AAPL - Apple Inc. (NASDAQ)

[Value Collector]

Had she tried to sync her music and books on iTunes? Or download a movie [legally ] on the PC, transfer them to the iPhone to cast on the TV?

Or just add new gigs to store a few more pictures. Can't, no slots for those microSD cards on them.

I had a few generation of iPhones and a couple of iPads. But that was before Samsung and Android improved their hardware and apps.

I'm still trying to figure out how to reinstall a Macbook pro for my daughter.
I bought a mac, decided to convert the os to Windows because I know it well and can get various apps for it.

Mac apparently doesn't like windows running on it so kept crashing the damn thing. Now I got to reinstall a macOS... and have to spend another few days to work that out.


Apple products are nice and sexy if the consumer just want to plug and play with what comes prepackaged. Which, like you say, is the majority of people. so that's good for Apple and its shareholders.

But it's no good for anyone who just want to do a bit more with the stuff they paid for.

And on a PC, forget about wanting to add better graphic cards, more gigs or just the usual mix'n'match thing "techies" would do with their computing hardware. So I have no idea where some people get the idea that Apple and Macs are for geeks.

But Apple better come up with something completely new soon though. The i's gravy train might not last too long if all it does is add a few cosmetic changes a year, write an app to dejuice the battery.

Huawei is now the second largest selling mobile phone maker. I think the largest is Samsung.

A lot more people could afford a "good enough" phone at 1/5th the price. Samsung is very, very good. My brother in law love his massive Huawei for $200.

I watch movies though itunes, and all my apples devices eg computor, phone, and Apple TV are all perfectly syncd I have all the movies downloaded on my computor and 2 on my iPhone,

I am not a tech head, it just does it itself, when I buy a new phone I log into my Apple account and it automactically makes the new phone “my phone”.

My grandmother adds photos to her iPad using an sd card dongle.

No doubt some people like to tinker, but I think the vast majority just like to have their device work and get content easily.

Not to mention that Apple devices have heaps of features that make them work really well together with other people that have them.

Eg. iMessage allows messages to work even when you are over seas via WiFi and allows photos to be sent in full quality.

Face time makes it easy to communicate while overseas via WiFi, without needing a separate app.

I can answer calls on my computor while I am sitting at it, and send text messages from the computor,

I can airdrop photos and videos in full quality between my devices and to other people.

I can put photos and videos from phone up on tv using Apple TV etc.

When you are all in on Apple devices, everything just works so well, and friends and family that use Samsung don’t seem to have all the functionality in such a seamless way.

I guess if you are trying to install windows etc you are going to have a hard time, but I don’t personally get why you would do that, because you will lose all the good benefits.

 

[McLovin]

For most people the device is just a tool used to access content, the end goal is to access the content and as long as its user friendly and people can find and use the content they pick the device up to access, they are happy.

Put me, and 99% of people I know, in that camp.

I have Windows on my iMac running on VW Fusion. I had it really only when I first got my iMac as a backup and I probably haven't used it in a year or so. Never had any issues with it running though.

 

[luutzu]

I watch movies though itunes, and all my apples devices eg computor, phone, and Apple TV are all perfectly syncd I have all the movies downloaded on my computor and 2 on my iPhone,

I am not a tech head, it just does it itself, when I buy a new phone I log into my Apple account and it automactically makes the new phone “my phone”.

My grandmother adds photos to her iPad using an sd card dongle.

No doubt some people like to tinker, but I think the vast majority just like to have their device work and get content easily.

Not to mention that Apple devices have heaps of features that make them work really well together with other people that have them.

Eg. iMessage allows messages to work even when you are over seas via WiFi and allows photos to be sent in full quality.

Face time makes it easy to communicate while overseas via WiFi, without needing a separate app.

I can answer calls on my computor while I am sitting at it, and send text messages from the computor,

I can airdrop photos and videos in full quality between my devices and to other people.

I can put photos and videos from phone up on tv using Apple TV etc.

