jonnysods
Mar 28, 10:21 AM
Wow, I can't see this happening. There is too much momentum for them to wait 2 years in between phones. They will release a 4GS!
Flowbee
Aug 3, 10:34 PM
The iMac and MacBook Pro, most likely. It would better differentiate the MBP from the MacBook.
jouster
Mar 30, 07:00 AM
I'd pay a premium for products manufactured in the US.
Products might be more expensive, but there would be more Americans employed. As much are there is a downside to producing here, there is also an upside.
Are you willing to pay significantly more?
Products might be more expensive, but there would be more Americans employed. As much are there is a downside to producing here, there is also an upside.
Are you willing to pay significantly more?
macenforcer
Aug 7, 05:19 PM
Thanks for raising the noise question. My thoughts exactly. Since there wasn't a case redesign, I suspect the noise specs to be similar to G5.
Anyone?
No way. The G5s main problem was the fan that cooled the HDs and the main motherboard chipset, it wasn't the cpu fans that were loud. This machine will be much quiter.
These new xeons require 1/4 the watts.
Anyone?
No way. The G5s main problem was the fan that cooled the HDs and the main motherboard chipset, it wasn't the cpu fans that were loud. This machine will be much quiter.
These new xeons require 1/4 the watts.
bedifferent
Mar 30, 10:30 PM
no no no, we want useful ui improvements not ios fluff.
+1
That's a shame. I'd like to get a 3rd party SSD but would prefer to wait till using TRIM with it is officially supported by Mac OS X.
TRIM Support for third party Solid State Drives with SandForce Processors will be coming in future builds
I gotta agree. Something about going with IOS as a touchy-feely just doesn't rub me right. There are improvements that I really welcome - but I don't think using an Mac App Store for application deployment is required. The Restore feature is just Time Machine augmented in my narrow mind.
I'd like for you to explain how iOS implementations as a UI are actually useful to the desktop OS?
- Keep in mind that drawing characters on the Trackpad is already in Snow Leopard; Auto Save/Restore like I said is just Time Machine in a different direction, Mission Control is a Task Manager for Expose (I feel its the WRONG direction really; this is not a classic smartphone), and Lion Server seems to be more a "home server" with features stripped or missing.
Agree 100%
Don't hold your breath, it's neutered & softened courtesy of iOS, there'll be no roaring.
Perhaps there will be modified fart app that sounds like a fake roar.
The simple minded will love it, no thinking required.
The tech enthusiasts, not so much.
Bleh
Agree 100000000% and is SPOT ON re: mindless masses vs. power users (and made me laugh, I needed that today, thanks :) )
+1
That's a shame. I'd like to get a 3rd party SSD but would prefer to wait till using TRIM with it is officially supported by Mac OS X.
TRIM Support for third party Solid State Drives with SandForce Processors will be coming in future builds
I gotta agree. Something about going with IOS as a touchy-feely just doesn't rub me right. There are improvements that I really welcome - but I don't think using an Mac App Store for application deployment is required. The Restore feature is just Time Machine augmented in my narrow mind.
I'd like for you to explain how iOS implementations as a UI are actually useful to the desktop OS?
- Keep in mind that drawing characters on the Trackpad is already in Snow Leopard; Auto Save/Restore like I said is just Time Machine in a different direction, Mission Control is a Task Manager for Expose (I feel its the WRONG direction really; this is not a classic smartphone), and Lion Server seems to be more a "home server" with features stripped or missing.
Agree 100%
Don't hold your breath, it's neutered & softened courtesy of iOS, there'll be no roaring.
Perhaps there will be modified fart app that sounds like a fake roar.
The simple minded will love it, no thinking required.
The tech enthusiasts, not so much.
Bleh
Agree 100000000% and is SPOT ON re: mindless masses vs. power users (and made me laugh, I needed that today, thanks :) )
ChickenSwartz
Sep 16, 11:38 AM
Congratulations! You have just provided a second independent source of unnatural delay proving Apple is already manufacturing Merom C2D MBPs and that 17" models will ship behind 15" models by a week Monday October 2.
