Apple market cap tops Microsoft, is now world's largest tech company

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  • Reply 161 of 236
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by christopher126 View Post


    Yep, and don't forget the rating agencies, Moodies and Standard and Poors both complicit in this mess.



    But as you say, probably due more to ignorance than calculated shenanigans! But either way it all boils down to greed.



    When did Wall Street stop being a means to invest in companies and solely try to make money on money?



    When did banks stop doing what banks do and become hedge funds? And when did AIG want to be a hedge fund or Porsche for that matter.



    Sounds like our hedge funds need hedge funds!



    We definitely need regulation of hedge funds and derivatives. There must also be transparency in the investment vehicles, as there is little now. It's like buying a pig in a poke, whatever that means.
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  • Reply 162 of 236
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    I know it's so corny to say that Jobs was right, and that it is magical. But it is!



    Some people want to focus on what it doesn't (yet) do, or on what it doesn't do as well as we would like. But that really doesn't matter. What it does do, is pretty amazing. Really, sitting down and going on the internet with this as a much more absorbing experience that would be expected. Using a finger here is liberating. It really is.



    The screen size, as Goldilocks would say; "It's just right." smaller, and there's not enough reason to use it the way you can. Bigger would be too clumsy and too heavy.



    There was a time we were discussing what Apple might come out with in a tablet, and many of us were saying that we wanted a 7" screen, not much bigger than the one from the Newton, so we could keep it on our belt. But, I must admit, this is much more usable.



    Hear that Ireland? This is much better!



    Lots to agree with you there...just want to say, I've had the first gen. intel iMac, first gen intel Macbook and the first gen iPhone (now a 3Gs) and they are well worth the price of admission! As you say, it's all about the experience and the quality of life (how's that for corny?) But it's true. I am more productive with Apple products in my business life which leaves me not only more time in my private life...but also in a better mood, too! Oh well...i'm probably stating the obvious now!



    Best
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  • Reply 163 of 236
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    We definitely need regulation of hedge funds and derivatives. There must also be transparency in the investment vehicles, as there is little now. It's like buying a pig in a poke, whatever that means.



    Is it a 'pig in a poke' or a 'pig AND a poke?'



    Good chatting with you...but got to get to bed...maybe I can get a 'poke' with my girlfriend! She actually calls me 'Mr. Pokey'



    Doubtful, though!



    She was out most of the night with her best friend. I never did like that guy!



    Just kidding!



    Best
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  • Reply 164 of 236
    mercury99mercury99 Posts: 251member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    Google wouldn't, unlike Apple, care that Adobe produces software for several platforms. That's the biggest problem for Apple with this deal. Apple would have been better off buying Macromedia when they put themselves on the block. Then they would own Flash.



    Nothing wrong about selling software for Windows. Selling plastic CDs is very lucrative business. Apple would just build [Adobe] software more Mac centered with more features for Mac.



    This would make a boost to Apple desktop/laptop sales.

    This would also prevent Google from controlling major set of creative software.

    This will allow Apple to control Flash destiny.
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  • Reply 165 of 236
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mercury99 View Post


    Nothing wrong about selling software for Windows. Selling plastic CDs is very lucrative business. Apple would just build [Adobe] software more Mac centered with more features for Mac.



    This would make a boost to Apple desktop/laptop sales.

    This would also prevent Google from controlling major set of creative software.

    This will allow Apple to control Flash destiny.



    As I said earlier I like your idea Mercury! But I have to believe Stevo looks at Adobe more as an albatross than good venture. Let Google take it on and make a mess of it and apple continue with

    Aperture and god knows what else Apple has up their sleeve.
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  • Reply 166 of 236
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by christopher126 View Post


    Is it a 'pig in a poke' or a 'pig AND a poke?'



    Good chatting with you...but got to get to bed...maybe I can get a 'poke' with my girlfriend! She actually calls me 'Mr. Pokey'



    Doubtful, though!



    She was out most of the night with her best friend. I never did like that guy!



    Just kidding!



    Best



    Who remembers? That's like the investments, who knows?
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  • Reply 167 of 236
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mercury99 View Post


    Nothing wrong about selling software for Windows. Selling plastic CDs is very lucrative business. Apple would just build [Adobe] software more Mac centered with more features for Mac.



