I was amused this morning to see a contributor to Forbes write that Jony Ive (as if he knows him that well), should replace Tim Cook as the CEO of Apple.
My experience would suggest that putting a creative person in charge of a company without some incredible people doing all the work would be suicidal. Creative people are rarely organized and often emotional. "There is a fine line between genius and madness." and I've tripped over that line a few times, as have most creative people. :-D
Besides that, pulling your chief idea maker/director away from creative projects to run a company means that you won't have those ideas flowing because someone is managing people, products, and the company's direction in as little or as much detail as they care to handle.
It is interesting to see how much Apple's stock price and value "on paper" has fallen. They're around US$500 instead of US$700 per share. That's huge. People might compare them to Google, but Google started at US$500 per share. I saw another analyst dropped their target price from US$700 to US$650, but I don't see Apple going that high for a while, especially with the earnings disclosure almost here.
When they have their quarterly financial conference call, they won't likely satisfy analysts who have already decided that perfection isn't enough, so anything less will be considered a bargain basement stock, and they will lower expectations, regardless of records. It's just silly.
I'm looking forward to an upgraded iPad mini and iPad in the next few months. Even though I knew the specifications of the iPad mini for a while, I was disappointed. When the rumors started, prior to the second generation iPad, those specifications weren't a problem. The market changed radically since then. A "Retina" display and processor to handle the graphics capably will put things right. I know that they won't put the fastest processor in it, but they'll put something capable of displaying the graphics without a slowdown. (They made a huge mistake with the iPhone 4, as its performance was slowed, compared to the 3G S.) I spent quite a lot of time with the Google Nexus 7, having had 2 of them before I returned them, and the herky-jerky performance was faster but it wasn't pleasant.
Someone decided to give us specifications of the iPhone 5S, supposedly a much bigger phone between 4.7 and 5.0 inches in the display. I'm thinking a lot of people will believe that's going to happen, but it's unlikely. While Apple is (finally) accelerating their mobile products development, they're not about to throw physical designs out and eat the costs, instead of recovering them. They are the profit leader in the industry.
Showing posts with label iPad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iPad. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
iPad mini will probably drive full-sized iPad sales higher
I wrote earlier in the year that I wanted a 7.x inch iPad since the 7 inch Android tablets just weren't right for me.
However, after trying Apple's iPad mini (rumored since the second generation iPad was rumored), I don't think it's for me. Sure, it's a good size, but there are too many compromises at the current time, even as a refurbished device, for me to buy.
Half of me wants to drive to Cupertino and ask people in charge what they were thinking. Yes, it's as portable as I wanted. Yes, it integrates with my current software for iOS. No, it's not what I want. For the price they're asking, I'd get a refurbished third generation iPad for a bit more money and be rather careful trying to use it in tight spaces. Yes, the performance of the fourth generation is excellent but this is about price--and dock connectors, too, which are also about price.
The other half of me wants to be a renegade and somehow push iOS into my Nexus 7 tablet, so I have a great tablet and a great operating system.
However, after trying Apple's iPad mini (rumored since the second generation iPad was rumored), I don't think it's for me. Sure, it's a good size, but there are too many compromises at the current time, even as a refurbished device, for me to buy.
- Device width: it's a bit too wide for my hand and so, it's slightly uncomfortable whereas the Nexus 7 is just right.
- Screen resolution: I've known that it would be 1024x768 for over a year and the bigger the display, the less great any resolution is. Does an HD tv look better at 70 inches than at 42 inches? No. It's the same 1920x1080. You have to sit further away to not see the problems with the low resolution. 1024x768 also won't play 720p resolution (1280x720) movies correctly since it has to downsize them.
- An older processor: mind you, the screen resolution drives which processor is needed but not putting better hardware into it seems odd, unless you're planning next year to put a better, but still old processor into it and call it improved. I could see where they have plans to replace the A5 with the A6 and leave the price the same. No, thanks.
- Price: I'm all for companies making a fair profit but Apple, you're trying to re-coup all your costs at once. Even a $30 cheaper price would have made the compromises easier to swallow.