I tihnk this is even better than the first reported unnatural delay. To take almost an entire month form order to delivery is crazy! Apple better have a damn good reason to delay for so long...and I think they do!
I tihnk this is even better than the first reported unnatural delay. To take almost an entire month form order to delivery is crazy! Apple better have a damn good reason to delay for so long...and I think they do!
paolo-
Apr 10, 06:50 PM
I get 61,835, but I'm beginning to think someone has mucked around with the keys on my calculator.
Cheers,
OW
You sure you're not using an old PC?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentium_FDIV_bug :p
Cheers,
OW
You sure you're not using an old PC?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentium_FDIV_bug :p
SactoGuy18
Apr 16, 11:29 AM
All this talk about income taxes is all the MORE reason why we need unprecedented tax reform here in the USA.
In my humble opinion, we should right now go to a flat income tax using the Steve Forbes flat tax plan, and start a process that four years from now ends all income taxation in favor of a consumption tax on new-production goods and services (the FairTax proposal, H.R. 25/S. 13). I cite the following advantages of this change:
1. It would save possibly as much 75 to 95 percent of the US$300 BILLION per year (the current Tax Foundation estimate) now spent on income tax compliance. Sure, it'll put a lot of accountants, tax lawyers, H & R Block, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service out of work, but can you imagine what freeing up US$225 to US$285 billion per year for other economic purposes would do for the US economy?
2. It would discourage American businesses from exporting jobs, factories and even corporate headquarters out of the USA for income tax avoidance reasons. That right there would mean millions of jobs coming back to the USA and commercial real estate (both production facilities and offices) would go from worthless to priceless almost overnight.
3. It would encourage American residents to keep their savings and investments in the USA, not put them in an "offshore bank" like all those "banks" in various Caribbean island nations for tax avoidance reasons or put them in the illegal cash-only underground economy. (I've read that American residents and businesses may have put WAY over US$10 trillion into offshore banks and the underground economy for tax avoidance reasons.) That means banks will now have proper levels of liquidity and you have all the incentive to invest in the US equities market, a major plus for the financial services industry here in the USA.
4. It would end by far the most insidious form of corruption in Washington, DC, the lobbying for various "tweaks" to the tax code that could affect as little as ONE taxpayer! It also means powerful companies can't use the tax code to provide "sweetheart" deals to protect their own marketshare, which means far more equality of opportunity for competing businesses (e.g., a company like General Electric can't have the tax code written so it is highly favorable to them--e.g., GE didn't pay any corporate taxes in 2010!).
5. Because the new tax plans I mentioned no longer tax bank account interest, capital gains and stock dividend payments, it would encourage Americans to create their own private "nest egg" for retirement and/or unexpected medical costs with virtually no income tax worries. That could right there possibly save both Social Security and Medicare since it would tremendously reduce the need for both of these government services.
So what are we waiting for?
In my humble opinion, we should right now go to a flat income tax using the Steve Forbes flat tax plan, and start a process that four years from now ends all income taxation in favor of a consumption tax on new-production goods and services (the FairTax proposal, H.R. 25/S. 13). I cite the following advantages of this change:
1. It would save possibly as much 75 to 95 percent of the US$300 BILLION per year (the current Tax Foundation estimate) now spent on income tax compliance. Sure, it'll put a lot of accountants, tax lawyers, H & R Block, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax Service out of work, but can you imagine what freeing up US$225 to US$285 billion per year for other economic purposes would do for the US economy?
2. It would discourage American businesses from exporting jobs, factories and even corporate headquarters out of the USA for income tax avoidance reasons. That right there would mean millions of jobs coming back to the USA and commercial real estate (both production facilities and offices) would go from worthless to priceless almost overnight.
3. It would encourage American residents to keep their savings and investments in the USA, not put them in an "offshore bank" like all those "banks" in various Caribbean island nations for tax avoidance reasons or put them in the illegal cash-only underground economy. (I've read that American residents and businesses may have put WAY over US$10 trillion into offshore banks and the underground economy for tax avoidance reasons.) That means banks will now have proper levels of liquidity and you have all the incentive to invest in the US equities market, a major plus for the financial services industry here in the USA.
