IJ Reilly
Aug 23, 08:28 PM
As has been mentioned the typical patent litigation is in the $5-$10 M range paid to the attorneys. With the main lawsuit and 5 countersuits they could have made a big dent in that $100M. Even when you have a large legal staff, litigation is usually handled by outside firms that specialize in those kinds of trials. With 32 million iPods sold in 2005 even a $3 licensing fee (~1% on average is not an atypical licensing fee) you'd easily surpass $100M if you were planning to sell iPods for more than 1 more year. A lump sum is preferable.
There are also less obvious or tangible costs. Uncertainty is never good buyers may shy away from a purchase if they feel there is a potential that the product will soon be abandoned/unavailable. There's also the fact that the discovery process in such lawsuits is often used as a tool to try and pry information out from the other side, such as future product plans, etc. that might well be worth big $ keeping undr wraps. And last but not least is the distraction that such a suit tends to place on the key employees who may be involved in designing a workaround or simply being deposed and directly involved with the trial.
B
True, but let's put it this way: Apple didn't settle for $100 million because winning would have cost them as much as 10% of that sum. Remember, Apple was going up against a much smaller company with far less in the way of resources. If Apple could have ground Creative down over years of protracted litigation with some assurance of getting a better deal, then I have little doubt that they probably would have done so. I suspect Apple saw a RIM-like situation, where they were unlikely to prevail in court and in the meantime the litigation environment would create opportunities for competitors.
There are also less obvious or tangible costs. Uncertainty is never good buyers may shy away from a purchase if they feel there is a potential that the product will soon be abandoned/unavailable. There's also the fact that the discovery process in such lawsuits is often used as a tool to try and pry information out from the other side, such as future product plans, etc. that might well be worth big $ keeping undr wraps. And last but not least is the distraction that such a suit tends to place on the key employees who may be involved in designing a workaround or simply being deposed and directly involved with the trial.
B
True, but let's put it this way: Apple didn't settle for $100 million because winning would have cost them as much as 10% of that sum. Remember, Apple was going up against a much smaller company with far less in the way of resources. If Apple could have ground Creative down over years of protracted litigation with some assurance of getting a better deal, then I have little doubt that they probably would have done so. I suspect Apple saw a RIM-like situation, where they were unlikely to prevail in court and in the meantime the litigation environment would create opportunities for competitors.
prospervic
Apr 25, 02:31 PM
Great. Since Apple puts that crap hard drive in there, instead of simply using the computer someone has to go through all that trouble to get what they paid for (i7 processor)? Are you for real? That sounds great. I'm sure all those random people who buy from the Apple Store also buy the Apple torx screwdriver kit and get to work when they get home. :rolleyes:
I recently changed the hard drive in my 2011 MBP. Electronics-size Phillips-head screwdrivers (No. 0 and No. 00) are all that's needed. Anybody who's handy with tools can do the job in about 15 minutes.
Even though the 7200 rpm HD is not as fast as an SSD, the difference in boot-up, app launch and overall operation speeds are quite noticeable (with no observable change in battery life).
I recently changed the hard drive in my 2011 MBP. Electronics-size Phillips-head screwdrivers (No. 0 and No. 00) are all that's needed. Anybody who's handy with tools can do the job in about 15 minutes.
Even though the 7200 rpm HD is not as fast as an SSD, the difference in boot-up, app launch and overall operation speeds are quite noticeable (with no observable change in battery life).
dongmin
Sep 5, 03:28 PM
If I am forced to watch ANY commercials on the iTunes movie downloads, then I'll never use it, ever. Bad enough I spend $10 to go to a theater to have the same mazda zoom zoom zoom/coke and a smile crap every time.None of iTMS's current video content has any commercials. Why would you expect anything different for features?
mytdave
Apr 20, 11:19 AM
'course you all know this is a feature, right? There are lots of social or other apps you can get to give you cute info about where you've been, maybe an exercise routine, or location based data for pictures, etc. The info has to be recorded in a file somewhere!
If you're paranoid, just delete the file from your computer backups and/or encrypt your iPhone. Tah dah!