Half of me wants to drive to Cupertino and ask people in charge what they were thinking. Yes, it's as portable as I wanted. Yes, it integrates with my current software for iOS. No, it's not what I want. For the price they're asking, I'd get a refurbished third generation iPad for a bit more money and be rather careful trying to use it in tight spaces. Yes, the performance of the fourth generation is excellent but this is about price--and dock connectors, too, which are also about price.
The other half of me wants to be a renegade and somehow push iOS into my Nexus 7 tablet, so I have a great tablet and a great operating system.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A tale of two tablets
In a few minutes, Apple will start their presentation of several new products including the 7.85 (7.9 inch, actually) inch iPad, if that's actually the size, only they know at this time. Six days later, Google are going to announce their next Nexus phone and re-formulated Nexus tablets, probably including a 10.1 inch model.
At this point, these tablets may be the only tablets you'll want, unless of course, you're okay living in the somewhat limited Amazon.com land. I'm a fan of the Kindle Fire HD but it's not for me, as I'm not looking specifically for a book reader.
In the last 10 days, I bought a Nexus 7 tablet--right before the rumours started about the doubled storage version for the same price. I was impressed by the display and disappointed with the jerky performance. I could read Japanese and Chinese clearly and that's unusual in a 1280x800 display. On the other hand, while playing my favourite mobile game, Galaxy on Fire (THD, in this case), the graphics would be flowing smoothly and suddenly jerk, as if different parts caught up with each other. Had I not been using 3 (2 on iOS, 1 on Mac OS X) other versions of the game, I'd think that the game developers were not very good.
For most people, will this be a problem? No. They'll browse the web and handle e-mail and play Furious Pigeons, errrm, Angry Birds splendidly--I never use that word--splendidly. They'll realize that the Nexus 7 tablet is the best thing since sliced bread and enjoy that they only paid US$249.99 for it. I would have, except for the one issue--I may again.
Now, when Apple reveals their new tablet, and their enhanced 9.7 inch tablets, they'll have a rush of people buying the new models. What's new about that? They always have someone rushing to buy their products after the announcement.
I'm expecting that all tablet models will have agreeable LTE/4G connections in countries where LTE is fairly well populated, especially Australia where the government attacked Apple on LTE that didn't work with their networks. The "new" iPad will be revised further to include their latest processor (A6X) with enhanced graphics capabilities and overall increased performance.
Rumours in the last few days suggest that the 7.85 (7.9) inch tablet will start at US$329 (correct!) instead of US$249. I suppose this is reasonable for the increased display area. Someone has to pay for that extra 0.85 inches. I'm sure they've tested the heck out of it and performance will be as smooth as the idiomatic hot knife through butter. Take that Google and announce something that smooth on the 29th!
I'm also looking forward to changes in the iMac, Mac mini, and more today, but most of the attention will go to the tablets.
Update: I'm confused as to Apple's attempt to put us to sleep with the iPad mini. It's a good tablet but it's made up of older bits that did a very good job when they were new, but it's 2012, not 2011. The Nexus 7 hardware with iOS would be great. I'll probably buy an iPad mini when they're refurbished. Since Google's presentation didn't happen, due to Hurricane Sandy, the new hardware arrived without much notice. The Samsung-based Nexus 10 is a capable tablet with revisions on the latest ARM designs, and it's beaten handily, apparently in some early testing, by the fourth generation iPad.
Update 2: I returned my Nexus 7 tablet, with much trouble, and ended up buying a new 32 GB model for roughly the same price. This one seems to have build issues, and the accelerometer seems to dislike calibration. I really like the size and portability, but what's with making one that works correctly? Is there so much pressure to grind these things out that few of them are good out of the box? I saw some drop and water testing and was surprised that the Nexus 7 didn't survive. Now, I'm doubly careful, and I'm extra careful anyway. It's obviously not any better than the previous model, except for the storage capacity. It's a missed opportunity, but perhaps Android 4.2.x will make it better.