    This would make a boost to Apple desktop/laptop sales.

    This would also prevent Google from controlling major set of creative software.

    This will allow Apple to control Flash destiny.



    I don't think Apple wants to sell Windows software anymore. Safari is different, they're really giving away enabling software, like with itunes. But those help to sell Macs and other Apple hardware. Selling CS5 to Windows customers (60% of that market) isn't what Apple wants to do.



    Do you remember Appleworks? It was cross platform. When Apple had a majority share in education they sold it for PC's. When they discontinued it for iWork, they dropped the cross platform capabilities. So what happened? Here in the NY public school system, everything moved over to the Office Student/teacher Edition. And Apple didn't care!
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  • Reply 168 of 236
    christopher126christopher126 Posts: 4,366member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    Who remembers? That's like the investments, who knows?



    Yep, I was right, no luck with her tonight!



    later



    Best
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  • Reply 169 of 236
    myapplelovemyapplelove Posts: 1,515member
    Yeap, but the ms courrier and these prototype mice that moronic site engadget "leaked" will put ms right on the map in no time.



    Balmer is a marketing genius, and an innovation guru. You look at this guy having more money than the gdp of some eurozone countries, and you wonder, how did this incompetent fat f. get there? It's an accomplishment to his cretin, oh sorry, slip of the tongue, I mean credit.



    And let's not forget google, and all the companies they've bought, they have the potential to burn every single one of them.



    Apple is doomed for sure.
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  • Reply 170 of 236
    mercury99mercury99 Posts: 251member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by christopher126 View Post


    As I said earlier I like your idea Mercury! But I have to believe Stevo looks at Adobe more as an albatross than good venture. Let Google take it on and make a mess of it and apple continue with

    Aperture and god knows what else Apple has up their sleeve.



    I agree, but for now Apple can't match Adobe portfolio of professional creative software. Besides taking over Adobe Apple would control Windows market of creative software which would boost Mac hardware business:



    Dreamweaver CS5

    Fireworks CS5

    Device Central CS5

    Adobe Premiere Pro CS5

    After Effects CS5

    Photoshop CS5 Extended

    Illustrator CS5

    Soundbooth CS5

    Encore CS5

    Bridge CS5

    Dynamic Link

    Photoshop CS5 Extended

    InDesign CS5

    Acrobat 9 Pro

    Flash Catalyst CS5

    Flash Professional CS5

    Flash Builder 4

    Dreamweaver CS5

    Fireworks CS5

    Contribute CS5

    Adobe Premiere Pro CS5

    Adobe OnLocation CS5



    Plus Adobe owns Flash/Flex/Air and PDF technologies. Integrate it with QuickTime and you would have some interesting products including for iPod.



    I believe Adobe market cap will drop further to 10-12 billion making it a very attractive target for acquisition by Apple or Google.
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  • Reply 171 of 236
    mercury99mercury99 Posts: 251member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    I don't think Apple wants to sell Windows software anymore. Safari is different, they're really giving away enabling software, like with itunes. But those help to sell Macs and other Apple hardware. Selling CS5 to Windows customers (60% of that market) isn't what Apple wants to do.



    Do you remember Appleworks? It was cross platform. When Apple had a majority share in education they sold it for PC's. When they discontinued it for iWork, they dropped the cross platform capabilities. So what happened? Here in the NY public school system, everything moved over to the Office Student/teacher Edition. And Apple didn't care!



    Sure, Apple could gradually stop selling [adobe] Windows software forcing all creative pros to buy Macs since on PC side there is currently no good alternative to Photoshop, ILL, DreemW, Flash, Acrobat Pro.
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  • Reply 172 of 236
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,718member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mercury99 View Post


    Sure, Apple could gradually stop selling [adobe] Windows software forcing all creative pros to buy Macs since on PC side there is currently no good alternative to Photoshop, ILL, DreemW, Flash, Acrobat Pro.



    That would be tough. You can do this when you buy one program, as Apple did with Logic, but to do it with every program in the catalog would simply engender too much bad will.



