Bites from the Apple: Tango and Cash
On that last point, Apple and AT&T are remaining fairly mum, but it's looking more and more likely that we will indeed see a new iPhone this summer, as we're seeing signs that Apple is trying to move through current inventory. This week, AT&T started selling non-contract iPhone 3G units (one per customer) and Apple joined in by selling non-contract models at its Apple retail stores (with no limit per customer). You'll have to pay $600 (8 GB)/$700 (16 GB) for the non-subsidized versions; you'll still have to use the AT&T network (unless you go the jailbreaking route), but at least you won't have to sign up for a 2-year commitment. And AppleInsider reports that AT&T is loosening the rules (on a case-by-case basis) for getting the upgrade, subsidized price for the iPhone 3G. Additionally, The Boy Genius Report was able to wrangle some mongering out of a high-placed AT&T source, who said that iPhone would be out in June and would be faster (potentially able to access AT&T's 7.2Mbps HSDPA 3G network).
As for Snow Leopard, AppleInsider reports that, contrary to the originally stated purpose of it being a release meant to clean up code and make things run smoother, the new OS could have a "significant UI overhaul" with a darker Marble theme replacing the current Chrome interface. Currently, those UI changes haven't been released to developers and AI surmises that Apple is holding them close to the vest for a big splash presentation at WWDC. Ars Technica adds that this could broaden the commercial appeal of the OS X refresh.
- Last week, Microsoft's Steve Ballmer decried the Apple tax--i.e., the extra money one shells out for Apple products--and this week Microsoft further opened up against its rival with a new ad where they promise perky Lauren that they'll buy her a laptop that meets her requirements (17-inch screen, speed, comfy keyboard) for under $1000--which she finds in the HP DV7-1245dx from Best Buy (very similar to this one). To add insult to injury, she even opines that she's not cool enough to be a Mac person after visiting an Apple Store and discovering that $1000 would only get her a 13-inch MacBook.
As you might expect, the gadgetosphere has been in full-throated commentary mode over this, with some agreeing that our current economic times demands better value while others point out that though the HP machine isn't crap, it's underpowered when compared to what Apple offers--even on the 13.3-inch entry-level unibody Macbook (which sells for about $300 more than Lauren's price requirements). As my wife pointed out to me after I showed it to her, many people would be very satisfied with the power of the selected HP, and that's very true. But a goodly number of people (certainly not a majority) would be frustrated by its limitations (both in hardware and in software operability), and that's the niche that Apple excels at selling to. If you've got some thoughts, bang 'em out in the comments.
- GigaOm reports that a Skype iPhone app may be released as early as next week (in conjunction with the CTIA Wireless confab). In other app news, Electronista reports that a SlingPlayer app has been submitted to Apple for approval in its App Store, which would allow you to view TV content playing through your home Slingbox
- Ars Technica reports (with graphs) that the next version of the Mobile Safari web browser in iPhone 3.0 provides an average 300 percent speed increase in JavaScript performance.
- In a bit of a corollary to Aric's post on the five best sources of free web entertainment, Christopher Breen at Macworld lists out his alternatives to paying a cable company to get his TV requirements (Hulu, Netflix, iTunes Store and MLB.com).
- The end of exclusive 99¢ tracks at the iTunes Store will be coming to an end as of April 7, when Apple flips on the variable pricing scheme it promised/threatened at this year's Macworld keynote. While some newer, hotter tracks will increase to $1.29, many older catalog tracks will sell for as little as 69¢ (via Technologizer).
- One of my blind spots on the Mac is using the command line-based Terminal to bend it to my will, but my tech writing hero Joe Kissell has just released the Take Control of the Mac Command Line with Terminal ebook, which from an initial scan looks to be a great way for nervous intermediate users to get all jiggy with some Unix.
- An "aha!" moment came to me earlier this week when I was contemplating how best to keep my mother abreast of our child's growing library of books. Since she's really good at (and really enjoys) picking out children's books, my wife and I are having her send our son a book each month. But we wanted to make sure she didn't double up on new books that we bought ourselves (for instance, I made a snap purchase of Where the Wild Things Are after seeing the new trailer). And this got me thinking about the Delicious Library cataloging software, which I never really put too much stock into (I can see my library on the shelves... why do I need to spend time cataloging it on my Mac?). But the newest version of Delicious Library now enables you to publish your library (entire contents or just a selection) to your MobileMe web pages via iWeb. I did a quick test, and it's easy peasy, so it looks like I've got a weekend project ahead of me.