At this point, these tablets may be the only tablets you'll want, unless of course, you're okay living in the somewhat limited Amazon.com land. I'm a fan of the Kindle Fire HD but it's not for me, as I'm not looking specifically for a book reader.
In the last 10 days, I bought a Nexus 7 tablet--right before the rumours started about the doubled storage version for the same price. I was impressed by the display and disappointed with the jerky performance. I could read Japanese and Chinese clearly and that's unusual in a 1280x800 display. On the other hand, while playing my favourite mobile game, Galaxy on Fire (THD, in this case), the graphics would be flowing smoothly and suddenly jerk, as if different parts caught up with each other. Had I not been using 3 (2 on iOS, 1 on Mac OS X) other versions of the game, I'd think that the game developers were not very good.
For most people, will this be a problem? No. They'll browse the web and handle e-mail and play Furious Pigeons, errrm, Angry Birds splendidly--I never use that word--splendidly. They'll realize that the Nexus 7 tablet is the best thing since sliced bread and enjoy that they only paid US$249.99 for it. I would have, except for the one issue--I may again.
Now, when Apple reveals their new tablet, and their enhanced 9.7 inch tablets, they'll have a rush of people buying the new models. What's new about that? They always have someone rushing to buy their products after the announcement.
I'm expecting that all tablet models will have agreeable LTE/4G connections in countries where LTE is fairly well populated, especially Australia where the government attacked Apple on LTE that didn't work with their networks. The "new" iPad will be revised further to include their latest processor (A6X) with enhanced graphics capabilities and overall increased performance.
Rumours in the last few days suggest that the 7.85 (7.9) inch tablet will start at US$329 (correct!) instead of US$249. I suppose this is reasonable for the increased display area. Someone has to pay for that extra 0.85 inches. I'm sure they've tested the heck out of it and performance will be as smooth as the idiomatic hot knife through butter. Take that Google and announce something that smooth on the 29th!
I'm also looking forward to changes in the iMac, Mac mini, and more today, but most of the attention will go to the tablets.
Update: I'm confused as to Apple's attempt to put us to sleep with the iPad mini. It's a good tablet but it's made up of older bits that did a very good job when they were new, but it's 2012, not 2011. The Nexus 7 hardware with iOS would be great. I'll probably buy an iPad mini when they're refurbished. Since Google's presentation didn't happen, due to Hurricane Sandy, the new hardware arrived without much notice. The Samsung-based Nexus 10 is a capable tablet with revisions on the latest ARM designs, and it's beaten handily, apparently in some early testing, by the fourth generation iPad.
Update 2: I returned my Nexus 7 tablet, with much trouble, and ended up buying a new 32 GB model for roughly the same price. This one seems to have build issues, and the accelerometer seems to dislike calibration. I really like the size and portability, but what's with making one that works correctly? Is there so much pressure to grind these things out that few of them are good out of the box? I saw some drop and water testing and was surprised that the Nexus 7 didn't survive. Now, I'm doubly careful, and I'm extra careful anyway. It's obviously not any better than the previous model, except for the storage capacity. It's a missed opportunity, but perhaps Android 4.2.x will make it better.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
New iPhone? Who cares?
In November 2011, I bought my first iPhone, a 4S model with 32 GB of storage. It's been more than sufficient, but it's also been a pain at times. In reality, it's no worse or no better than an Android-based phone. I had one of those the previous year.
Apple and Google are figuring it out as they go along. For that matter, so is Microsoft.
When I bought the iPhone 4S, someone at the Sprint store said that I'd be buying the new one in a year. I shook my head, as there was a 2 year contract, and I didn't care that much to switch. The main reason I switched from my Android-based phone was that it was short on storage and getting so many low storage warnings was annoying. Gingerbread wasn't any more bug-free than Froyo was. Had they put Ice Cream Sandwich on it and tripled the storage, I might still be using that phone.
I don't see a reason to pay a huge fee and buy a new iPhone model simply because there is no good reason. They'll go to a less breakable form using stronger materials? That's good but it's been said that it's thinner than the current model. Why? Keep it the same thickness and increase the protection and/or battery capacity.