4. It would end by far the most insidious form of corruption in Washington, DC, the lobbying for various "tweaks" to the tax code that could affect as little as ONE taxpayer! It also means powerful companies can't use the tax code to provide "sweetheart" deals to protect their own marketshare, which means far more equality of opportunity for competing businesses (e.g., a company like General Electric can't have the tax code written so it is highly favorable to them--e.g., GE didn't pay any corporate taxes in 2010!).
5. Because the new tax plans I mentioned no longer tax bank account interest, capital gains and stock dividend payments, it would encourage Americans to create their own private "nest egg" for retirement and/or unexpected medical costs with virtually no income tax worries. That could right there possibly save both Social Security and Medicare since it would tremendously reduce the need for both of these government services.
So what are we waiting for?
starflyer
Mar 27, 12:52 PM
My thoughts exactly. Our school district (ISD 482) just bought 1,465 iPads for its students, and I can see us getting really mad if Apple were to release a new iPad 6 mos. later.
If the iPad 2 wasn't what you needed, why not wait?
If the iPad 2 wasn't what you needed, why not wait?
neko girl
May 5, 11:14 PM
I don't know what a centimeter is when I'm eyeballing something.. and I don't want to. I run in miles, I measure in inches, I weigh in pounds. I'm not doing conversions to kilos or megas all the time in real life, so um..
Well.
I do more conversions metric to imperial than imperial to imperial. The imperial system isn't that hard to use, and I don't think it's mattered before what the rest of the world does anyway.
(:
Well.
I do more conversions metric to imperial than imperial to imperial. The imperial system isn't that hard to use, and I don't think it's mattered before what the rest of the world does anyway.
(:
Jape
Dec 3, 02:18 PM
Jape,
did you ever hear back from BLT??
I have heard nothing but didn't send email to them. Will do that today.
No I haven't heard back, I sent them another email this morning but they haven't replied
did you ever hear back from BLT??
I have heard nothing but didn't send email to them. Will do that today.
No I haven't heard back, I sent them another email this morning but they haven't replied
PBF
Mar 27, 04:26 AM
If theres no announced release date it can't be delayed. It would just be later than usual. Thats not the same thing. I'm all for waiting. The longer I hang on to my 3GS the more reason I have to upgrade. Just hope It doesnt break so I can sell it to help cover the cost.
Actually, one can say it is delayed. With previous four major iOS updates being consistently released in summer, the Fall release is nothing but a delay.
According to New Oxford American Dictionary anyway:
de•lay | di'lā |
• postpone or defer (an action).
Actually, one can say it is delayed. With previous four major iOS updates being consistently released in summer, the Fall release is nothing but a delay.
According to New Oxford American Dictionary anyway:
de•lay | di'lā |
• postpone or defer (an action).
aswitcher
Aug 6, 07:22 AM
1) Intel transition
blah blah blah, it has been quick, painless developers, developers developers. Everyone has been receptive except $#%#@@! Adobe
Intel keep giving us the chips
today we update MBP and iMac to core 2 duo
That would be a very solid step, especially if they ship soon.
I hope the iMac has its guts reconfigured to be more accesible like the early G5 was.
Also on the iMac. A wirelesskeyboard and mighty mouse option might be nice.
Also, a 500 HDD upgrade that didn't cost the earth.
A single Gig stick as standard would also be a nice step, even if only for the 20"
2)Talking about tranistion there are 2 products which haven't yet been transistioned
PowerMac > Mac Pro
Xserve > Xserve? Mac Serve?
Mac Pro has 3 configs
Best - Dual Xeon, 1GB 500GB 256X1800 $3299
Better - Core 2 Duo 2.93ghz 1GB 500gb 256mb X1600 $2499
Good - Core 2 Duo 2.6 1GB 250gb 256mb X1600 $1999
Xserves - All Xeons, dah
Seems fairly sound. i would be even happier if the low end was cheaper with slightly less speed and video. I would be immesly happy if its half as thick as the old one and has a verticle slot drive so I can lay it on its side and use it as a multimedia centre. I just wonder then where the ir reception will work(side of the slot like the mini?)
