jmmx's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/72017/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/173492-apple-to-open-50-more-stores-let-s-be-careful-steve?source=feed#comment-761777 761777
Since most of what the Apple stores sell are Apple products, virtually all of that $4000 goes to Apple. At the MS stores, this is not true. All they sell to the average consumer, is the OS and a few programs such as Office. Therefore the best they can hope for is a profit along the lines of Best Buy. So it seems that what we see here is a really an expensive advertising campaign,]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:07:53 -0500
Since most of what the Apple stores sell are Apple products, virtually all of that $4000 goes to Apple. At the MS stores, this is not true. All they sell to the average consumer, is the OS and a few programs such as Office. Therefore the best they can hope for is a profit along the lines of Best Buy. So it seems that what we see here is a really an expensive advertising campaign,]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/173492-apple-to-open-50-more-stores-let-s-be-careful-steve?source=feed#comment-761763 761763
Reminds me of this:
www.businessweek.com/m...

Don't you just love these do-nothings trying to tell Apple how to run their business?

LOOOOOOOOL]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:52:39 -0500
Reminds me of this:
www.businessweek.com/m...

Don't you just love these do-nothings trying to tell Apple how to run their business?

LOOOOOOOOL]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/173198-apple-has-a-genuine-green-shoot?source=feed#comment-758626 758626
Here is an interesting item on iPhone usage:
www.apple.com/iphone/b.../]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:58:16 -0500
Here is an interesting item on iPhone usage:
www.apple.com/iphone/b.../]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171956-europe-s-biggest-newspaper-forcing-purchase-of-its-iphone-app?source=feed#comment-750143 750143
(This assumes that that parameter is available to change and that Apple allows the App.)

Alternatively, someone could set up a website that loads the hidden pages indirectly.]]> Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:54:47 -0500
(This assumes that that parameter is available to change and that Apple allows the App.)

Alternatively, someone could set up a website that loads the hidden pages indirectly.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171957-quest-for-the-droid-crowds-not-so-epic?source=feed#comment-749440 749440
A fun read.]]> Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:17:49 -0500
A fun read.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/169894-apple-gaining-ground-in-smartphone-race?source=feed#comment-736163 736163 "And for you gross margin folks RIMM's gross margin is about 10 points better than AAPL."

One reason for that is that while Apple is mainly a hardware company, RIMM gets a significant portion of income from its subscriptions which have much higher gross margins. So the comparison may not be fair.]]> Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:42:50 -0400 "And for you gross margin folks RIMM's gross margin is about 10 points better than AAPL."

One reason for that is that while Apple is mainly a hardware company, RIMM gets a significant portion of income from its subscriptions which have much higher gross margins. So the comparison may not be fair.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/169355-three-myths-about-business-in-china?source=feed#comment-733985 733985 1- It is important, &
2- it requires dedicated work all throughout school - beginning to end.

Most Americans do not understand this. They are way too lazy. I work in software/hardware industry. Why do we NEED to import so many engineers? (who are very well paid) Are indians and chinese, etc really so much smarter than Americans? Not really. It is just that they are willing to work at their education, while Americans just cruise and whine and the parents let them do it.The society has what I call a "culture of mediocrity" when it comes to education. This in spite of the fact that most teachers work very very hard at trying to provide a stimulating lesson.

Unfortunately, the Bush administration sold America out to the Chinese and OPEC countries with his enormous deficits and pro-oil politics.]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:29:58 -0400 1- It is important, &
2- it requires dedicated work all throughout school - beginning to end.

Most Americans do not understand this. They are way too lazy. I work in software/hardware industry. Why do we NEED to import so many engineers? (who are very well paid) Are indians and chinese, etc really so much smarter than Americans? Not really. It is just that they are willing to work at their education, while Americans just cruise and whine and the parents let them do it.The society has what I call a "culture of mediocrity" when it comes to education. This in spite of the fact that most teachers work very very hard at trying to provide a stimulating lesson.