It will have a bigger, longer display? Great, but there isn't anything wrong with the current display for me. 960x640 is a good resolution, and the graphics hardware still doesn't quite keep up with it, although it's better than the iPhone 4 could do. I'm sure they'll upgrade the hardware but if it only equals the performance of the 4S, they're not doing enough.
The rumour about the LTE capabilities gives me a bit of hope. They've supposedly decided to work with various carriers around the world to provide compatible LTE frequencies and make the phone worthwhile, as the premium phone it is. I've used WiMAX and LTE and have found both to be useful. Besides, for those of us still on 3G technologies, moving people to close-to-4G technologies (WiMAX Plus and LTE Advanced were given 4G branding by ITU) will offload 3G data capacity and help people with older equipment. Since so many people own smart phones at this time, any diversification would be helpful. In a country so big (4000km/2800 miles wide on my last trip), you can't hope for coverage everywhere you go.
While I'm glad to see that Apple (and Google) are continuing to make progress, I'm glad to sit this one out and wait for the customers to file lawsuits about something they didn't research. How much can you expect from people who don't know that hot coffee is hot?
As the new iPhone models will be announced shortly, so will iOS 6 and the latest bugs out of Cupertino, California. I'm still waiting for iOS 5.2 and hoping for 5.3 but they've stopped. Apple need to change their behaviour about this. They do not provide security updates for previous releases. Mobile phones would seem to be more vulnerable than any other devices simply because they're constantly connected. If Apple care so much about security (actions speak louder than words, I'm told), then the company should do something to prove it.
Still, I'm looking forward to announcements this week and I'm wondering if a couple new iPad models will be included.
Already, delivery has slipped to 2-3 weeks for pre-orders. I'm guessing that it's a minor success so far. I'm expecting to hear how millions were pre-ordered.
One more thing: I just saw "Backside illumination sensor" and I'm thinking that someone will ask why they would want their backside illuminated while doing video with their family.
Apple and Google are figuring it out as they go along. For that matter, so is Microsoft.
When I bought the iPhone 4S, someone at the Sprint store said that I'd be buying the new one in a year. I shook my head, as there was a 2 year contract, and I didn't care that much to switch. The main reason I switched from my Android-based phone was that it was short on storage and getting so many low storage warnings was annoying. Gingerbread wasn't any more bug-free than Froyo was. Had they put Ice Cream Sandwich on it and tripled the storage, I might still be using that phone.
I don't see a reason to pay a huge fee and buy a new iPhone model simply because there is no good reason. They'll go to a less breakable form using stronger materials? That's good but it's been said that it's thinner than the current model. Why? Keep it the same thickness and increase the protection and/or battery capacity.
It will have a bigger, longer display? Great, but there isn't anything wrong with the current display for me. 960x640 is a good resolution, and the graphics hardware still doesn't quite keep up with it, although it's better than the iPhone 4 could do. I'm sure they'll upgrade the hardware but if it only equals the performance of the 4S, they're not doing enough.
The rumour about the LTE capabilities gives me a bit of hope. They've supposedly decided to work with various carriers around the world to provide compatible LTE frequencies and make the phone worthwhile, as the premium phone it is. I've used WiMAX and LTE and have found both to be useful. Besides, for those of us still on 3G technologies, moving people to close-to-4G technologies (WiMAX Plus and LTE Advanced were given 4G branding by ITU) will offload 3G data capacity and help people with older equipment. Since so many people own smart phones at this time, any diversification would be helpful. In a country so big (4000km/2800 miles wide on my last trip), you can't hope for coverage everywhere you go.
While I'm glad to see that Apple (and Google) are continuing to make progress, I'm glad to sit this one out and wait for the customers to file lawsuits about something they didn't research. How much can you expect from people who don't know that hot coffee is hot?
