PK de C'ville's Comments

What's Happening at Apple: Who Could Replace Steve Jobs?

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:46:16 -0500

I think it's Fadell.

Jobs and the executive team have a year to be creative with Fadell's 'special advisor' time. He isn't a line manager any more.

I don't know if the secrecy of the succession is normal, but it does give Apple a 'try and buy' year to look really hard at Fadell's proposed succession.

If I'm right, Apple, Jobs, and Fadell have a year to develop Fadell's new responsibility as the next man who calls the shots, develops his leadership team, and represents Apple to the world.

It will give a year to Fadell and Jobs to develop and empower Fadell as the new Apple Ceo leaving Jobs to chair the board.

JMHO

Microsoft vs. the Cloud

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:37:48 -0500

"Microsoft just came in and picked up the desktop piece despite what some bad European Union and U.S. Department of Justice politics-based legal findings say."

Huh? The biggest monopolistic move in the last 20 years and this is your comment?

And they're still paying for their brutal anti-competitive moves.

MSFT is a shell game, collecting on a hand-cuffed stream of income that their 'partners' are trying to escape from.

Apple's Next Big Content Push?

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:55:54 -0500

This has to be big, given Joel P's level of achievement.

I think he will spend a year or two innovating a totally new turbocharged distance learning educational model. I imagine it would include 'live' video chat classes and team meetings.

From all parts of globe: On Macs/PCs AND iPhone/touch

- Prof and class sees every student via iChat,
- Slides, docs, screens. media shared w/ students being able to mark these up in real time.
- Teams able to work together and 'cloak' themselves from other teams.

- Advanced record keeping of class grades, tuition, purchases
- Advanced support of testing
- Easy creation of ad hoc team chat rooms (video face to face)

- Continued R&D to make the experiences as real and easy as possible.

Is Apple Set to Make Its Own ARM Chips for the iPhone?

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:26:08 -0500

Seems to me, Apple knows sw is the hardest thing to do and they OWN and EXPAND the "bestest" OS.

All Apple is doing is leveraging it's unbeatable OS through phenomenal creation, integration and marketing of great products and systems.

(If you ever been to Apple's NYC 5th Ave glass box, you've also experienced a strong dose of Apple's temple architecture marketing on the side.)

"Apple is a one trick pony," says Ballmer, but what a pony!

ETF Spreads Widen Substantially from a Year Ago

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:44:28 -0400

I usually split the spread. If I'm selling and the ETF is rising I place my ask under the current ask a little and let it perk for a few minutes.

Then, I choose to either re-ask a little lower to close or leave my ask where it is and check in a few hours. I never sell at the bid. Visa Versa when I'm buying.

This is not rocket science, Mathew.

Why are you advising people to accept the current bid/ask spread as if it were the LAW? You should be sharing (w/ a little more depth) how you go about bidding and asking within the spread, No?

Who Will Win the Home Entertainment Battle?

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:31:16 -0400

I think Apple TV looks weak in its current release, but I'm betting on the Apple DNA for hugely successful innovation.

I believe the next release will include the same integrated nVidia GPU we find in the MacBook line. (They might even include a DVD, but not BD.)

And then, their own 'Tivo' functionality.

Apple TV 3 (my guess here) would support downloaded content, Walmart content, DVR content, reliability, security, ease of use, and

GAMES as in the Wii genere.

If Apple delivers this, we'll have a whole new ball game. Why?

They'll deliver with brilliant marketing.

Apple's FY09 Gross Margin Expectations Are Too Low

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:06:59 -0400

Turley,

Thanks. You, along with Andy Zaky at bullcross.blogspot.com and Daniel Elger at roughlydrafted.com are the three musketeers in the Apple blogosphere.

I welcome the heightened attention you three are getting from the MSM. Congratulations.

You're getting my Pulitzer.

Jobs Has Sold His 10 Million iPhones

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:24:01 -0400

Joel,

Ouch! You really blew it here.

Better luck next time.

Practice. Practice. Practice.

Revisiting the iPhone’s Browsing Market Share (Part II)

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:42:27 -0400

"I also received hate-mail from iPhone-junkies."

Easy to say. It's a meme. On your 1 you did receive 3 aggressively expressed comments from Apple fans, 1 from a Windoze guy, and 7 well behaved folks expressing skepticism with your mistaken conclusion.

I commend you for correcting yourself on the significance of AdMob, but I really didn't see much 'hate mail'.

Apple's 'Real' Earnings: Up Almost 125%

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:09:30 -0400

Great article. Jobs rolled out the 'adjusted' numbers and you filled the picture out very well. Thanks.

I'm wondering if this will be the last quarter where aapl adjusted numbers are ignored by MSAs (mainstream analysts).

I'm guessing some of them will ignore these adjusted numbers for several years hence.

