Joshuarocks
Apr 8, 07:36 PM
I'm a current employee at Best Buy and thought I'd offer my two cents on a few issues.
First, I don't really like Best Buy. I got a job there to work for around 4 hours a week to get the generous discount. It's particularly generous when dealing with open-box items. Even so, I am miserable leading up to heading in and I do not enjoy the time that I spend there. Thankfully, I have a good full-time job plus a lot of side work and I'm planning on quitting in the next month or so as the thrill of the discount has long worn off.
That said, I have no problem being very open and honest about Best Buy and my experiences there.
In regards to the iPad situation, I haven't been in since this issue came up and won't be in for awhile, so I don't really know what the buzz is on this matter exactly. I do know that they wouldn't put a freeze on selling new iPad 2 stock if they regularly had it for a random promotion, if only for the very reason that many think caused the initial problem: quota.
I'm betting 1 of 2 things happened:
1) They did indeed get in trouble with Apple for something. Sure, it's possible, and it's the easiest reasonable conclusion. I don't know why this would be though, and I'm skeptical about the whole hording thing. And again, this is coming from someone who has access to the inventory systems and all the places that would hide "horded" iPads. Plus, I have a good enough relationship with multiple managers (ones who know the score about Best Buy in an objective world...) who would be honest about this with me.
Generally speaking, when they say there are no iPads for sale, there are no iPads for sale. It's really that simple. Demand is real, and supply is lacking. When we have them for sale, they're in the cages, and this would occur after passing through the pre-order system. White Verizon iPads tend to be the ones most often available, usually just a couple, and they're gone almost immediately all the same.
Another factor in the equation though is processing shipments. I saw someone noted that after an open-box controversy between two customers, the manager was able to procure a new iPad 2 for a disappointed customer when apparently there were none for sale. Well, there probably weren't. He either bumped someone back on the pre-order list to be nice to the pissed off customer in the store or perhaps a shipment came in on the truck that had yet to be processed and he worked it out with the ops team to get them to process one so he could get it out. Oftentimes the managers do actually try to make the customer happy, even if it's somewhat unreasonable. The ops guys have their procedures, and it's rarely slimy in intent so much as rooted in overall efficiency, so sometimes a shipment won't go to the floor for sales until the next day because the processing takes time. If the manager pushes to work something out in that situation, the manager is doing you a favor and pissing off some ops guys to do so.
Anyways, on to the 2nd scenario...
2) This is what I'd really venture to bet is the problem: the pre-order system is a huge mess. It was a rush job authorized by corporate at the last minute and handled by less-than-informed employees who were also in a rush. From day 1 it was clear that problems were going to creep up, and they absolutely have. Nobody in store is happy about it. The employees don't like telling customers that they have to wait on a pre-order list, they don't like the 48 hour pickup window, they don't like having to deal with customers pissing and moaning and crying about conspiracy theories when only a 64 GB white Verizon iPad 2 is available once in a blue moon when a pre-order turns it down. It's not fun, for anyone, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.
So what I'm guessing is really happening is that Best Buy is just digging out of this pre-order mess as fast as possible and skipping anything else until they get past the ramifications of a stupid decision. Considering there's little to skip seeing as supply is so low and we rarely have the most in-demand models available anyways, it's easier for them to just bow out of this for a couple of weeks and in a sense re-launch the normal sales when supplies are less constrained and they don't have a stupid pre-order process hanging over their heads. It's a cut and dry move that will allow them to gear up again in a more normal, focused way. Considering how things have gone there in the last month in dealing with anything iPad related, this might be the best decision for them.
All in all, Best Buy is Best Buy: a brick and mortar retailer lost in an internet-connected world. Best Buy isn't nearly as evil as they are lost and longing for the 20th century. Sure, there's a lot of margin on accessories, but it's because there's more often than not no margin on anything else. They don't make much money at all on TV's and Computers anymore. If they're on sale, and at Best Buy, almost everything is always "On Sale," it's likely at cost or within a few dollars of cost. There's little margin in the shrinking physical media world either. The only departments with major products that have margin still are appliances and for certain stores, musical instruments. This is why Best Buy will likely be dead in 5 years if they don't drastically change their business model. They did a better job at adapting to the new world than other electronics chains, but they haven't done nearly enough. It's not an easy business at this point though as it has as much to do with dealing with suppliers suffering the same pinch and customers who want to have it all but don't want to pay for it.
Also, in regards to stupid employees and sleazy mangers, yeah, they do exist. But more employees know their stuff than you might think. And there are quite a few managers who actually do care about trying to do a good job and help the customer.