The best should come with 2GB ram as standard. But it should be well priced.
3) Leopard talk
I do wonder if they will do this earlier...
4) One more thing
Candidates: iPhone, iPod, New Screens (may be intro'd with Mac Pro's) what ever else there could be
I think the new screens will appear along side the Mac Pro annoucement -like you suggest.
I think the vibe for me is iPod and iPhone will be Paris, along with videom downloads.
I would really like to see a new wireless Apple Keyboard with dedicated function buttons (multimedia) or a wired one with illumination and even lcd etc.
I wonder if video over new airport expresses with hdmi out would be a goer. Again might be better for Paris or when the 802.11n standard comes out.
blah blah blah, it has been quick, painless developers, developers developers. Everyone has been receptive except $#%#@@! Adobe
Intel keep giving us the chips
today we update MBP and iMac to core 2 duo
That would be a very solid step, especially if they ship soon.
I hope the iMac has its guts reconfigured to be more accesible like the early G5 was.
Also on the iMac. A wirelesskeyboard and mighty mouse option might be nice.
Also, a 500 HDD upgrade that didn't cost the earth.
A single Gig stick as standard would also be a nice step, even if only for the 20"
2)Talking about tranistion there are 2 products which haven't yet been transistioned
PowerMac > Mac Pro
Xserve > Xserve? Mac Serve?
Mac Pro has 3 configs
Best - Dual Xeon, 1GB 500GB 256X1800 $3299
Better - Core 2 Duo 2.93ghz 1GB 500gb 256mb X1600 $2499
Good - Core 2 Duo 2.6 1GB 250gb 256mb X1600 $1999
Xserves - All Xeons, dah
Seems fairly sound. i would be even happier if the low end was cheaper with slightly less speed and video. I would be immesly happy if its half as thick as the old one and has a verticle slot drive so I can lay it on its side and use it as a multimedia centre. I just wonder then where the ir reception will work(side of the slot like the mini?)
The best should come with 2GB ram as standard. But it should be well priced.
3) Leopard talk
I do wonder if they will do this earlier...
4) One more thing
Candidates: iPhone, iPod, New Screens (may be intro'd with Mac Pro's) what ever else there could be
I think the new screens will appear along side the Mac Pro annoucement -like you suggest.
I think the vibe for me is iPod and iPhone will be Paris, along with videom downloads.
I would really like to see a new wireless Apple Keyboard with dedicated function buttons (multimedia) or a wired one with illumination and even lcd etc.
I wonder if video over new airport expresses with hdmi out would be a goer. Again might be better for Paris or when the 802.11n standard comes out.
Plutonius
May 3, 05:22 PM
[QUOTE=ravenvii;12507483]CURRENT KNOWN MAP:
http://web.me.com/ravenvii/map/known.png
map confusion - I'm assuming the yellow marks are three doors. but is our start position inside the mansion ?
http://web.me.com/ravenvii/map/known.png
map confusion - I'm assuming the yellow marks are three doors. but is our start position inside the mansion ?
xpipe
Apr 6, 05:36 PM
I just bought the Xoom a few days ago. I had considered purchasing an iPad 2, but instead of more-or-less duplicating my previous iPad purchase, I thought I'd try something new. I have mixed feelings, but overall I am quite happy with the purchase.
The Xoom hardware seems sturdier to me, but that could just be in my head, and the device feels more powerful to me. The Xoom has a larger, higher-resolution display than the iPad, but the iPad has a much higher quality display. That's an issue for a device that is, essentially, one big screen. One aspect in particular that seems far superior to iOS on the iPad is web browsing, which is likely my most frequently-used feature of ether device. The Xoom blows either iPad away in this regard. It offers near desktop-speed performance in its included browser, with none of the checkerboards and frequent page reloads of the iPad. I'm not sure if this (page reloads) is primarily due to the greater RAM, or the fast speed of the browser; perhaps it reloads so fast it doesn't matter. I don't want to restart the whole flash debate, but I watched quite a bit of flash-based internet video and the device didn't get hot nor did the battery take a disproportionate hit. In fact, the battery life has really been great...two very long evenings of heavy usage, and there's plenty to spare.