If you're paranoid, just delete the file from your computer backups and/or encrypt your iPhone. Tah dah!
rosalindavenue
Sep 12, 02:23 PM
80GB iPod seems like the only model with good value/price ratio. :D T
I respectfully disagree. As someone who paid $399 for a 3G 30 gig (in May 04), $250 for a color, game playing, long-battery life 30 gig seems like a screaming deal.
I respectfully disagree. As someone who paid $399 for a 3G 30 gig (in May 04), $250 for a color, game playing, long-battery life 30 gig seems like a screaming deal.
syklee26
Sep 13, 09:36 PM
How do you figure this is an awesome design? This is a brainless design! Designing the nano in the first place might have been awesome. But making a nano a phone is hardly a leap of design genius!
And you mentioned chocolate and awesome design in the same sentence!!!:confused: :confused: :confused:
whether you like it or not, chocolate phone is one of the hottest phone in KOREA, the cell phone dynasty. and you have to note that chocolate in Korea and the chocolate in US sport two different designs.
and about that iChat Mobile....that phone is very practical but it might be way too big. and if they shrink the size, the keypad might be too small.
whether that rumor is true or not, i do think that the mock design by macrumors is the best way to incorporate both iPod functions and phone functions
And you mentioned chocolate and awesome design in the same sentence!!!:confused: :confused: :confused:
whether you like it or not, chocolate phone is one of the hottest phone in KOREA, the cell phone dynasty. and you have to note that chocolate in Korea and the chocolate in US sport two different designs.
and about that iChat Mobile....that phone is very practical but it might be way too big. and if they shrink the size, the keypad might be too small.
whether that rumor is true or not, i do think that the mock design by macrumors is the best way to incorporate both iPod functions and phone functions
designgeek
Mar 29, 11:33 AM
Are they smoking crack? Don't you need developers developers developers to get a platform going?
steadysignal
Apr 22, 06:42 PM
time to get the purchase order put in the system :)
Hwangsta
Apr 4, 11:43 AM
A mall cop having to shoot someone in the head...he'll probably need some counseling.
rockthecasbah
Sep 13, 05:35 AM
Does anyone know how to get into the quick search on the 5G iPods? I updated mine with the 1.2 software but I only see the quick scrolling letter thing.
cere
Apr 14, 01:06 PM
Uh... who cares? You missed my point.
The "world" isn't going to support ThunderPants as Intel now embraces USB3. You're left with basically only Apple to beat the TB drum.
Hence, TB dies or at best fades away slowly. It will never sweep the land aka "firewire" style.
Wait, you mean you didn't literally mean the ThunderBolt would be exclusively Macs only forever and ever and ever?
Dammit man, not everyone on these boards understands subtlety and context. If you are going to say something, don't be subtle. Spell it out so everyone can understand you. Otherwise we end up with some short-bus kids thinking everyone is picking a fight with them and posting worthless links with irrelevant info.
The "world" isn't going to support ThunderPants as Intel now embraces USB3. You're left with basically only Apple to beat the TB drum.
Hence, TB dies or at best fades away slowly. It will never sweep the land aka "firewire" style.
Wait, you mean you didn't literally mean the ThunderBolt would be exclusively Macs only forever and ever and ever?
Dammit man, not everyone on these boards understands subtlety and context. If you are going to say something, don't be subtle. Spell it out so everyone can understand you. Otherwise we end up with some short-bus kids thinking everyone is picking a fight with them and posting worthless links with irrelevant info.
miketcool
Sep 13, 09:49 PM
So the search feature is related to dialing? Man, this is only throwing fuel into an uniterrested group of people worn from constant rumorings of whimsical phones.
epicwelshman
Aug 31, 11:49 AM
...and 5 years later, with no major innovations since iPod Video, it makes sense that to not only counter Microsoft's Zune, but to maintain their market presence and sales (which is starting to slow), that a major innovation is required. I am NOT sold on portable video as a unique selling point, as no one spends a prolonged period of time looking at small screen devices (unless for gaming or limited web surfing), and I am more inclined to believe Apple will launch something radical that is as innovative as the original iPod. Perhaps with a far more sophisticated OS, a touch screen, some form of wireless capability (WiFi/Bluetooth 2.0) for interdevice media transfer/wireless headphones/broadcast/syncing, proper PDA functionality and the ability to use as a VoIP and/or 2/2.5G/3G phone, either internally or via Bluetooth. The number one selling point will be the touch screen and more advanced OS, allowing it to take on various roles. And if it doesn't, I'm going to make one, so there. (I kid you not!)