    It would also destroy the value of the purchase of Adobe. It would result in a drop of Apple's market value. Overall, not a great idea.
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  • Reply 173 of 236
    thepixeldocthepixeldoc Posts: 2,257member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post


    Early gadflies' SWAG estimates of 2010 tablet sales were mostly:



    Total 10.5 million units total, with iPad sales at 5 million units



    I joked that it would be more like iPads = 10 million, everyone else = .5 million.





    Today, we know:



    Apple has sold 1 million + iPads



    Apple cannot keep iPads in stock



    Apple is producing 1.5 million iPads a month (est.)



    In September Apple will ramp up production to 2.5 million Pads a month (est.)



    Lets be conservative:



    Code:




    . 2 Million iPads sold thru Jun Q 2010

    + 3 Million iPads sold thru Sep Q 2010

    + 5 Million iPads sold thru Dec Q 2010

    ----------------------------------

    =10 Million iPads sold through YE 2010









    That's what I'm talkin' about!





    .



    OK. I'm feeling pretty smug at the moment, since I called 10 Million iPads sold in YE '10 immediately when it was announced... regardless of it's "missing features".



    I fully expect the 3rd and 4th Q's demand to far exceed supply... but Apple will surely sell 10Mil. Sept./Oct. is when I plan on buying the 3 for my family. OS 4 is gonna get a lot of kinks out, and add some great new features: "I/You/We won't be disappointed"



    If you're a shareholder as I am, it's a doubly pleasant situation for the Holidays.
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  • Reply 174 of 236
    doxxicdoxxic Posts: 100member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Daniel001 View Post


    Steve Jobs must be over the moon. Only a deluded halfwit would have thought this possible in the late nineties.



    Well, thanks!

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  • Reply 175 of 236
    sdbryansdbryan Posts: 351member
    One area where Apple badly lags Microsoft (and IBM and probably more than a few other tech companies) is investment in basic research. For many years it probably made sense to run lean in order to insure that Apple had a future. But tech companies like Bell Labs and IBM made Nobel prize level contributions to society. Now that Apple has performed so well I hope they do more than just product development. When Jobs was recruiting Sculley he asked him if he wanted to spend the rest of his life selling sugar water to kids (he was a rising executive at Pepsi). I guess the question now might be if Apple's ambitions are beyond selling media devices to kids.
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  • Reply 176 of 236
    dick applebaumdick applebaum Posts: 12,527member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    Heh! The first time I ever waited in line to get an Apple (or any other) product. Happy I did too!



    Even in its first incarnation, it's an amazing device.



    When I first told my daughter, the photo major, that Apple was coming out with a tablet, she asked if it would replace her Wacom. Well, I told her that it wasn't that kind of tablet.



    But you know, it is! A small company just came out with software (Air Display), an app on the tablet, and software for the computer, that allows the iPad to be used as a second monitor. You can mirror, or extend. What is so amazing about this is that it responds to touch!!! Yes, not everything responds, as would be expected, but much does. I found that with Photoshop (CS5) and the pogo stylus, you can work on the image from the tablet, just as you can from your main screen. If you keep a full image on the main screen, and a smaller window of a magnified section on the iPad, you can work on that. Yes, it's a bit slow, and jerky right now. The software is ver 1.0, and so is the iPad. But that's the speed we had a few years ago on our higher end machines, so I'm not concerned.



    The point is; it WORKS!



    The iPad is very well worth waiting for. I'm finding more amazing stuff all the time for this. The cynics who say it's only good for consuming content are so very wrong.



    Ohhh....



    OMG, Thanks for posting that (Air Display)... I didn't see any announcement fot it.



    When the Apple Tablet was only a rumor, I dreamed that it might be used as a co-peripheral to a Desktop Mac. I posted this to AI and some other forums (see below).



    I bought the app and have used it successfully" with Photoshop, Steam, Pages, and FCS Motion.



    * Performance is surprisingly good, though the dueling UIs are a little difficult to get used to.





    ... now, we have these 2 iPads...







