Mac News: Apple Juice

Stories and Legends
August 24, 2009

An unfortunate side effect of a celebrity like Steve Jobs getting sick is that a huge number of us are collecting stories to go into articles and books that would mostly show up after he passed. I ran into two new stories I hadn't heard before last week, and one of them was rather juicy and eventually tied into the "iPad."

Apple, Palm and the 'No-Poaching' Non-Agreement
August 21, 2009

When Apple CEO Steve Jobs suggested to Palm that the two companies refrain from hiring away each other's top employees, as reported by Bloomberg, was he committing an illegal act? Or will he skate by because Palm CEO Ed Colligan rejected the proposal, so nothing really happened? The incident occurred two years ago, shortly after Palm had hired former Apple executive Jon Rubinstein, according to a report.

Apple vs. Google vs. Microsoft: World War 3 Cometh
August 17, 2009

Regardless of what I wrote last week, which focused on Apple's problems coming out of the Red Hat event, Apple is on a roll. It's expected to gain substantial share this quarter because Snow Leopard will make it into the quarter and Windows 7 won't. However, in October, Microsoft is planning to come back with a rush, and next year will bring its not-so-secret weapon: the Apple-targeting Microsoft store.

What Does an Apple Tablet Need to Be Worth a Damn?
August 14, 2009

It seems almost every technology analyst, reporter and blogger these days either believes that Apple is on the cusp of releasing an iPod touch-like tablet computer, or is willing to repeat the rumors to that effect. Some believe Apple will reveal a tablet in September, along with the likely announcement of an iPod and iTunes upgrade.

Where Will AAPL Be in a Year?
August 12, 2009

If you're going to buy Apple stock, buy it for the short term, and keep a wary eye out for the overall economic situation, warns a message from investment banking firm UBS. That might be good advice, given the general high level of excitement about all things Apple. The loudest rumors surrounding Apple now are that that the company plans to bring out a tablet computer and offer it on Verizon's cellular network.

Apple and Google on Brain Vacation
August 10, 2009

Summer is a time to relax, a time to take a vacation, a time to do things you can't do during the work year. However, I'm not sure any time is a good time to send your brain on vacation, and I'm starting to wonder if the leaders at Google and Apple have done just that.

Schmidt or No Schmidt, Apple's Board Doesn't Steer the Ship
August 07, 2009

I find this whole Eric Schmidt-is-a-Google-spy thing terribly amusing, and not because the Fake Steve Jobs is still doing his thing with joyful aplomb. No, the whole situation is funny because Apple's board of directors doesn't direct Apple. Seriously, in the history of corporate boards of directors, can anyone think of a board that is less needed than Apple's?

It's a Big Bowl of Hot Alphabet Soup for Apple
August 05, 2009

On Monday, Google CEO Eric Schmidt stepped down from Apple's board of directors, just three months after vowing to stay on. However, that announcement was apparently not enough to satisfy federal regulators -- the Federal Trade Commission later reiterated that it would continue looking into the two companies' top-level ties.

If Apple's Tablet Is a Train Wreck, We'll Never See It
July 31, 2009

I'm excited and torn over the rumors swirling around the fabled Apple tablet device. Excited because Apple may finally be nearing the release of a new, next-generation product. Torn because I'm having a hard time figuring out if I could personally find enough value in such a device to actually buy it.

Microsoft Makes Apple Eat Humble Apple Pie
July 20, 2009

There's generally more attention on the fight between Microsoft and Google this decade than on the fight between Apple and Microsoft. That's because Google seems to represent the future, while Apple and Microsoft are often seen as anachronisms from a prior age. However, these two clearly aren't ready for the tech old folks home yet.

Apple Tablet Rumors Take on New Life
July 14, 2009

A persistent rumor that Apple has a netbook device in the works has gotten a boost from blog postings and other coverage citing a recent report in the Mandarin-language China Times. Based on a translation of the article to English, it appears the new product will be a tablet-style computer.

Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Freedom
July 06, 2009

In the United States, the 4th of July is celebrated as Independence Day, recalling the time when Americans stepped away from a government they viewed as repressive and forged a new future. Over the years, I've worked for a number of harsh managers and companies. Some were actually good for me -- others not so much.

Grumbling Over Transparency Intensifies as Jobs Returns to Apple
June 30, 2009

Apple has confirmed that CEO Steve Jobs has officially gone back to work, according to numerous media reports. Beyond saying that Jobs would be working both at his office and from home, and that the company was happy to have him back, Apple provided no details about its chief's future involvement with the company.

Apple's Tally, iSuppli's Breakdown, and Cupertino's Best-Kept Secrets
June 26, 2009

Apple doesn't talk much publicly, but when it does, it's usually bragging about its awesome products or some special milestone it's achieved. Monday was no different: Apple announced that it had sold more than 1 million iPhone 3G S models over its launch weekend. To put this in summer blockbuster movie opening perspective, the 3G S grossed at least $199 million at the box office in three days.

Jobs' Return to Apple Is Path Strewn With Controversy
June 24, 2009

The public relations strategists at Apple might want to consider a job in politics for their next gig: It is rare for any company to be so deliberately opaque with information essential to stockholders -- and still manage to stay on this side of the law. Indeed, the company's recent disclosure that CEO Steve Jobs was back at work was a thing of Machiavellian beauty.

Reports Fan Flames of Speculation Over Steve Jobs' Health
June 23, 2009

Once again, the technology mediasphere is engrossed with Apple CEO Steve Jobs' health, and the questions are ricocheting off the virtual walls: What did Apple know? When did it know it? What is it legally obliged to reveal? This latest round of speculation was prompted by a weekend Wall Street Journal report revealing that Jobs had a liver transplant in April.