Same old, same old

11 06 2008

So Apple announced their new iPhone on Monday. What’s new? 3G and some applications and a lower price. The not very critical Apple fans love it and can’t wait to buy it yet the stock price fell 5%. Finally! Even with the adjusted price this gadget is way too expensive and manufacturers from Asia already proved that they can do better for a smaller price. AT&T, Apple’s official retailer in the US announced because of they are selling the iPhone the earning per stock are expected to go down 11 cents – now that’s a healthy business relationship. The problem for AT&T is that they signed a long term contract which means they still have to give Apple a part of their earning and pay to subsidy the phone. That’s generous. I just hope that people wake up and realize that Jobs and his team are the real evil here. They are charging consumers for next to none improvements and call it updates (sounds familiar?) and are constantly trying to make as much money as possible by showing no mercy for suppliers and distribution partners.

The wind has changed, Apple is no longer the cool and friendly brand trying to bring joy into your life. They are after your money, people.





The Empire Strikes Back!

22 05 2008

During his last Microsoft CEO Summit Bill Gates pulled of a Steve Jobs’s like presentation (minus the presentation skills – notice how he has his back to the audience all the time) and introduced Microsoft’s Touch Wall, a huge interactive screen that let’s you browse through vast amounts of information by just using a huge screen with cameras and your hands as an input device. It’s like the iPhone on steroids! Although still in development this might be the future of corporate and educational presentations. To watch Bill Gates’ presentation, follow this link.





iSearch?

21 05 2008

According to a report in the German edition of the Financial Times, Apple is working on a search engine to complement their browser and hardware devices like the iPhone. For me it’s the logical next step on the highway from everybody’s darling to Microsoft II. (Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Microsoft is bad, but their rep is) With their consistent strategy of closed systems a search engine is a money maker obviously missing in their portfolio. I bet the thing comes with awesome features such as:

- only 1 result if you search for Microsoft:

- you can advertise for US-$ 0.99 or € 0.99 because it’s almost the same, right?

- and obviously, the search results cannot be transfered to any PC…

Can’t wait!