    Seriously, this is something that Adobe and Apple, AutoDesk and Apple, etc. should work together to co-implement. I was not planning to upgrade to CS5, but I would if they had a good implementation of an iPad co-peripheral UI.



    Dick



    Here's part of a post I made to TUAW last December:



    http://www.tuaw.com/2009/12/18/tuaw-...al-apple-tabl/



    Quote:

    Below are some more techie thoughts (wishes).





    Dick





    * Tablet can be used as a co-peripheral with a desktop/laptop:

    -- tablet gets a larger screen (optional mouse, kb, scanner, etc)

    -- the desktop/laptop gets touch I/O & multiple virtual kbs



    ? Drag and drop is similar to using a computer with 2 displays



    * Tablet can use finger-touch and/or BT pressure-sensitive stylus i.e. graphics tablet



    * Tablet could have touch-sensitive back-- use as split full KB and cursor, with optional Heads Up kb/cursor displayed on front



    * iWork/iLife reworked to run on tablet and tablet/computer co-peripheral



    ? iWork/iLife available for Windows PCs



    ? One potential market is "Slim Client" for large percentage of PC & Mac install base that do not do heavy computing:



    -- office cubicle-dwellers running web-like apps to feed data to/from a LAN/WAN;

    -- homies who surf, schedule & stay in touch, play a few games, do the iLife stuff



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  • Reply 177 of 236
    dick applebaumdick applebaum Posts: 12,527member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by melgross View Post


    I know it's so corny to say that Jobs was right, and that it is magical. But it is!



    Some people want to focus on what it doesn't (yet) do, or on what it doesn't do as well as we would like. But that really doesn't matter. What it does do, is pretty amazing. Really, sitting down and going on the internet with this as a much more absorbing experience that would be expected. Using a finger here is liberating. It really is.



    The screen size, as Goldilocks would say; "It's just right." smaller, and there's not enough reason to use it the way you can. Bigger would be too clumsy and too heavy.



    There was a time we were discussing what Apple might come out with in a tablet, and many of us were saying that we wanted a 7" screen, not much bigger than the one from the Newton, so we could keep it on our belt. But, I must admit, this is much more usable.



    Hear that Ireland? This is much better!



    ...what the iPad doesn't do:



    -- it doesn't make you wait

    -- it doesn't confuse you

    -- it doesn't get in the way, between you and your stuff



    .
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  • Reply 178 of 236
    dick applebaumdick applebaum Posts: 12,527member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ThePixelDoc View Post


    OK. I'm feeling pretty smug at the moment, since I called 10 Million iPads sold in YE '10 immediately when it was announced... regardless of it's "missing features".



    I fully expect the 3rd and 4th Q's demand to far exceed supply... but Apple will surely sell 10Mil. Sept./Oct. is when I plan on buying the 3 for my family. OS 4 is gonna get a lot of kinks out, and add some great new features: "I/You/We won't be disappointed"



    If you're a shareholder as I am, it's a doubly pleasant situation for the Holidays.



    Yes, long AAPL.



    Well, I'll take your 10 million iPads and raise it....







    Lets not be conservative:



    Code:




    . 3.5 Million iPads sold thru Jun Q 2010

    + 4.5 Million iPads sold thru Sep Q 2010

    + 7.5 Million iPads sold thru Dec Q 2010

    ----------------------------------

    =15.5 Million iPads sold through YE 2010











    The killer iPad app: whatever you've always wanted [a computer] to do, but have never been able to do it, before [sic]!



    oh... I'm getting dizzy[er]!





    .
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  • Reply 179 of 236
    sargessarges Posts: 94member
    I'm half expecting Steve Ballmer saying that those figures are "a rounding error"
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  • Reply 180 of 236
    dick applebaumdick applebaum Posts: 12,527member
    This is very odd..



    I am running Air Display, mirroring the display of an iMac 17" (Developer System),



    What it illustrates in spades, is that a desktop OS on a tablet is a complete fail... All those nay-sayers insisting that an Apple tablet needs a "proper" OS (desktop OS X), were/are so wrong.



    iPhone OS X (better, Mobile OS X) is not yet perfect, but it sure outshines a desktop OS for this class of device!



    SJ is soo right!



    .
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