Unfortunately, the Bush administration sold America out to the Chinese and OPEC countries with his enormous deficits and pro-oil politics.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/169355-three-myths-about-business-in-china?source=feed#comment-733482 733482 You say: "And how long will 'upity' labor prevail once economic growth drops below population growth?"

you are talking through your hat dude - the population growth rate of China is 0.66 % less than USA at 0.98% and almost 1/3 of India @ 1.5%. So I imagine that they will not have to worry too much about what you are saying for quite a while.

- as for "drafty house" I do agree with you there, but somehow I think they will avoid the extreme into which we have sunk.]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:16:10 -0400 You say: "And how long will 'upity' labor prevail once economic growth drops below population growth?"

you are talking through your hat dude - the population growth rate of China is 0.66 % less than USA at 0.98% and almost 1/3 of India @ 1.5%. So I imagine that they will not have to worry too much about what you are saying for quite a while.

- as for "drafty house" I do agree with you there, but somehow I think they will avoid the extreme into which we have sunk.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168836-the-problem-with-iphone-killers?source=feed#comment-731231 731231 You say: "Apple has basically just locked in their loyal following..."

What planet are you living on? Most iPhone and iPod owners are on Windows computers not Macs. If you want to argue that anyone who buys an iPod/phone automatically falls into the category "their loyal following" then your argument is tautological and thereby tells us nothing.

In fact, iPhone arguably owns the largest share of the smartphone market if you define smartphone as a cell phone device designed to provide a realistic access to the internet. (I.E. a window large enough to do more than trivial tasks). This fact is verified by the enormous share of mobile web browsing owned by iPhone/Touch.

In light of this, your comments are ridiculous. ]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:18:25 -0400 You say: "Apple has basically just locked in their loyal following..."

What planet are you living on? Most iPhone and iPod owners are on Windows computers not Macs. If you want to argue that anyone who buys an iPod/phone automatically falls into the category "their loyal following" then your argument is tautological and thereby tells us nothing.

In fact, iPhone arguably owns the largest share of the smartphone market if you define smartphone as a cell phone device designed to provide a realistic access to the internet. (I.E. a window large enough to do more than trivial tasks). This fact is verified by the enormous share of mobile web browsing owned by iPhone/Touch.

In light of this, your comments are ridiculous. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168642-calculating-apple-s-2010-eps?source=feed#comment-730273 730273
As for typos - you really should be very careful. It looks so unprofessional - you lose credibility.]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:41:19 -0400
As for typos - you really should be very careful. It looks so unprofessional - you lose credibility.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168642-calculating-apple-s-2010-eps?source=feed#comment-730271 730271
Just one caveat - be careful of gross margin when they go to non-deferred accounting. I seem to remember that several items that typically come out before g.m. are pushed to operating expenses on iPhone - e.g. Advertising, etc. (That came from some early conference call.)]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:38:24 -0400
Just one caveat - be careful of gross margin when they go to non-deferred accounting. I seem to remember that several items that typically come out before g.m. are pushed to operating expenses on iPhone - e.g. Advertising, etc. (That came from some early conference call.)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168697-why-apple-is-worth-80?source=feed#comment-730256 730256
All your messing around with EPS. "... the hiighest EPS estimate was 8.68"

If you use the non-GAAP figures from Apple, and make a reasonable guess at next quarters (I used last Q + 20% which is very low for the last 2 years) then you will arrive at $11 for THIS calendar year.

The current price is then a P/E of less than 20. This is not extraordinary for a fast growing company.

You can see my figures at:
seekingalpha.com/user/...

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:01:47 -0400
All your messing around with EPS. "... the hiighest EPS estimate was 8.68"

If you use the non-GAAP figures from Apple, and make a reasonable guess at next quarters (I used last Q + 20% which is very low for the last 2 years) then you will arrive at $11 for THIS calendar year.

The current price is then a P/E of less than 20. This is not extraordinary for a fast growing company.

You can see my figures at:
seekingalpha.com/user/...

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168697-why-apple-is-worth-80?source=feed#comment-730252 730252
First-

It seems most of your models rely on "terminal growth rate." This is a tricky thing here. We all know that Apple will not increase at this rate forever. No one expects Apple to own the whole universe in 25 year, which is what it would at its current rate of growth. (Well, maybe 50 years - you can do the math.)