As far as the employees, the biggest shock to me after working at Best Buy was realizing that so much of the supposed employee ignorance has more to do with incessantly having to dumb things down to the most absurd of levels with customers. 90% of the people who come in are nice people who just don't know much of anything about what they're buying. You have to learn to communicate on their level and not over-complicate things for them. It's easy to get stuck in that default mode and you have to actively snap yourself out of it on the rare occasion when you get customers who can actually hold their own in a conversation about the technology. And make no mistake, it's a huge relief for most of us when that happens because most of us that work there actually are pretty excited about the technology.
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me. The employees actually know their stuff and are honest with the customers. They also work as a team because the management pushes it and thankfully we don't have commission to muck things up. And customers do love us for it. You'd be shocked by how often a selling relationship turns into a friendship practically at our particular store. We get invited out after work all the time. Honesty goes a long ways, and when you're helping people save money by making sure they make a smart decision for their needs, it goes a long ways. And our managers are objective enough (and not locked into Best Buy corporate brainwash mode) to know that the only thing Best Buy has to offer over Amazon is the possibility of a good customer service experience. They do all they reasonably can to ensure that it happens.
But again, this simply isn't the case everywhere at all, and it so often boils down to the luck of the draw on management. Good managers hire good people leading to good teams leading to generally happy customers and good sales. Bad managers hire their dumb friends, play games with customers, lie, cheat, and usually they don't put up good numbers.
At the end of the day though, the good stores and the bad stores are equally screwed because the industry is a mess, the world is changing, and Best Buy corporate utterly and completely lacks the talent and leadership to be innovative in the 21st century. They refuse to reasonably acknowledge change, they're too scared to piss off manufacturers who have lines all across the store that vary dramatically when it comes to success and quality, and they're wildly inconsistent and disorganized with their processes and as they put it, "solutions." As said, if things don't drastically change, and I don't believe they will without a major shift in leadership, they'll be dead in 5 years. It's a sinking ship. I'll be happy to be out of there.
Again, I don't think they're near as evil and corrupt as they are just lost. When you're lost, things can get confusing real fast. Bear in mind that oftentimes when employees appear aloof, they're probably confused because corporate changes things all the time and does little to help keep us informed of these changes. Also, don't mistake conspiracy theories for sheer stupidity. Like we saw in this whole conversation, people will say some wild things. It's easy to think it from the outside. I can assure you from the inside, that oftentimes what looks like scheming and maneuvering is really just disorganization, stupidity and/or confusion due to the muddled processes and the ever-foggy way in which corporate outlines these processes.
I don't blame people for not liking Best Buy. I don't like them either. Just go easy on the guys on the floor and in the back. Unless they're the total goof-off employees which do exist, what you're pissed about is probably not their fault at all.
The only "Worst Buy" I am against is the one in Owings Mills, MD where they discriminated against me just because of a small disability. Pending a court case with corporate on this matter.. and I used to work for them back in 2005 and left them on a great note. Eligible for re-hire.. then tried to go back to them(Owings Mills) and the manager was very disrespectful and also discriminatory.
I plan to have that store shut down permanently.
First, I don't really like Best Buy. I got a job there to work for around 4 hours a week to get the generous discount. It's particularly generous when dealing with open-box items. Even so, I am miserable leading up to heading in and I do not enjoy the time that I spend there. Thankfully, I have a good full-time job plus a lot of side work and I'm planning on quitting in the next month or so as the thrill of the discount has long worn off.
That said, I have no problem being very open and honest about Best Buy and my experiences there.
In regards to the iPad situation, I haven't been in since this issue came up and won't be in for awhile, so I don't really know what the buzz is on this matter exactly. I do know that they wouldn't put a freeze on selling new iPad 2 stock if they regularly had it for a random promotion, if only for the very reason that many think caused the initial problem: quota.
I'm betting 1 of 2 things happened:
1) They did indeed get in trouble with Apple for something. Sure, it's possible, and it's the easiest reasonable conclusion. I don't know why this would be though, and I'm skeptical about the whole hording thing. And again, this is coming from someone who has access to the inventory systems and all the places that would hide "horded" iPads. Plus, I have a good enough relationship with multiple managers (ones who know the score about Best Buy in an objective world...) who would be honest about this with me.
Generally speaking, when they say there are no iPads for sale, there are no iPads for sale. It's really that simple. Demand is real, and supply is lacking. When we have them for sale, they're in the cages, and this would occur after passing through the pre-order system. White Verizon iPads tend to be the ones most often available, usually just a couple, and they're gone almost immediately all the same.