Multitasking is also quite nice. One of the first apps I downloaded was a (free) great radio app, and as I was listening to the radio I intuitively started web browsing and going back and forth between a few other apps and it wasn't until I received and replied to a message from a friend that it occurred to me that I was having a really cool and full mobile computing experience. I feel that as iOS and Android (Honeycomb) stand right now, Android offers a lot more potential to serve my needs. To realize this potential, though, they need apps and Apple dominates in this area...not only in quantity but in the overall polish of their top-tier apps. Apple's iOS itself is likewise more polished, and the Android team definitely needs to iron out some of the wrinkles. Not showstoppers, mind you, but Apple clearly had the more mature, stable OS.
So now I have two tablets. I have two computers at my desk, an iMac and a PC, and I can use both of those, but I can't quite figure out how two tablets figure into the equation. I know I'm more excited by the Xoom than I was after I first used the iPad, and I was quite excited by the iPad. Time will tell, but I'm currently leaning more towards the Xoom.
The Xoom hardware seems sturdier to me, but that could just be in my head, and the device feels more powerful to me. The Xoom has a larger, higher-resolution display than the iPad, but the iPad has a much higher quality display. That's an issue for a device that is, essentially, one big screen. One aspect in particular that seems far superior to iOS on the iPad is web browsing, which is likely my most frequently-used feature of ether device. The Xoom blows either iPad away in this regard. It offers near desktop-speed performance in its included browser, with none of the checkerboards and frequent page reloads of the iPad. I'm not sure if this (page reloads) is primarily due to the greater RAM, or the fast speed of the browser; perhaps it reloads so fast it doesn't matter. I don't want to restart the whole flash debate, but I watched quite a bit of flash-based internet video and the device didn't get hot nor did the battery take a disproportionate hit. In fact, the battery life has really been great...two very long evenings of heavy usage, and there's plenty to spare.
Multitasking is also quite nice. One of the first apps I downloaded was a (free) great radio app, and as I was listening to the radio I intuitively started web browsing and going back and forth between a few other apps and it wasn't until I received and replied to a message from a friend that it occurred to me that I was having a really cool and full mobile computing experience. I feel that as iOS and Android (Honeycomb) stand right now, Android offers a lot more potential to serve my needs. To realize this potential, though, they need apps and Apple dominates in this area...not only in quantity but in the overall polish of their top-tier apps. Apple's iOS itself is likewise more polished, and the Android team definitely needs to iron out some of the wrinkles. Not showstoppers, mind you, but Apple clearly had the more mature, stable OS.
So now I have two tablets. I have two computers at my desk, an iMac and a PC, and I can use both of those, but I can't quite figure out how two tablets figure into the equation. I know I'm more excited by the Xoom than I was after I first used the iPad, and I was quite excited by the iPad. Time will tell, but I'm currently leaning more towards the Xoom.
mcarnes
Jul 21, 02:01 PM
Sheesh. This is a 180 from waiting for G5 updates.
Slurpy2k8
Mar 30, 06:37 PM
Enjoy your brand new 129$ Mac OS X latest revision (the most advanced, the most unique, the most... bla bla bla bla...) carrying more than XXX features (aka... just making the Mac OS X experience more iOS-alike so you get used to AppStore since soon you'll have to go through this method of delivery as there won't be any other one, because Mr. Jobs wants more money...)
Yep... I think that 129$ sounds quite ok, for nothing :D
Though I'm not surprise... there's nothing shocking that they can implement. This "update" is aimed at training people into AppStore (aka money)... and they even charge for it :D
I lost braincells reading your stupidity.
Also, anyone who has used the lion dev preview knows for a fact that there are many major UI changes- easily the most significant UI updates since the release of OSX. But hey, everyone feel free to keep talking out of your asses.
Yep... I think that 129$ sounds quite ok, for nothing :D
Though I'm not surprise... there's nothing shocking that they can implement. This "update" is aimed at training people into AppStore (aka money)... and they even charge for it :D
I lost braincells reading your stupidity.