- And finally... Steve Wozniak suffered another injury (this time to his hamstring), but was able to carry on with the dancing (which included a bit of breakdancing worm move). And he keeps dancing for another week, thanks to enough viewer votes to keep him going while ousting Denise Richards. Next up for Woz: the tango. In other Woz news, it seems his iTunes library is on the fritz; let's hope it's been resolved so he can study up for next week's tango.
--Agen G.N. Schmitz
Grantman on March 28, 2009 at 06:23 AM
But a goodly number of people (certainly not a majority) would be frustrated by its limitations (both in hardware and in software operability), and that's the niche that Apple excels at selling to. If you've got some thoughts, bang 'em out in the comments.
I'm looking forward to reading the comments. I'd love to be able to have these in my back pocket (so to speak) when discussing Mac things with friends.
anonymous on March 28, 2009 at 06:50 AM
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123207638721888963.html
(via http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/01/23/clearing-the-cache-3/ )
* OPINION: TASTE
* JANUARY 16, 2009
I Once Was Chic, but Now I'm Cheap
By DANIEL AKST
A couple of years ago, fed up with Microsoft Windows, our whole family
switched to Macs. Since then we've often giggled delightedly at the
commercials portraying a PC as a hapless fat guy in a suit. A Mac,
after all, is "the computer for the rest of us," as Apple's ads used
to say.
We own five Macs, along with iPods and other Apple paraphernalia. But
recently, when we needed a new computer, we ended up buying a PC
running Microsoft Vista. The reason is simple: Macs nowadays are
computers for the rich.
What's the price of looking this hip?
[ read the rest at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123207638721888963.html ]
Sean on March 28, 2009 at 06:51 AM
Good for MSFT, nice ad. I'm an AAPL convert and own a lot of AAPL stock but I'm glad MSFT put out that ad. You couldn't pry my MacBook from my hands with the Jaws of Life but it is expensive and competition from MSFT will benefit everyone.
Go ahead, make my day. Force AAPL to innovate and get even better. I'll keep my AAPL stock and my MacBook.
Ellen on March 28, 2009 at 07:41 AM
Good on YOU, Sean. I do Windows myself, but it's nice to have Apple out there keeping Microsoft honest. But for me the Apple/Windows comparison isn't expense. It's Apple's need to keep its customers in bondage. There is a lot of good associated with single-source, I'll not deny it, but Apple just feels too DRM to me. Your mileage obviously varies - another symptom of a functional marketplace.
Shannon Love on March 28, 2009 at 08:09 AM
The question of the cost of Macs vs PCs is an old and really nothing has changed. Short answer: PCs have lower up front "out of box" price but Macs have lower total lifetime cost.
A lot things make PCs more expensive overall for the ordinary i.e. non-geek users. For example, does the $300 price advantage in the article include anti-malware software. Because if not, that's another $50 bucks the PC user will have to shell out that the Mac user won't. Then you have the lifetime cost dealing with the constant onslaught of security threats. If you do have a serious breach, the cost of that will be a lot more than $300.
Macs require less technical support and are less likely to suffer hardware failure. Part of the higher out of box price reflects superior component standards. If computer down town cost a user money, then even a couple of days extra down time over the course of two years could cost more than $300 dollars.
Lastly, Macs retain value better. In two years, you can resell the Mac for half its original cost. With the PC it will be more like one third. The lower end PCs depreciate even faster.
PCs are a good economic choice for geeks, casual users or users with corporate tech support. Macs are a better choice for small business owners, freelancers, students etc who need reliable and secure computers with predictable cost and good resell value.
For people who need their computers up and running day-in and day-out, an extra $150 dollars a year, $2.50 a day, is a small price to pay.
(Disclaimer: I have financial interest in Apple Computer and used to work for the company.)
Windowsguy on March 28, 2009 at 09:06 AM
"The question of the cost of Macs vs PCs is an old and really nothing has changed. Short answer: PCs have lower up front "out of box" price but Macs have lower total lifetime cost."
I don't believe this is true. When computer costs are significantly higher, it costs a lot to maintain MACs in the long run. PCs require less and less technical skills. Where technical skill is required, PCs have cheaper costs. Many people know how to fix a Windows PC, but for Macs, you have to take it in somewhere.
Macs are only cheaper if you don't mind using its configuration "as is" as bought from the store. My PCs can be upgraded once over 3 years old, typical time when PCs get outdated through jumps in software or storage requirements. However, a funny thing happened with outdated software.... that is XP still remains popular so lots of software is still designed to work with XPs limitations.