Another factor in the equation though is processing shipments. I saw someone noted that after an open-box controversy between two customers, the manager was able to procure a new iPad 2 for a disappointed customer when apparently there were none for sale. Well, there probably weren't. He either bumped someone back on the pre-order list to be nice to the pissed off customer in the store or perhaps a shipment came in on the truck that had yet to be processed and he worked it out with the ops team to get them to process one so he could get it out. Oftentimes the managers do actually try to make the customer happy, even if it's somewhat unreasonable. The ops guys have their procedures, and it's rarely slimy in intent so much as rooted in overall efficiency, so sometimes a shipment won't go to the floor for sales until the next day because the processing takes time. If the manager pushes to work something out in that situation, the manager is doing you a favor and pissing off some ops guys to do so.
Anyways, on to the 2nd scenario...
2) This is what I'd really venture to bet is the problem: the pre-order system is a huge mess. It was a rush job authorized by corporate at the last minute and handled by less-than-informed employees who were also in a rush. From day 1 it was clear that problems were going to creep up, and they absolutely have. Nobody in store is happy about it. The employees don't like telling customers that they have to wait on a pre-order list, they don't like the 48 hour pickup window, they don't like having to deal with customers pissing and moaning and crying about conspiracy theories when only a 64 GB white Verizon iPad 2 is available once in a blue moon when a pre-order turns it down. It's not fun, for anyone, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.
So what I'm guessing is really happening is that Best Buy is just digging out of this pre-order mess as fast as possible and skipping anything else until they get past the ramifications of a stupid decision. Considering there's little to skip seeing as supply is so low and we rarely have the most in-demand models available anyways, it's easier for them to just bow out of this for a couple of weeks and in a sense re-launch the normal sales when supplies are less constrained and they don't have a stupid pre-order process hanging over their heads. It's a cut and dry move that will allow them to gear up again in a more normal, focused way. Considering how things have gone there in the last month in dealing with anything iPad related, this might be the best decision for them.
All in all, Best Buy is Best Buy: a brick and mortar retailer lost in an internet-connected world. Best Buy isn't nearly as evil as they are lost and longing for the 20th century. Sure, there's a lot of margin on accessories, but it's because there's more often than not no margin on anything else. They don't make much money at all on TV's and Computers anymore. If they're on sale, and at Best Buy, almost everything is always "On Sale," it's likely at cost or within a few dollars of cost. There's little margin in the shrinking physical media world either. The only departments with major products that have margin still are appliances and for certain stores, musical instruments. This is why Best Buy will likely be dead in 5 years if they don't drastically change their business model. They did a better job at adapting to the new world than other electronics chains, but they haven't done nearly enough. It's not an easy business at this point though as it has as much to do with dealing with suppliers suffering the same pinch and customers who want to have it all but don't want to pay for it.
Also, in regards to stupid employees and sleazy mangers, yeah, they do exist. But more employees know their stuff than you might think. And there are quite a few managers who actually do care about trying to do a good job and help the customer.
As far as the employees, the biggest shock to me after working at Best Buy was realizing that so much of the supposed employee ignorance has more to do with incessantly having to dumb things down to the most absurd of levels with customers. 90% of the people who come in are nice people who just don't know much of anything about what they're buying. You have to learn to communicate on their level and not over-complicate things for them. It's easy to get stuck in that default mode and you have to actively snap yourself out of it on the rare occasion when you get customers who can actually hold their own in a conversation about the technology. And make no mistake, it's a huge relief for most of us when that happens because most of us that work there actually are pretty excited about the technology.
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me. The employees actually know their stuff and are honest with the customers. They also work as a team because the management pushes it and thankfully we don't have commission to muck things up. And customers do love us for it. You'd be shocked by how often a selling relationship turns into a friendship practically at our particular store. We get invited out after work all the time. Honesty goes a long ways, and when you're helping people save money by making sure they make a smart decision for their needs, it goes a long ways. And our managers are objective enough (and not locked into Best Buy corporate brainwash mode) to know that the only thing Best Buy has to offer over Amazon is the possibility of a good customer service experience. They do all they reasonably can to ensure that it happens.
But again, this simply isn't the case everywhere at all, and it so often boils down to the luck of the draw on management. Good managers hire good people leading to good teams leading to generally happy customers and good sales. Bad managers hire their dumb friends, play games with customers, lie, cheat, and usually they don't put up good numbers.
At the end of the day though, the good stores and the bad stores are equally screwed because the industry is a mess, the world is changing, and Best Buy corporate utterly and completely lacks the talent and leadership to be innovative in the 21st century. They refuse to reasonably acknowledge change, they're too scared to piss off manufacturers who have lines all across the store that vary dramatically when it comes to success and quality, and they're wildly inconsistent and disorganized with their processes and as they put it, "solutions." As said, if things don't drastically change, and I don't believe they will without a major shift in leadership, they'll be dead in 5 years. It's a sinking ship. I'll be happy to be out of there.
