IJ Reilly
Oct 23, 10:27 AM
I would love for apple to use 10 billion to innovate fantastically, enter new markets, go green, and more. I don't think it's going to happen- the purpose of 10 billion in the bank for apple is having 10 billion in the bank. Apple's expertise is in taking big risks (at least large for a compnay of their size), a good number of which pay off very, very well. But people- investors, CEOs, are risk adverse, and a huge pile of cash to operate on, so big they can operate and continue to invest in risky and exciting products, mitigates their risks. For apple, a pile of money might actually be worth more than investing that money at a high rate of return.
Huge cash hordes are only good for three things, in order of desirability: reinvesting in future growth (which is why it's called capitalism); returning to the stockholders in the form of dividends; or holding for a rainy day. The last reason, which you seem to think is the best one, should be seen by investors as a signal that the company lacks confidence in the future.
Actually, there's a fourth use of excess cash: a stock buy-back. Apple isn't doing this with the money currently, either.
I agree, the huge stockpile of cash is an issue. That's money that should be working for Apple, and IMHO that should be in the form of purchasing other companies that will strengthen Apple in key areas, like music distribution and/or audio/video/graphics production.
And I also agree with you on the dividend issue. A small investment of that money into dividends may have the exact effect as you describe. On the other hand, putting that money into new products/enhancing existing products, may do more for Apple's long-term health vs. providing a dividend to improve the 'optics' of the company in shareholders' eyes.
New investments in technologies and products would be by far the best use of the money. With Apple's cash, they could set up a research arm similar to Xerox PARC or the old Bell Labs and place themselves in the forefront of new technology for a long time. Instead, they seem to be notably stingy with their R&D dollars. Purchasing technologies by buying out smaller companies could also be advantageous, and Apple does do some of this, but not much -- not enough to make even a dent in their cash hoard.
Huge cash hordes are only good for three things, in order of desirability: reinvesting in future growth (which is why it's called capitalism); returning to the stockholders in the form of dividends; or holding for a rainy day. The last reason, which you seem to think is the best one, should be seen by investors as a signal that the company lacks confidence in the future.
Actually, there's a fourth use of excess cash: a stock buy-back. Apple isn't doing this with the money currently, either.
I agree, the huge stockpile of cash is an issue. That's money that should be working for Apple, and IMHO that should be in the form of purchasing other companies that will strengthen Apple in key areas, like music distribution and/or audio/video/graphics production.
And I also agree with you on the dividend issue. A small investment of that money into dividends may have the exact effect as you describe. On the other hand, putting that money into new products/enhancing existing products, may do more for Apple's long-term health vs. providing a dividend to improve the 'optics' of the company in shareholders' eyes.
New investments in technologies and products would be by far the best use of the money. With Apple's cash, they could set up a research arm similar to Xerox PARC or the old Bell Labs and place themselves in the forefront of new technology for a long time. Instead, they seem to be notably stingy with their R&D dollars. Purchasing technologies by buying out smaller companies could also be advantageous, and Apple does do some of this, but not much -- not enough to make even a dent in their cash hoard.
tvguru
Sep 12, 06:45 AM
HAHAHAHA.. i hate that ignorant type!! ok, i've only switched to a mac at home, but used them loads at uni..
i dread to see how tonights news splashes all over the tech pages of bbc/itv/sky news etc.. tomorrow morning and how the ignorant masses react.
I love ignorant people. You just have to :D at them and say oh my mistake. :rolleyes:
i dread to see how tonights news splashes all over the tech pages of bbc/itv/sky news etc.. tomorrow morning and how the ignorant masses react.
I love ignorant people. You just have to :D at them and say oh my mistake. :rolleyes:
whooleytoo
Jul 28, 01:45 PM
..snip..
I really wish I didn't sound so cynical, but that's the picture as I understand it.
I think we have to start somewhere. Whether we like it or not, diesel/petroleum aren't going to last forever so sooner or later something has to change.
Obviously a lot of electricity is generated through non-renewable fuels now, and the distribution network isn't ready for cars to be able to recharge 'on journey'. But electric cars aren't a bad start. If a critical mass of electric cars is reached, it'll start to make business sense to develop charging stations (or stations with stocks of swappable cells?) on major routes.
If we wait for these charging stations to appear before starting to buy electric cars, we'll end up in a Catch 22. And (stating the obvious, but) electricity for the cars can be generated cleanly and renewably, even if it isn't at present.
You may be right about California & other parts of the US having power generation problems, and that may well hamper electric car adoption in those areas; but that shouldn't stop others from switching.
All IMO. :)
I really wish I didn't sound so cynical, but that's the picture as I understand it.
