Thought you'd like those last couple of links. :) Anyway, a few odds and ends (in no particular order).
-The debate continues to rage about Apple's commitment to cloning. Many pro-clone arguments claim that, while the clones have been a drag on Apple's revenues over the past few years, they were a net "good" because they kept computer users in the fold who would otherwise switch to a PC. Hogwash. Virtually all those clone buyers were former Apple buyers. Having invested thousands in hardware and software, not to mention the value of their time, I think it unlikely they would have jumped ship so easily.
-We're seeing and hearing the argument made, again, that Apple's market share will continue to erode if it doesn't permit aggressive cloning. Since Apple's market share has shrunk WITH cloning, I'm afraid I have a hard time following this one. Sounds like industrial strength poppycock to me.
-MOT backing down on PPC? Maybe. Certainly, yesterdays press release shows a change in emphasis to embedded applications. What this means for Apple isn't clear, since rumors persist of Apple developing an Intel-based NC. When you factor-in Apple's emphasis on "Rhapsody for Intel," the issue may be less important than some analysts think. Still, I agree with many that Apple should support CHRP. I sincerely hope that all the current foot-dragging is just to buy time for Apple/Power to have a competitor ready for the new MOT and UMAX H/W.
-Will the real CEO please stand up! Steve Jobs has been the de facto CEO for a couple of months, but he's been behaving as if he was in for the long haul. If so, it's time to end the charade that Apple is looking for a CEO and make it official. Certainly Jobs' behavior will make getting a good new guy/gal more complicated. BTW, in general, I think he's doing a good job.
-How about telling investors Apple's new channel strategy Steve? While you're at it, how about a glimpse into the overall strategy? It seems clear that some sort of strategy is emerging with a push in education, NCs, direct marketing, portable computing, etc.. I'd like to know how it all hangs together.
-All those write-in polls saying that Mac customers will buy PCs if Apple doesn't cave-in on the clone issues are BS. Take it from an old statistician, when you have "voluntary" polling data, all you get is responses from people with chips on their shoulder. In short, the data are crap.
Bob
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