Again, I don't think they're near as evil and corrupt as they are just lost. When you're lost, things can get confusing real fast. Bear in mind that oftentimes when employees appear aloof, they're probably confused because corporate changes things all the time and does little to help keep us informed of these changes. Also, don't mistake conspiracy theories for sheer stupidity. Like we saw in this whole conversation, people will say some wild things. It's easy to think it from the outside. I can assure you from the inside, that oftentimes what looks like scheming and maneuvering is really just disorganization, stupidity and/or confusion due to the muddled processes and the ever-foggy way in which corporate outlines these processes.
I don't blame people for not liking Best Buy. I don't like them either. Just go easy on the guys on the floor and in the back. Unless they're the total goof-off employees which do exist, what you're pissed about is probably not their fault at all.
The only "Worst Buy" I am against is the one in Owings Mills, MD where they discriminated against me just because of a small disability. Pending a court case with corporate on this matter.. and I used to work for them back in 2005 and left them on a great note. Eligible for re-hire.. then tried to go back to them(Owings Mills) and the manager was very disrespectful and also discriminatory.
I plan to have that store shut down permanently.
iBug2
Apr 30, 10:03 PM
There's no proof that a closed app store brought in developers because prior to the app store existing there was no 3rd party development on the device (well, besides jailbreakers). So you can't claim that. Case in point, the Mac App store hasn't exploded in popularity the way the iPhone app store did.
But it's pretty clear that if Apple closed the platform they would lose the marketshare in:
1. education (need unix shell, ability to write programs in Eclipse, etc)
2. server (need extensibility)
3. games (steam for example could not operate)
4. professional (Adobe wouldn't stand for not being able to manage their own business model, for example)
5. open source (major open source projects would avoid the Mac because App store doesn't jive with their licenses, Firefox, OpenOffice, etc)
They'd probably also face a major antitrust lawsuit.
It's an unrealistic doomsday proposition that Apple isn't stupid enough to pursue.
You are talking about things that would happen if they closed it today. I said 15 years. :)
And it's not a doomsday proposition or anything. That's just where the entire industry will go.
But it's pretty clear that if Apple closed the platform they would lose the marketshare in:
1. education (need unix shell, ability to write programs in Eclipse, etc)
2. server (need extensibility)
3. games (steam for example could not operate)
4. professional (Adobe wouldn't stand for not being able to manage their own business model, for example)
5. open source (major open source projects would avoid the Mac because App store doesn't jive with their licenses, Firefox, OpenOffice, etc)
They'd probably also face a major antitrust lawsuit.
It's an unrealistic doomsday proposition that Apple isn't stupid enough to pursue.
You are talking about things that would happen if they closed it today. I said 15 years. :)
And it's not a doomsday proposition or anything. That's just where the entire industry will go.
maclaptop
May 3, 02:26 PM
I don't really get this... You already pay fees for the data - why do they care for how you use it?
Here's my take on it.
One of the carriers source of income is data charges. Within that category of data sales is:
1) Data used via smartphone for web access.
2) Data used via tethering your phone & laptop.
3) Data used via a laptop air card bought from the carrier.
When you use method 2 illegally, the carrier loses out on that data sale. It's been like this for years, yet not been a problem as large as it is now.
Here's my take on it.
One of the carriers source of income is data charges. Within that category of data sales is:
1) Data used via smartphone for web access.
2) Data used via tethering your phone & laptop.
3) Data used via a laptop air card bought from the carrier.
When you use method 2 illegally, the carrier loses out on that data sale. It's been like this for years, yet not been a problem as large as it is now.
zombitronic
Oct 6, 04:47 PM
I think your arugument would be valid if phones were not subsudized and you have to buy them at full price. Because AT&T in this case is paying Apple $400 per phone you should choose a network first.
If ISP were footing the bill for desktop then Verizon add still would work but for cell phones most of the cost of the phone is paid by the networks. Not the other way around.
My original iPhone was not subsidized and I had to buy it at full price. I chose the device with no qualms about what network I was required to use.
While the iPhone is now subsidized, so are many other phones on many other networks. If only certain networks were doing this to add value to choosing their contracts, I could understand your point of choosing the network before the device. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't understand how this changes my argument that the service is just a commodity while the device is the consumer's primary choice.
If ISP were footing the bill for desktop then Verizon add still would work but for cell phones most of the cost of the phone is paid by the networks. Not the other way around.
My original iPhone was not subsidized and I had to buy it at full price. I chose the device with no qualms about what network I was required to use.
While the iPhone is now subsidized, so are many other phones on many other networks. If only certain networks were doing this to add value to choosing their contracts, I could understand your point of choosing the network before the device. Maybe I'm missing something but I don't understand how this changes my argument that the service is just a commodity while the device is the consumer's primary choice.