When you are all in on Apple devices, everything just works so well, and friends and family that use Samsung don’t seem to have all the functionality in such a seamless way.

I guess if you are trying to install windows etc you are going to have a hard time, but I don’t personally get why you would do that, because you will lose all the good benefits.

I guess some people like Macs, others like IBM compatibles devices.

I've found it very difficult and time consuming to just transfer files. Maybe that's because I don't have a Mac PC. But each time I log into iTunes, the entire phone's content need to sync to some backup folder, or the cloud. Why? If I want a backup, I'd back it up. Just want a file transferred.

Then to copy a movie from the pc to the phone or ipad, if the format isn't right, it'd take like an hour to convert. With Android I'd just drag and drop anything.

But yea, I'd imagined that if all my devices are Apple's, they'll work fine together.

I think Apple do make high quality stuff. Looks great. Just I'm used to PCs i can take apart and bang around. Don't like devices where the price says don't touch.


A dongle is not the same as an SD you insert in.

Was thinking between the iphone8+ or the Samsung Notes+ a couple years ago. One costs a couple hundred extra for about 10gig or something. For $200 on eBay I got about 150gig microSD. Slot it into the phone and you can hold a dozen or so HD movies.

When you have kids... a few gigs that come with the iPhone won't be enough to store the photos, home videos and Wiggles videos you'd need for road trip emergencies.


I think facetime only works when the other side also have a Mac? So wouldn't most just use Whatsapp and such anyway?

But yea, having to go all over the place to do things is what separate a tech geek from a gadget geek.

 

[luutzu]

Put me, and 99% of people I know, in that camp.

I have Windows on my iMac running on VW Fusion. I had it really only when I first got my iMac as a backup and I probably haven't used it in a year or so. Never had any issues with it running though.

Maybe no issue because you rarely runs it?

I used to partition my mac too. But I hardly use the Mac so decided to get rid of it completely. Installed the new Windows and the speaker doesn't work. Reinstall all mac/pc compatible stuff then it crashed after a couple days. Tried again, crashed again.

 

[McLovin]

Maybe no issue because you rarely runs it?

I used to partition my mac too. But I hardly use the Mac so decided to get rid of it completely. Installed the new Windows and the speaker doesn't work. Reinstall all mac/pc compatible stuff then it crashed after a couple days. Tried again, crashed again.

Maybe. But the point is I don't care. Anyone who wants to tinker with their computer won't buy an Apple. They have about 5%-10% market share. Whatever niche they're filling is not under threat by the Dick Smith hobby crowd.

 

[luutzu]

Maybe. But the point is I don't care. Anyone who wants to tinker with their computer won't buy an Apple. They have about 5%-10% market share. I'm fairly certain whatever niche they're filling is not under threat by the Dick Smith hobby crowd.

Yah, that's the point notting was making a few posts back. That Apple products are not for "tech" users, just consumers who like overpriced new tech gadgets.

Some might just like Apple because it make them feel superior to other "hobby crowd" losers shopping at Dick Smith.

Ask Buffett whether he think Apple is a tech company or a high-end retailer.

 

[Value Collector]

I guess some people like Macs, others like IBM compatibles devices.

I've found it very difficult and time consuming to just transfer files. Maybe that's because I don't have a Mac PC. But each time I log into iTunes, the entire phone's content need to sync to some backup folder, or the cloud. Why? If I want a backup, I'd back it up. Just want a file transferred.

Then to copy a movie from the pc to the phone or ipad, if the format isn't right, it'd take like an hour to convert. With Android I'd just drag and drop anything.

But yea, I'd imagined that if all my devices are Apple's, they'll work fine together.

I think Apple do make high quality stuff. Looks great. Just I'm used to PCs i can take apart and bang around. Don't like devices where the price says don't touch.


A dongle is not the same as an SD you insert in.

Was thinking between the iphone8+ or the Samsung Notes+ a couple years ago. One costs a couple hundred extra for about 10gig or something. For $200 on eBay I got about 150gig microSD. Slot it into the phone and you can hold a dozen or so HD movies.