I think we have to start somewhere. Whether we like it or not, diesel/petroleum aren't going to last forever so sooner or later something has to change.
Obviously a lot of electricity is generated through non-renewable fuels now, and the distribution network isn't ready for cars to be able to recharge 'on journey'. But electric cars aren't a bad start. If a critical mass of electric cars is reached, it'll start to make business sense to develop charging stations (or stations with stocks of swappable cells?) on major routes.
If we wait for these charging stations to appear before starting to buy electric cars, we'll end up in a Catch 22. And (stating the obvious, but) electricity for the cars can be generated cleanly and renewably, even if it isn't at present.
You may be right about California & other parts of the US having power generation problems, and that may well hamper electric car adoption in those areas; but that shouldn't stop others from switching.
All IMO. :)
Thomas Veil
Mar 3, 08:29 PM
While it's nominally leaving the unions intact, it's telling them that they have no more power over their health care benefits or pensions. Those can be deeply cut or taken away at any time. Other things, like hours worked and days off, will be non-negotiable as well. And while the union is still free to negotiate wages, the single real bargaining tool they have -- striking -- would now be a jailable offense. So they really have no power to negotiate wages either. Everything will essentially be "take it or leave it."
I agree, this is going to swing the state back to the Democrats in 2012. And yes, unless this is defeated in the courts or by a ballot initiative, anybody who wants to be a teacher or a cop or whatever will look elsewhere, outside of Ohio.
This is going to be terrible for our economy.
I agree, this is going to swing the state back to the Democrats in 2012. And yes, unless this is defeated in the courts or by a ballot initiative, anybody who wants to be a teacher or a cop or whatever will look elsewhere, outside of Ohio.
This is going to be terrible for our economy.
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illegalprelude
Jan 13, 04:02 AM
I cant believe this is a topic that is being discussed. Who cares. If you like the products, sweet, if not, oh well. But to say he is arrogant? isnt that arrogence itself? (sp lol)
stridemat
Apr 21, 01:21 PM
I can see it being more of a hinderance in the main news threads, however for the question threads in the main forum it could be beneficial to highlight the most 'popular' answer.
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CaoCao
Oct 2, 08:37 PM
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
iSee
Nov 16, 01:51 PM
Hey, there's nothing wrong with Apple using AMD processors, as long as it's a good product.
I mean, suppose AMD comes out with something 50% faster than a CD2 for half the price? Why wouldn't we want to get us some of that?
I don't follow the processor wars, but:
If Intel's got the best processor, I want Apple to be using that.
If AMD's got the best processor, then I want Apple to use that.
If Intel's got the best laptop processor and AMD the best workstation processor, then I want Apple to use both!
I mean, suppose AMD comes out with something 50% faster than a CD2 for half the price? Why wouldn't we want to get us some of that?
I don't follow the processor wars, but:
If Intel's got the best processor, I want Apple to be using that.
If AMD's got the best processor, then I want Apple to use that.
If Intel's got the best laptop processor and AMD the best workstation processor, then I want Apple to use both!
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Gatesbasher
Mar 24, 08:13 PM
Pardon? Want to try that again?
I can't speak for him, but DOS was tolerable. No iteration of Windows has been. That's probably what he meant.
I can't speak for him, but DOS was tolerable. No iteration of Windows has been. That's probably what he meant.
balamw
Apr 26, 08:21 PM
Post your code, and let us know what you are trying to accomplish.
Nekbeth, let me suggest that you take some time to read over http://whathaveyoutried.com and http://mikeash.com/getting_answers.html.
dejo, ulbador and wlh99 are genuinely trying to help you, but you have not defined the problem or given them (or anyone else) enough information to work with in order to be able to help you.
Part of the problem, which dejo already alluded to, is that without a common understanding of fundamental assumptions you both end up frustrated. You might well be able to ask for a coffee in French, but if you are in a dentist's office in Austria that might not lead to satisfaction all around. Your assumptions aren't in sync.
B
Nekbeth, let me suggest that you take some time to read over http://whathaveyoutried.com and http://mikeash.com/getting_answers.html.
dejo, ulbador and wlh99 are genuinely trying to help you, but you have not defined the problem or given them (or anyone else) enough information to work with in order to be able to help you.
Part of the problem, which dejo already alluded to, is that without a common understanding of fundamental assumptions you both end up frustrated. You might well be able to ask for a coffee in French, but if you are in a dentist's office in Austria that might not lead to satisfaction all around. Your assumptions aren't in sync.
B
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Rodimus Prime
Apr 24, 03:06 PM
It might be. But A lot of tech companies out there are very, very averse to risk and are slow to change.
then why does Apple keep terminal which is nothing more than Apple version of command prompt.