If Apple made a new handheld with PDA, video, and audio features based around the iPod innovations... I'm there man, I'd so buy one.
If Apple made a new handheld with PDA, video, and audio features based around the iPod innovations... I'm there man, I'd so buy one.
erikistired
Sep 19, 04:54 PM
I don't think Apple is aiming for the uber-geek with $25k worth of home entertainment equipment. IMHO, they will never be able to compete in that market.
I think they are reaching for the average joe blow that has a servicable $400 TV that he bought at Wal-mart, and maybe, just maybe, has a stereo hooked up to it. The average Joe doesn't care, and can't tell, that it's Dolby Surround and not Dolby Digital.
you don't need 25k of equipment to notice the difference between dolby surround and dolby digital. contrary to what was posted before, you CAN hear the difference on a $200 htib system. even my half deaf dad has noticed the difference, especially if the soundtrack uses a lot of directional audio. the first time i had my family to my house (at the time my home audio system wasn't that great, but still good) to watch a movie with 5.1 surround they were jumping all over at bullets whizzing over their shoulder from behind. it was neat to watch people who would be considered "joe sixpack" enjoying good A/V. it's amazing how many people underestimate what the average joe has or cares about these days when it comes to home entertainment.
I think they are reaching for the average joe blow that has a servicable $400 TV that he bought at Wal-mart, and maybe, just maybe, has a stereo hooked up to it. The average Joe doesn't care, and can't tell, that it's Dolby Surround and not Dolby Digital.
you don't need 25k of equipment to notice the difference between dolby surround and dolby digital. contrary to what was posted before, you CAN hear the difference on a $200 htib system. even my half deaf dad has noticed the difference, especially if the soundtrack uses a lot of directional audio. the first time i had my family to my house (at the time my home audio system wasn't that great, but still good) to watch a movie with 5.1 surround they were jumping all over at bullets whizzing over their shoulder from behind. it was neat to watch people who would be considered "joe sixpack" enjoying good A/V. it's amazing how many people underestimate what the average joe has or cares about these days when it comes to home entertainment.
Peace
Sep 5, 12:00 PM
iLounge has received the same invitation (http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-to-hold-showtime-event-on-september-12th/)
Nomadski
Apr 17, 05:31 PM
Sonos is far from dead, been alive and kicking in my house since and will do so far beyond whenever AppleTV5 gets discontinued I'm sure... The market will always have a space for alternatives to Apple, especially when something as hated (by a large number of people) as iTunes is integral to the system. There is nothing more closed and proprietary than Apples system, and save for a couple of lovely products Ive bought into (macbook and iphone) its something I refuse to invest any further in. Sonos delivers without giving any bellyaches or limitations that require workarounds, and their service has just got more expansive with time without cutting any hardware out of the loop, even that released in 2005 - With Apple you'd be lucky for something release 2 years ago to be fully supported with latest features.
And Magnus, I dont have to muck about with any router settings like channels because it gets plugged in and works, I dont NEED to know much about networking because it just works. It doesnt share ANY bandwidth with my wireless network so I have no idea why your banging on about your router. Never experienced interference / breakup in sound / loss of sync whatever else is happening on my network, because its totally independant, and the system is designed to avoid precisely the crappy problems products like AppleTV can easily suffer from. A quick google tells me its NOT the same on AppleTV, lots of forum posts talking about echoes and out of sync music distribution so you can stick that one where the sun dont shine.
Also my "blind test" with lossless vs lossy very clearly showed a difference in sound quality, hence why I dont touch iTunes catalogue of music with a bargepole. You seem to know that the speaker setup make a massive difference to sound (something I have to explain to people everyday regarding quality of headphones vs choice of mp3 player, in that the latter makes FA difference in comparison to the former) so Im surprised you take such little stock in lossless - a better sound system will only exemplify the difference in quality between FLAC (or ALAC) and the highest bitrate MP3.