As the new iPhone models will be announced shortly, so will iOS 6 and the latest bugs out of Cupertino, California. I'm still waiting for iOS 5.2 and hoping for 5.3 but they've stopped. Apple need to change their behaviour about this. They do not provide security updates for previous releases. Mobile phones would seem to be more vulnerable than any other devices simply because they're constantly connected. If Apple care so much about security (actions speak louder than words, I'm told), then the company should do something to prove it.
Still, I'm looking forward to announcements this week and I'm wondering if a couple new iPad models will be included.
Already, delivery has slipped to 2-3 weeks for pre-orders. I'm guessing that it's a minor success so far. I'm expecting to hear how millions were pre-ordered.
One more thing: I just saw "Backside illumination sensor" and I'm thinking that someone will ask why they would want their backside illuminated while doing video with their family.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Google Nexus 7 tablet impressions
A few weeks ago, around the 8th or 9th of July, I had the ticket in my hand to buy one of these. Sam's Club had the 16 GB tablets and I took the last ticket for a walk.
US$249.99 seems a deal for a powerful tablet with a 1280x800 display, even if it doesn't have a card slot for external storage. The 8 GB is too expensive at its current price, as it doesn't have enough storage available to the user.
I tried one of these on Friday at another Sam's Club and I was impressed. Unlike previous tablets with Android, it had good hardware and good software, apparently. It made me feel that it wasn't rushed to market, although some reports would suggest physical problems.
I still don't really care for the long and thin shape, but it was heavy enough that it might stay in my hand, even if it did feel a bit awkward. When Apple's 7.85 inch tablet arrives, it's in for a big test against the Nexus 7. Will the extra visual space make a difference? 7.85 inches for a tablet sounds a good size to me. Given recent revelations about the shape of the next iPhone, will the smaller iPad have a long and thin shape, as well?
Since I've got an iPhone 4S, I don't feel a particular need to have an iPad. If all things are (fairly) equal, I think I'd end up with a Nexus 7. If Apple does some extraordinary magic, I'll be surprised. Since the iPhone 4, the iPod touch has been less wonderful than it had been in the past. Sure, they upgraded it and enhanced it, but less so than iPhone whereas, it had been the other way prior to that generation, with better speeds and more storage.
Apple, of course, still has over 60 % of the tablet market, and hasn't deployed it in every country imaginable, nor have they deployed their app store, which definitely helps sell the product.
Google itself has brought something to market that's very desirable, through ASUS.
US$249.99 seems a deal for a powerful tablet with a 1280x800 display, even if it doesn't have a card slot for external storage. The 8 GB is too expensive at its current price, as it doesn't have enough storage available to the user.
I tried one of these on Friday at another Sam's Club and I was impressed. Unlike previous tablets with Android, it had good hardware and good software, apparently. It made me feel that it wasn't rushed to market, although some reports would suggest physical problems.
I still don't really care for the long and thin shape, but it was heavy enough that it might stay in my hand, even if it did feel a bit awkward. When Apple's 7.85 inch tablet arrives, it's in for a big test against the Nexus 7. Will the extra visual space make a difference? 7.85 inches for a tablet sounds a good size to me. Given recent revelations about the shape of the next iPhone, will the smaller iPad have a long and thin shape, as well?
Since I've got an iPhone 4S, I don't feel a particular need to have an iPad. If all things are (fairly) equal, I think I'd end up with a Nexus 7. If Apple does some extraordinary magic, I'll be surprised. Since the iPhone 4, the iPod touch has been less wonderful than it had been in the past. Sure, they upgraded it and enhanced it, but less so than iPhone whereas, it had been the other way prior to that generation, with better speeds and more storage.
Apple, of course, still has over 60 % of the tablet market, and hasn't deployed it in every country imaginable, nor have they deployed their app store, which definitely helps sell the product.
Google itself has brought something to market that's very desirable, through ASUS.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
!@#$ Patents and Copying
How many times are consumers hurt by copying?
There was an episode of All in the Family where Archie Bunker was gloating about his new watch. He was going on and on about this Omega brand watch he bought for almost nothing. Then, it's revealed "Oh, no, that's not an Omega. It's an Onega."
