Denis - Apple Inc.

I don't know about you guys, but I am just in love with apple. If I would have the money, I would buy basically all their products. I don't know if they brainwashed me...but I don't see any argument against their products, except the price sometimes.

Anyways...

There is a really good website to get info about what to expect in the future and current news. A lot is based on rumors, but it is a very serious source. I followed it for a long time now. It is a really good forecast and more.

http://www.macrumors.com/

Kristin-Not In My House!

I was recently browsing some news articles online and came across this one that I found pretty humorous. The article discusses an interview Microsoft founder, Bill Gates gave to Vogue magazine. The article mentions how Gates' house is top of the line with all the latest technology. Gates then goes on to say he absolutely does not allow Macs, iPhones, or iPods in his house. His wife and 3 children often have a hard time since most of their friends have iPods or iPhones. Gates refuses to allow his family to support his biggest competition...Apple. It seems like almost everyone these days has an iPod...guess not!

To read the article:
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/patterson/40926

Krista - Smartphones

According to NPD Group, a market research firm, 1/4 of all handsets sold in the US during Q4 '08 were smartphones, like the iPhone 3G. This is almost double the amount sold in Q4 '07.

Average prices have dropped for the iPhone- from $216 in 07 to $167 in 08. ($200 seems to be the price consumers are wililng to pay.) iPhone competitors- Blackberry Storm, T-Mobile G1 Nextel are in the same price range. High-speed data services are becoming standard on smartphones, 66% use the 3G wireless network vs 46% last year.

Verizon Wireless is running a buy one get one free special on their smartphone Storm but these deals can cut into carrier's profits. NPD Group suggest selling more accessories to increase profits.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10187024-94.html

Ritsa- iPhone applications

If anyone has an iPhone, or doesn't, I'm sure you have seen all of the applications that are available for use on the phone. There are millions. Some examples include:

• application to find where your car is parked (in case you totally lose it in the mall parking lot)
• GoodFood- best places to find eats in your neighborhood
• prescription drug search- my friend is a nurse and she has an application on her iPhone that lets her describe the pill (color, shape, size) and figure out what it is
• AreYouSafe DC- lets you know how safe you are at any given time based on your current location within the city.
• SpeedoCheck- turn your iPhone into your own handheld speedometer. like reallllly?
• BudgetCare- control your personal expenses

I guess you get my point. You can do absolutely anything from your iPhone. But unless you really want to know how fast you walk, doesn't your car have a speedometer? duh.

Kerry- Apple iPhone

The success of Apple continues to grow everyday. Apple not only has laptops and i-pods but they have made their way into the mobile business. Their mobile industry has taken off in a whole light. In the below article it shows how popular their mobile industry has come about. The iPhone has generated more web search to beat out their competitors. The Apple iPhone beat out Google Android and the Blackberry even when these mobile phones have their market shares increasing rapidly. After reading this article it made me put into perspective the growth of Apple with their increase in success. Apple is going to continue to invent new things and will somehow in some way beat their competitors. When Apple comes out with a new product they go all out.


http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Apple-iPhone-Tops-Mobile-Web-Searches/

Mark - Apple + Mac Mini

I saw a commercial for the mac mini this morning, and it jut re-emphasized how innovative Apple is and why they continue to gain more market share. Especially with today's "green-goers", the mac mini directly targets these type of customers. Apple claims that this is the company's, as well as the world's most efficient desktop computer on the market today. It uses less than thirteen watts of power when it is sitting in idle mode, which is very beneficial because how many of us just leave our computers on when we're not in the room? I know I do all the time, because it takes so long to boot up after being shut down. These thirteen watts is about ten times less than a conventional personal computer. Again, to attract the "green goers", Apple advertises their computer with the fact that the company uses many recyclable materials, while wasting less materials on shipping, because less is used than normal. This is such a smart business strategy because Apple is doing their part to make the world more environmentally friendly, which will catch the attention of many potential customers. I have never had an Apple computer, but this is definitely a great reason to buy one.

Here's more on an article I found about the Mac Mini

Liz-Apple application

I thought this was pretty funny - you can buy a card counter application from iTunes for your iPhone or iPod Touch. The application is supposed to assist with learning and playing blackjack on the phone and also teaches you how to count cards in your head so you can "count legally ...and have a lot of fun..." Apple can say the app is for their phone all they want, but let's face it, someone (or many) is bound to try it at a casino. (they already have) Ethical business?

The Nevada Gaming Control Board issued a warning to the casinos about iPhone's card counting application, issed after gamblers in California were caught using the counter at an Indian casino.


http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/02/17/iphone_card_counter/
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=aCg5OXOia80U