Hurrah! A video ipod!

Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Forum Members:
You're funny.
It must be lonely, being such a maverick and all. [/QB]

I'm just saying what other people usually say when everyone does what's popular……Like the ribbons on the back of cars, those people were called sheep because everyone was starting to do it. That's just one example, I just don't feel like searching for all the others.

Originally posted by Rob_Gee:

Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Forum Members:
You're funny.
It must be lonely, being such a maverick and all.

I'm just saying what other people usually say when everyone does what's popular……Like the ribbons on the back of cars, those people were called sheep because everyone was starting to do it. That's just one example, I just don't feel like searching for all the others. [/QB]

So is this just another case of me not picking up on someone's sarcasm on this board?

I'm really slipping.

I've done a little reading up on the new ipods this morning and man I want one…the 30gb model is less than 1/2 inch thick and the 60 manages to be even a little thinner than my 3rd gen 15GB model…….

Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Forum Members:
I've done a little reading up on the new ipods this morning and man I want one…the 30gb model is less than 1/2 inch thick and the 60 manages to be even a little thinner than my 3rd gen 15GB model…….

Sheep or no sheep, I want one also. I'm just not very good with computers and could probably never figure it out. Everytime I try to download something I get it all messed up and the next thing you know my computer is whacked!!!!!!!! Last two times I brought my puter to my buddy to fix, both times he says he's never seen so many viruses before….Oyyyyyy.

Did I read correctly that they plan to charge $1.99 per music video? That doesn't seem worth it to me, considering a 20 minute tv show is also $1.99.

I'm sure it's that high because the artist needs his/her/their 50 cents for each video sold.

Originally posted by Rob_Gee:

Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Forum Members:
I've done a little reading up on the new ipods this morning and man I want one…the 30gb model is less than 1/2 inch thick and the 60 manages to be even a little thinner than my 3rd gen 15GB model…….

Sheep or no sheep, I want one also. I'm just not very good with computers and could probably never figure it out. Everytime I try to download something I get it all messed up and the next thing you know my computer is whacked!!!!!!!! Last two times I brought my puter to my buddy to fix, both times he says he's never seen so many viruses before….Oyyyyyy.

The ipod is a piece of cake…really it couldn't be easier. And for viruses and the like just get a norton subscription and keep it current and also download and install MS Anti-Spyware and set it to do a scan every day and you'll be fine.

Unless of course you're just being sarcastic again and know how to use yer puter just fine…

Originally posted by Chaz, Lover of all Forum Members:
The ipod is a piece of cake…really it couldn't be easier. And for viruses and the like just get a norton subscription and keep it current and also download and install MS Anti-Spyware and set it to do a scan every day and you'll be fine.

Unless of course you're just being sarcastic again and know how to use yer puter just fine… [/QB]

My buddy added the new Norton and says it updates automatically and checks also. There's always one step in the setting up process that messes me up no matter what I try to do. I'm sure if someone shows me the IPOD thing one time, I'll be ok (like downloading songs from CD's and pic's from digital camera's), but it's not something I could do by myself without messing something up.

And no, I'm not being sarcastic, I really am computer illiterate.

Originally posted by Chip Chanko:
10/14/05

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
Here I'm eagerily awaiting for Shuttle to finally release the price, specs, etc for their latest MPC, M1000.

Yeah saw the annoucement date on this last week… Wonder how close the specs will be to the new Intel Viiv Technology that should be arriving early next year. Then it becomes whether it's worth waiting for the Viiv computers to arrive, or go with the Shuttle. Then will it be worth the risk to be a early adopter, given Shuttles so-so reputation for customer support.

I haven't had any problems w/ my SB81P…and that was the first release in that chassis like the M series will be. I think that they are really good about releasing updated bios for their first releases. If you need support it's best to go here.

That being said…I just got someone's extra TiVo so I've been trying that out and may not upgrade immediately.

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:

Originally posted by Chip Chanko:
10/14/05

Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
Here I'm eagerily awaiting for Shuttle to finally release the price, specs, etc for their latest MPC, M1000.

Yeah saw the annoucement date on this last week… Wonder how close the specs will be to the new Intel Viiv Technology that should be arriving early next year. Then it becomes whether it's worth waiting for the Viiv computers to arrive, or go with the Shuttle. Then will it be worth the risk to be a early adopter, given Shuttles so-so reputation for customer support.

The M1000 is a lowform chassis it designed to look like a VCR… It's hard to get a true picture of Shuttle support given most of the time it's people working with their barebones chassis and do overclocking etc with them.

I'm looking to replace the Comcrap DVR in use at the moment…

Originally posted by smakawhat:


Stock down $2.34 for the day….

October 12, 2005

Apple's Profit Quadruples, Yet Stock Falls
By LAURIE J. FLYNN

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 11 - Apple Computer reported Tuesday that its earnings quadrupled in its fourth quarter on strong demand for both iPods and Macs. But overall sales of iPods fell short of analysts' high expectations, causing Apple shares to plunge in after-hours trading.

Apple's report came a day before a product announcement that has the industry speculating about the company's next direction. Much of the speculation has focused on the possibility of an iPod that can play video, accompanied by music video sales through Apple's iTunes service.

