford 50% off.

that's fine. it's a privilege to own a computer and if they cannot afford it - they can go to public library or school lab.

I don't believe anyone is entitled to be given a computer by the government but I'm all for people voluntarily sharing what they can with others. I've experienced hard times, and if I can help others overcome, I'll do what I can.

and there are many stores that sell older generation of Apple computers. Its resell value is pretty good and it's the best bang for your buck. So if you are technologically-challenged and have limited budget, PC is a poor choice.

Stores add mark up to the price. I've bought used Apples via eBay and personal connection. Worked out fine.

Keyword - "some". Many young people cannot afford to get the latest products every year. Even my parents and I can't afford to buy a new one that just came out.

But plenty of them do. You know that, and Apple knows that.

When I worked at the college, I saw the same students with the latest equipment whining about the cost of textbooks. Priorities.

Majority of iPhone4S buyers are the collectors, professionals, and somebody with lot of cash in his pocket.

Are you sure about that? Have you looked at the people waiting in those lines?

I have many friends who still are using MacBook from few years ago. When I got the latest MacBook Pro, I told them - holy crapo! you've gotta get this! it's awesome! They said they knew but they cannot afford it... and their MacBook are still running just fine. They have no good reason to get the latest one unless it broke. I cannot think of anybody with PC laptop that can run "just fine" for over 4 years.

Depends on who you know.

I know people still happy with their original Windows XP Dell laptop.

...I know. I'm glad to be born into computer with a mouse! Actually it was Commodore at first but you know what I mean.

Yes, I remember Commodore, and Radio Shack Trash-series.

I remember programming with magnetic tapes and punch cards.

 

[naisho]

See, that's one thing with google and their partners - they are actually CREATING more jobs.

HTC doesn't just have the Taiwan office now, there's now openings in the Seattle headquarters, have a North Carolina office now too.

Samsung isn't just in Korea anymore, they created a PA , Texas, NJ office. Most interesting of all they actually hand picked some developers they saw ONLINE! (Samsung took Steve Kondik, the originator of CyanogenMod for Android)

I don't know if this is the same for apple, I rarely hear anything from this side of the debate. It seems like they are being selective in a way on who they hire and recruit into the team, the whole thing is a lot like a hush-hush-release to PR news and create a stir sort of thing.

 

[Jiro]

Yes, I remember Commodore, and Radio Shack Trash-series.

I had to google Radio Shack Trash-series. I don't think I recall playing with it once.

but then.... that was a long time ago and I was just a kid lol

 

[Banjo]

how? they have jobs. to create apps. and getting rich from it. because Apple gave them tools to do it.

Don't forget all the Apple stores. They are still opening more and more these days. They opened one recently in Burlington, Ontario which is around 30 minutes from where I live. You should see how many people they have working on the same shift, there must had been at least 15, maybe 20 of them for a store of that size. These stores are always packed every time I go by one.

There's a large number of sales positions at stores like Best Buy, Future Shop, etc. Stores like Best Buy do not hire people to sell Apple products. Apple hires sales representatives to work at big box stores. The employees are often well-paid through commissions if they are good at selling their products. They get free airfares to conferences anywhere in North America. They get free accommodations too as well.

The last time I checked, they have nearly 50,000 employees and growing.

 

[naisho]

Don't forget all the Apple stores. They are still opening more and more these days. They opened one recently in Burlington, Ontario which is around 30 minutes from where I live. You should see how many people they have working on the same shift, there must had been at least 15, maybe 20 of them for a store of that size. These stores are always packed every time I go by one.

There's a large number of sales positions at stores like Best Buy, Future Shop, etc. Stores like Best Buy do not hire people to sell Apple products. Apple hires sales representatives to work at big box stores. The employees are often well-paid through commissions if they are good at selling their products. They get free airfares to conferences anywhere in North America. They get free accommodations too as well.

The last time I checked, they have nearly 50,000 employees and growing.

Yeah, but the thing is that is sales, something a lot of us deaf would actually struggle doing in the retail world. When you talk development and corporate level jobs, where is that shown at apple? I see it all the time with google&co (see the links up), but with apple it's like "send in an application and you'll hear back if we're interested." Then you see stuff like Jobs: Hey I'm gonna assign Cook to my position.

Company-client is sort of a two way street, google's got that part good for the most part, but I can't say it seems the same for apple.

 

[posts from hell]

that's why it's a conundrum. PC's so cheap that you end up paying even more than Apple computer in 4-years timeframe

beside - schools are selling MacBookPro/iPad at educational discount (some schools give it away for free for freshman) - usually 50% off. That's a huge deal.


that's fine. it's a privilege to own a computer and if they cannot afford it - they can go to public library or school lab.

and there are many stores that sell older generation of Apple computers. Its resell value is pretty good and it's the best bang for your buck. So if you are technologically-challenged and have limited budget, PC is a poor choice.


