robbyx

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robbyx
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  • Apple tapped as contender for J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot studio

    robbyx said:
    I'm not against Apple producing original content, but I don't think it's going to turn into a major revenue stream for them.  I worry the quest for content is a fool's errand.  For years I've said they should buy Nintendo and I still think that would be the best acquisition they could make.  The lion's share of App Store revenue is video games and IAP associated with video games.  Nintendo is profitable, has numerous well-established and beloved global franchises, and does good work when it comes to hardware and game controllers.  I hope the original content play works out for Apple, but I think getting serious about gaming would be a much smarter move.
    The thing with original content, all it takes is a few hit shows. Look at Netflix. There is a ton of crap they produce but they do have hit shows. As far as Nintendo goes, I completely agree. With their huge catalog of titles, imagine what that would do for the neglected (with gaming) Apple TV. The gaming market is booming worldwide. That would be a smart move by Apple to invest in that $140 billion/yearly and growing piece of the pie. 
    My concern with content is that Apple is late to the game.  They should never have let Netflix become Netflix.  I'm a big Apple fan and longtime customer (35 years!), but it will take a lot to convince me that I need another streaming service.  Netflix has become a juggernaut.  Yes, Apple has "disrupted" other markets successfully in the past, but there's no guarantee they can do it again.  It seems expensive and risky whereas Nintendo is basically a guaranteed win.  Nintendo has some of the most well recognized gaming franchises in the world.  They have a huge built-in fan base who buys every new console they release.  They are the king of mobile gaming (and I don't mean smartphone games).  It seems like such a no-brainer to me.  Slogging it out in the fickle original content space - trying to build a back catalog of hits, trying to convince the public they need another service - seems highly risky and, frankly, more like a vanity project than anything else.  Gaming prints money.  Why Apple continues to treat it in a very half-assed way makes no sense to me (and never has).
    designrn2itivguywilliamlondonAppleExposed
  • Apple tapped as contender for J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot studio

    I'm not against Apple producing original content, but I don't think it's going to turn into a major revenue stream for them.  I worry the quest for content is a fool's errand.  For years I've said they should buy Nintendo and I still think that would be the best acquisition they could make.  The lion's share of App Store revenue is video games and IAP associated with video games.  Nintendo is profitable, has numerous well-established and beloved global franchises, and does good work when it comes to hardware and game controllers.  I hope the original content play works out for Apple, but I think getting serious about gaming would be a much smarter move.
    applesnorangesrandominternetpersonboltsfan17n2itivguywilliamlondonwatto_cobra
  • No, Apple's licensing of iTunes & AirPlay 2 isn't a 'strategy reversal' in any way

    Notsofast said:

    robbyx said:
    TVs supporting AirPlay2 and an iTunes app for TVs tell me two things:

    1) Apple has completely abandoned the idea of offering their own TV hardware (if that was ever really a possibility anyway)

    2) Apple's upcoming video service is going to be a lot more than just some free original content to sweeten the deal for existing Apple hardware owners (as some sources have suggested)

    Personally I'd like to see Apple make their TV app the center of the Apple TV experience.  Right now it's confusing with so many different apps and interfaces, some of which work with the TV app while others don't.
    This idea of an Apple TV never made any sense as Apple doesn't get into low margin, commoditized businesses unless it has something to differentiate it and command a suitable profit margin.  Heck, major players like Panasonic and Sony have been pulling back because low margin companies like Vizio have cannibalized sales as consumers can't tell a meaningful difference between the screens (for the most part, now that we are well into HD, 4K, etc., the TV's are all great), leaving the companies to compete on price--not Apple's market. 
    The correct thing to do - the best strategy would have been to make the Apple TV half as much and make it the premium offering over a Firestick but to populate the installed base of iOS with basic affordable set top boxes that would have rendered this conunumdrum already solved.

    The app on one and not the others and some available on old ones but not other old ones - these are terrible omens for this TV service and Apple TV. It’s already been handled the wrong way in the press, and it’s confusing already and most people don’t care about AirPlay 1 or 2. They just look at the phone. The End. If they want Apple content at all - they’d want iTunes and now it’s only in Samsung and Samsung QLED tech is well behind OLED. To say nothing of Tizen. 
    Apple TV is ridiculously overpriced.  I just had a (non-techie) friend text me a little while ago asking what to buy, Fire, Chrome Cast, or Roku.  I responded, since they are an Apple household, why not Apple TV?  Her response was simple: it's 3x more expensive and for what?

    I really don't understand what they are doing with Apple TV.  I have one and I like it, but aside from the Apple "experience", what does it offer over the competition?  Nothing.  I also agree that these latest announcements are not the best omens.  I'm confused, and I'm a seasoned Apple user.  Will the Samsung TVs only offer iTunes content?  Will they get the rumored TV service?  Is the TV service falling under the iTunes umbrella?  We shall see...
    asdasdwilliamlondon
  • Apple lowers holiday quarter guidance on lower than expected iPhone sales

    robbyx said:
    avon b7 said:
    And right on cue, the salivating trolls come marching onto EVERY Apple site in existence by the truckload!
    Forget trolls. What is your opinion on what is happening on iPhone? 

    The rest of the business seems to be doing ok. They have a lot of cash reserves to pull on. That won't save them from a roller coaster ride, short term, but iPhone is suffering. Do you agree with TCs line or do you think he is airbrushing bits? Are prices too high? Is competition playing a part? Are iPhones underperforming on features? Etc.
    The smartphone market is mature. I can easily afford the top of the line iPhone model, but I see no reason to upgrade from my 7 Plus. I think a lot of people feel this way.  Even if Apple dropped prices tomorrow, I still wouldn’t upgrade.  My 7 Plus is great. I’d like FaceID, but that’s not enough of a reason to upgrade. 

    I dont think prices are the issue. There are iPhone models under $500.  Top of the line is very pricey, but Apple has nice offerings at several price points. The market is saturated and mature and this was bound to happen. 
    If price wasn’t an issue why did Tim keep mentioning subsidies going away? Why did he mention not marketing the trade-in program enough? Both of those things scream price issues. Which was obvious when the front page of apple.com was displaying this:

    I know many people with older phones and none of them WANT to upgrade. They don’t care about pricing. They are satisfied with their current devices. I was just helping a friend with her Mac today. It’s 8 years old and works fine.  She sees no reason to upgrade. The same thing is happening with phones.

    As I said, Apple has phone models at a variety of price points. Stop focusing on the top of the line.  Phones are mature. The tech is mature. There aren’t a lot of new features. Faster, better screen, better camera...yawn. My phone is fast enough and the camera is fine. The days of annual upgrades are over.

    Price is a factor, but it’s not the issue. 
    AppleExposedelijahgbaconstanguktechie
  • Netflix kills in-app subscription option for iPhone & iPad users

    crosslad said:
    Apple should start charging companies like Netflix, that charge customers but give nothing back to Apple, for making their services available through the AppStore. 
    That’s crazy. Apple is a HARDWARE company. Services and the App Store are gravy, neither of which exist if people aren’t buying the hardware. Companies like Netflix are giving Apple customers services to enjoy. No services and those customers buy someone else’s hardware. I’d get rid of AppleTV without a second thought if Netflix wasn’t available.
    ednlwilliamlondonjbdragonasdasd