Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Apple Inc. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: inaflash who wrote (69177)	9/25/2007 11:59:10 AM
From: Keith Feral	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 213177

I've looked at the products for Amazon Unbox a few times. The online store doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever. The user interface is total garbage. Everyone should make a point of making sure all of their music is saved inmp3 format so they can move it around. I'm really glad my WMP songs were saved in mp3 format so I could download them to iTunes and into my new iPod. Now, if I could find something to hook up my iPod to my car stereo, I would be able to use it for something really helpful. I just couldn't keep up with changing the 6 disc cd's in my car all the time. Sad to say, I'm just using my car fm these days. Hopefully, Apple with do soemthing with VW and other car companies to deliver the iCar that was being discussed a few weeks ago.

To: inaflash who wrote (69177)	9/25/2007 5:23:40 PM
From: Doren	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 213177

I warned some time ago that Amazon is the real competitor Apple should fear in the download market. They might not have it exactly right NOW, but they will. This is not good news for Apple investors and I don't see that Apple is positioned well to combat Amazon's assault. Amazon is in an interesting position because shifting CD sales to downloads isn't going to gain any revenue. It only avoids loss of CD sales, which they will need to do eventually. In this matter, they're in a similar situation as Kodak was a few years back. Sorry but I have to disagree. Amazon, unlike eBay/half is constantly adding functionality and APPROPRIATE products. For example they just started selling... LPs! This makes sense. They are not going to sell as many LPs as CDs but its enough for them to make a profit and why not? It helps them compete against the (hated) ebay machine. LPs are higher margin than CDs or downloads. I now also use Amazon rather than HomeDepot to buy some easily shipped high ticket items like power tools. Amazon beats Office Depot and Staples on office supplies almost every time. I buy vitamins at Amazon rather than Drugstore.com. The main thing to remember is the people at Amazon are smart AND they are creative. They understand the retailing business very VERY well, they have deep pockets. They respond to customers needs like Apple, rather than relying on the squeeze as Microsoft and Ebay do. So what does this mean for Apple? Well they are going to lose a big percentage of their download traffic. I expected this and I don't think its a dire situation. The margin on the retail portion of downloads are going to get as thin as the price of servers. But it will affect Apples hegemony on the iPods eventually. I think the situation is similar to the Walkman, let's just hope that Apple doesn't forget Sony's harsh mistakes and slack off.