Command prompt IT like it because it is simple and straight forward in getting things done they want/need to get done. No special eye candy to jump threw. It does its job. It is not exactly meant to super user friendly to use as those tools are not meant for most people to use in daily lives and if it was put to eye candy it would clutter up menus and make it harder for the average person.
Example of things I use cmd for is when I am testing or creating java programs. It is heck of a lot easier to do javac *****.java followed by java *** to run it.
Or if I just want some basic text or basic output to see if said program is working cmd is just plain better for it. Hell of a lot easier to program output on there than it is to created a gui window and I have to import less crap.
It is not like it is something that would be put in a final product but is much better for testing and programing phases. Also do not forget a lot of tools/ programs do not have any out put so you access threw command prompt.
I know apple terminal is more or less the exact same damn thing.
People who say get read of cmd or terminal to me complete prove they do not understand computers/programing at all. All they understand is a how to point and click and use a computer designed for dummies. cmd is not something a majority of people need but any higher level IT/programing it is a very good tool that should not go away.
then why does Apple keep terminal which is nothing more than Apple version of command prompt.
Command prompt IT like it because it is simple and straight forward in getting things done they want/need to get done. No special eye candy to jump threw. It does its job. It is not exactly meant to super user friendly to use as those tools are not meant for most people to use in daily lives and if it was put to eye candy it would clutter up menus and make it harder for the average person.
Example of things I use cmd for is when I am testing or creating java programs. It is heck of a lot easier to do javac *****.java followed by java *** to run it.
Or if I just want some basic text or basic output to see if said program is working cmd is just plain better for it. Hell of a lot easier to program output on there than it is to created a gui window and I have to import less crap.
It is not like it is something that would be put in a final product but is much better for testing and programing phases. Also do not forget a lot of tools/ programs do not have any out put so you access threw command prompt.
I know apple terminal is more or less the exact same damn thing.
People who say get read of cmd or terminal to me complete prove they do not understand computers/programing at all. All they understand is a how to point and click and use a computer designed for dummies. cmd is not something a majority of people need but any higher level IT/programing it is a very good tool that should not go away.
tigress666
Apr 25, 11:49 AM
Doesn't look too bad but on the other hand, the screen doesn't even look that noticeably bigger either (to the point of, "What is the point?"). And if even resizing it like that would make developers have to re-do their apps (I don't know how that works but I've heard people say with how iOS works, re-sizing would mean having to re-program apps), I'd say it's not worth it.
(I'm one of the ones who don't want a bigger screen due to the fact I don't want a bigger phone and I don't think they could squeeze a bigger one in without sacrificing usability and/or aesthetics. Bezels are useful for giving you some area to grip. This one doesn't look too bad for my concerns but honestly, it doesn't seem to give you a noticeable increase in screen size).
(I'm one of the ones who don't want a bigger screen due to the fact I don't want a bigger phone and I don't think they could squeeze a bigger one in without sacrificing usability and/or aesthetics. Bezels are useful for giving you some area to grip. This one doesn't look too bad for my concerns but honestly, it doesn't seem to give you a noticeable increase in screen size).
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mk_in_mke
Sep 26, 07:06 AM
I am the owner of a Fuji S3 Pro and I bought Aperture 1 about a year ago ($499). And there was no support for Fujifilm Raw files. I returned the item to Apple.
I checked again today and the Fuji S3 Pro file format is now listed in the Camera Supported page Apple posted for Aperture 1.5 (http://www.apple.com/aperture/raw/cameras.html)
The web page says OPTIMIZED Support. see below
Aperture 1.5 supports the RAW formats from the following digital cameras, providing optimized support to those cameras followed with an asterisk (*). Shoot JPEG? Using Aperture, you can import JPEG images from virtually all digital cameras.
Fujifilm
FinePix S2 Pro*
FinePix S3 Pro*
Does anyone know what this is about?
I checked again today and the Fuji S3 Pro file format is now listed in the Camera Supported page Apple posted for Aperture 1.5 (http://www.apple.com/aperture/raw/cameras.html)
The web page says OPTIMIZED Support. see below
Aperture 1.5 supports the RAW formats from the following digital cameras, providing optimized support to those cameras followed with an asterisk (*). Shoot JPEG? Using Aperture, you can import JPEG images from virtually all digital cameras.
Fujifilm
FinePix S2 Pro*
FinePix S3 Pro*
Does anyone know what this is about?
peharri
Sep 12, 07:50 AM
You won't be if Apple are increasing the bitrate of audio tracks as part of the update. It's about time they did.
Yeah, I'm sure he'll be delighted if his iPod suddenly has less capacity in exchange for a imperceptible improvement in quality. ;-)
Now, a reduction in bitrate, as an option, might be good...
