geotopia

Total Rating:
0 / 0

7 Comments

    • Wed Sep 10th 06:59 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Has Apple Hit a Wall in Music Innovation?
      While I agree with the non-feature of the shake to shuffle (not even worth a gesture during the demo!), I disagree with the overall assessment of the event. Those expecting a new gadget weren't thinking it through rationally, because the iPod has very little that can change to the physical product. I think Touch + High Capacity HDD is about the only unexplored hardware combination, but let's be real - Apple isn't going to clutter these devices with buttons and the screen real estate on all models was already maxed out, so that can only leave subtle upgrades like more battery and silly features like shake and shuffle on the device.

      The genius feature of device and software, however, will end up being one of those features that further cement Apple's grip on the market. My breakdown is thus - I put most of my library on my iPod (120GB) and 98% of the time shuffle my list. But, I am constantly skipping to the next song because random lists don't match any single mood (e.g. Classic Rock sing-along cruising around town, Psychedelic Rock when I'm working). Using multi-user heuristics is what I've been really waiting for. Something that puts compatible songs next to each other. I hope that the software watches for how long each song is played and downgrades skips and bumps songs played in full.

      But, the really big news is the return of NBC. Both NBC and Apple both had to compromise, but the return of the NBC programs proves to the world that NBC couldn't overlook iTMS as a necessary outlet for their content. It's another stone in the wall preventing other services like Rhapsody from taking hold, while cementing content developers into the iTMS marketplace. I think Amazon will hold its own for downloads and on-line CD sales and Walmart will remain the hard copy leader, but in a year or two, if not sooner, no one will go to Rhapsody, Zune MP, or Napster, and all traffic will be to iTMS or YouTube.
      View article »
    • Wed Sep 10th 06:45 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Microsoft's Zune Tries to Preempt Apple's "Rock" Event
      Although I'm starting to get used to it now, it's still feels odd to see MSFT getting bested in so many areas of technology in spite of their monopoly. I'll bet it has taken a while for the Redmond culture to grasp that the Windows/Office monopolies were not invulnerable and some divisions (Zunes, MSN, XBox, MCE) seem to resist to their detriment that they won't succeed without innovating and besting the competition. Perhaps the perfect storm that built the DOS monopoly (remember, the egg before the chicken) can't be duplicated and Bill was more a fluke than a genius!?
      Anyway, the author of the article is a bit facetious with respect to the Zune's market, but it's hard to take it too seriously. I'd like to know how many Zune units have been sold in the last two years. Does anyone have that number? Want to share it? Disgruntled employees? Burned marketing partners? Retailers?
      View article »
    • Mon Nov 5th 10:33 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      What's the Point of Google's Phone ?
      Chicken and Egg problem. This isn't going to be a money maker for Google, but a way to bully the phone co.s to open up to Google and others. In the future, once there's a market, Google can make more $ from it's traditional business of advertising. The brand has equity and if at least one cellular co. jumps on, they'll have a short order for an iPhone-like (ish) offering.
      Based upon that, a Disney branded phone for kids would do just as well in the short term.
      View article »
    • Mon Nov 5th 10:32 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      What's the Point of Google's Phone ?
      Chicken and Egg problem. This isn't going to be a money maker for Google, but a way to bully the phone co.s to open up to Google and others. In the future, once there's a market, Google can make more $ from it's traditional business of advertising. The brand has equity and if at least one cellular co. jumps on, they'll have a short order for an iPhone-like (ish) offering.
      Based upon that, a Disney branded phone for kids would do just as well in the short term.
      View article »
    • Mon Nov 5th 10:32 AM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      What's the Point of Google's Phone ?
      Chicken and Egg problem. This isn't going to be a money maker for Google, but a way to bully the phone co.s to open up to Google and others. In the future, once there's a market, Google can make more $ from it's traditional business of advertising. The brand has equity and if at least one cellular co. jumps on, they'll have a short order for an iPhone-like (ish) offering.
      Based upon that, a Disney branded phone for kids would do just as well in the short term.
      View article »
    • Thu Sep 27th 12:44 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Apple Inc: The Hype Must Go On
      AAPL has seldom been aligned with the general market. In the 90's, for good reason, it was plummeting during one of the biggest market booms in history. That it is currently riding the wave is deceptive. There are times when you have to stop looking at numbers, pause, and ask if there's a real intrinsic value in a company's stock price - look at their products, sales channels, ability to market said products. If they are cabable and currently executing a revolution, then you have to separate them from the market. This is case in point with AAPL. Sorry, contrary to your thesis, these guys, with Steve at the helm, are clearly and consistently delivering revolutionary products and paradigms quarter after quarter. Applying historical or statistical models to Apple's current performance is a blunder.
      View article »
    • Thu Sep 27th 12:44 PM | Rating: 0 0
      Commented on:
      Apple Inc: The Hype Must Go On
      AAPL has seldom been aligned with the general market. In the 90's, for good reason, it was plummeting during one of the biggest market booms in history. That it is currently riding the wave is deceptive. There are times when you have to stop looking at numbers, pause, and ask if there's a real intrinsic value in a company's stock price - look at their products, sales channels, ability to market said products. If they are cabable and currently executing a revolution, then you have to separate them from the market. This is case in point with AAPL. Sorry, contrary to your thesis, these guys, with Steve at the helm, are clearly and consistently delivering revolutionary products and paradigms quarter after quarter. Applying historical or statistical models to Apple's current performance is a blunder.
      View article »
Loading...
Symbols:
Authors:
Quick Links:
Contribute an Article Become a Seeking Alpha Contributor

Transcripts

More Transcripts»