Let me make an analogy here - tho granted it is a bit forced. We all know that each of us humans is going to die. So we each have a terminal growth rate of 0. Now let us suppose that in 1987 you applied your formulae to both me and to Brad Pitt, in that year he played a party goer in "Less than zero" So there we were, I in grad school and Pitt in "Less than zero" your analysis would have put our stock at the same price, since we both had negligible income and both would reach 0 TGR. I wish my income were just a slightly larger fraction of his than it is now.

My point is simply this: what happens in between NOW and reaching your TGR happens to be important. For you seem to imply that two companies with the same TGR should have the same value even if Co A is already at their TGR and Co B will double before reaching it.

Some of us feel that Apple will continue to grow at a high rate for several years to come. Hey - just go back in time to 2003, AAPL = aprox $20. Now apply your models what you get? Probably that Apple will be worth only $20 in 2009.

---- Myth BUSTED! ----]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:51:29 -0400
First-

It seems most of your models rely on "terminal growth rate." This is a tricky thing here. We all know that Apple will not increase at this rate forever. No one expects Apple to own the whole universe in 25 year, which is what it would at its current rate of growth. (Well, maybe 50 years - you can do the math.)

Let me make an analogy here - tho granted it is a bit forced. We all know that each of us humans is going to die. So we each have a terminal growth rate of 0. Now let us suppose that in 1987 you applied your formulae to both me and to Brad Pitt, in that year he played a party goer in "Less than zero" So there we were, I in grad school and Pitt in "Less than zero" your analysis would have put our stock at the same price, since we both had negligible income and both would reach 0 TGR. I wish my income were just a slightly larger fraction of his than it is now.

My point is simply this: what happens in between NOW and reaching your TGR happens to be important. For you seem to imply that two companies with the same TGR should have the same value even if Co A is already at their TGR and Co B will double before reaching it.

Some of us feel that Apple will continue to grow at a high rate for several years to come. Hey - just go back in time to 2003, AAPL = aprox $20. Now apply your models what you get? Probably that Apple will be worth only $20 in 2009.

---- Myth BUSTED! ----]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168356-can-apple-be-a-300-stock?source=feed#comment-726142 726142
Let us use non-GAAP numbers:
We have FQ2-4:
1.84
2.14
3.12
------
7.10 $ = nonGAAP EPS so far this calendar year

over passed 2 years Dec Q has exceeded Sept Q by:
74% and 41% (this is for GAAP) So let us take a conservative 25% increase (over $3.12) as estimate for next quarter non-GAAP = $3.90.

This gives us an even $11 for Calendar year 2009 EPS. (again, non-GAAP)

(Today Yahoo has PE = 35.87 GAAP)
At todays price of roughly $205, the non-GAAP PE would be 18.6.
At a price of 300, the PE would be: 27.3.

Just a few numbers. ]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:06:40 -0400
Let us use non-GAAP numbers:
We have FQ2-4:
1.84
2.14
3.12
------
7.10 $ = nonGAAP EPS so far this calendar year

over passed 2 years Dec Q has exceeded Sept Q by:
74% and 41% (this is for GAAP) So let us take a conservative 25% increase (over $3.12) as estimate for next quarter non-GAAP = $3.90.

This gives us an even $11 for Calendar year 2009 EPS. (again, non-GAAP)

(Today Yahoo has PE = 35.87 GAAP)
At todays price of roughly $205, the non-GAAP PE would be 18.6.
At a price of 300, the PE would be: 27.3.

Just a few numbers. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168356-can-apple-be-a-300-stock?source=feed#comment-726096 726096
2:

At least for the last two years, never has Apple's Fiscal Q4 (Sept) EPS exceeded the FQ1 until now ($1.82 vs $1.78) and did so handily. In the past, FQ4 always lagged FQ1 significantly (e.g. 2008 $1.26 vs $1.76)

In terms of revenue -
FQ4 revenue lagged that for same year FQ1 by 17 - 20%. This year by a mere 3%.

Conclusion:
Growth is accelerating. (Although one might argue that this is due to the bad economic environment last December. The environment now is still not all that great!)]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:34:13 -0400
2:

At least for the last two years, never has Apple's Fiscal Q4 (Sept) EPS exceeded the FQ1 until now ($1.82 vs $1.78) and did so handily. In the past, FQ4 always lagged FQ1 significantly (e.g. 2008 $1.26 vs $1.76)

In terms of revenue -
FQ4 revenue lagged that for same year FQ1 by 17 - 20%. This year by a mere 3%.

