BerkeleyBob

Is the Digital Magazine Coming of Age?

Dunno. I am very interested in a color e-book/reader which would provide a platform for magazines. I currently subscribe to a newspaper electronically, but don't find it satisfactory to use. Buying e-books is also appealing. Content doesn't come free, but if cheap enough, I am on board. I am not overly concerned with whether there should be web access within content delivered in a (future) color e-book/reader. Certainly, advertisers might like such a feature.

doubleTwist: An Amazon Powered Alternative to Apple's iTunes

Dunno, don't think doubleTwist will bring about the collapse of ITunes, but Amazon has available a pretty deep catalog and in a non MP3 format (higher fidelity). Of course, a shocking amount of pop music is shockingly poorly engineered and recorded. I am toying with the idea of a music server, because my collection of CDs and vinyl has considerably more dollar value than my system.

What an Apple Tablet Has to Be

I am atypical, a long time Mac user (G5 Tower), classic iPod, but have resisted a cell phone, and have nibbled on a small position in Apple stock for my IRA. My wish list for a new toy from Apple is a color e-book reader with music or movie or game display. The first generation Kindle Sony and the like aren't quite there yet. Touch screen keyboard input would be ok if reasonably sized. Don't see much point in getting excited yet and don't think a new blockbuster would have an immediate impact on share price, given Apple's penchant for spreading out revenue streams over time.

When Anonymous Sources Disappear Entirely

I think the WSJ's flat assertion puts its own credibility at risk. Most people following the story and speculating as to its source seem to believe the source was Apple and the release timed to minimize attention to the health story. Don't know. There are some issues over right to privacy, and the WSJ followup noted that the failure to disclose was arguably not material because Jobs was on medical leave when he had the procedure. But, Apple's culture of secrecy does not serve it nor serve shareholders over the long run, and should be re-examined, as should executive compensation. (Jobs himself was cleared of any irregularities, but other insiders settled civilly with the feckless SEC.)

Apple Can Keep Secrets Even Without Steve Jobs

I recently upgraded a G5 Mac Pro tower to the Leopard OS. Time machine has been a real plus feature in combination with a WD back up external drive. But I don't see the point to Snow Leopard if that entails a new computer (mine is 5 years old) and there are increasing number of applications that don't play well with the newer systems. I think Apple has been brilliant at finding new ways to hose developers and users. (Disclosure: long AAPL with unrealized gain)

Google, Apple on 9-Day Winning Streaks

Nothing wrong with taking profits on a sudden spike, but I am letting my gains ride...

Apple Could Benefit from Selling Macs at Wal-Mart

I think WalMart and Apple are not compatible retail partners because the former sells and discounts ( and rumor has it , pressures its suppliers for price concessions) and the latter maintains a fixed price for its product lines. The point about the dispersion of high tech devises into discount retail channels is a good one, but it can only work with a tech-savvy customer who does not need hand-holding. Apple would have to cede too much control to make selling its line at Wal-Mart a starter. (Of course, it is always difficult to predict what Apple will do next.)

iTunes' Inevitable Price Increase

I have bought a fair amount via iTunes. I am not as concerned about the elimination of DRM but pleased with the upgrade to lossless formats. I continue to buy CD's, some downloaded, and vinyl. The sound quality of MP3 format is surprisingly good. Times tough for classical music lovers, a shrinking market for sure. I am upgrading in near future, will buy a Mac Mini and the 1 Gg. Time Machine. ITunes represents a good value, particularly for the listener who wants to "cherry pick" one or two cuts from a popular album even at the higher price.

Apple SEC Investigation: Rotten to Core

A lot of heat here, not much light. The SEC has a bad case of mission drift and has not carried out its regulatory duties even-handedly. I don't know who knew what when about Mr. Job's health, but there is a fiduciary duty to disclose material information. Apple's public relations policy is secretive at best. Apple will continue to be viable whatever happens or does not happen to Mr. Jobs. Comparison to his situation and that of Martha Stewart is stupid; the latter was found guilty. Not a particularly good post, and too many of the comments were not better or worse.

A Review of the 2009 Macworld Conference and Expo

I was also struck by the number of small vendors and an absence of large resellers or bargains in new must haves. No gaming pavilion; maybe the game publishers don't think Mac owners play games any more. I got an invitation to attend the 2010 Mac World for free, but although I saw a few exhibitors worth following up on and bought a newish stock tracking program, doubt I will attend in the future. I don't want to use a technical term, but what I saw was a depressing number of tschotkes. I have attended something like 4 or 5 Mac Worlds, and have spent significant amounts of money there in the past.

Apple’s Lowered Expectations Pay Off

I am a Mac user and have attended Mac World for several years. This year, the absence of Apple was notable, as was the lack of a game pavilion and re-sellers. Apple is content to focus its marketing through the net and its retail stores, both apparently quite successful. The quality of the exhibitors this year was somewhat disappointing--tending to tschotkes and a multitude of iPhone and Ipod cases. The loss of Apple may cause IGN to cancel the show next year, which is hard on the smaller vendors who struggle to reach potential customers. I recognize that Apple is cash rich, but don't feel inclined to invest. If I wanted exposure to tech, I would consider CSCO or Hewlitt Packard.

WMG Sees Premium Pricing On Apple's iTunes

The only variable pricing I am interested in when purchasing music on line is a premium for lossless format, like ITunes plus WAV, or HD. I still purchase most music in CD or vinyl format, but agree that ITunes is convenient, as is Amazon. I support low revenue or niche artists where possible by direct purchase of CDs at a live gig. The recording industry has played accounting games and screwed over working musicians for many years; their business model is broken and increasingly irrelevant.

Music Moves to New Phase as CDs Fade

A topic of considerable interest. I still buy CD and vinyl but am increasing downloads. MP3 is not satisfactory, but the ITunes higher quality releases are fairly close to CD quality. There are increasing numbers of high-resolution releases, some on small labels. I also purchase when an artist makes available CD's at a live performance, some of which are not otherwise available. This model of direct distribution is not common, but the record labels have a long dismal history of ripping off artists and what ever business model we end up with, I want to see fair compensation for the artists.

'The Market and the Internet Don't Care if You Make Money'

Interesting point. I recently signed up for an e-mail subscription to an out of town newspaper that is discontinuing news rack and newsstand distribution as a cost-cutting measure. Not totally satisfactory for this newspaper junkie (read three a day), but at least they are trying.

Apple, Amazon Pleased with Music Royalties Ruling

Good, clear coverage of a complex issue. Historically, the recording industry (RIAA) gave up performance (as opposed to mechanical) royalties for radio broadcast (at the time, terrestial radio) because the exposure would indirectly benefit sales. (ie., hear the hit on the radio for free and buy the record or sheet music to generate revenue). The NAB lobbied very hard to make sure that internet and satellite radio were not given a similar break, thus the prolonged delay by the FCC in approving Sirius/XM radio merger. None of these machinations have done much to improve the lot of the performing musician, although most professionals now are aware of the value of publishing rights. (The labels often engaged in phony accounting or simply stole mechanical royalties, and some major pop acts were not above stealing material from the often obscure originators.) The internet and satellite radio services are crucial to exposure to niche performers and listeners and the problem of fairly compensating artists (also known as content providers) is very complicated indeed. After all, no one is making large dollars from posting on web sites such as this one, right?