BTW you can play FLAC on iPhone...sounds lovely, although I agree capacity is an issue at the moment.
"Apple TV 1 came with 120GB and 320GB drives and can use any 2.5 drive. It can also use any external USB2 drive (including a 3TB drive) once hacked"
Great. We are talking about AppleTV2, the latest and greatest. They took it out. You have no hard drive. To do all the stuff you go on about you need XBMC running, presumably on a PC or Mac? Or are you also using workarounds on the Apple hardware to make it as useful as the popcorn is out of the box? Couldnt be bothered myself with all the hassle, ive been using my PH for 4 years with all the functionality you have had for the last few months after mucking about with it. I would bet the majority of the great unwashed masses who bought AppleTV 2 don't use XBMC on it, so stop even comparing your modified unit with the masses experience with it.
How is that? You kept touting it doesn't need a networked PC and now you're touting that it can work with one It doesnt NEED to use a pc, but it CAN if I WANT it to. It doesnt NEED a NAS but it CAN if I want it to. It doesnt have to use internet streaming services like Napster or spotify or Last.FM but it can if I want it to. It doesnt NEED iTunes but it CAN use it if I wanted to use iTunes. I dont HAVE to use FLAC, I can use ALAC if I want. Its called choice, out of the box, zero configuration.
My experience of itunes purely with my one IOS device (iPhone) tells me you can go ahead with this BS system, but I for one much prefer having something which offers alternatives as well as crappy iTunes.
And for one who calls BS on audiophile equipment, you certainly have invested a lot into that BS. Your BS system is quite impressive, shame you skimped on the delivery system.
Re the video, if you cant tell the difference between 1080P vs 720P even on a 42" (Panasonic plasma here too) then you need your eyes testing. My wife has bad eyesight and even she sees the difference between 1080P vs 720P, whereas she just thinks 720P looks "brighter" than standard def...
But whatever, keep on rolling, im still far happier ive got the best multi room music delivery system money can buy. And a separate video player which streams and stores anything without BS conversion / tweaks.
And Magnus, I dont have to muck about with any router settings like channels because it gets plugged in and works, I dont NEED to know much about networking because it just works. It doesnt share ANY bandwidth with my wireless network so I have no idea why your banging on about your router. Never experienced interference / breakup in sound / loss of sync whatever else is happening on my network, because its totally independant, and the system is designed to avoid precisely the crappy problems products like AppleTV can easily suffer from. A quick google tells me its NOT the same on AppleTV, lots of forum posts talking about echoes and out of sync music distribution so you can stick that one where the sun dont shine.
Also my "blind test" with lossless vs lossy very clearly showed a difference in sound quality, hence why I dont touch iTunes catalogue of music with a bargepole. You seem to know that the speaker setup make a massive difference to sound (something I have to explain to people everyday regarding quality of headphones vs choice of mp3 player, in that the latter makes FA difference in comparison to the former) so Im surprised you take such little stock in lossless - a better sound system will only exemplify the difference in quality between FLAC (or ALAC) and the highest bitrate MP3.
BTW you can play FLAC on iPhone...sounds lovely, although I agree capacity is an issue at the moment.
"Apple TV 1 came with 120GB and 320GB drives and can use any 2.5 drive. It can also use any external USB2 drive (including a 3TB drive) once hacked"
Great. We are talking about AppleTV2, the latest and greatest. They took it out. You have no hard drive. To do all the stuff you go on about you need XBMC running, presumably on a PC or Mac? Or are you also using workarounds on the Apple hardware to make it as useful as the popcorn is out of the box? Couldnt be bothered myself with all the hassle, ive been using my PH for 4 years with all the functionality you have had for the last few months after mucking about with it. I would bet the majority of the great unwashed masses who bought AppleTV 2 don't use XBMC on it, so stop even comparing your modified unit with the masses experience with it.
