Apple made $46.33 billion in the Q1 2012 quarter but how much money is that really. Well, @orbuch & @n_quinlan created a site to put that crap-load of cash in perspective. Essentially, it’s viewer submitted equivalents to Apple’s revenue for the quarter, like the example below. If you wanna join in, visit the site by clicking here.
Source: AppleMadeMoreThan
In its ongoing campaign to recapture the handheld market it once reigned upon, Sony has released its nextgen PSP – the PSVita in Japan. While the US release is still a couple months off, it hard not to wonder that Sony is too lat to the table and with the wrong hardware. Before we talk about approach, here are the Vita’s specs:
- CPU: ARM® Cortex™- A9 core (4 core) - GPU: SGX543MP4+ - Ex. Dim: 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm - Screen: (Touch)5 inches (16:9), 960 x 544 - Rear Touch PadMulti touch pad - Cameras: Front camera, Rear camera - Sensors: Six-axis motion sensing system - (three-axis gyroscope, - three-axis accelerometer) -Three-axis electronic compass - Wireless Comm: (3G) - IEEE 802.11b/g/n - Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR - Location: Built-in GPS - Wi-Fi -
Essentially, it’s bringing to the party some great specs (at a great price $249) but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a one use device (gaming). It will be directly compared to all the smartphones that will also come out in the spring, some of which will have similar specs and have multiple use functions, not just gaming.
So, is Sony going after the ever shrinking audience that wants just a handheld gaming device with better controls than a smartphone? Hard to believe, since the mobile industry is moving so heavily into smartphones as the dominent one off device. Does Sony not see this? Are they stuck in a time loop and don’t possess the leadership to see where gaming is going?
Sadly, all the diehard gaming companies seem to have fallen under this mindset, even Nintendo. Stop making the DS and releases all your franchise games on Android and iOS – evolve and turn yourself into a gaming company (not hardware).
Source: Sony
Well, it looks like TJ Maxx is at it again - Apple’s iPad 16GB Wifi model will be $399 for one day only at participating TJ Maxx stores December 3rd! This was the same stunt they pulled last year, with the original iPad and it looks like the trick worked. Please be aware of the dangers involved with this type of fire-sale – remember “Black friday”? Wanna know if a store near you has any iPads in stock – here is your friendly store finder. Good Luck.
Source: 9To5Mac
Still not convinced you need the newest and greatest – Now is the perfect time to pick up Apple’s flagship – first gen iPad at a great price! $399 will get you the 16GB wifi model, plus you’ll be able to play with the big boys, as it will get iOS 4.3 next week. Great for older folks and young kids – Click here for the Apple Clearance Page.
Source: Apple.com
Apple’s newly granted patent could turn out to be the best thing to happen to wireless consumers since…..wireless. The patent addresses a kind of bidding process for wireless carriers, when approached by customers or potential customers. Essentially, a potential iphone user would use Apple’s mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) system to have multiple carriers bid on what plans they could or couldn’t not give that customer. Sounds great, as the eventual outcome would be much lower prices for customers and less power in the hands of monopolistic wireless carriers.
That said, what are the chances global wireless carriers sign up for this deal, especially if all the billing and charges are done by Apple through itunes? This will only happen if Apple’s mobile hardware continues to be in such high desire, that carriers will sacrifice traditional means and give in to Apple’s plans.
Remember the embedded SIM card idea Apple was throwing around? Might be part of the MVNO system, as the actual embedded SIM is programable and could be activated across multiple carriers without additional hardware (SIM). NEXT!!
Source: Appleinsider.com
Want an example of how to screw up near perfect hardware – look no further than the Motorola Xoom tablet’s pricing. Leaked Best Buy pricing has placed the CES 2011 winner at $799 – that’s $200 bones too much Moto! That’s not all! On top of the ridiculous pricing, it seems Verizon has decided to lock down the wifi capability of the tablet until you agree to at least buy one month of data – what?
Now that we know what Motorola and Verizon have done wrong, here is what they needed to do: 1) multiple versions (wifi,3G/4G) with multiple price points 2) Multiple internal storage versions (16g,32g,64g) 3) Carrier subsidy to offset the price a little.
Competition allows companies to learn from each other and to make better products but this recent info concerning the Xoom is a step back in “bringing to market” strategy. Obviously, Verizon is behind the wifi lock down and forced monthly data (one month) but what is Motorola thinking? I predict a Samsung Galaxy Tab redux – D.O.A. NEXT!!
Source: Engadget
It looks like Motorola hasn’t learned from Samsung about pricing tablets. Engadget is reporting that internal Best Buy documents are showing a February 17th release for the android tab and with a price tag of $700. So what does $699 get you, well the slate has 32g of internal storage and……Honeycomb! All jokes aside, I’m sure the hardware will be good, if the droid line of phones is any indication of Moto’s ability to put together hardware. Yet, the main sticking point for me is the entry point – $699 is way to high, any way you look at it.
Yea, Apple’s iPad is in a similar price range for the 32g version but the point remains that you can pick up an iPad for $499 and that’s the version that is selling the most (by far). You can’t expect folks (in a down economy) to fork over $699 just because the hardware is great – they could just as well turn around and buy a great notebook.
$699 for the Motorola Xoom is D.O.A. – Mark my word. Remember what Sammy did after a month – Price Drop. NEXT!!
Source: Engadget