When you have kids... a few gigs that come with the iPhone won't be enough to store the photos, home videos and Wiggles videos you'd need for road trip emergencies.


I think facetime only works when the other side also have a Mac? So wouldn't most just use Whatsapp and such anyway?

But yea, having to go all over the place to do things is what separate a tech geek from a gadget geek.

With Apple to Apple transfers you just “airdrop”, you click airdrop on device A and click accept on device B and it just goes there, not cords or anything needed. I am a real tech dummy, but I find it super easy.

I want a photo from my girls phone to send to some one else, she simply airdrops it and in 2 seconds I have it in a message, and it sends high quality.

I was at a wine festival rescently, and asked a friend of mine to send a photo to me from their Samsung, and it arrived blurry, they said that their Samsung always reduces quality to send as a text, I just deleted the photo I was that disappointed in the quality.

 

[Value Collector]

Yah, that's the point notting was making a few posts back. That Apple products are not for "tech" users, just consumers who like overpriced new tech gadgets.

Some might just like Apple because it make them feel superior to other "hobby crowd" losers shopping at Dick Smith.

Ask Buffett whether he think Apple is a tech company or a high-end retailer.

To me, Apple is a Hardware company, software company, content distributor, retailer and gift card company all in one.

I think it’s that intergration that gives them the earning power they currently have, they are earning good margins in each category.

 

[luutzu]

With Apple to Apple transfers you just “airdrop”, you click airdrop on device A and click accept on device B and it just goes there, not cords or anything needed.

I want a photo from my girls phone to send to some one else, she simply airdrops it and in 2 seconds I have it in a message, and it sends high quality.

I was at a wine festival rescently, and asked a friend of mine to send a photo to me from their Samsung, and it arrived blurry, they said that their Samsung always reduces quality to send as a text, I just deleted the photo I was that disappointed in the quality.

Maybe an older model Samsung. Some phones can't even receive photos from iPhones. You'd have to reduce the quality or your friend gotta buy an iPhone

So yea, iPhone cameras and screens are the best in the industry I reckon. Newer Samsungs are very good though.

 

[luutzu]

To me, Apple is a Hardware company, software company, content distributor, retailer and gift card company all in one.

I think it’s that intergration that gives them the earning power they currently have, they are earning good margins in each category.

Yea. Steve Jobs did very well integrating all the parts into an entire eco system. That was quite genius actually.

Before the iPod, iPhone and those content/app/music distribution... Apple had a very small market. Something like 5% of the PC/computing industry.

 

[Value Collector]

Maybe an older model Samsung. Some phones can't even receive photos from iPhones. You'd have to reduce the quality or your friend gotta buy an iPhone

So yea, iPhone cameras and screens are the best in the industry I reckon. Newer Samsungs are very good though.

No, I meant when the photo gets sent from a Samsung via “text message” the quality is reduced, however when it’s sent from an iPhone text message to another iPhone it automatically sends as an iMessage, and he quality is retained.

Most of my friends and family have iPhones, so I am used to being able to receive high quality photos, so was shocked when the photos coming from the Samsung were such poor quality.

The photos were perfect quality on the persons phone, but rubbish quality once sent via text message.

Apparently Samsung doesn’t have a feature like iMessage, not that my mate knew anyway.

 

[luutzu]

No, I meant when the photo gets sent from a Samsung via “text message” the quality is reduced, however when it’s sent from an iPhone text message to another iPhone it automatically sends as an iMessage, and he quality is retained.

Most of my friends and family have iPhones, so I am used to being able to receive high quality photos, so was shocked when the photos coming from the Samsung were such poor quality.

The photos were perfect quality on the persons phone, but rubbish quality once sent via text message.

Apparently Samsung doesn’t have a feature like iMessage, not that my mate knew anyway.

A couple lines of code could change that one though.