How is that? You kept touting it doesn't need a networked PC and now you're touting that it can work with one It doesnt NEED to use a pc, but it CAN if I WANT it to. It doesnt NEED a NAS but it CAN if I want it to. It doesnt have to use internet streaming services like Napster or spotify or Last.FM but it can if I want it to. It doesnt NEED iTunes but it CAN use it if I wanted to use iTunes. I dont HAVE to use FLAC, I can use ALAC if I want. Its called choice, out of the box, zero configuration.
My experience of itunes purely with my one IOS device (iPhone) tells me you can go ahead with this BS system, but I for one much prefer having something which offers alternatives as well as crappy iTunes.
And for one who calls BS on audiophile equipment, you certainly have invested a lot into that BS. Your BS system is quite impressive, shame you skimped on the delivery system.
Re the video, if you cant tell the difference between 1080P vs 720P even on a 42" (Panasonic plasma here too) then you need your eyes testing. My wife has bad eyesight and even she sees the difference between 1080P vs 720P, whereas she just thinks 720P looks "brighter" than standard def...
But whatever, keep on rolling, im still far happier ive got the best multi room music delivery system money can buy. And a separate video player which streams and stores anything without BS conversion / tweaks.
Warbrain
Apr 20, 10:13 AM
Section 4b of the software license agreement explains it all:
http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iphone.pdf
http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iphone.pdf
Donz0r
Sep 13, 09:21 PM
This is how I've always pictured the iPhone. Candybar style Slider phones are a hit right now, as well as Music playing phones, most of which suck when it comes to playing music.
Apple needs to tap into this current market and release that thing before the holidays. All of the other concepts were way off, so un apple like. This is an apple phone. basically, an ipod with a small slide out keypad.
Apple's consumer market is growing and more people fit into it than the professional market. The demographic which wants smartphones (for the most part) don't want an apple smart phone. Now that's not to say that an apple smart phone can't be successful, its just in comparison to a consumer targeted cell phone.
Most cell phone buyers buy basic consumer cell phones. This is the perfect media player cell phone hybrid. It seems as if I'll be switching to cingular soon seeing as it will undoubtedly come out in cingular.
Apple needs to tap into this current market and release that thing before the holidays. All of the other concepts were way off, so un apple like. This is an apple phone. basically, an ipod with a small slide out keypad.
Apple's consumer market is growing and more people fit into it than the professional market. The demographic which wants smartphones (for the most part) don't want an apple smart phone. Now that's not to say that an apple smart phone can't be successful, its just in comparison to a consumer targeted cell phone.
Most cell phone buyers buy basic consumer cell phones. This is the perfect media player cell phone hybrid. It seems as if I'll be switching to cingular soon seeing as it will undoubtedly come out in cingular.
theking79
Apr 30, 04:46 PM
To Quote Hellhammer specs,
"1199$ 21.5" iMac
Intel Core i3-2100 (3.1GHz)
AMD 6490M with 256MB GDDR5
750GB HD
2x2GB RAM; option for 4x2GB
1499$ 21.5" iMac
Intel Core i5-2400S (2.5/3.3GHz); option for Core i5-2500S (2.7/3.7GHz)
AMD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5
1.5TB HD; option for 3TB
2x2GB RAM: option for 4x2GB
1699$ 27" iMac
Intel Core i5-2400 (3.1/3.4GHz)
AMD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5; option for AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5
1.5TB HD; option for 3TB
2x2GB RAM; options for 4x2GB, 2x4GB and 4x4GB
1999$ 27" iMac
Intel Core i7-2600 (3.4/3.8GHz)
AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5
1.5TB HD; option for 3TB
2x4GB RAM; option for 4x4GB"
More is here
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=943495&page=14
that top spec 27" is never going to happen, it will have 4GB RAM and a i5 processor with BTO option of a i7
"1199$ 21.5" iMac
Intel Core i3-2100 (3.1GHz)
AMD 6490M with 256MB GDDR5
750GB HD
2x2GB RAM; option for 4x2GB
1499$ 21.5" iMac
Intel Core i5-2400S (2.5/3.3GHz); option for Core i5-2500S (2.7/3.7GHz)
AMD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5
1.5TB HD; option for 3TB
2x2GB RAM: option for 4x2GB
1699$ 27" iMac
Intel Core i5-2400 (3.1/3.4GHz)
AMD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5; option for AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5
1.5TB HD; option for 3TB
2x2GB RAM; options for 4x2GB, 2x4GB and 4x4GB
1999$ 27" iMac
Intel Core i7-2600 (3.4/3.8GHz)
AMD 6950M with 1024MB GDDR5
1.5TB HD; option for 3TB
2x4GB RAM; option for 4x4GB"
More is here
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=943495&page=14
that top spec 27" is never going to happen, it will have 4GB RAM and a i5 processor with BTO option of a i7
Repo
Apr 30, 03:18 PM
With all the programming and money toward the Sony owned rights, etc., the tech isn't worth it in a computer except to a small percentage.