Mac resale prices are overstated. You have to buy the correct expensive and popular brands to retain prices, then again, selling a 3 year old computer means you're constantly buying a new computer when it might not be necessary when you're using PCs that are easily upgraded.
Hardware failure? Give a break. Just replace the hard drive. Other items don't break as much.
Thomas Hart on March 28, 2009 at 09:47 AM
The big problem with non-Apple machines is that you're stuck with Windows. You spend more time massaging the system than you do working.
Plus there's the damage to whatever spiritual life you have. You spend too much time cursing God and His creation for it to be worthwhile.
c. Hagins on March 28, 2009 at 09:50 AM
I've gone from Win to Mac and now only run Ubuntu.
No lower price, no greater snob appeal.
Sometimes I get dizzy from all the smug.
Scott F. on March 28, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Any discussion about buying a Window's machines needs to start with the lack of security and problems caused by malware. Keeping a Windows PC from getting mired in malware is an enormous waste of my time and my computer's resources. Rather than tout the latest feature of Windows I would like to see tech writers hold Microsoft's feet to the fire until they fixed security. Vista cost 6 Billion to develop. You would think they could have built so you didn't have to go buy a security blanket to safely run it. I don't know anyone can recommend a Windows machine.
cubanbob on March 28, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Better solution (in my opinion) is a Mac with boot camp. Get the two systems and have the one you need for the apps you want or need. Think of it as two computers in one box. While it is true that a Windows machine is cheaper to buy, the hassle factor of the constant spyware and malware and the resulting eternal security updates along with the constant anti-virus and malware sweeps offsets the savings. I use both and they each have their respective charms however overall I prefer mac for the simple reason Apple assumes that you don't know jack about computers (a reasonable assumption for most users) and designs their systems accordingly. Windows has a legacy assumption from mainframe systems that the user is a systems operator and actually does have a working knowledge of computers. Which is why it is so much easier to screw up a Windows machine than a Mac. Macs on the other hand are a real pain in the butt to unscrew up unless you really know what the heck you are doing. On the other hand for a hundred bucks there is an app (the name escapes me for the moment, a senior moment if you will) that will revive almost any Mac from the dead unless it is a hardware failure. I have used it in the past when told by techs the machine is dead and gone and it has revived the system from the dead like Lazarus. If only there was such an app for Windows.
If you need to drag and drop from one system to the other or use both systems simultaneously get either Parallels or VM Fusion Ware for when you need to do so but note that they are definitely slower, a lot slower than running Windows in boot camp and even with all the tweaks and extra RAM while workable its not for heavy duty apps unless you have enormous patience or no sense of time. Macs also tend to obsolete at a slower rate than Windows machines so you can get more years of use out of them which is also a cost factor to consider. As for upgrading old machines, unless its something fairly cheap its usually not worth the bother. Better to buy last years latest and greatest this year.
Hucbald on March 28, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Re the Apple Tax: I buy previous generation Macs and save tons of money. The last new item I bough from Apple was my iPhone (Original). My newest machine right now is a 2.3GHZ G5 and I still love my Cube! If they come out with a 10" iTouch (Or, whatever they call that product), I'll have to have one, however, even if it's $1K. LOL!
Re the UI refresh in Snow Leopard: Yes, they will make it black chrome. This will match the new monitors, which will all have the look of the current 24" LED display, just as 10.2 matches my lucite displays, and 10.4 matches my aluminum displays. 10.3 was a transitional UI look, just as 10.5 is. 10.6 will be totally black (And, very very cool). This ought to be an easy pattern to spot, but I don't hear people talking about it.
Biff on March 29, 2009 at 01:28 AM
That HP weighs in at 10.6 pounds!
At that weight, it should have wheels and a telescoping handle like carryon luggage.
anonymous on April 01, 2009 at 04:47 AM
"Joy of Tech" has been parodying the Lauren ad:
March 30, 2009: http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/1227.html
April 01, 2009: http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/1228.html
Club Penguin Cheats on January 15, 2010 at 07:50 PM
Good for MSFT, nice ad. I'm an AAPL convert and own a lot of AAPL stock but I'm glad MSFT put out that ad. You couldn't pry my MacBook from my hands with the Jaws of Life but it is expensive and competition from MSFT will benefit everyone.
coach outlet store on June 29, 2011 at 11:39 PM
now if you go to www.ucentric.com it redirects to a motorola.com page about a cable box that does just what the directv system was supposed to do. what happened there