Conclusion:
Growth is accelerating. (Although one might argue that this is due to the bad economic environment last December. The environment now is still not all that great!)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168356-can-apple-be-a-300-stock?source=feed#comment-726080 726080
1:
From Apple's statement:
>> Adjusting GAAP sales and product costs to eliminate the impact of subscription accounting, the corresponding non-GAAP measures* for the quarter are $12.25 billion of “Adjusted Sales” and $2.85 billion of “Adjusted Net Income.”
---

That is $3.12 EPS.

Sometime soon Apple will switch to new accounting rules that will allow the most of iPhone sales to be booked when sold.]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:21:42 -0400
1:
From Apple's statement:
>> Adjusting GAAP sales and product costs to eliminate the impact of subscription accounting, the corresponding non-GAAP measures* for the quarter are $12.25 billion of “Adjusted Sales” and $2.85 billion of “Adjusted Net Income.”
---

That is $3.12 EPS.

Sometime soon Apple will switch to new accounting rules that will allow the most of iPhone sales to be booked when sold.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168165-when-the-going-gets-tough-the-tough-get-an-apple?source=feed#comment-725724 725724
Of course you are correct that a lot of successful people are using PCs an BBs. I don't think this article should be taken in the extreme - only to show that there is good reason behind Apple's success now. This success is a trend - not an absolute.

You are also right - to a degree - in asking for statistics. True, there are no stats I have ever heard of that directly address the issues discussed here. There are a couple of things however that should not be overlooked.
1- Apple just sold more Macs than in any other quarter. (Here is an undeniable stat.)
2- It is an almost universal feeling among people who have switched to Macs, that they find themselves being more productive because they are not fighting the computer all the time. (You see this repeatedly in comments to posts such as this.) This goes directly to the point of the article.

Best of luck to you in all your endeavors, whatever platform you prefer.


On Oct 22 01:06 PM Wireless Wiz wrote:

> Unless there is empirical evidence to back this up, this is just
> a fluff piece. While I agree with the notion I don't think it is
> quite so cut and dry. Many highly successful people use a PC or
> a Blackberry. I'm sure this will be picked up by all the zealot
> Apple fan sites like Macdailynews, etc. as gospel. (next: Apple
> fans will tell me how/why I'm wrong with choice language!)]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:46:37 -0400
Of course you are correct that a lot of successful people are using PCs an BBs. I don't think this article should be taken in the extreme - only to show that there is good reason behind Apple's success now. This success is a trend - not an absolute.

You are also right - to a degree - in asking for statistics. True, there are no stats I have ever heard of that directly address the issues discussed here. There are a couple of things however that should not be overlooked.
1- Apple just sold more Macs than in any other quarter. (Here is an undeniable stat.)
2- It is an almost universal feeling among people who have switched to Macs, that they find themselves being more productive because they are not fighting the computer all the time. (You see this repeatedly in comments to posts such as this.) This goes directly to the point of the article.

Best of luck to you in all your endeavors, whatever platform you prefer.


On Oct 22 01:06 PM Wireless Wiz wrote:

> Unless there is empirical evidence to back this up, this is just
> a fluff piece. While I agree with the notion I don't think it is
> quite so cut and dry. Many highly successful people use a PC or
> a Blackberry. I'm sure this will be picked up by all the zealot
> Apple fan sites like Macdailynews, etc. as gospel. (next: Apple
> fans will tell me how/why I'm wrong with choice language!)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/168165-when-the-going-gets-tough-the-tough-get-an-apple?source=feed#comment-725697 725697
YES!! This is what Mac aficionados (NOT fanboys!) have been saying for years. It is gratifying to see that the message is sinking in!]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:33:01 -0400
YES!! This is what Mac aficionados (NOT fanboys!) have been saying for years. It is gratifying to see that the message is sinking in!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/167777-cramer-s-mad-money-apple-s-unbelievable-price-target-10-20-09?source=feed#comment-723700 723700

