narwhal

I think Apple should drop everything to 15% commission. The current situation is too complicated. As an under-$1M developer, I can't sell or buy apps without being bumped to 30% commission. Better to just keep it simple for everyone at 15%. Apple can handle the decreased revenue from the large developers.

Here's another idea: Apple should consider dropping the commission even further to 5%. So the App Store is basically a loss leader to sell hardware. It will lead to more apps in the App Store, will end all the gripes and lawsuits from developers about high rates, and basically kneecap other app stores from gaining a foothold.

None of these quoted analysts sound terribly concerned for Intel. However, the fact that Intel is running competitive advertising against Apple makes it clear Intel is running scared. Apple selling high-end laptops with $1000 to $2000 profit margin is worth more than selling a dozen Chromebooks for $250. Intel can retain its gamer audience (or share it with AMD), but board members and executives won't embarrass themselves carrying Intel laptops -- they'll want MacBook Pros.

In other product categories such as iPad and iPod where Apple has dominated, Apple eventually introduced products at every $50 price point -- for iPods it was from $50 to $500; for iPads from $300 to $1200; for iPhones from $300 to $1200. I imagine Apple will eventually sell laptops at price points from around $500 (a MacBook or iBook targeting schools) to $6000. You'll go into an Apple Store with a specific budget looking for a laptop, and Apple will have something at your exact price point. And if at every price point, Apple's laptop is better than an Intel laptop, it's hard to justify buying the Intel. Except for gamers.

Alexei Navalny is right, of course, but it's ultimately up to Russian citizens to overthrow Putin, if they can. Apple, Google, the US, and NATO aren't going to take out a dictatorship superpower. Maybe after Vlad is dead, there will be actual elections in Russia.

These look nice. I'm a little concerned about the weird extra vent shelf under the Surface Laptop Studio. The design is nice where you convert from a laptop to a tablet, but that results in a VERY thick tablet. C'mon, Intel or Qualcomm, one of you can come up with a fast, cool processor.

For always putting on a tough-guy act, Putin is just a little sissy crybaby. Poor little Vlad. Boo hoo. Wah wah! Where's your binky? Is your diaper full? Little baby Putin. He just wants to be loved by someone who's not psycho or feeble-minded.