narwhal

App sales revenue on Google's Play Store is a fraction of Apple's App Store, so Google dropping its commission to 15% should have LESS effect on Google than Apple. As a developer for both platforms, I'm on the verge of abandoning Android for my US-focused apps anyway. There's VERY little money coming in from US Android users. I'm surprised Samsung still has so much US market share the way Android app revenue is drying up.

smartburro said:

narwhal said:

I suspect Macs will get touch screens at some point. When I read user forums discussing Mac vs. PC, the one thing PC users always bring up is "but my PC has a touch screen." Also, larger window title bars in Big Sur suggest it's happening. In government RFPs, if the spec calls for touchscreen laptops, Macs automatically lose the contract. I'm not saying I'd use it much, but since Apple already has the tech in iOS devices, why not? Besides, Apple could charge $100 more for the touch screen SKU and see how it goes.

Only $100? That’s cute. 

The current gen iPad is approx. $300 with a 10.2 inch touch screen. Maybe $100 added per Mac is too low, but I have a feeling most Mac buyers would splurge on the touch screen for $100 additional. Maybe half as many would upgrade for $200 additional. More likely I think, Apple will introduce a touch screen education focused Mac laptop around $500 to compete with Chromebooks (60% education market share).

I suspect Macs will get touch screens at some point. When I read user forums discussing Mac vs. PC, the one thing PC users always bring up is "but my PC has a touch screen." Also, larger window title bars in Big Sur suggest it's happening. In government RFPs, if the spec calls for touchscreen laptops, Macs automatically lose the contract. I'm not saying I'd use it much, but since Apple already has the tech in iOS devices, why not? Besides, Apple could charge $100 more for the touch screen SKU and see how it goes.

Same thing happened in MP3 players once Apple had iPods at every $50 increment from $50 to $500. Apple is trying to do that in phones, tablets and watches.

In the US, school districts buy mostly Chromebooks (60% share) with bad screens and keyboards that fall apart in a year. Apple has a tiny, tiny slice of that education market now. This might be an opportunity for Apple to release a bare-bones iBook with a cheaper screen, older A12Z, and 1 each USB-A and USB-C ports, sufficient for Zooming and thumb drives. priced around $500. I wouldn't imagine such a device cannibalizing Apple's existing laptop lines.