What passes of for analysis is astounding! Ain't it?

Apple's iTunes Chump Change for Hollywood

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 06:01:38 -0400

Yup. Chump change today.

Andrea,

Can you fill us in on how Apple revenues compare to competing download or streaming generated revenues?

These competitive numbers would be very interesting to consider.

Thanks.

Greenspan’s Monstrous Love Child: A Grim Bedtime Story

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:30:47 -0400

Timothy,

I salute your talent and compassion. Standing Ovation.

Research in Motion's Storm: Why It Matters

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:16:11 -0400

Larry,

Any information on the Storm OS and how it compares to iPhone's OS X would be appreciated.

Big Hairy Question: Will the Storm ecosystem be competitive with Apple's iApps store relative to ease of use, reliability, security, low cost apps, total app downloads?

If not, the Storm will be stuck in the domain of a feature rich 'smartphone'. It will not be a platform ala Mac and Windows and, if that's the case, why are you even referring to the Storm "a rival to Apple's (AAPL) iPhone 3G"?

Diebold Caught Again in Politics of Technology

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:21:45 -0400

Can anybody provide Diebold's CEO's quoted remark (and source) to a Republican Party meeting from several years back?

If true, Diebold will have to deservedly live with that remark undercutting it's reputation for decades.

Amidst Market Turmoil, Apple Has Unique Opportunity

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:06:18 -0400

Zach,

$30B? I've only heard an estimate of $21B. (Did they invest in gold at $600?).

Time Not for a Bailout, But for Nationalization

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:49:27 -0400

@Purl Gurl

You Wrote, "Oh my, Mr. Delong, you are a partisan leftist socialist, yes? "

And I write,

"Oh my, Purl Gurl, you are a partisan idiot, yes?

Not good to call people names. (Irony intended.)

SEC Retires 'Moron du Jour' Title

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:45:21 -0400

"I just bet those accomplishments make him (Bush2) more successful and richer and smarter than you. "

F^&%*&%king up our country - Priceless.

I regret he's too ignirantly conceited to realize what he's done. He'll probably live the reat of his life happy with the job he did.

"Bushie, you've done a heckuva job."

I wonder whether having someone other than Cheney run the country might have worked better.

Bush Speaks! Evildoers To Be 'Persecuted'

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:01:20 -0400

What has Palin done to show in any way that she has the experience, judgement, and temperament to be Commander-in-Chief of our sons and daughters? our President?

McCain has my contempt for placing America at risk of being led by a President Palin. (And no, I don't want to give her a chance in the hopes that she might really be great; They do that on Reality TV and it's called entertainment for a reason.)

Wonderfully, a growing number of conservatives have turned their back on McCain and are showing him the comtempt he deserves.

Another Salvo in the Apple vs. Microsoft Ad War

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 11:44:45 -0400

"Please name me just one thing a PC can't do, that a Mac can."

Here's a start:

Easy, intuitive editing of:

- movies
- photos
- music (GarageBand)

Superb and easy creation of beautiful multi-media keynotes/lessons/slide...

Easily and reliably download and play all types of multi-media from the biggest (by far) media store in the world (iTunes on Windows is an Apple sw.)

- Set and forget reliable automatic backup, recovery, and global time spanning retrieval.

- Synching email, calendars, tasks across multiple iPhones and iPod touches, multiuple PCS, multiple Macs.

- Set and forget complete backup and restoration of multiple iPhones and iPod touches to Macs and PCs.

I think there are at least 10 to 20 more things to add, but I'll leave that to some others.

Disclosure: Of Course I'm Long Apple!

Does a Mobile Internet Devices Market Exist?

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:25:35 -0400

Seems to me the iPod touch w/ its 3.5" screen expanded to 5" would be perfect and dominant in the MID space:

- added 3G connectivity to ATT and tMobile
- Expanded graphic keyboard
- More Multitouch gestures
- Wifi (Skype) phone/video capability
- All the iPod touch functionality, reliability, security, usability, coolness, and 100s of Apps

No one else can go there. Instant executive, mobile, college, teen (and military patrol!) must have device priced at $150 above current touch pricing.

Got iTablet killers? Not for a couple years, my friends.

Disclosure: OCILAP (Of course I'm Long Aapl!)

Revisiting the iPhone's Browsing Market Share

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:51:44 -0400

"US/WW Share of smartphone traffic" - NOT.

Seems like the other mobiles are going to special mobile websites audited by AdMob.

"Oh. Isn't that cute? They can access the internets!"

Well, it's true in the sense that the other mobiles are true 'smartphones' while the iPhone is really in a class by itself - the only pocket web browser.

Apple as a Target

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 11:07:53 -0400

"Ah, ya know, I remember, a decade ago, when Microsoft was in every company's cross hairs and Apple was basically irrelevant. The world has turned upside down."