Also, anyone who has used the lion dev preview knows for a fact that there are many major UI changes- easily the most significant UI updates since the release of OSX. But hey, everyone feel free to keep talking out of your asses.
chasemac
Aug 4, 01:02 AM
Never buy an apple product!!!
As soon as you do something new and better comes out!!!
AAAHHHHHH
I am typing this away on my new Macbook, Core 1 Duo; which i bought under the self-brainwashed reasoning that the MBP alone would see 2x2. Why you ask? Cuz I figured hey, the MB JUST came out, why refresh it every 2 months! The MBP has been out like 8 months, that makes sense.
I can only PRAY I am right.
No that my Macbook will be instant crap... I just COULD have waited until september.
Damn you apple...
You have a very good system.:confused: Your Macbook will not be crap. I really don't think the Macbook will get a processor upgrade yet. Not for another couple of months anyway.
As soon as you do something new and better comes out!!!
AAAHHHHHH
I am typing this away on my new Macbook, Core 1 Duo; which i bought under the self-brainwashed reasoning that the MBP alone would see 2x2. Why you ask? Cuz I figured hey, the MB JUST came out, why refresh it every 2 months! The MBP has been out like 8 months, that makes sense.
I can only PRAY I am right.
No that my Macbook will be instant crap... I just COULD have waited until september.
Damn you apple...
You have a very good system.:confused: Your Macbook will not be crap. I really don't think the Macbook will get a processor upgrade yet. Not for another couple of months anyway.
JackAxe
Apr 18, 05:02 PM
How dare Samsung use a black rectangle with rounded corners! * sarcasm*
LarryC
Mar 30, 05:29 AM
These jokes just aren't funny.
It's too early for this. Maybe it will never not be too early for this, but please have some sensitivity for people who have friends/family/are themselves in affected areas.
Do you have any evidence for this?
He is right about this. I used to work for a Japanese company here in N.C.. He must have some experience in dealing with them or knows someone who has experience dealing with them.
It's too early for this. Maybe it will never not be too early for this, but please have some sensitivity for people who have friends/family/are themselves in affected areas.
Do you have any evidence for this?
He is right about this. I used to work for a Japanese company here in N.C.. He must have some experience in dealing with them or knows someone who has experience dealing with them.
connorhays
Nov 22, 11:40 PM
the iphone will beat treo out
BC2009
Apr 7, 11:46 AM
If the demand for touch panels increases then the manufacturers of touch panels will rejoice and expand their business thus increasing the supply. The real problem here is that RIM probably wants terms on touch panel production that are not all-too-inspiring to the manufacturers to warrant expansion. For example, Apple is confident that they will sell X units of iPads in Y units in 2012, and so on. So Apple prepays for what they need.
RIM is not as confident with their Playbook. They probably need contingencies in any long-term orders they place to ensure they can get out of buying touch panels they won't need. If these were 9.7-inch panels then the manufacturer could care less. Anything RIM walks away from, they can turn around and sell to Apple (very smart of HP). However, who is going to buy all those 7-inch panels if RIM's Playbook gets off to a false start? Samsung? Nope -- they make their own panels from what I have heard.
Supply and Demand.... When there is real demand for more touch panels from consumers than those being supplied to Apple for iPad then the manufacturers will expand their production and take advantage of the opportunity to increase profits. The real problem here is that RIM's attempt at media hype is not equivalent to real customer demand. The only tablet with a large amount of customer demand right now is the iPad. That is part of why I tend to believe that the "media tablet" category is a figment of the imagination for market analysts. Market analysts assign a level of demand to the "media tablet" category and make projections, but the difference between the "iPad" category and the rest of the "non-iPad media tablets" is staggering. The iPad category is flourishing, the "non-iPad media tablet" category is a fledgling state at best (if not failing).