On Oct 21 09:43 AM charlesjt wrote:

> Minor correction: The research firm IDC Puts U.S. Apple’s Mac Market
> Share at 9.4% for September Quarter (not the 4% mentioned here).]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:27:54 -0400

On Oct 21 09:43 AM charlesjt wrote:

> Minor correction: The research firm IDC Puts U.S. Apple’s Mac Market
> Share at 9.4% for September Quarter (not the 4% mentioned here).]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/167777-cramer-s-mad-money-apple-s-unbelievable-price-target-10-20-09?source=feed#comment-723698 723698
The falling dollar is a huge stimulus to American agriculture. ]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:26:38 -0400
The falling dollar is a huge stimulus to American agriculture. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/167673-with-apple-there-s-a-fine-line-between-paying-a-premium-and-being-a-sucker?source=feed#comment-723558 723558
Looks truly amazing, BUT - my how Apple can totally INFURIATE me!

How many times they come out with a new product that is really amazing - only to put frustrating limitations on it. Specifically - there must be at least 30 reasonably possible gestures on this device. Why not provide the user access to all this potential functionality?

The most glaring example is the lack of the side-button functionality. On the Mighty Mouse clicking the side buttons takes you to the Application of your choice. This is a common function on various mice. So why not on this new “revolutionary” device? (Thy do not have to be real buttons.)

For me, with 6 different Spaces set up, this gives me easy instant switch to my email (or sometimes MS Word).

It is not only this, there are a whole slew of gestures that could have been available to users for customization, but are not. So once again, Apple has come up with a great new device - but only gone 80%. Disappointing!

(Of course I still would really like to get one.)]]> Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:15:03 -0400
Looks truly amazing, BUT - my how Apple can totally INFURIATE me!

How many times they come out with a new product that is really amazing - only to put frustrating limitations on it. Specifically - there must be at least 30 reasonably possible gestures on this device. Why not provide the user access to all this potential functionality?

The most glaring example is the lack of the side-button functionality. On the Mighty Mouse clicking the side buttons takes you to the Application of your choice. This is a common function on various mice. So why not on this new “revolutionary” device? (Thy do not have to be real buttons.)

For me, with 6 different Spaces set up, this gives me easy instant switch to my email (or sometimes MS Word).

It is not only this, there are a whole slew of gestures that could have been available to users for customization, but are not. So once again, Apple has come up with a great new device - but only gone 80%. Disappointing!

(Of course I still would really like to get one.)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/166470-why-android-is-gaining-ground-on-apple?source=feed#comment-722789 722789
I have long said that the problem with Apple Mac is that they never opened their hardware, and the problem with Win/PCs is that they DID.

MS winning the PC wars is a complex issue and the "openness" of the HW just one small aspect. As for Apple software being "open source" - once again it appears to me you do not quite understand what this means.

To begin with - Apple is indeed open source - the very bottom layer of Max OSX is open source BSD Unix, an effort to which Apple has contributed greatly. Additionally, OpenCL, the new software library that allows easy access to GPU and other computing hardware, is also open and Apple has contributed greatly.

HOWEVER! If Apple's intent is to provide a great experience to their customers, then one of the aspects is reliability. To allow a developer to mess with the OS code is absolutely absurd.

I do not argue that Android may be good, or cool, or the phones may or may not be great - BUT
-- Open source is a total non-issue here!
----

Then there is the Skype vs Google Voice question. There is no logical reason that I can see that Apple would have any fundamental problem with an app like GVoice. It has absolutely no effect on their revenue. They claimed ot have problems with some interface issues - this may or may not be legitimate. It seems to me that either:
1- they were trying to cover for ATT which does have revenue issues. or
2- they really are trying to work out the interface isues that they mentioned.
Otherwise -what is their motivation???

To me - this is just another tempest in a teapot.
This article provides the complete Apple response to FCC:
www.techcrunch.com/200.../

On Oct 14 05:52 PM Edward Harrison wrote:

≥ But, Jobs is using the same tactics
> he used when he was CEO last time - namely protecting his moat by
> limiting others from integrating fully. Last time he lost the market
> share battle. This time he is winning it and, as Microsoft has shown,
> he can continue to win for a long time.
>
> I just think Apple is being anti-competitive with Skype over Google
> and trying to keep the Palm Pre from syncing with iTunes. Eventually,
> this sort of thing will be ruled on by the FTC.]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:09:17 -0400
I have long said that the problem with Apple Mac is that they never opened their hardware, and the problem with Win/PCs is that they DID.