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Nicolasdec
Jan 9, 05:29 PM
i was whatching it and it ****ed up in the middle
ChrisA
Sep 26, 11:42 AM
In a perfect world it would figure out your specs and use what it can.
Then it is pretty much a perfect world.
The guts of the Image Units are written in a subset of OpenGL Shading Langage and run on either the GPU or CPU as is appropriate for the hardware. But I don't know the gradularity. I think it is on a per Image Unit basis. So (say) "Gamma Adjust" might run on the GPU while "Perspective Transform" might run on a CPU. Where it runs is different dependiig on what hardware you have. Tiger's Core Image has about 100 Image Units and there is a way for programmers to add more. It is reasonable to asume that Aprture adds some of it's own.
This stuff is explained in some detail at http://developer.apple.com/
Then it is pretty much a perfect world.
The guts of the Image Units are written in a subset of OpenGL Shading Langage and run on either the GPU or CPU as is appropriate for the hardware. But I don't know the gradularity. I think it is on a per Image Unit basis. So (say) "Gamma Adjust" might run on the GPU while "Perspective Transform" might run on a CPU. Where it runs is different dependiig on what hardware you have. Tiger's Core Image has about 100 Image Units and there is a way for programmers to add more. It is reasonable to asume that Aprture adds some of it's own.
This stuff is explained in some detail at http://developer.apple.com/
more...
usarioclave
Oct 4, 03:35 AM
A friend of a friend was told that they should wait until march for that shiny new iPod. Take it for what it is, an unsubstantiated rumor.
ngenerator
May 3, 03:38 PM
This is a major setback IMHO...
I know it is illegal but carriers make tons of cash with their inflated prices... Who protects us from that?
Not all of us are stuck with a 2GB data limit, and some of us use that "unlimited" concept to tether pretty much every device I have on my desk ;) They make no extra cash off of me
I know it is illegal but carriers make tons of cash with their inflated prices... Who protects us from that?
Not all of us are stuck with a 2GB data limit, and some of us use that "unlimited" concept to tether pretty much every device I have on my desk ;) They make no extra cash off of me
more...
milo
Sep 12, 09:48 AM
Actually I believe it was 3... if my memory is holding true... it was...
The Office, Desperate Housewives, and Lost.
Nope. The office was later, initial release was all ABC and Disney.
Desperate Housewives, Lost, Night Stalker, That�s So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
The Office, Desperate Housewives, and Lost.
Nope. The office was later, initial release was all ABC and Disney.
Desperate Housewives, Lost, Night Stalker, That�s So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody
SavMan
Oct 11, 08:11 PM
For the last time, folks...
THE MATERIALS ON THE 5G iPOD ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN THOSE ON THE 4G!
The main differences are the addition of black underlay on one model, and the change to squared edges from rounded. The top layer of acrylic on an iPod is clear, and like any clear solid, will shunt light along it. Ever look at fiber-optic cable? Notice this: if you shine a light at the terminal of the cable (the leading edge of the fibers) they will duct light to the other end. You won't see the light from the sides, nor will shining a light at the side of the cable cause light to be refracted through the cable ends.
What happens on the new iPods that didn't happen on the old ones is that a large amount of light is coming through the flat edges of the acrylic. When your iPod is shiny and new (or if you're smart enough to put a modicum of protection on your $250�$400 appliance) light just shunts from one side of the iPod to the other. When you start making scratches in the acrylic however, the light escapes through the new "edge" (the gouge), effectively illuminating the otherwise innocuous scratch. This is also why the black iPods seem more affected than the white: the contrast is obviously higher against a black background.
Another huge issue: most iPod users prior to this year owned the nearly scratch-proof iPod mini. The contrast between the anodized aluminum's resilience and the acrylic's proclivity to mar caused a lot more people to bitch. A lot of nanos were sold to folks who assumed they could just toss it in their pocket next to their coins and keys.
To recap: there were no material changes in the acrylic used on the new iPods. Period. The only difference is the manner in which the acrylic is shaped. The round sides of the old iPods didn't allow light to enter the skin to any significant degree. Check out a 4G sometime, God knows I see enough on a daily basis myself. They'll be every bit as scratched (usually more), but it won't effect the appearance nearly as much. Thank you.
(I wish I had a "The More You Know" image right here.)
THE MATERIALS ON THE 5G iPOD ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN THOSE ON THE 4G!
The main differences are the addition of black underlay on one model, and the change to squared edges from rounded. The top layer of acrylic on an iPod is clear, and like any clear solid, will shunt light along it. Ever look at fiber-optic cable? Notice this: if you shine a light at the terminal of the cable (the leading edge of the fibers) they will duct light to the other end. You won't see the light from the sides, nor will shining a light at the side of the cable cause light to be refracted through the cable ends.