Are consumers always fooled so easily?
A co-worker more than 10 years ago was shocked to learn that her new Lexus E300 was a Toyota Windom. "Toyota?" As though the Lexus dealer randomly appeared by the Toyota dealership out of convenience and nothing else. Then again, people were shocked that the Cadillac Seville started as a Chevrolet Nova. Would those driving an Escalade be driving the Chevrolet version?
I was reading that the HTC One series phones due to be sold this week are held up in U.S. customs, due to the patent issues between HTC and Apple. While I understands Apple's frustration, the consumer is losing some great phones, especially those who have pre-paid for those phones. HTC really haven't done anything to Apple but because they were the vanguard of Android, starting with the T-Mobile G1, they were selected, which is a horrible strategy. They have made some admirable designs without copying Apple.
The patent war between Samsung and Apple is more realistic. Samsung copies practically everything Apple have done in the mobile space. Supposedly, they're planning queues/lines to make it appear their phones are more lust-worthy than they might be otherwise. However, they made advertising about such lines, and made fun of people standing in line for products. It looks as though Samsung is Samsung-ing itself.
I read elsewhere that the company is all but stopping production of their point-and-shoot cameras, in order to boost production of their mirror-less system cameras. I doubt that the few thousand who buy the mirror-less models are going to suddenly want new versions, or that throwing more money at them will make them popular.
Their struggle to overtake Sony may be working but it's going to take a long time. It's more likely that Panasonic will be there first. It's amazing to me that Panasonic have gone from household items like rice cookers to high end televisions, phones, and computers in the last 30+ years, and that Sony have diminished.
One last thing about patents and copying: why is it that IBM's laptop computer line never had to look like anyone else's (save my sad L40SX), and they've been such a hit, even now that they're coming from Lenovo? When most of the Ultrabooks look a lot like Apple's MacBook Air, Lenovo's products don't. They're stylish in an industrial way and get respect from just about anyone.
Update: In the U.K., a judge has decided that Samsung didn't copy iPad to create their own tablet and has ordered Apple to tell everyone this. When I was in primary school (as it feels this punishment resembles), the copier was punished, not the person being copied.
If I look at practically every mobile device that Samsung has done in the last 2 years, they look remarkably like Apple devices, so much that I noticed one and wondered what Apple had done to their hardware. Add to this the rather obvious software tweaks to Android to make it look more like iOS, I can't imagine what the judge is thinking. The only reasonable explanation I can find is that he was annoyed and decided to fix it since they were acting like school children.
Besides, if Nokia and HTC and Motorola can design devices that don't look much like Apple's, why can't Samsung?
Update 2014.01.10: Apple and Samsung have agreed to another round of arbitration, in order to agree on something, anything. I don't really understand why the FRAND patents weren't settled already since every other FRAND patent gets very little, unlike what Samsung wants.
There was an episode of All in the Family where Archie Bunker was gloating about his new watch. He was going on and on about this Omega brand watch he bought for almost nothing. Then, it's revealed "Oh, no, that's not an Omega. It's an Onega."
Are consumers always fooled so easily?
A co-worker more than 10 years ago was shocked to learn that her new Lexus E300 was a Toyota Windom. "Toyota?" As though the Lexus dealer randomly appeared by the Toyota dealership out of convenience and nothing else. Then again, people were shocked that the Cadillac Seville started as a Chevrolet Nova. Would those driving an Escalade be driving the Chevrolet version?
I was reading that the HTC One series phones due to be sold this week are held up in U.S. customs, due to the patent issues between HTC and Apple. While I understands Apple's frustration, the consumer is losing some great phones, especially those who have pre-paid for those phones. HTC really haven't done anything to Apple but because they were the vanguard of Android, starting with the T-Mobile G1, they were selected, which is a horrible strategy. They have made some admirable designs without copying Apple.
The patent war between Samsung and Apple is more realistic. Samsung copies practically everything Apple have done in the mobile space. Supposedly, they're planning queues/lines to make it appear their phones are more lust-worthy than they might be otherwise. However, they made advertising about such lines, and made fun of people standing in line for products. It looks as though Samsung is Samsung-ing itself.
