Apple is the new evil empire

[Forest]

Except they have their best computer market share since the 80s - an a billion in cash I read somewheres.

Which decade are you in BD?

Apple is currently holding over $25 Billion USD in cash.

[Big Dave]

Which decade are you in BD?

Apple is currently holding over $25 Billion USD in cash.

So that's where it went.

[Forest]

Yup, which is still tiny, and a billion in cash wouldn't go far towards paying their creditors in that situation. Fortunately Microsoft have a decent stake in them, and serious cash reserves.

As of last year, Apple is holding larger cash reserves than Microsoft does.

But don't let facts get in the way of your argument...

[imdying]

Yup, after spending 30 billion of what they had buying there own shares back.

[xwhatsit]

Yup, after spending 30 billion of what they had buying there own shares back.

So you mean they bought all their shares back and they have 25 billion in the bank?

Doesn't sound too precarious to me...?



But honestly, this new Shuffle, who the fuck is going to want to pay $155 for a 4GB MP3 player the size of SkidMark's cock, with no buttons?!?! That you then have to either stick with the shitty included earphones or pay a fortune for crappy 3rd party 'phones (I can't see any of the decent canalphone manufacturers producing something compatible, and you can bet they'll charge a premium for the licensing and the DRM chip).

[Big Dave]

I use a 1gb shuffle and sony buds - excellent riding gear.

[Indiana_Jones]

I've thought about buying an ipod, simply because the range of accesories for them is second to none, but I object to paying ten times what its worth simply for the apple name on the side, and the fact you have to use Itunes.

Apple need to lower their prices drastically, boot itunes to the curb, and of course dispose of any and all DRM. Then maybe i'd buy one. Maybe.

Spot on.

That's why I got a Walkman.

At the end of the day you're paying for the name, that's why my little sister wanted one, cause all the cool kids have ipods

and Itunes blows

-Indy

[Big Dave]

and Itunes blows

-Indy

Not if you are using macs and iPods - then it's f'n ace.

[Eddieb]

Thats just business. Telecom does it. Microsoft does it. Recording companies do it. Apple does it. Long term, we will either have to find some way of reconciling how irritating their restrictions are, or they will have to stop doing it. I can't see the latter happening.

......

Steve

Telecom only does it because the record companies won't supply the music to them for re-sale if they don't. No DRM at Telecom = no songs for sale from the Telecom music store.

[imdying]

So you mean they bought all their shares back and they have 25 billion in the bank?

Doesn't sound too precarious to me...?

Yeah, Microsoft have plenty of dough in all sorts of places

But honestly, this new Shuffle, who the fuck is going to want to pay $155 for a 4GB MP3 player the size of SkidMark's cock, with no buttons?!?! That you then have to either stick with the shitty included earphones or pay a fortune for crappy 3rd party 'phones (I can't see any of the decent canalphone manufacturers producing something compatible, and you can bet they'll charge a premium for the licensing and the DRM chip).

$155 ain't bad for something that talks back to you, and something the size of a lighter is useful because you can attach it to your helmet (i.e. no cords stopping you from taking it off)

I use a 1gb shuffle and sony buds - excellent riding gear.

Basically that's the rub right there... Sony buds... Why should Big Dave have to pay extra to use his preferred headphones? (either through an 'adaptor', or because Apple forced Sony to buy from them a 'does nothing but let Apple rape your wallet' special chip to put in them?

[jonbuoy]

I'm a big fan of Apple computers (particularly the software rather than the hardware) because the stuff really does work well. Just look at the Macbook laptop I'm currently typing this post on:



When was the last time you used a Windows laptop for 25 days without needing to reboot?
However I've never been interested in iPods and iPhones. They're clever toys but I don't like the restrictions that go with them.

The Onion had a good take on things:

http://www.theonion.com/content/vide..._revolutionary

My xp laptop and 2003 server run 24 seven days rock solid as long as you wait for the pc to sort itself out and not do forced quits. I found apple macs just as glitchy if not more so than pc's.

[Big Dave]

Why should Big Dave have to pay extra to use his preferred headphones? (either through an 'adaptor', or because Apple forced Sony to buy from them a 'does nothing but let Apple rape your wallet' special chip to put in them?

I'm not familiar with the model - if they are suitable phones it won't bother me - if they are not suitable phones I won't buy the product.

Either way I don't particularly care - there are plenty of options. Next purchase will be a iPhone when the telstra plans are available.

[imdying]

Interestingly, the iPhone already has this gheyness in the form of the AV cable iirc.

[Big Dave]

Interestingly, the iPhone already has this gheyness in the form of the AV cable iirc.

Not sure what that means - I want it to surf the net, watch movies, TV shows and play games on - like my Ipod now.

The phone part is just a handy extra.

[imdying]

It means if it comes with an AV cable, be careful not to bugger it. If it doesn't, then buy one from Apple. Or just watch all your media on the tiny wee screen and not worry about it