What happens on the new iPods that didn't happen on the old ones is that a large amount of light is coming through the flat edges of the acrylic. When your iPod is shiny and new (or if you're smart enough to put a modicum of protection on your $250�$400 appliance) light just shunts from one side of the iPod to the other. When you start making scratches in the acrylic however, the light escapes through the new "edge" (the gouge), effectively illuminating the otherwise innocuous scratch. This is also why the black iPods seem more affected than the white: the contrast is obviously higher against a black background.
Another huge issue: most iPod users prior to this year owned the nearly scratch-proof iPod mini. The contrast between the anodized aluminum's resilience and the acrylic's proclivity to mar caused a lot more people to bitch. A lot of nanos were sold to folks who assumed they could just toss it in their pocket next to their coins and keys.
To recap: there were no material changes in the acrylic used on the new iPods. Period. The only difference is the manner in which the acrylic is shaped. The round sides of the old iPods didn't allow light to enter the skin to any significant degree. Check out a 4G sometime, God knows I see enough on a daily basis myself. They'll be every bit as scratched (usually more), but it won't effect the appearance nearly as much. Thank you.
(I wish I had a "The More You Know" image right here.)
more...
psycoswimmer
Jan 9, 07:13 PM
Just finished watch the keynote. It did seem shorter than (about) 2 hours. I read about the products and everything at apple.com before, but wow, watching the keynote makes a big difference. You get to really see everything in action, and you'll learn more than you will on apple's site.
Stanjara
May 2, 01:36 PM
If this is going to improve ios and iphone performance than fine...i will update....if not, like if the gps and maps are going to be slower then no thanks...
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longofest
Oct 28, 04:50 PM
Folks, I think you are misinterpreting what the OSx86 project is doing (at least in this case)...
The OSx86 project is taking the Darwin and XNU source that Apple releases and making them so they can run on any x86 hardware. Basically, they are bringing back the functionality that Darwin and XNU had BEFORE Apple ported OSX to Intel, as the x86 versions of Darwin used to run on any x86 hardware until Apple started including a lot of EFI-specific commands (as well as some other things). If you download and compile the OSx86 source, you won't be able to get a full-fledged OSX user experience, because they have not circumvented Apple's TPM protections for the GUI. In order to get Aqua, you need to have the Aqua resource files (which you'd have to get from a OSX install CD), and you'd have to get the TPM keys, which would be illegal.
Also remember, Darwin and XNU does NOT EQUAL the full OSX user experience. Darwin/XNU is just a command-line operating system, as that is the only part that is open-source.
The OSx86 project is taking the Darwin and XNU source that Apple releases and making them so they can run on any x86 hardware. Basically, they are bringing back the functionality that Darwin and XNU had BEFORE Apple ported OSX to Intel, as the x86 versions of Darwin used to run on any x86 hardware until Apple started including a lot of EFI-specific commands (as well as some other things). If you download and compile the OSx86 source, you won't be able to get a full-fledged OSX user experience, because they have not circumvented Apple's TPM protections for the GUI. In order to get Aqua, you need to have the Aqua resource files (which you'd have to get from a OSX install CD), and you'd have to get the TPM keys, which would be illegal.
Also remember, Darwin and XNU does NOT EQUAL the full OSX user experience. Darwin/XNU is just a command-line operating system, as that is the only part that is open-source.
jinxednuance
Mar 9, 11:18 PM
Why is Apple the only tech company that makes unique products? All the other big ones seem to just drop in behind Apple after they invent something... Examples:
�Phones that are designed to simply compete with the iPhone.
�Pretty much every non-Apple tablet.
�iMac lookalikes.
�I've even seem some unibody copy cats...
Why don't they try and come up with something of their own instead of trying to "make a better Apple product"? Its annoying... :mad:
That's a bit of a superficial hypothesis you got. The majority of computers in the world are still Microsoft based. Perhaps businesses are switching to Apple but for now, the world is not at all run by Apple. Not even close. Once Steve controls the market like Bill and becomes half as rich as he is, we may consider talking. You need more experience in life son, as one person said, turn off your Apple product and look outside your window, there's life that doesn't breath Apple.
�Phones that are designed to simply compete with the iPhone.
�Pretty much every non-Apple tablet.
�iMac lookalikes.
�I've even seem some unibody copy cats...