Yeah, I'm sure he'll be delighted if his iPod suddenly has less capacity in exchange for a imperceptible improvement in quality. ;-)
Now, a reduction in bitrate, as an option, might be good...
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fyrefly
Apr 29, 02:28 PM
The macbook air's ship with 2gig standard. They wont leave a computer that new behind.
They won't make Lion "uninstallable" on it. But it might be "unbearable" for all but the most casual of users. ;)
On a side note, I've noticed there's now a "Show downloads" button to the left of the Search Field:
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=283487&stc=1&d=1304105242
They won't make Lion "uninstallable" on it. But it might be "unbearable" for all but the most casual of users. ;)
On a side note, I've noticed there's now a "Show downloads" button to the left of the Search Field:
http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=283487&stc=1&d=1304105242
amin
Sep 26, 02:19 PM
I think this is fantastic news and can't wait to try Aperture 1.5. The only thing I don't like about Capture One is the lack of integration with iLife.
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asphalt-proof
Jan 10, 07:34 PM
I started to think more about this and I think they are going to get punished where it will really hurt: Ad revenue and sample products to review. If i was a vendor, there is no way I would send something to them to review would i advertize on their site. Especially if I were Motorola. I wouldn't be surprised if Gizmodo is shuttered in a month or so. Let them come to Macworld... it will probably be the last conference they ever cover.
demo
Oct 14, 01:17 PM
Just noticed something at work (large retailer). The iPod case is unusually empty of iPod videos. We may have 15 total when the case usual has 50-100. The iPod Nanos on the other hand are completely stocked full. Usually this only happens when Apple is going to release a new version and stops sending the store product. I know it sounds weird because they just upgraded the 5G but it was a very insignificant update. Just thought I'd add that to the rumor mill.
woo, that sound excited.
woo, that sound excited.
Squonk
Oct 3, 01:55 PM
I still believe that there will be some type of announcement, on something, before Thanksgiving.
Yup - I hear you. Apple going three months, in the wind-up to holiday shopping without any more "press", I don't think so. I wish it were the iPhone, but I concurr with the rest that this is unlikely. MBPs then?
Yup - I hear you. Apple going three months, in the wind-up to holiday shopping without any more "press", I don't think so. I wish it were the iPhone, but I concurr with the rest that this is unlikely. MBPs then?
ct2k7
Apr 24, 12:53 PM
I am looking forward to installing Windows 8 on my MBA via Parallels. From what I'm seeing, it's looking good, very good!
Here's a few pictures of the Windows App Store.
http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-8-app-store-images-surface-from-build-7955
Here's a few pictures of the Windows App Store.
http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-8-app-store-images-surface-from-build-7955
Yakuza
Apr 16, 07:01 PM
Hello everybody :),
I'm the autor of these pictures. I've made this with 3dsmax and Vray render. Photoshop has been just use to create the noise and resize the pictures.
For the perspective problem on the third pics, it's just a lens distortion of my camera.
Stop search, it's just a 3D render exercise.
I'm happy to see that my work unleashed passions but it's A FAKE.
To have more information, see : http://iphone4fake.over-blog.com
Now we have just to wait June to see the real truth.
(Sorry for my english, i'm french ^^ )
yeah nice work :). however i really think the next iphone will be with the aluminum rear shell.
I'm the autor of these pictures. I've made this with 3dsmax and Vray render. Photoshop has been just use to create the noise and resize the pictures.
For the perspective problem on the third pics, it's just a lens distortion of my camera.
Stop search, it's just a 3D render exercise.
I'm happy to see that my work unleashed passions but it's A FAKE.
To have more information, see : http://iphone4fake.over-blog.com
Now we have just to wait June to see the real truth.
(Sorry for my english, i'm french ^^ )
yeah nice work :). however i really think the next iphone will be with the aluminum rear shell.
aethelbert
Apr 13, 12:59 PM
In fact, TSA has twice failed to stop a bomber on a plane since 9/11. Both the shoe bomber and the underwear bomber were stopped by passengers.
Please elaborate on how the TSA failed to find these people. Neither of these examples were screened in the United States prior to boarding their respective flights.
Please elaborate on how the TSA failed to find these people. Neither of these examples were screened in the United States prior to boarding their respective flights.
aznkid25
Jan 15, 10:43 PM
Just imagine in September when Apple has the September ipod keynote, SJ will probably say something like this:"The MBA sales have been average this year, we think we can do better, and we want to make it more affordable for the holiday season, so we will be dropping the price $500 and now it will cost $1300.
cRuNcHiE
Jul 21, 03:01 PM
For this video to have any kind of credit i think they should have the iPhone 4 next to it holding it at the same time...
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