Keyword - "some". Many young people cannot afford to get the latest products every year. Even my parents and I can't afford to buy a new one that just came out.

Majority of iPhone4S buyers are the collectors, professionals, and somebody with lot of cash in his pocket. I have many friends who still are using MacBook from few years ago. When I got the latest MacBook Pro, I told them - holy crapo! you've gotta get this! it's awesome! They said they knew but they cannot afford it... and their MacBook are still running just fine. They have no good reason to get the latest one unless it broke. I cannot think of anybody with PC laptop that can run "just fine" for over 4 years.


lol but it's very simple - iPod/iPhone/MacBook is simple. It makes sense. Any caveman can figure it out. and Apple has a completely different business strategy. It's extremely risky and daring but Steve Jobs did it. It's amazing. This is extraordinary rare for company to be successful with this kind of tactic -



this is a very good read by techie guy who made a journal with his experience with Android cellphone for 3-4 months. Click on ARCHIVE to read from Day 1 to now. There's this particular post that interests me -

My Dinner With Android - Dual wielding


it's very simple math. Make a product that makes sense and you win.


I know. I'm glad to be born into computer with a mouse! Actually it was Commodore at first but you know what I mean.


good. then you should know that Apple actually delivers what they advertised and PC didn't.


failure as in losing its market share to Apple. They have failed in many fields - tablet PC, smartphone, OS, and many more. I'm sure you remember that since 90's, majority of headlines were dominated by Microsoft.... until around 2000 or so where Apple started to steal its spotlight.

What's keeping Microsoft alive is Windows and Office. They did make a great comeback with Bing.com but its fate is uncertain because like you said above - marketing and "snob appeal" carry a lot of weight. I personally find Bing quite nicer and better than Google but Google has already became a noun and verb. It's too late for Microsoft to budge into in this market. and it's too late for Blackberry to survive for next decade since they just recently released its new OS.

Microsoft and Blackberry frequently failed to deliver what they advertised. and Apple consistently delivers.

jiro,lets not get carried away. This laptop I am using right now is just running peachy... And it is 6 years old.

 

[TXgolfer]

I just wanted to get back to this and point out that APPLE DOES NOT PAY DIVIDENDS ON IT'S STOCK SHARES.

How is it that one of the most profitable companies on the SX does will not pay its shareholders a percentage of the profits they helped to produce? Classy, Apple. Classy.

People who bought in 2 years ago aren't complaining.

 

[naisho]

Here's more proof to my point. Nathan Kester is one of the few deafies I know of at a successful top organization.. We've exchanged emails a few times.

Guess where he works.... I still have yet to hear someone who is deaf/HOH working at Apple's mid or upper level, who is not in retail.

 

[Jiro]

Maybe. Maybe not. Within four years time, the owner might be in a different financial situation and be able to upgrade anyway. Or, the owner's requirements might change. Maybe four years ago he was a single guy living in a dorm and preferred a laptop. Now, he's married and thinking about a desktop for family use. In another four years, maybe he wants to network the family PC with a shared laptop. Maybe the kids want a PC with a huge monitor for games. Who knows? People's needs and resources change over the years.

they still tend to stick with PC because 2 big factors - it's what they know and price factor. can't beat $599 complete set of PC because when it comes to family - budget's a big issue.

Not as huge as free. Over the years, I've received and/or given away over a dozen computers, FREE. Three were Apple brand, the rest PC's or laptop. At least five went to students who couldn't even afford 50% off.

I don't believe anyone is entitled to be given a computer by the government but I'm all for people voluntarily sharing what they can with others. I've experienced hard times, and if I can help others overcome, I'll do what I can.

not referring to government.

Stores add mark up to the price. I've bought used Apples via eBay and personal connection. Worked out fine.

Apple doesn't allow mark-up. that's how strong its grip is on price control. That's why many stores don't sell Apple products.

But plenty of them do. You know that, and Apple knows that.

plenty of them are most likely first-time buyers like me. and plenty of them are probably fools who rack up credit card debt

When I worked at the college, I saw the same students with the latest equipment whining about the cost of textbooks. Priorities.

it's all about justified cost. Cost of Apple product is justified and fairly reasonable. Cost of textbook is not reasonable.

Are you sure about that? Have you looked at the people waiting in those lines?

like above - there are always first-time buyers every year.

 

[Jiro]

jiro,lets not get carried away. This laptop I am using right now is just running peachy... And it is 6 years old.

yea just you. can't say same for general public and people who are technologically-challenged.

 

[TWA]

People who bought in 2 years ago aren't complaining.

If they don't sell, they've got to leave a sizeable amount of their investment money tied up in a non-dividend-paying stock because Apple shares are ridiculously high, even two years ago.