The 30th Anniversary of the iPod
October 23, 2009
Evidently today is the 30th Anniversary of the iPod. It was invented in 1979 by Kane Kramer with U.S. Patent 4,667,088 and UK patent 2115996. Attached are the images that were presented to the board of directors in 1979 for funds to patent the product. The Apple store was also invented in 1979 as per the also attached PDF file.
Wait, but Apple wasn’t even around at that time… correct… but read the patent and the presentation delivered to the board of directors then make up your own mind.
The patent expired before Apple “invented” the iPod, hence he received no royalties from Apple Inc initially until a lawsuit from an unrelated case required evidence of prior work, where then Apple contacted Kane Kramer and offered to purchase the iPod patent from him in order to show evidence of prior work.
Amazing stuff, completely amazing… regardless, happy 30th birthday iPod!
Microsoft Profit down 17% on Ubuntu, Google, Apple threats
July 23, 2009
Microsoft profit is down 17%, and cited is long term threats that are materializing on it’s doorstep, Ubuntu Linux and Apple and the newly announced Google OS
Ubuntu Linux has been making serious inroads in the netbook market as a desktop of choice for many lower powered machines called netbooks, The Google OS is vaporware for now… but the threat exists. Apple is fresh with cash from all those iPhone, iTouch and iPod sales that it’s now a cash machine that has market share in the desktop market.
The wildcard isn’t Apple however because Apple has been there for decades, nor is it Google’s OS (yet) as it’s not scheduled until 2010 at the earliest, the problem at hand is actually Ubuntu Linux, as it is being sold like wildfire on the netbook market as well as the OS of choice for many early adopters of Linux as a desktop. Mostly because it’s free and resource light as compared to Vista… and early reports are saying it has a smaller footprint that Windows 7.
Meaning that Microsoft is trying to complete against something free. Nevermind the Office market that is being crashed with Openoffice.org and Google Docs…
It’s not even worth mentioning the third iteration of MSN called Bing.. Something is up people, and it’s not looking pretty for Redmond.
Apple tried to shut down Microsoft advertising campaign
July 16, 2009
It should come as no surprise that Apple isn’t a big fan of Microsoft’s “Laptop Hunters” ads, but some may be surprised to learn the Mac maker’s lawyers reportedly called a senior Microsoft executive and demanded the ads be removed according to C|Net.
Legal maneuverer over an advertising campaign that has been running vice versa (Apple on Microsoft) for 30 years?
I myself am no fan of Microsoft, not in the slightest… I personally think their products are bloated, virus prone and too costly for what they provide… and don’t get me on Apple… because their stuff is more costly and amateur geared (but slightly more secure).. that being stated Apple went way too far.
“And you know why I know they’re working? Because two weeks ago we got a call from the Apple legal department saying, hey — this is a true story — saying, “Hey, you need to stop running those ads, we lowered our prices.” They took like $100 off or something. It was the greatest single phone call in the history that I’ve ever taken in business. (Applause.)”
Interesting… very interesting.. waiting for Apple fanboys to voice their thoughts…. Advertising Agency Crispin, Porter + Bogusky might have done something right for once…. though taking the price angle I still feel is a mistake… because Linux is even cheaper……
Why Hulu blocked all mobile devices
July 10, 2009
Hulu has officially blocked all Smartphone access to the website. Even though the last supported device, Microsoft Windows Mobile users with Skyfire cannot block any advertising (yes all of us were watching Hulu ads at the bus station prior to the shows).
The problem is Hulu realized that they have no way of knowing whether Skyfire users coming through the US servers are actually in the US and since they are not allowed to let people outside the US watch their videos they decided to block all of Skyfire, and all mobile devices for that matter.
The Apple iPhone was never supported, nor was any other platform other than Windows Mobile Device using a browser called Skyfire, earlier this week (on or about July 3ed) all screens went dark with an error message stating “Unfortunately, this video is not available on your platform. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
This actually is a dark milestone, it means that Hulu has now blocked all mobile smart phones from the website. There is no work around yet at this time.
