Next iPod

Gents,

Any commentary on the none-touch iPod rumor?

-Le

iCool Device

Wow, this is one cool device. It allows you to basically turn your video ipod into a DVR. You can plug this box into your TV, either with S-video or Coax and then setup the onscreen timer to record prespecified shows to your iPod hard drive. The TV does not even need to be on. They will play on your iPod video too without a lenghty conversion process. Plus the price is only $200!! They also have two other devices. One is an iLoad which will load a CD of music directly into the iPod without iTunes. Another is a small device which allows you to take the SIM card from you cell phone, insert it into iLoad-C and then download music from the cell phone carrier directly into your iPod nano.

Question is, will these help or hurt Apple's market? I think it will help because it could push more iPod video sales which is where Apple makes more money. iTunes may become less relavent though. The cell phone version I believe will be hindered by the high download costs from cell phone carriers. Apples plans for download video from iTunes may also take a hit. Although the Dish Network also has three models of portable video DVR's which are priced reasonably from about $299-$700 depending on the screen size and capacity. These download off of your home DVR so there are no per show charges.

The Format Wars Commence

Gentlemen, Samsung has fired Blue Ray's first shot over the bow, and the wars are set to begin. According to a Samsung representative, although the Blue Ray player that just started shipping is twice as expensive, they feel optimistic about sales. Even the new Blue Ray Movies are $30 as compared to $20 for the HD discs. They must have some huge huevos to feel so confident with those price differences. Additionally, the rep says there are 10 manufacturers working on Blue Ray players, and only one (Toshiba) working on HD players.

Are the cards stacked in favor of Blue Ray for superior technology, or HD for lower price point? We stand at the threshold of massive changes in our media existence, so choose your arguments carefully!

Bill Gates has left the building !

Its official, Bill Gates will be retiring from Microsoft after 2008. It is also rumored that Steve Balmer will leaving soon after. A changing of the guard you might say. I guess you can only make such mundane products for so long before you start pulling hair out of your head. No matter how much money you make.

Actually Bill is leaving for a noble cause. To give away his fortune to help needy people around the world. Well Bill, its been a fun ride.

Just thought this book was funny.

Future iPod??

I just found this. If it's real, it warms the heart to think of where the iPod might go! (Click on the title to go to this fascinating article)

New RAZR...

It was recently anounced that a new RAZR with iTunes capability was coming out soon this year. As you both know, I have been going through life "sans cell phone". Is this the phone I have been waiting for? Note that there is still a 100 song limit, but what I would like to know is, does it matter? Would one feel deprived without more songs? And lastly, is the much ballyhooed "iPhone" nothing more than "vapor hardware"? I could use the input, as I drool over Le's phone too much these days!

White or Black?

Le, we must set aside our petty differences, as there is serious work to be done! We must address the truly salient issue at hand: is the black Macbook worth the extra cost? I am inclined to opt for the white Macbook myself, but for the less than practical reason that it pays homage to the white iBook predecessor! What do you think, gentlemen?

iTunes boycott

Did you hear about a small iTunes boycott which was held over the weekend at a few of the Apple stores. The complaint is that the DRM (Digital Rights Management) is locking you into Apple and iTunes. If you want to leave with music you bought on iTunes you don't have a clean way to take your music with you.

Commentary:
I believe there will always be some people who complain that you cannot have all of your music for free and be able to freely copy it and give it to all of your friends. But the music industry will never be able to survive in this mode. They argue that when you owned CD's you were free to give it to anyone you wished. In a digital world, I think things are a bit different. You can make exact duplicates which until recently was not possible with CD's. You can still make a copy but the copy now as in the past was a little inferior to the original.

Core 2 Duo

Gentlemen, the revolution is not over by a long shot. The next generation of Intel chips is right around the corner, signified by the "Core 2 Duo", as compared to the Core Duo chip that has just shipped with the consumer iMac and Portables. Where will this next generation chip fit into the scheme? Additionally, will Apple make use of the so called "Core 2 Duo Extreme", which will appeal to the hard core gamers? These are exciting times!

Apple tops Beer on college survey

Did you hear about the survey of college students which asked "What is hip on campus?". The Apple iPod was number one in the survey followed by Beer. The company which does this survey has been doing it for years and it has been over 25 years since something has displaced beer as the number one item. Way to go Apple. Maybe they could have a Beer mug iPod and get the best of both worlds.

Speaking of Mac Mini

So, you can buy a Mac Mini for $800 that has a Core Duo. But, you can get a Core Duo for $1,100 in the form of a laptop in the MacBook. Isn't the pricing a little too close together?

-Le

Nike deal

What do you guys think of this Apple-Nike-iPod deal? A special sensor in a Nike shoe, and you have access to all kinds of information while running, like distance, etc. Will people use it? I think you also have access to special Nike music to inspire!

India Call Center is History!

Gentlemen, Apple just changed course and will NOT open a technical support center in India. Why the change of heart? Is it because they are not sure they can maintain their level of service to the Mac faithful? What's your take?

Sun layoffs - Ouch!!

My favorite server company is hurting and laying off 13% of its worforce. Let us pray for its recovery and unity against the satanic Microsoft beast.

Hello Again, Where did everybody go?

Stitch is in the house.

The New Macbook!!

The entry level Macbook is $1099. Is that too expensive? One thing I noticed is that it comes packed with great stuff. It also has core duos, and these things scream! I think maybe they should consider offering an entry-entry level Macbook, maybe the Macbook mini!! And it should be sub $1000, for the people who don't mind a crippled machine (an intel core solo).

What up, Stitch?

Stitch!! What up, man? Any commentary for the iPhone question?

-Le

iPod Phone

Predictions, Gents? Timing? Features? Organizer? Blackberry competitor?

-Le

Is It Really Dead?

OK, are we giving up on the blog, gents?!!

-Le