Just wondering if the EU anti-trust body would want to break up Apple for its practices. But if it does, shareholders would probably get richer out of it, at least in the short term.

Even Bill Gates' MS almost got broken up because its Office, internet explorer etc. was pre-installed or packaged into one. But anti-monopoly laws aren't what they used to be so will probably be business as usual.

 

[Value Collector]

A couple lines of code could change that one though.

Just wondering if the EU anti-trust body would want to break up Apple for its practices. But if it does, shareholders would probably get richer out of it, at least in the short term.

Even Bill Gates' MS almost got broken up because its Office, internet explorer etc. was pre-installed or packaged into one. But anti-monopoly laws aren't what they used to be so will probably be business as usual.

Not sure a company with only 10% market share would qualify as a monopoly.

 

[luutzu]

Not sure a company with only 10% market share would qualify as a monopoly.

Depends on how market share is defined.

I think its AppStore and Google's Play are the only two places mobile users can purchase apps and content right?

They both charge a 30% commission?

One could argue that if another content distributor were permitted on their platform, app developers and consumers might not have to pay so much.

Then there's those pre-installed apps they have. Like that torch idea they stole from some developer. Maps. Music player etc.

Heard that Bill Gates' 1990s argument about forcing Windows to carry other developer's app; or not have MS apps pre-installed is like forcing Coke to have a couple cans of Pepsi in each pack... That didn't fly and they got lucky because some technicality forces a retrial then they got a friendlier judge under Bush Jr.

Remember Netscape? It was the best browser back then. Cost a few bucks to buy. Then pretty much go out of business when Windows pre-install their stupid E on it.

So if you control the platform but doesn't allow others to play on it. It's anti-competitive.

 

[Value Collector]

Depends on how market share is defined.

I think its AppStore and Google's Play are the only two places mobile users can purchase apps and content right?

They both charge a 30% commission?

One could argue that if another content distributor were permitted on their platform, app developers and consumers might not have to pay so much.

Then there's those pre-installed apps they have. Like that torch idea they stole from some developer. Maps. Music player etc.

Heard that Bill Gates' 1990s argument about forcing Windows to carry other developer's app; or not have MS apps pre-installed is like forcing Coke to have a couple cans of Pepsi in each pack... That didn't fly and they got lucky because some technicality forces a retrial then they got a friendlier judge under Bush Jr.

Remember Netscape? It was the best browser back then. Cost a few bucks to buy. Then pretty much go out of business when Windows pre-install their stupid E on it.

So if you control the platform but doesn't allow others to play on it. It's anti-competitive.

Don’t Samsung have their own App Store too? And Microsoft are also doing something.

Also lots of other devices are popping up in the content distribution space, eg Telstra and other network providers are offering devices allow you to sign up to Netflix and Stan etc as part of your internet plan.

Not to mention traditional distribution is still there, and 30% is less margin than Coles and woolies take when Disney use their stores to distribute content via dvd sales, or foxtel or the free to air stations take, cinemas take 50%.

As for pre installed apps, they are generally free services, and you can download other companies versions on the App Store often for free also.

 

[galumay]

With Apple to Apple transfers you just “airdrop”, you click airdrop on device A and click accept on device B and it just goes there, not cords or anything needed. I am a real tech dummy, but I find it super easy.

Probably goes a long way to explaining why tech & IT people like us are so enthusiastic about the APple eco-system, the old log, "It just works." is a big part of the recipe.

Along with the integration and compatibility with the software, the other thing thats hard not to love from a tech point of view is the quality of the hardware and the sheer enormity of the effort that goes into design.

Of course Apple dont always get it right, as good as Airdrop is these days, it was totally dysfunctional for many years!

The other reason the OSX & Mac environment has been so popular with tech/IT is its so much easier to support, there are comparitively very few hardware variations and the OS and native apps are consistent across most installs. Trouble shooting is orders of magnitude easier.

Mind you none of that really tells us whether Apple is a great business or not, loving a product and then buying the business can be a short route to ruin!