I read elsewhere that the company is all but stopping production of their point-and-shoot cameras, in order to boost production of their mirror-less system cameras. I doubt that the few thousand who buy the mirror-less models are going to suddenly want new versions, or that throwing more money at them will make them popular.
Their struggle to overtake Sony may be working but it's going to take a long time. It's more likely that Panasonic will be there first. It's amazing to me that Panasonic have gone from household items like rice cookers to high end televisions, phones, and computers in the last 30+ years, and that Sony have diminished.
One last thing about patents and copying: why is it that IBM's laptop computer line never had to look like anyone else's (save my sad L40SX), and they've been such a hit, even now that they're coming from Lenovo? When most of the Ultrabooks look a lot like Apple's MacBook Air, Lenovo's products don't. They're stylish in an industrial way and get respect from just about anyone.
Update: In the U.K., a judge has decided that Samsung didn't copy iPad to create their own tablet and has ordered Apple to tell everyone this. When I was in primary school (as it feels this punishment resembles), the copier was punished, not the person being copied.
If I look at practically every mobile device that Samsung has done in the last 2 years, they look remarkably like Apple devices, so much that I noticed one and wondered what Apple had done to their hardware. Add to this the rather obvious software tweaks to Android to make it look more like iOS, I can't imagine what the judge is thinking. The only reasonable explanation I can find is that he was annoyed and decided to fix it since they were acting like school children.
Besides, if Nokia and HTC and Motorola can design devices that don't look much like Apple's, why can't Samsung?
Update 2014.01.10: Apple and Samsung have agreed to another round of arbitration, in order to agree on something, anything. I don't really understand why the FRAND patents weren't settled already since every other FRAND patent gets very little, unlike what Samsung wants.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
iPad 2 (and new iPad now, plus Google Nexus 7 and iPad mini) Ripoff on QVC, HSN, ShopNBC
I was flipping through channels and noticed that QVC was selling an iPad 2 and accessories for a whopping US$709.95. As a 16 GB WiFi-only iPad 2 runs US$399.99 now, that's a premium of US$309.96. They'd better be amazing accessories for that much money.
I recently saw something similar from HSN. It seems as though legitimate companies are taking advantage of people's ignorance in order to get some quick money. I'm not really so surprised by HSN--they do pressure sales, but QVC has been laid back about people shopping beyond their means.
Sad, isn't it? For a little more money, you could have two iPad 2 tablets.
Weird. ShopNBC has added the New iPad (third generation) with accessories for a Today's Special Value of $849. That's not much different than the other two, except that the iPad is $100 more and the price is for today only. I shudder to think about the regular price.
Well, all 3 channels now have the third generation iPad, which retails for US$499.99, with all their overpriced accessories. I can't imagine that the split payments are worth that much to buyers.
2012.08.19: HSN had iPad 3 available with some overpriced accessories for an additional $249, I believe, over the tablet price. That's somewhat better and for HSN shoppers, they would split it into 18 monthly, finance-free payments, which could be considered good, since they said it was something like $41 or $51 per month. I wasn't listening quite that intently because I was looking for other details. HSN is funny selling electronics because the hosts have diarrhoea of the mouth and don't think. She said something about it being "the best tablet Mac makes" and 30 seconds later said that it was "the best tablet iPad makes". I think the producer finally got her to say "Apple" but I'm sure that she forgot another 5 minutes later.
2012.11.04: One of the three channels is still selling the older, third generation iPad as if it's the newest, with the same bundle price. Actually, all three are probably doing it but I haven't spent much time in front of the TV to notice. QVC is probably the one I've seen since they're generally the one most overpriced to pay for their great customer service and return policies. Even getting the fourth generation iPad would be a rip-off at those prices, but they won't do that because they can't offer the new Lightning port chargers yet. Even as they make it sound as though these models are the newest you can find, they've announced that their supply is limited.