And while iTunes continues to dominate online music sales, the competitive pressure grew on Tuesday as Microsoft agreed to promote the Rhapsody music service, a rival to iTunes, after settling an antitrust suit by Rhapsody's owner, RealNetworks. [Page C2.]

Apple shares rose $1.22, to close at $51.59, before its financial report was released, only to drop 10.5 percent after hours, to $46.18 - despite the company's emphasis on what Steven P. Jobs, the chief executive, called "the best year in Apple's history."

It said net income for the fourth fiscal quarter, ended Sept. 24, rose to $430 million, or 50 cents a share, including a 12-cent benefit from several tax-related items. That compared with $106 million, or 13 cents a share, in the quarter a year earlier. The earnings outpaced analysts' consensus forecast of 37 cents a share. But Apple's revenue fell short of expectations, at $3.68 billion, a 57 percent increase from a year earlier. Analysts, though, had been expecting sales of $3.73 billion.

For the fiscal year, Apple's revenue increased 68 percent, to $13.93 billion. Net income for the year rose 384 percent, to $1.335 billion.

Peter Oppenheimer, the chief financial officer, said Apple benefited in the quarter from a combination of strong Mac sales, a healthy back-to-school season and continued brisk demand for the iPod.

The fourth quarter reflected Apple's introduction of the iPod Nano, a pencil-thin model that replaced the popular iPod Mini, which had been the company's best-selling music player.

Timothy D. Cook, the executive vice president for worldwide sales and operations, called the demand for the iPod Nano "staggering," and said Apple sold more than a million units in the 17 days of the fourth quarter that it was available.

But executives acknowledged that Apple could have sold many more iPod Nanos. "We ended the quarter with an enormous backlog in iPod Nanos," Mr. Cook said. "At this point, I can't project when supply will meet demand."

Apple's revenue from iPod sales in the fourth quarter was $1.21 billion, up from $537 million a year earlier. The company, which has roughly 75 percent of the worldwide share of portable music players, shipped a total of 6.5 million iPods in the quarter, an increase from two million in the quarter last year.

Analysts, though, had predicted that Apple would sell 7 million to 7.2 million units. A Goldman Sachs report forecast sales of about 7.8 million iPods in the quarter.

Charles R. Wolf, an analyst with Needham & Company, said the highlight of the quarter was growth in Mac sales, along with strength in the education market. In the quarter, Mac shipments increased 48 percent, to 1.2 million units, while revenue for the company's computer business increased 31 percent, to $1.61 billion.

"They're growing at three to four times the personal computer market," Mr. Wolf said.

He added, though, that Apple had a notable decline in sales of the iPod Shuffle in the period, as distinct from sales of its other iPods.

Barry Jaruzelski, a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, said: "It may not be the sort of caffeinated growth rates we've seen, but it still was a good performance. They've gone from being a computer company to a consumer electronics company."

Apple said that the number of customers visiting its stores grew sharply in the quarter and that it now has 124 stores open. Average revenue for each store increased to $5.7 million, from $4.6 million, the company said.

Looking ahead, Apple said it expected to report a 35 percent increase in revenue this quarter, to $4.7 billion, from the fiscal first quarter last year. Apple's first quarter includes the holiday buying season, as well as the first full quarter of sales of the iPod Nano.

Originally posted by vansmack:

Originally posted by smakawhat:


Stock down $2.34 for the day….

October 12, 2005

Apple's Profit Quadruples, Yet Stock Falls
By LAURIE J. FLYNN

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 11 - Apple Computer reported Tuesday that its earnings quadrupled in its fourth quarter on strong demand for both iPods and Macs. But overall sales of iPods fell short of analysts' high expectations, causing Apple shares to plunge in after-hours trading.

Apple's report came a day before a product announcement that….

proof that playing in the market is nothing but a friggin crap shoot on the same par with legalized gambling.

Originally posted by vansmack:
If you take public tranportation, you will absolutely use it - commercial free, 30 minute TV shows take approx 18-20 minutes to watch. How long is your commute?

what ever happened to reading the newspaper (or a book)!

Originally posted by Celeste:
what ever happened to reading the newspaper (or a book)!

I'll give you books (Currently reading "Search" - amazing), but why bother reading yesterdays news in todays newspaper. Nearly every article in the paper, I read the day or night before.

The Apple Polishers
Explaining the press corps' crush on Steve Jobs and company.

By Jack Shafer
Posted Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005, at 4:04 PM PT

I don't hate Apple. I don't even hate Apple-lovers. I do, however, possess deep odium for the legions of Apple polishers in the press corps who salute every shiny gadget the company parades through downtown Cupertino as if they were members of the Supreme Soviet viewing the latest ICBMs at the May Day parade.

The Apple polishers buffed and shined this morning in response to yesterday's Steve Jobs-led introduction of the new video iPod. The headlines captured their usual adoration for the computer company: "Apple Scores One Against Microsoft In Video Battle" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer); "Video iPod Premieres in Apple's Latest Showcase of Dazzling New Gadgets" (San Francisco Chronicle); "iPod Evolves from Sound to Sight") (Detroit Free Press); "The Video iPod: It Rocks" (Fortune); "Apple Seeds New Markets With Video Version of iPod" (Globe and Mail).