The challenge for Apple is whether the business can find something new to leverage in the way that the iPod, then iTunes, then the iPhone have done over the last 20 years. Its interesting that they grew out of each other, so maybe the future is developed out of the iPhone? Many other possibilities though, agglomerated streaming content (replacing spotify, netflix, etc), AR, VR, MR has a lot of focus in R&D, plus all the areas we havent even thought of yet.

I certainly wouldn't be betting on Apple not being able to unlock a new source of revenue and profit to offset the maturity of the smart phone market.

 

[luutzu]

Don’t Samsung have their own App Store too? And Microsoft are also doing something.

Also lots of other devices are popping up in the content distribution space, eg Telstra and other network providers are offering devices allow you to sign up to Netflix and Stan etc as part of your internet plan.

Not to mention traditional distribution is still there, and 30% is less margin than Coles and woolies take when Disney use their stores to distribute content via dvd sales, or foxtel or the free to air stations take, cinemas take 50%.

As for pre installed apps, they are generally free services, and you can download other companies versions on the App Store often for free also.

Yea, Microsoft is doing... something... with Nokia. I guess they're into Nokia for the patents the way IBM get a cut from many of the today's internet businesses.

Don't know, I thought Google have their Play and Apple their AppStore. Aside from those, I don't think mobile users can get their apps or content in many other ways.

So if Bezos wanted to sell content, I'd imagine they can't do it without going through those two other stores.

I think MS and its anti-trust fight back in the 90s set precedents against pre-installation of apps as not anti-competitive. Personally I think it should be... but then users, myself included, will just click and play instead of bothering to find something else if it's already there.

 

[luutzu]

Probably goes a long way to explaining why tech & IT people like us are so enthusiastic about the APple eco-system, the old log, "It just works." is a big part of the recipe.

Along with the integration and compatibility with the software, the other thing thats hard not to love from a tech point of view is the quality of the hardware and the sheer enormity of the effort that goes into design.

Of course Apple dont always get it right, as good as Airdrop is these days, it was totally dysfunctional for many years!

The other reason the OSX & Mac environment has been so popular with tech/IT is its so much easier to support, there are comparitively very few hardware variations and the OS and native apps are consistent across most installs. Trouble shooting is orders of magnitude easier.

Mind you none of that really tells us whether Apple is a great business or not, loving a product and then buying the business can be a short route to ruin!

The challenge for Apple is whether the business can find something new to leverage in the way that the iPod, then iTunes, then the iPhone have done over the last 20 years. Its interesting that they grew out of each other, so maybe the future is developed out of the iPhone? Many other possibilities though, agglomerated streaming content (replacing spotify, netflix, etc), AR, VR, MR has a lot of focus in R&D, plus all the areas we havent even thought of yet.

I certainly wouldn't be betting on Apple not being able to unlock a new source of revenue and profit to offset the maturity of the smart phone market.

What kind of a "techie" get a kick out of a tech that "just works"?

That'd be like debugging a computer by dusting it off and keeping it clear of spiders and other literal bugs.

 

[Value Collector]

Yea, Microsoft is doing... something... with Nokia. I guess they're into Nokia for the patents the way IBM get a cut from many of the today's internet businesses.

Don't know, I thought Google have their Play and Apple their AppStore. Aside from those, I don't think mobile users can get their apps or content in many other ways.

So if Bezos wanted to sell content, I'd imagine they can't do it without going through those two other stores.

I think MS and its anti-trust fight back in the 90s set precedents against pre-installation of apps as not anti-competitive. Personally I think it should be... but then users, myself included, will just click and play instead of bothering to find something else if it's already there.

You can download google play in the Apple App Store, no reason amazon couldn’t also create an app and sell content through it.

Also, Samsung has its own content distribution, so it’s not just google and Apple.

 

[Value Collector]

What kind of a "techie" get a kick out of a tech that "just works"?

That'd be like debugging a computer by dusting it off and keeping it clear of spiders and other literal bugs.

A smart one.