2012.12.21: QVC apparently ran out of the third generation iPads, so they're including the newest generation in their bundle. It seems it was an extra $300 but I didn't notice whether they had a charger or not, since there isn't a non-Apple legal charger for the fourth generation yet.
2013.01.19: I'm not sure where I saw this one but they were charging $349 for a Google Nexus 7 tablet, when the tablet is normally $249.99. They weren't offering a car charger, but a case (hard to find anyway, if it fits) and quite a few (probably free) apps for the extra money. I'm sure they're not worth it, but for people who can't get to stores, it might be acceptable.
2013.02.19: QVC has added the iPad mini to its collection, charging something like $220 extra for their wonderful accessories.
2013.12.03: ShopNBC has apparently changed their name to ShopHQ, but not their habits. They've had a long history, if you include their time as ValueVision. However, you have to be careful with all three of these channels. QVC seems to be pushing much harder than in the past, even though they've been a part of Comcast for a while. If ShopHQ is also under Comcast, due to the sale of parts of NBC, that would make for interesting confusion. Due to my mum's obsession with home shopping channels, I learnt way too much about it, which makes it much safer to shop the channels.
I recently saw something similar from HSN. It seems as though legitimate companies are taking advantage of people's ignorance in order to get some quick money. I'm not really so surprised by HSN--they do pressure sales, but QVC has been laid back about people shopping beyond their means.
Sad, isn't it? For a little more money, you could have two iPad 2 tablets.
Weird. ShopNBC has added the New iPad (third generation) with accessories for a Today's Special Value of $849. That's not much different than the other two, except that the iPad is $100 more and the price is for today only. I shudder to think about the regular price.
Well, all 3 channels now have the third generation iPad, which retails for US$499.99, with all their overpriced accessories. I can't imagine that the split payments are worth that much to buyers.
2012.08.19: HSN had iPad 3 available with some overpriced accessories for an additional $249, I believe, over the tablet price. That's somewhat better and for HSN shoppers, they would split it into 18 monthly, finance-free payments, which could be considered good, since they said it was something like $41 or $51 per month. I wasn't listening quite that intently because I was looking for other details. HSN is funny selling electronics because the hosts have diarrhoea of the mouth and don't think. She said something about it being "the best tablet Mac makes" and 30 seconds later said that it was "the best tablet iPad makes". I think the producer finally got her to say "Apple" but I'm sure that she forgot another 5 minutes later.
2012.11.04: One of the three channels is still selling the older, third generation iPad as if it's the newest, with the same bundle price. Actually, all three are probably doing it but I haven't spent much time in front of the TV to notice. QVC is probably the one I've seen since they're generally the one most overpriced to pay for their great customer service and return policies. Even getting the fourth generation iPad would be a rip-off at those prices, but they won't do that because they can't offer the new Lightning port chargers yet. Even as they make it sound as though these models are the newest you can find, they've announced that their supply is limited.
2012.12.21: QVC apparently ran out of the third generation iPads, so they're including the newest generation in their bundle. It seems it was an extra $300 but I didn't notice whether they had a charger or not, since there isn't a non-Apple legal charger for the fourth generation yet.
2013.01.19: I'm not sure where I saw this one but they were charging $349 for a Google Nexus 7 tablet, when the tablet is normally $249.99. They weren't offering a car charger, but a case (hard to find anyway, if it fits) and quite a few (probably free) apps for the extra money. I'm sure they're not worth it, but for people who can't get to stores, it might be acceptable.
2013.02.19: QVC has added the iPad mini to its collection, charging something like $220 extra for their wonderful accessories.
2013.12.03: ShopNBC has apparently changed their name to ShopHQ, but not their habits. They've had a long history, if you include their time as ValueVision. However, you have to be careful with all three of these channels. QVC seems to be pushing much harder than in the past, even though they've been a part of Comcast for a while. If ShopHQ is also under Comcast, due to the sale of parts of NBC, that would make for interesting confusion. Due to my mum's obsession with home shopping channels, I learnt way too much about it, which makes it much safer to shop the channels.
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