Jonathan Liss

10 Reasons Not to Buy Apple

Nice piece. I wonder though, if you don't want to be long Apple, why be long the QQQQ? Its single largest component is Apple, which was 13.31% of its overall portfolio at the end of Monday's trading. If you don't want to be long Apple, then I suggest an alternative tech ETF. XLK, which you mentioned, would be a good alternative based on your argument, with Apple only 7% of its portfolio, behind MSFT, AT&T and IBM.

Also, the QQQQ holds many names that aren't tech companies - it's actually not a tech pure-play at all. Again, this would favor your being long XLK and not QQQQ. Personally, I like QQQQ as an alternative to the S&P 500, with its heavy but not exclusive emphasis on tech, the last thing America still produces and exports the world over.

Apple and the QQQ ETF: High-Beta, Growth-Oriented, Tech-Driven Exposure

Many would consider the heavy weighting Apple receives a net positive.

iPhone Can Replace Laptops for Majority of Computer Users

Jason,

Nice piece overall.

However, I have to say i strongly disagree with its basic premise. Most laptop owners aren't buying their computers simply to surf the web. Their laptop computers are essential for being able to work from remote locations and require very specific software, a keyboard and a much larger screen than the iPhone offers. Can you see someone writing a screenplay or typing a deposition on a device the size of the iPhone? Editing a film or audio file? An accountant using Quicken or TurboTax? The list goes on and on.

Apple knows this. If they thought the iPhone would really cannibalize laptop sales, it's unlikely it would be worthwhile for them. Why have a $200 product replace a $2,000 one?

Curious for your take.

Best,
Jon

Google Talk for iPhone: It's Not What You Think

Not plagiarism - we have permission to reprint TechCrunch pieces - notice the TechCrunch logo on the left hand side, under the Author's picture.

Apple's Balancing Act: 3G iPhone vs. Jobs' Health - Barron's

mrtaxx,

Rest assured no one at Seeking Alpha is short any of the companies we write about and if we were, we would fully and openly disclose such an important fact. We summarize Barron's stories not because we agree or disagree with them but because they move the market. So don't see this piece as agreeing with Barron's (or disagreeing with it) - that is not its purpose.

One (small) defense of the Jobs rumor mill (and your critique is certainly justified) - last time Steve was sick Apple waited until after the fact to inform investors of his condition. As such, there are those who feel it is too late to wait until Apple releases an official statement to sell their shares.

Here's wishing Mr. Jobs many years of good health.

Best,
Jonathan Liss

Cramer's Four Horsemen Back in the Saddle

I'm pretty sure it comes from Bespoke Investment Group themselves - I've never seen it anywhere else. I'd check their website for more details: bespokeinvest.typepad..../

Will the iPhone Eat Blackberry's Business Lunch?

[Editor's Note: Proud Canadian's comment was erased due to abusive language. Commenter put on notice]

Google: Putting an End to this 'Tech is Recession-Proof' Nonsense

They are if they are offensive, demeaning or just plain nonsensical

Last Year's Leaders Have Become This Year's Laggards

rattyuk,

I'm not quite sure what you mean by 'the constant talking down of these companies in stories on this site?' I for one find the coverage of these 3 - especially Apple - to be balanced with a slight bias towards positive coverage if anything.

Most Overbought/Oversold Stocks

The legend can be obtained by clicking the link included under the image.

Universal Music Group Readies DRM-Free Music, Sans iTunes

Thomas,

Web browser Firefox 2.0 or higher (Mozilla) gives you an across-the-board spell check feature.

Best,
Jonathan Liss
Seeking Alpha

Apple's Hubris: Will All The Hype Go According to Plan?

Tommo, can you please disclose if you own Apple shares? You seem a little too defensive about the company to be an impartial bystander.

Right on Herb! I love apple too and am also writing this on a Core Duo iMac as we speak while listening to iTunes and charging my iPod. Still, while I wouldn't bet against Apple, if anything at all goes wrong, or iPhone margins begin to suffer, I think this stock will come down to earth before long (after probably hitting $125 first). The Motorola comment is right on. And as the stock climbs and the forward PE shoots towards 40 again, I wonder if most investors will recognize a great company that is no longer offering a discount at current prices.

Survey Shows There May Be Hope for Microsoft's Zune After All

I myself am and always have been an iPod buyer. However, I just got back from a trip to circuit city where a friendly clerk gave me a long and in-depth Zune demo. And I have to say, I was surprisingly impressed. The screen size is bigger than the iPod's and the general menu layouts actually struck me as more user friendly than the iPod. Plus there were other unique features like the ability to set your own background and the song-sharing feature. Of course, none of these things are HUGE but they do bode well for future Zune sales and incremental market share capture. Carl, how you can say the Zune is 'already dead' and 'the biggest flop in mp3 history' is beyond my understanding; I think in all fairness, it's still very early in the game.