pbrutto

bloggerblog said:

scotty321 said:

Apple is so unbelievably tone-deaf to the needs of their customers. We want a Smart CASE, not a Smart COVER. The Smart Cover doesn't even protect the iPad, because it attaches with a weak MAGNET! And it doesn't protect the back of the iPad either! The Smart Cover, which Apple no longer makes, is actually a REAL GENUINE HONEST-TO-GOODNESS CASE. It protects both the front and back of the iPad, and it actually firmly snaps onto the iPad -- so your iPad is fully protected at all times. It is beyond ridiculous that Apple stopped making these, but continues to peddle the subpar Smart covers.

To be fair, they do have a back and front covers that work well together. Problem is they're sold separately and cost a lot.

larryjw said:

mtriviso said:

Sigh. Just open the movie theaters. There's nothing like watching a movie in a massive IMAX 3D theater. If people are frightened they might get the rona, then just stay at home. Please, just let the rest of us who are unafraid enjoy what our acting troupes have to offer in the milieu to which we have become accustomed. 

Frightened? Maybe informed. My grandparents and parents were WWI and WWII generations. And I'm a boomer pre-vaccine and pre-antibiotics. We know disease and pandemics first hand. 

In reviewing census data for genealogy I would run across families asked how many children did you have? 14. How many still living? 4. My grandparents lost young siblings  and cousins to disease. STDs were a big problem among girls and guys in uniform stateside during WWII -- my mother's job was to help treat them. So was TB -- sanitariums built across the nation to confine them. Nobody thought it was bravery to not care if you came down with these diseases. Certainly, there was sympathy sometimes, but getting sick and not pulling your weight was morally reprehensible. 

Being brave by ignoring a disease. My father's WWII diary mentions some other GI's getting sick -- great way to stay behind for some R&R while others did the fighting for you. Malingering was a problem and pissed off others pulling their weight. 

And I had the pleasure of contracting polio during the 50's epidemic. It was no fun. 

So, coming down with Covid-19 when you are fortunate enough to be able to take precautions is really morally reprehensible -- not willing to pull your weight. 

sog35 said:

mdriftmeyer said:

avon b7 said:

There is a lot of damage control in the different comments from Apple representatives.

I particularly take issue with the line that Apple paid all taxes legally due.

I think few people doubt that, but one of the potentially most damaging claims from the investigation was that Apple supposedly decided how much was taxable in the first place and then duly paid all taxes on that amount in completely legal fashion.

So  yes, what they are claiming is technically true, but behind that is the issue of companies deciding for themselves what to make available for taxation.

One would expect this kind of behaviour (which isn't limited to Apple) will change in the future in the EU as all the investigations conclude and rulings are made which will serve as the basis for new practices. Whether Apple is found to have received what amounts to state aid or not will be decided down the line, but the fact the investigation was formerly concluded and the summary made public has helped to shed more light on the inner workings of multi national companies.

Tim Cook attended different meetings in Ireland and Brussels with the EU team carrying out the investigation and knows first hand exactly what the case against Apple is based on. Some of those meetings were reportedly 'heated'.

With a little luck these kinds of investigations will lead to a fairer system in the future.

Apple invented this scheme in the pre-Jobs 2.0 era and was acting on it ever since. It is one of the most repugnant stunts of tax evasion the world over. Many conglomerates leveraged that stunt with Ireland and they should all pay duly for it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Irish_arrangement

wrong.

change the tax law.  Apple followed the law.

lkrupp said:

9secondkox2 said:

ttollerton said:

That just looks boring and uninspired.  Christmas is a season of celebration and joy (and this is explicitly called the Claridge CHRISTMAS tree installation).  

There is nothing about that setup that makes me feel joyful.  Complete fail by Ive.  Ive is usually really good about tying function and design, but this just looks like some shallow attempt to produce something "chic."

In a huge fan of Ive's work and have been for a long time. 

But it I agree here. 

Great design relates to the purpose. This does not. 

Does it it look nice? Sure. 

But it it's almost spooky. Not celebratory. 

You two sound those anonymous bozos on YouTube criticizing the performance of a Chopin Mazurka by Arthur Rubinstein.