Michael J. Golde

Introducing the 27-inch iLemon

This is the type of nonsense piece that is so anecdotal as to not be useful. Other than griping about his personal "lemon", the author seemingly is unaware that the vast majority of 27" Mac users are perfectly content.

Where are the statistics to back up the "lemon" claims? Does it make any sense for Apple to continue to ship a "defective" product if the problem is so widespread? Why would Apple intentionally alienate a significant portion of a particular consumer segment. Are there any statistics on the financial effects of the so-called "lemon"?

Bottom line: the article was poorly researched and purely anecdotal and it is impossible to truly know the circumstances regarding his computer purchase and whether Apple is at fault. Nor is it possible to determine whether this is a widespread problem or a fairly isolated problem if indeed a problem exists at all.

The iPhone's Next Carrier Is Likely T-Mobile, Not Verizon

I don't know if users are happy with Android but apparently the app developers are not. finance.yahoo.com/news.... If this is true, it doesn't bode well for a robust app store for Android. Consequently, that would be a major disincentive to purchasing an Android.

A Worm in the Apple?

Frankly, I don't understand the point of this article. It is merely speculation (at best) based on the publication of a positive article about Apple in the past. This kind of "logic" could be used to promote or disparage any stock.

Expect Apple's December Earnings to Grow 37%

Question: Are any mobile phones in China permitted to use wi-fi? If so, why is AAPL prohibited from doing so? The Chinese are generally unfair competitors so it wouldn't surprise if they purposely put AAPL at a competitive disadvantage in their own market.

Does Steve Jobs Deserve Fortune's "CEO of the Decade" Award?

Thanks for including the video of Steve Jobs' commencement address at Stanford. I have heard it several times before but it is still inspiring. It vividly demonstrates that when one's pursue his passions in life, inevitably those passions will seep into other aspects of our life, including the way we work and analyze and solve problems. A single-minded MBA without a well-rounded set of interests and experiences (and able to "Think Different") is simply not going to effective as one who does.

Apple: Plenty of Upside Left

I agree with you that AAPL is becoming more and more of an international story. Unfortunately, the naysayers continue to focus on the overall decline in iPods sales to suggest that AAPL is losing revenues. This is a canard as increasing iPhone sales are inevitably going to cannibalize iPod sale ... and that is a good thing. AAPL generates significantly more lifetime potential revenue from an iPhone as compared to an iPod.

Given MSFT's ineptness, both AAPL and GOOG will benefit at its expense. The demographics also support a long-term growth story for AAPL. I wonder if there are any statistics as to the age of the average AAPL user of iMacs, iPods and iPhones. My guess is that the under-30 crowd, for sure, represents the strongest AAPL demographic. If that is the case, it seems a virtual certainty that the growth story remains intact.

How Apple's Market Share Will Propel Stock to $500, Part 1

It is not a question increasing the high-end market share above 91%. The question is whether Apple can sell more high-end computers. The answer is clearly yes by a substantial percentage. So, even if others are able to capture a greater portion of the high-end, it really doesn't matter if Mac sales continue to grow at their current rate or above.


On Oct 23 10:46 AM who wrote:

> All good and well, one important point is that Apple targets high
> end segment and with 91%, there isn't much room to grow. How will
> Apple compete with Windows at the low end of spectrum if it choose
> do so? Will entry into low end machines threaten its dominance
> in the high end market.

With Vonage App, Apple Isn't Even Bothering to Lie Anymore

It is really arrogant to try to preempt any negative comments regarding your article by calling any supposed detractors Apple Fanboys. Does that remark mean that anyone suggesting an error in your logic or misinformation in your article is automatically discredited in advance?

Perhaps you should read more about AT&T's role in denial of the Google Voice app on the iPhone. But, then again, you might actually have to do some investigation instead of mere bloviating.

Here's a link to give you a headstart on your research: www.google.com/search?...

Why Android Is Gaining Ground on Apple

This is a simplistic and self-righteous article of limited anecdotal value. Apparently tens of millions of people disagree with you. Otherwise please explain the iPhone phenomenon that everyone else gets but to which you are philosophically opposed on a misperceived notion of capitalism and competitiveness.

Why the FCC Wants to Smash Open the iPhone

I completely disagree with this article. Apple invented and owns the iPhone and has the right and duty to maintain the integrity of its product as it sees fit. I am sure Apple rejects apps all the time it consider inappropriate because of content, competition with the basic functions of the iPhone itself, etc. It also receives significant financial incentives to enter into exclusivity arrangements with carriers like AT&T. Why shouldn't AAPL have the right to decide if it can make more money by being tied to a carrier or not? That's what they are supposed to do for the benefit of its shareholders, not for the public at large.

I am getting tired of the socialist mentality overtaking business decisions in the country. AT&T has invested good money into getting as many paying customers to use the iPhone under various payment options. If people don't like the plans, they don't need to use an iPhone.

As an AAPL shareholder, the government should stay out of the business of dictating Apple's or AT&T's business practice. Or if GOOG wants access to the iPhone, they should have to pay for that access. GOOG seems to want everyone to give everything away for free simply because it does so.

Apple: Like Starbucks and Whole Foods, A Trend That's Past Its Prime

This is completely simplistic analysis. You have no idea of Apple's business plan or future expansion. iTunes and the Apps Store will be difficult to replicate. The main demographics for Apple products are students (starting his junior high or high school through universities) and the under 30 -35 crowd.

Once Apple opens up more markets, such as China, for iPhone expansion, it is likely that Apple revenues and market share will continue to grow. Apple, unlike Starbuck's and Whole Foods, is not a one-trick pony. Apple continues to innovate and I certainly wouldn't be against them. I would expect some new product announcement in the current or next quarter.

The Bull Run Begins This Week

I am always leery of arguments that all the bad news is priced-in, or that bad news equals good news after awhile.

I remember the days in the late 90s when companies with poor revenues and earnings would continue to go up based on future prospects. So, it is very difficult to know how the market will react to news from week-to-week.

I hope you are right, but the Dow has been down 7 of the last 9 days. There are too many unknowns with the banks and we might hear about some new moves by the Treasury tonight or tomorrow. So, without the news flow or lack thereof, I think it is too early to predict anything for the coming week.

Why I'm Shorting Apple Ahead of Earnings

I think your analysis is way off mark. The results will be exceed analyst expectations. The question is guidance. With the success of the 3G iPhone and the back-to-school season upon us, I expect Apple to continue momentum next quarter and through year-end.

As for cannibalization, you are probably right to a degree. However, many people are locked into phone contracts or, frankly, use a Blackberry smart-phone for work and may not want to invest in another phone.

I don't have any statistics to back this up, by my hunch is the Blackberry users still use iPods. And that trend will continue.

Moreover, you seem to be looking at this as solely an American phenomenon. I don't see too much cannibalization of iPod sales overseas even if that might be true in the U.S.

Did Apple Manufacture a First-Day iPhone Shortage?

Anyway who waited in line for an iPhone on day one should expect some disruptions and delays. I highly doubt that Apple manufactured a delay at specific locations. The fact is that Apple probably wanted to be conservative with first day allocations to see which areas were going to require more restocking. Apple can't based their distribution plan based solely on unknown day-one sale.

People who wait in line for the experience have to go with the flow. To expect everything to work perfectly is naive and totally unrealistic. That is why many people wait until the kinks have been worked out and buy and will buy in the coming weeks and months.