Why don't they try and come up with something of their own instead of trying to "make a better Apple product"? Its annoying... :mad:
That's a bit of a superficial hypothesis you got. The majority of computers in the world are still Microsoft based. Perhaps businesses are switching to Apple but for now, the world is not at all run by Apple. Not even close. Once Steve controls the market like Bill and becomes half as rich as he is, we may consider talking. You need more experience in life son, as one person said, turn off your Apple product and look outside your window, there's life that doesn't breath Apple.
more...
carlgo
Dec 14, 01:31 PM
Yay, satellites. Or drones. There you go, so much cooler. Space age instead of silly towers.
How a little iPhone could transmit to hundreds of miles into space is problematical, but there is all of this alien technology...
Maybe the data centers are sat communications facilities.
Ahhh, not likely but it is fun to think about.
How a little iPhone could transmit to hundreds of miles into space is problematical, but there is all of this alien technology...
Maybe the data centers are sat communications facilities.
Ahhh, not likely but it is fun to think about.
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Marky Mark
Sep 28, 03:15 PM
Is the update available now?
Just ran software update and there are updates for all the iLife apps.
It specifically states 'avoid incompatibility with Aperture 1.5". I guess they're adding the Aperture integration so it can't be far away!
Just ran software update and there are updates for all the iLife apps.
It specifically states 'avoid incompatibility with Aperture 1.5". I guess they're adding the Aperture integration so it can't be far away!
more...
GuardBoy98
Oct 6, 11:31 AM
Very clever. I tend to agree, but I waited two years after the release of the original iPhone for Verizon to offer something comparable that wasn't a Blackberry. Fortunately, I live in Atlanta (can't believe I just typed that sentence ...) where AT&T's service is just fine. Anyone who thinks it's bad here should go try to download a 100k photo in NYC on a Monday afternoon. Impossible! I think Starbucks has a better network with their AT&T wifi!
dethmaShine
Apr 13, 05:06 AM
As stupid as they are, probably not. They're happy with having the most market share, why should they bother changing anything?
That's understandable.
But, when it's as easy to get a virus as downloading a banner ad from a website that you visit ( sometimes even legitimate ones) using IE with ActiveX enabled, then *maybe* a stronger security model is called for.
These days, if you're running Windows and don't have at least a good antivirus, antispyware and (can't hurt) firewall, you're almost assured of getting infected somehow. I see it all the time at work - we have people coming in paying hundreds to have us remove viruses and to install a new antivirus program, because they didn't know the old one expired.
MS has done a lot in the security department; much more than Apple has ever done in the last years. But yes, Windows needed it; Mac OS didn't.
The extent to which viruses appear on windows has decreased but yeah, there are still a lot of viruses and one can easily be caught up in that situation.
If Microsoft was smart, they'd even *consider* doing this - I hate to say it, but look at Mac users - even though we're not immune to potential viruses in the future, how long has OS X been around, and how much malware is out there to infect it? Maybe 5-10 programs? UNIX just has that stronger security model...
I don't think its about malware/viruses.
Mac OS X provides all the features one needs (as a pro and as a consumer - not all though). UNIX is one of the biggest advantages of Mac OS X. Back in the day, the nerd crowd went apple mainly because of Mac OS X's UNIX capabilities. The times have changed though. But I think if Windows 8 comes out as a UNIX compliant, its going to be tough for Apple to reside in the pro-nerd market.
That doesn't mean apple is going to lose marketshare. But that kind of competition is going to be a major setback to apple in reference to how 'expensive' the mac machines are.
That said, and again, times have changed. Apple charges for the complete ecosystem rather than machine by machine OR software by software costs.
I wish windows goes UNIX to attain dead heat with Mac OS X.
I'll be the first one to jump and get a windows laptop (won't leave my macintosh though, ever ;)).
That's understandable.
But, when it's as easy to get a virus as downloading a banner ad from a website that you visit ( sometimes even legitimate ones) using IE with ActiveX enabled, then *maybe* a stronger security model is called for.
These days, if you're running Windows and don't have at least a good antivirus, antispyware and (can't hurt) firewall, you're almost assured of getting infected somehow. I see it all the time at work - we have people coming in paying hundreds to have us remove viruses and to install a new antivirus program, because they didn't know the old one expired.
MS has done a lot in the security department; much more than Apple has ever done in the last years. But yes, Windows needed it; Mac OS didn't.
The extent to which viruses appear on windows has decreased but yeah, there are still a lot of viruses and one can easily be caught up in that situation.
If Microsoft was smart, they'd even *consider* doing this - I hate to say it, but look at Mac users - even though we're not immune to potential viruses in the future, how long has OS X been around, and how much malware is out there to infect it? Maybe 5-10 programs? UNIX just has that stronger security model...
I don't think its about malware/viruses.
Mac OS X provides all the features one needs (as a pro and as a consumer - not all though). UNIX is one of the biggest advantages of Mac OS X. Back in the day, the nerd crowd went apple mainly because of Mac OS X's UNIX capabilities. The times have changed though. But I think if Windows 8 comes out as a UNIX compliant, its going to be tough for Apple to reside in the pro-nerd market.