I agree. Blu-ray is nice, but on a computer, even a 27" iMac, it's not reaching it's full potential, IMO. Besides, you can always input your PS3 to your iMac if necessary.
You are also stuck in current times. Physical media will be dead by then, everything is going to be cloud based, there will be no such thing as a physical copy of movies any more :)
What kind of media do you expect that "cloud" to store data with? Your statement delves into the realm of privacy concern.
I agree. Blu-ray is nice, but on a computer, even a 27" iMac, it's not reaching it's full potential, IMO. Besides, you can always input your PS3 to your iMac if necessary.
You are also stuck in current times. Physical media will be dead by then, everything is going to be cloud based, there will be no such thing as a physical copy of movies any more :)
What kind of media do you expect that "cloud" to store data with? Your statement delves into the realm of privacy concern.
AppleScruff1
Apr 25, 10:08 PM
And a large portion of that 99% of the market will find integrated graphics fine, until they venture to the Apple App Store, and find that their spanking new MBA have a video card not supported by 99% of the games on sale... In fact, integrated graphics are not only not supported, but are specifically singled out in most game's system requirements.
I don't question the gaming issue, I just wonder what percentage of MBP buyers would not buy because of the Intel graphics. My uneducated guess would be a very small percentage. Remember, Apple caters to the average consumer, not the geeks.
I don't question the gaming issue, I just wonder what percentage of MBP buyers would not buy because of the Intel graphics. My uneducated guess would be a very small percentage. Remember, Apple caters to the average consumer, not the geeks.
BlizzardBomb
Aug 31, 02:53 PM
We're doing it again....
NEW MACBOOK PROS!
NEW MACBOOKS!
NEW UNDERWEAR!
NEW IPOD NANOS!
NEW IPODS!
NEW IMACS!
NEW ITUNES VIDEO STORE! (ITMS. iTunes Media Store?)
NEW DISPLAYS!
NEW ISIGHTS!
NEW IPOD SOCKS!
NEW IPHONE!
Have we learned nothing? Apple never lets everything out of the bag.
w00t! Love it anyway. :D
While I would normally agree, look at the MBP, iMac, Mac Mini, iPod 5G, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and iSight. These products have not been updated for a while and the product line is starting to get stale.
NEW MACBOOK PROS!
NEW MACBOOKS!
NEW UNDERWEAR!
NEW IPOD NANOS!
NEW IPODS!
NEW IMACS!
NEW ITUNES VIDEO STORE! (ITMS. iTunes Media Store?)
NEW DISPLAYS!
NEW ISIGHTS!
NEW IPOD SOCKS!
NEW IPHONE!
Have we learned nothing? Apple never lets everything out of the bag.
w00t! Love it anyway. :D
While I would normally agree, look at the MBP, iMac, Mac Mini, iPod 5G, iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and iSight. These products have not been updated for a while and the product line is starting to get stale.
cube
Mar 30, 01:31 PM
Notice how its 1 word. "RoomStore". Room Store wouldn't fly. Its the little things
When would "Room Store" not fly? For a hotel?
When would "Room Store" not fly? For a hotel?
Freg3000
Aug 23, 04:57 PM
What I find most interesting is that fact the Creative is joining the Made for iPod program and will be producing its own iPod accessories.