MS winning the PC wars is a complex issue and the "openness" of the HW just one small aspect. As for Apple software being "open source" - once again it appears to me you do not quite understand what this means.

To begin with - Apple is indeed open source - the very bottom layer of Max OSX is open source BSD Unix, an effort to which Apple has contributed greatly. Additionally, OpenCL, the new software library that allows easy access to GPU and other computing hardware, is also open and Apple has contributed greatly.

HOWEVER! If Apple's intent is to provide a great experience to their customers, then one of the aspects is reliability. To allow a developer to mess with the OS code is absolutely absurd.

I do not argue that Android may be good, or cool, or the phones may or may not be great - BUT
-- Open source is a total non-issue here!
----

Then there is the Skype vs Google Voice question. There is no logical reason that I can see that Apple would have any fundamental problem with an app like GVoice. It has absolutely no effect on their revenue. They claimed ot have problems with some interface issues - this may or may not be legitimate. It seems to me that either:
1- they were trying to cover for ATT which does have revenue issues. or
2- they really are trying to work out the interface isues that they mentioned.
Otherwise -what is their motivation???

To me - this is just another tempest in a teapot.
This article provides the complete Apple response to FCC:
www.techcrunch.com/200.../

On Oct 14 05:52 PM Edward Harrison wrote:

≥ But, Jobs is using the same tactics
> he used when he was CEO last time - namely protecting his moat by
> limiting others from integrating fully. Last time he lost the market
> share battle. This time he is winning it and, as Microsoft has shown,
> he can continue to win for a long time.
>
> I just think Apple is being anti-competitive with Skype over Google
> and trying to keep the Palm Pre from syncing with iTunes. Eventually,
> this sort of thing will be ruled on by the FTC.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/167541-apple-iphone-competitors-still-catching-up-to-first-iphone?source=feed#comment-722739 722739 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:19:22 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/167541-apple-iphone-competitors-still-catching-up-to-first-iphone?source=feed#comment-722738 722738 Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:15:50 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/167547-apples-sauce-34-billion-in-cash?source=feed#comment-722385 722385
There are twice as many Macs in the world now then there were with Leopard 2 years ago.

Mystery product: My guess is that they got the camera in the Touch to work and will need to rush it to stores last minute. ]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:08:08 -0400
There are twice as many Macs in the world now then there were with Leopard 2 years ago.

Mystery product: My guess is that they got the camera in the Touch to work and will need to rush it to stores last minute. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/167443-apple-income-statement-analysis-for-september-2009-quarter?source=feed#comment-721671 721671 What is the big "air freight expense" they were talking about in the conference call? Very puzzling. If I recall correctly, they were just a little cryptic about it.

I see two logical possibilities:
1-
They anticipate a really great FQ1 (calendar Q4) and they need to rush product out to the markets, or
2-
They have a hot new hush-hush product that will be announced very late, and will need to be rushed to market. (My guess is that it is not a particularly large product since air shipping something like a Mac Pro would be pretty expensive.)

So what is it? You pays your money and you takes your chances.

(Anyone else find this intriguing?)]]> Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:53:35 -0400 What is the big "air freight expense" they were talking about in the conference call? Very puzzling. If I recall correctly, they were just a little cryptic about it.

I see two logical possibilities:
1-
They anticipate a really great FQ1 (calendar Q4) and they need to rush product out to the markets, or
2-
They have a hot new hush-hush product that will be announced very late, and will need to be rushed to market. (My guess is that it is not a particularly large product since air shipping something like a Mac Pro would be pretty expensive.)

So what is it? You pays your money and you takes your chances.

(Anyone else find this intriguing?)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/166470-why-android-is-gaining-ground-on-apple?source=feed#comment-715390 715390 - feel they MUST have a physical keyboard
- will not move to ATT
- they prefer the look & feel of handset X
- they hate Apple
- etc, etc.