That doesn't mean apple is going to lose marketshare. But that kind of competition is going to be a major setback to apple in reference to how 'expensive' the mac machines are.
That said, and again, times have changed. Apple charges for the complete ecosystem rather than machine by machine OR software by software costs.
I wish windows goes UNIX to attain dead heat with Mac OS X.
I'll be the first one to jump and get a windows laptop (won't leave my macintosh though, ever ;)).
citizenzen
May 4, 06:38 PM
I don't see how people condone people asking intrusive questions.
I think you mean, I don't see how people condone doctors asking intrusive questions.
Where do they get off anyway?
Asking me questions about my body and lifestyle choices.
Just give me the pills and ESS-TEE-EFF-YOU! ;)
I think you mean, I don't see how people condone doctors asking intrusive questions.
Where do they get off anyway?
Asking me questions about my body and lifestyle choices.
Just give me the pills and ESS-TEE-EFF-YOU! ;)
Eric374
Mar 19, 05:35 PM
you Americans have some ridiculous proverbs/figure of speeches that no other Anglophones around the world can even attempt to understand.
And the English language's inception was here in England so why do Americans spell rumours 'rumors'? And there are an abundance of similar examples.
Try being an American and writing words like "tyre", "colour", "aluminium" etc. I always try to use the correct "English" spelling of words and people give me crap about it. I just tell 'em that's the CORRECT way to do it, and the sun never sets on the British Empire. They usually leave me alone after that. :p
And the English language's inception was here in England so why do Americans spell rumours 'rumors'? And there are an abundance of similar examples.
Try being an American and writing words like "tyre", "colour", "aluminium" etc. I always try to use the correct "English" spelling of words and people give me crap about it. I just tell 'em that's the CORRECT way to do it, and the sun never sets on the British Empire. They usually leave me alone after that. :p
Eidorian
May 3, 11:41 PM
Since I have a variety of Mac laptops, which are my favs, I've reserved my iPads for web browsing only. Now after many months, keeping them simple and basic provides a certain sense of satisfaction.
They're the only devices I don't even sync or backup. In fact, that's the one thing that feels strange. Especially due to the fact I employ multiple backup strategies for all my other computers and phones.
That said, keeping them box stock for browsing only, is very freeing.I do not backup my Macbook anymore. It gathers dust now. :(
Just curious, what is wrong with Air Video?What would I playback? I do not waste the drive space on it either. I grew out of my media hoarding phase nearly a decade ago.
I have not paid for any of my media since I just get it on DVD from the library. Why would I pay for shovel media?
They're the only devices I don't even sync or backup. In fact, that's the one thing that feels strange. Especially due to the fact I employ multiple backup strategies for all my other computers and phones.
That said, keeping them box stock for browsing only, is very freeing.I do not backup my Macbook anymore. It gathers dust now. :(
Just curious, what is wrong with Air Video?What would I playback? I do not waste the drive space on it either. I grew out of my media hoarding phase nearly a decade ago.
I have not paid for any of my media since I just get it on DVD from the library. Why would I pay for shovel media?
maflynn
Apr 8, 11:11 AM
Actually, it depends on what you use your computer for, what your expectations are, and where your priorities lie.
You can say that about any consumer product.
Speaking in general terms, MS has added more to windows, improved performance and reduced the bloat with win7.
Apple has gone the opposite direction, adding bloat and no major feature since 10.5
You can say that about any consumer product.
Speaking in general terms, MS has added more to windows, improved performance and reduced the bloat with win7.
Apple has gone the opposite direction, adding bloat and no major feature since 10.5
scottsjack
Mar 28, 05:52 PM
Seriously Apple, how soon until the app store is the only way to install apps on your mac?
If it's going to happen I hope it's soon. Photoshop CS5.5/6.0 will be out soon and I need to decide which platform will be my main one. It could go either way over the long term. My copy of PS CS3 for Windows will have to be updated to the next release in order to maintain upgrade privileges for Windows.
If it's going to happen I hope it's soon. Photoshop CS5.5/6.0 will be out soon and I need to decide which platform will be my main one. It could go either way over the long term. My copy of PS CS3 for Windows will have to be updated to the next release in order to maintain upgrade privileges for Windows.
Ichneumon
May 3, 11:31 PM
The reason why I didn't buy an Ipad yet. I would only browse on Safari and play games. Something that is available on my Macbook Pro.
But have you actually *touched* the internet before? Browsing the internet is a really magical experience on the iPad. ;)
But have you actually *touched* the internet before? Browsing the internet is a really magical experience on the iPad. ;)
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