Yeah. It's a wonder, but we do see a strong difference in responding to the challenge then and now.

Msft knifed Netscape and was found guilty of monopolistic 'malpractice'.

Apple will take these guys out by out innovating w/ products, ecosystems, quality, security, and marketing. No contest.

DECE will either die and go away or succeed in being adopted by Apple.

And then they'll still need to deal with trying to make money in Apple's iWorld!

Consortium To Standardize Digital Rights Management, Take On Apple

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:29:49 -0400

Erick,

Hate to break it to you, but this is Msft trying to take over DRM. Haven't you noticed?

Msft has failed (till now) with its crapware, but just wait until the new standard is announced! What a surprise when this thing appears to be somewhat advantageous to msft! Who'd a thunk?

Msft leading a collusive attack on it's enemies (In this case Apple and Disney.) is Msft doing what it does best.

Apple innovates the future.

Msft innovates collusion.

Are Global Smartphone Sales Poised For Takeoff?

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:06:11 -0400

I agree w/ much in the article, but really, what would you say if you analyzed the prospects of the iPhone?

My view is the iPhone is in a category of 1 today. If the other high end mobiles are 'smartphones' then I'd call the iPhone a mobile phone platform with the potential to dominate as Windows 95 did in its heyday. We'd have to call it a 'Worldphone' or some other moniker.

Seriously, with 95% of all mobile internet traffic originating from the newly introduced iPhone, what might explain that? And what explains 3500 apps in 45 days? 100,000,000 downloaded apps?

Dean, Please do an article on the differences you note between an iPhone and a smartphone. I think it would be very informative.

A McCain Victory Wouldn't Mean Same Republican Economy

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:19:34 -0400

Blah Blah Blah...

Say this three times:

Commander-in-Chief Sarah Palin
Commander-in-Chief Sarah Palin
Commander-in-Chief Sarah Palin

You would be a better Commander-in-Chief because the odds are that YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT G-D IS FAVORING US IN THE IRAQ WAR.

(Isn't he the same G-d, the Muslim's pray to? Does he give our prayers priority?)

Sarah Palin: Wall Street's Candidate

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:13:09 -0400

THINKING REPUBLICANS:

If McCain dies who will be Commander-in-Chief? (really)

If you think its Sarah, you should be medicated immediately.

And why would McCain put our nation in harm's way for political gain?

MCCAIN MAY BE A MAVERICK, BUT HE IS NOT A PATRIOT.

Web Browser Wars: Google Looking Beyond Market Share

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:10:21 -0400

Chrome is a huge gambit for Google. Will they deliver a great product within the next year? (On the Mac and Linux, too?)

If this were Apple, we'd be confident; Google has a lot of smart people. I hope they're successful. We need another excellent powerful innovator on the Web to advance the technology and to ensure we don't have to experience a "night of the living dead" scenario w/ msft technoshit.

Seeing an End to the iPod's Hegemony

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:30:32 -0400

Kevin! This one paragraph is too ridiculous. Don't you know nuthin'?

"Yes, true, if that's the way music shifts, Apple may in fact get there first. The iPhone is already completely capable of becoming a cloud music player -- just look at the success of Pandora on the iPhone. But chances are Apple will try to protect its closed iPod/iTunes model, leaving an opening for a competitor -- perhaps a start-up still in someone's garage -- to do things a whole new way and give Apple something to worry about."

So, Kevin. Do you really think Jobs would "leave an opening" when all he would need to do was 'invent' subscription music?

Come on. You're better than this. (Hope your mama doesn't read this column.)

(Anyway, thanks for the laugh.)

Why Apple Stock Is Poised To Go Flat - At Best

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:35:54 -0400

I agree on two headwinds - Market Cap and Steve Jobs risk; They're both very real risks.

The most interesting thing about Apple is it has a chance to be 'Attila the Hun' in several huge markets at once: Mobile, Notebooks, Music and Video sales, rentals, subscriptions (coming), and finally, Tablets (wait on this).

So, all this begs the questions: How quickly will free cash flow per share grow and will it be as grand as the past 5 years?

Apple: An Antidote to iPhone Complacency

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:05:05 -0400

Joel,

Daneil Elger at roughlydrafted.com has been powerfully making the case that Apple has a huge moat protecting its dominating positions in mp3 players, smartphones, and (arriving soon) correctly sized (150% bigger than a touch) iTablets. Apple is also growing Mac mkt share at close to 50% yoy thanks to the gift that keeps on giving - Vista!

Your expert view of Apple's strategic advantages does not match up at all with Daniel's. I've been betting on Daniel for 3 years now and he seems to be divinely prescient in all things technical, strategic, mkting, competitive, financial, fundamental, whatever yada yada...

You would do me a great favor if you perused his site and shared your view on Daniel's world.

Thanks!