If not for Apple's success with the iPad how many manufacturers would have already thrown in the towel with "media tablets" and once again written it off as "the technology for tablets is just not there yet for mass consumption". Tablets failed in various forms for over a decade. iPad is the first and only mass market success in this area. If not for Apple, there would be no such thing as "Honeycomb" or HP Touch Pad or Playbook -- these guys are hoping they can figure out what Apple did right and find some way to ride the same wave the iPad is on -- while technical specifications are there, they have not yet figured out the "magic" of iPad -- ease of use, awesome software market, and the emotional response Apple manages to evoke with their user experience. Just a few examples of emotional response.... There is something delightful about pinching a stack of photos to spread them out across the screen or the way Apple's tiled app icons and folders gets adults to collect apps the same way their kids collect trading cards -- these are very emotional things that Apple seems to understand.
EDIT: I failed to make it clear, but I do hope that touch panel production expands for RIM and others to get the supply they need. I like Apple having competitors because Apple tends to take the good things competition comes up with and add them as line items to their proactive project plans. I don't believe that competition drives Apple (certainly not in the way that Apple's actions or Apple's critics are basically driving the competitions plans). Apple is a bit more proactive, but when they have a worthy competitor, Apple certainly picks up on any "good" ideas the competition has had that happen to fit with their long-term plans. I also applaud RIM and HP for not going the "me-too" Android/Honeycomb route. There is something to be said for not selling out to a third-party on software.
RIM is not as confident with their Playbook. They probably need contingencies in any long-term orders they place to ensure they can get out of buying touch panels they won't need. If these were 9.7-inch panels then the manufacturer could care less. Anything RIM walks away from, they can turn around and sell to Apple (very smart of HP). However, who is going to buy all those 7-inch panels if RIM's Playbook gets off to a false start? Samsung? Nope -- they make their own panels from what I have heard.
Supply and Demand.... When there is real demand for more touch panels from consumers than those being supplied to Apple for iPad then the manufacturers will expand their production and take advantage of the opportunity to increase profits. The real problem here is that RIM's attempt at media hype is not equivalent to real customer demand. The only tablet with a large amount of customer demand right now is the iPad. That is part of why I tend to believe that the "media tablet" category is a figment of the imagination for market analysts. Market analysts assign a level of demand to the "media tablet" category and make projections, but the difference between the "iPad" category and the rest of the "non-iPad media tablets" is staggering. The iPad category is flourishing, the "non-iPad media tablet" category is a fledgling state at best (if not failing).
If not for Apple's success with the iPad how many manufacturers would have already thrown in the towel with "media tablets" and once again written it off as "the technology for tablets is just not there yet for mass consumption". Tablets failed in various forms for over a decade. iPad is the first and only mass market success in this area. If not for Apple, there would be no such thing as "Honeycomb" or HP Touch Pad or Playbook -- these guys are hoping they can figure out what Apple did right and find some way to ride the same wave the iPad is on -- while technical specifications are there, they have not yet figured out the "magic" of iPad -- ease of use, awesome software market, and the emotional response Apple manages to evoke with their user experience. Just a few examples of emotional response.... There is something delightful about pinching a stack of photos to spread them out across the screen or the way Apple's tiled app icons and folders gets adults to collect apps the same way their kids collect trading cards -- these are very emotional things that Apple seems to understand.
EDIT: I failed to make it clear, but I do hope that touch panel production expands for RIM and others to get the supply they need. I like Apple having competitors because Apple tends to take the good things competition comes up with and add them as line items to their proactive project plans. I don't believe that competition drives Apple (certainly not in the way that Apple's actions or Apple's critics are basically driving the competitions plans). Apple is a bit more proactive, but when they have a worthy competitor, Apple certainly picks up on any "good" ideas the competition has had that happen to fit with their long-term plans. I also applaud RIM and HP for not going the "me-too" Android/Honeycomb route. There is something to be said for not selling out to a third-party on software.
johnj84
Mar 30, 10:50 PM
It's okay, I'll continue visiting for the 5%.
Unsurprising.
At least 95% of rumors posted here and other Apple-related forums end up being wrong.
Unsurprising.
At least 95% of rumors posted here and other Apple-related forums end up being wrong.
ThaDoggg
Apr 26, 04:23 PM
Oh well who cares besides shareholders? As long as we keep getting quality products with stable software we should be happy.