The pairing of the V-iPod announcement with news that the iTunes store will sell Desperate Housewives and other ABC fare drove the story to Page One of USA Today and onto the biz fronts of the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Among American newspapers, the New York Times is easily the most enamored of things iPod, having run 63 stories with the word "iPod" in the headline in the last 12 months. That's almost as many as the Post and the Los Angeles Times combined.

What explains the press corps' exuberance for Apple in general and the iPod in particular? After all, the portable video player isn't a new product categoryâ??Archos, RCA, Samsung, and iRiver got there months and months ago. The excitement can't be due to the undersized screen, which measures only 2.5 inches diagonal, or the skimpy two hours of battery life when operated in video mode. As I paged through a Nexis dump of the V-iPod coverage, I searched in vain for a single headline proclaiming "Apple Introduces Ho-Hum Player" or an article comparing the V-iPod's technical specs to those of competing brands. At least the techie readers of Engadget, free of the Apple mind-meld, recognize the V-iPod as a deliberately crippled by copy protection, low-res, underpowered video appliance that is merely Apple's first try in the emerging market of video players.

The inordinate amount of attention paid to Apple's launches must be, in part, a function of the company's skill at throwing media events, stoking the rumor mills, and seducing the consuming masses. All this, plus the chatter-inducing creativity of Apple's ad campaigns, and its practice of putting its machines in pretty boxes make writing about Apple products more interesting than assessing the latest iterations of the ThinkPad or Microsoft Office.

Another thing that sets Apple product launches apart from those of its competition is co-founder Jobs' psychological savvy. From the beginning, Jobs flexed his powerful reality-distortion field to bend employees to his will, so pushing the most susceptible customers and the press around with the same psi power comes only naturally. Although staffed by dorks and drizzlerods, Apple projects itself and its products as the embodiment of style and cool. The population of Apple's parallel universe? A paltry 1.8 percent of PCs worldwide.

But reality distortion doesn't account for how Apple has captured 74 percent of a market it didn't invent with a device it didn't engineer single-handedly. It was Apple's good luck to develop and improve its player during the period that Sony, the previous king of portable entertainment, acted like a music company eager to discourage the spread of MP3s rather than a hardware company keen on developing the replacement for the Walkman. Still, you've got to give Jobs and company credit for producing an aesthetically blessed product and then wisely making it compatible with Windows machines a half-year after its November 2001 introduction rather than fencing it inside the Mac ghetto. In doing so, Apple gave Windows users a way to partake of the Apple mystique for $300 without having to buy a new computer, learn a new operating system, and invest in replacement software.

Apple manipulates several narratives to continue to make its products interesting fodder for journalists. One is the never-ending story of mad genius Steve Jobs, who would be great copy if he were only the night manager of a Domino's pizza joint. The next is Apple's perpetual role as scrappy underdogâ??reporters love cheerleading for the underdog without ever pausing to explore why it isn't the overdog. (This is why the Brooklyn Dodgers will always rate higher in the minds of writers than the superior New York Yankees.) Apple incites fanaticism about its products via ad campaigns and evangelist outreach programs designed to make its customers feel as though they're part of a privileged and enlightened elite. One unnamed loser at Slate says today's V-iPod news made her want to rush out and buy one, even though she already owns two iPods, one of which she bought three weeks ago.

This mock ad for iProduct cracks the fetishistic code of the Apple cult:

Apple iProduct. You'll Buy it. And You'll Like It.
Do you like Apple products? Do you live for every product announcement, every incremental upgrade, every rumor and screenshot? Do you wank and blare and drone and fucking gurgle about Apple products morning, noon, and night? Then get ready for iProduct. You'll be blown away. No matter what it is.

If the press corps possessed any institutional memory, it would recall the introduction of the Apple III+, the Lisa, the Macintosh Portable, the Mac TV, the Newton, the Apple G4 Cube, and eWorld. All were greeted with great press fanfare before falling off the edge of the world. Hell, all the press corps really needs to put Apple products in perspective is a few short-term memory neurons focused on the fanfare visited upon recent, mediocre iPod releases. Only a year ago the company received excited press notices when it introduced the iPod Photo, now acknowledged to be a failed product. I searched Nexis to find a mention of the iPod Photo in the hundreds of V-iPod newspaper stories from today and found only one. Of the wildly heralded but totally average iPod Shuffle, released in January 2005, I found only two.

When the V-iPod's super-duper, long-lasting, big-screen replacement shows up in 12 months, the press will have forgotten this second-rate box, too.

******

http://www.slate.com/id/2127924/

Damn, you beat me to it. Good reading.

Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
The Apple Polishers
Explaining the press corps' crush on Steve Jobs and company.

The important thing is that apple may revolutionise purchasing video content legally, the way it did with music.

Originally posted by MTB-Markie:
The important thing is that apple may revolutionise purchasing video content legally,

Porn sites have been doing it for a decade.