Will Apple Disappoint on 30th Anniversary? 321
An anonymous reader writes "We've seen the media get over-excited about an Apple launch before, but one CNET columnist is 'threatening suicide' if Apple don't announce something for their 30th Anniversary this Saturday. CNET is concerned at the lack of any news from Apple: 'You'd guess that Steve Jobs will at least have to walk out onto the lawn in Cupertino, light a few fireworks and make some whooping noises. It's that or risk an international incident.' Is Apple going to keep a low profile for their 30th?"
Oh, cry me a river. (Score:2, Interesting)
Leopard ? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Suicide Note? (Score:3, Interesting)
Also check out the Multi-Touch Interaction Research [nyu.edu] website
Too bad it's not John C. Dvorak, instead. (Score:5, Interesting)
Nobody asks Microsoft or Intel or even IBM what their anniversary products will be.
When do they not dissapoint? (Score:3, Interesting)
First, I can't see Apple coming out with a dramatically new iPod concept only 6 months after the last iPod generation. Apple can't keep releasing new iPods on quick cycles, it will affect consumer confidence (more like, consumers will stop buying iPods because they go obsolete in 6 months). Perhaps Apple was keeping something up their sleeves with iPod for the 30th, but I think it will backfire rather then impress consumers. I was considering the new 5th gen iPod to replace my 3rd gen, then I heard rumours about a newer video iPod. I basically won't be buying any iPod until Apple reveals their cards, as is the opinion of many people I know in the market for a new player.
I also don't expect any great innovations from their computer lines. G5 is still a solid desktop workstation, and I don't see Apple wanting to rush G5's away for Intel's Duo Core. Largely, Intel's Duo Core can't compete with a quad G5 system, and until I see Intel looking to make dual Duo Core chipsets, I don't see Apple coming out with a new desktop system to replace the G5. New iBook's, MacBooks's, Mac Mini's or iMacs will be underwhelming as a 30th Anniversary release as they will only be configuration tweaks, not all out redesigns. I don't think Apple will make the mistake of another Anniversary edition Mac. We can only handle 1 overpriced dud a decade, and Apple already came out with the G4 cube this past decade.
Whats left? A cellphone or tablet device? These have been rumored for years, I don't see why Apple would have left them as 30th anniversary surprises. Apple can't compete in the cell phone market, honestly. This market changes frequently (like monthly), while Apple doesn't. Apple can't release one style of cellphone to fit all consumers. Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony all make a slew of different models because consumers of cellphones are fickle. An Apple based cellphone will only appeal to a small market segment and thus could not dominate the way iPod did. Apple helped to define the digital music player market, the cell phone market is already well established and has many leaders. Apple would be competing against equals (which they seldom have don't well with). Unless Apple dominates a market like with the iPod, Apple typically struggles (like with 30 years of computers).
A tablet device will also be unexpected and underwhelming. Who would buy a tablet device? Students. But any tablet device from Apple will be too expensive for most students to afford, and it will be a novelty item for many non-students.
What Apple SHOULD release for their 30th anniversary is a TV set-top device that connects Mac's or even PC's to your home theater system. This will launch Apple into the home theater market which is largely undefined. Something with Apple's panache with multimedia handling in a box that can be used as a PVR and full digital media support over networks. Apple could do with Home Theater what they did for iPod, take a bunch of ideas that other companies are poorly implementing and consolidate them into one superior device. But then, Steve Jobs says that HTPC's are a novelty and fad that will wain quickly. It's not surprising for Steve Jobs to renege on his comments, but I doubt Apple has any big plans for Home Theater consumer electronics. They don't even support 5.1 surround in most of their computers and Apple's one foray into newtworked multimedia ( AirTunes ) was a disaster in my opinion.
Apple blew their wad too early this year with new "video" iPods, iTunes services and introducing the Macintels. I would have left introducing the Macintels until the 30th anniversary to give people something to talk about.
While it is impossible to predict what Apple will actually do, I won't get my hopes up for too much. By anticipating the least, if Apple does something truly wonderful, then it will be surprising and exciting. But getting your hopes up too much will just leave you disappointed when Apple announces some new word processing applications, revision to an iPod, or a larger 17" MacBook, which is all I am banking on.
Re:Alternative to Fireworks (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:What will Apple announce? (Score:3, Interesting)
On the other hand, how often do you really use the right click? I hardly ever use it and I think it is a sign of poor UI design when you need to use it.
I believe there are a few things in the Finder context menus that you can't do from the pull down menus. For example, I'm seeing an item called "Slide Show" which I think must be put there by iPhoto, and then I also see some Automator related items, and some Norton Anit-Virus related items. But for the most part, you can access things from the pull down menus which, if the item has a hot key, I prefer to use instead of using right click.
Re:Alternative to Fireworks (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Please please please, a new iPod. (Score:2, Interesting)
What happened to your iPod? I'm only asking because I had purchased an iPod mini. It was a 4GB, and right about the time the warranty ran out, the headphone jack broke. My option was to have them repair it ($250) or replace it ($200). Now, I'm not an apple loyalist or enthusiast, so that right there was enough for me to say 'no' to apple.
I admit, the interface was very appeasing and easy to work with. But after being a PC guy for so long and hearing about the quality of apple hardware compared to PC hardware, I naturally assumed that the iPod would last over a year. And being told by the apple "geniuses" that I am SOL didn't do anything for their reputation.
I guess I'm just wondering why you would buy an expensive product from a company that isn't so set on keeping you a customer? I know that they also offered me a 10% discount on a brand new iPod. But I would imagine they could fix them (or outsource that to another company) and give me at least a 50% discount on a new one. That allows them to make another sale, and get back an iPod to sell at a later date. Instead they won't get any money from me or people that come to me for advice in purchasing a music player.
Maybe I'm just not at the point at which I can buy a player every year or two years. I have the money, but I don't see spending $200 every other year to ensure that I have a working player. I've had portable CD players that lasted at least five years that took more beatings than my dainty iPod. So why would you keep buying a product that breaks after a few years from normal wear and tear? Yes, I realize they are delicate electronics, but when you treat them that way they should last.
Sorry for the rant, I just don't understand the need to purchase the same product that has broken on you before.
Re:Because the 20th Anniversay was such a big succ (Score:3, Interesting)
as silly as the machine was, it was a neat machine and did end up as a prop in TV/movies long after it was incredibly outdated technology.
the way i heard the story was that they were initially intended as a special machine for dealers and promotion almost as functional artwork. when they did not sell out they were offered to the general public. i may be wrong, but i think it was intended to be a special edition dealers would have to show off, kind of like how, for example, Harley-Davidson sells their dealers incredibly limited versions of their racing motorcycles. to race the bikes in certain classes, there has to be a certain number produced and sold off. they make the minimum number and sell them as collector pieces. dealers often buy them and put them right on display. maybe some classes of racing cars are the same way? granted HD has to do that, but in the process they create these collectors items. i think it was an idea by management to try to sell the TAM the same way, and it just didn't catch on. i kind of remember somebody like Club Mac selling them eventually (i guess at the $2,000 price?).
Re:Two buttons on laptops do not work (Score:3, Interesting)
As an aside, the control-click combo is particularly bad for left-handed trackpad users on the default Apple laptop keymap, since there is no control key on the right hand side. This means that you can only control-click by crossing your hands in an incredibly uncomfortable way.