Many people (such as myself) have actually bought a Windows Mobile phone rather than an iPhone for this sole reason. Whenever I am in a train or passenger of an auto, I fired up Skyfire to watch Hulu.
Even though I am located in the US, Hulu cannot tell since all the traffic is routed though Skyfire servers via a proxy, and if was in Mexico or the UK the same would apply, it’s all routed though the US servers… so Hulu cannot tell if all that US based traffic is actually coming from the US.
The only way to get this to work as per our sources in Hulu would be for Skyfire to block all non-US users. This is actually being considered by Skyfire. Other options would be to offer a US and non-US version of Skyfire.
The reason is Hulu is the main driver for Skyfire’s growth… without Hulu access, Skyfire lost it’s main competitive advantage.
Story is developing, expect some major blockage for all non-US users from being able to use Skyfire.
EU uses Intel and Microsoft for Revenue via Fines
May 13, 2009
Intel has to pay the $1.45 billion dollar fine within three months, the Commission said, adding that the money would go to the EU’s central budget, “thus reducing the contributions that Member States pay to the EU.” CNET reported
The EU’s stimulus package is fining US companies? Germany and and other EU nations have been hesitant on using their own revenue to fund a stimulus package, but now they found a new source! American companies!
Clearly the EU Anti-Trust suit is aimed squarely at foreign companies to bankroll the EU’s dwindling account balances.
This is not the proper way to raise revenue…. what’s next? Apple’s iphone marketshare is too big?
Enjoy the new economy.
Apple reports revenue of $8.16 billion – beats estimates
April 22, 2009
Apple Inc. reports earnings of $1.33 a share and revenue of $8.16 billion. Both measures beat Wall Street estimates.
Sales have been helped by the iPhone, iTunes and increasing market share of personal computers now pegged at the double digits, at the expense of Microsoft Windows powered machine. Also worth noting is that Linux machines have been making severe inroads into the netbook level computers, further fragmenting the OS market.
Story is developing…. CNN is working on a longer version
Apple’s Steve Jobs on Medical Leave — BREAKING
January 14, 2009
Apple Computers Steve Jobs is on Medical Leave citing that his health problems are worse than he expected. Apple’s chief operating officer, Tim Cook, will take over Jobs’ responsibilities while he is on leave.
Prayers go out to Steve and his family, we wish him a speedy recovery.
We suspected he was in bad health due to his admission last week of a hormone deficiency and apparent photos of him plastered on the drudgereport, but this is actually his own self admission. Actually a big part of the healing process.
Apple Pushes out new “green” ads
November 25, 2008
Apple now is pushing their new “green theme” Macbooks…. this is getting outrageous… this theme is just being abused…
Apple’s Advertising Budget is exposed – it’s 1/3 the size of Microsoft’s Ad budget
November 24, 2008
It appears that Apple’s Advertising budget is on page 62 from the SEC.gov’s website.. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $486 million, $467 million, and $338 million for 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively for Apple Computers.
How does this compare to Microsoft? Page 5 on the SEC.Gov’s Website states that Microsoft’s Advertising expense was $1.2 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.2 billion in fiscal years 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Meaning that Microsoft’s advertising budget is much more massive than Apple Computer Inc, about 3 times the advertising budget.
B|Net is arguing that Apple is using their ad budget much more effectively and that might be the truth… but the report on Media Bistro is wrong. We love Matt over there.. but he does need a calculator.
Microsoft outspends Apple on a 3:1 basis for Advertising.. period.
UNKNOWN*** royally screws up — get’s thrown on main page of Digg
November 16, 2008
EDIT RETRACTION: We initially thought this was the work of CP+B … however it appears it was NOT their work.. (though they do work for Microsoft, it appears it’s limited to other areas) … What agency did this work?
This is bad considering it’s currently on the main page of Digg. .. Some Agency has Microsoft Windows Vista promotional ads.. well.. displaying Apple Notebooks and PlayStation joysticks.. Good Job whoever this firm is…
We know many of you don’t feel this is a big deal, as with Enfatico using Apple Machines for Dell’s account… but this… this is amazing stuff…
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