All these are valid for the individual user. Most of these people were not going to consider an iPhone anyway (unless iPhone goes to other carriers). So as soon as other options become available, these people will purchase them. This is good in my opinion (as big Apple fan and stock-holder), as it keeps Apple on their toes. It is also true, however, as I noted in my first post here, that as soon as these become available, by definition they are growing share - even if phone Z sells only 100 units that is still more than none. Heck, when the Yugo was introduced to USA, its market share increased very rapidly, from 0% to whatever. But it didn't last long. :)]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:03:22 -0400 - feel they MUST have a physical keyboard
- will not move to ATT
- they prefer the look & feel of handset X
- they hate Apple
- etc, etc.

All these are valid for the individual user. Most of these people were not going to consider an iPhone anyway (unless iPhone goes to other carriers). So as soon as other options become available, these people will purchase them. This is good in my opinion (as big Apple fan and stock-holder), as it keeps Apple on their toes. It is also true, however, as I noted in my first post here, that as soon as these become available, by definition they are growing share - even if phone Z sells only 100 units that is still more than none. Heck, when the Yugo was introduced to USA, its market share increased very rapidly, from 0% to whatever. But it didn't last long. :)]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/166470-why-android-is-gaining-ground-on-apple?source=feed#comment-715365 715365
This is not true. Most developers of applications want:
1- A well-documented, logical, development language,
2 -An easy to use, development environment (i.e. good tools),

Apple provides this. Their SDK (dev environment) is noted as being superlative. I have heard that Android also has a good environment but would be unable to judge personally how the two compare.

Open-source means that the actual code for the OS itself is open and available for both improving (and submitting improvements back to Google) and also available for "tinkering under the hood" - i.e. changing the OS itself.

This means that a handset mfg can actually change the basic operating system to suit its needs. This is powerful. It sounds cool, but doing so has its drawbacks. Most importantly is the fact that if you significantly change the OS then all applications written for the "Vanilla-Android" may no longer work with your version - or they may work but differently from how the developers intended. This is definitely NOT GOOD. Developers most assuredly do not want to develop special code for device X.

So- having open-source is of little import to Android as a development system.]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:46:15 -0400
This is not true. Most developers of applications want:
1- A well-documented, logical, development language,
2 -An easy to use, development environment (i.e. good tools),

Apple provides this. Their SDK (dev environment) is noted as being superlative. I have heard that Android also has a good environment but would be unable to judge personally how the two compare.

Open-source means that the actual code for the OS itself is open and available for both improving (and submitting improvements back to Google) and also available for "tinkering under the hood" - i.e. changing the OS itself.

This means that a handset mfg can actually change the basic operating system to suit its needs. This is powerful. It sounds cool, but doing so has its drawbacks. Most importantly is the fact that if you significantly change the OS then all applications written for the "Vanilla-Android" may no longer work with your version - or they may work but differently from how the developers intended. This is definitely NOT GOOD. Developers most assuredly do not want to develop special code for device X.

So- having open-source is of little import to Android as a development system.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/166470-why-android-is-gaining-ground-on-apple?source=feed#comment-715088 715088
Personally, I will never trust a company that wants to (or ever wanted to) look at my personal communications for marketing data - or for any reason at all. I just do not trust Google and will never have a gmail account for that reason.]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:13:49 -0400
Personally, I will never trust a company that wants to (or ever wanted to) look at my personal communications for marketing data - or for any reason at all. I just do not trust Google and will never have a gmail account for that reason.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/166470-why-android-is-gaining-ground-on-apple?source=feed#comment-715079 715079
But if you start with 0 phones and you then sell any at all, by definition you will "gain ground."

I think people should keep in mind that iPhone is the leader NOT because it is "iconic" but because it is the leader in innovation and customer satisfaction. If your product continually "exceeds expectations" then you will be a leader.]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:07:16 -0400
But if you start with 0 phones and you then sell any at all, by definition you will "gain ground."

I think people should keep in mind that iPhone is the leader NOT because it is "iconic" but because it is the leader in innovation and customer satisfaction. If your product continually "exceeds expectations" then you will be a leader.]]>