Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone has been selling like gangbusters in the U.S. since its debut in June 2007, but that kind of fever -- and the fever U.S. consumers felt at every iPhone launch in the U.S. -- seemed tepid by comparison when China Unicom unleashed the iPhone for sale last week.Apple, Inc. posts
FeedApple's iPhone sees lukewarm reception in China debut
Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone has been selling like gangbusters in the U.S. since its debut in June 2007, but that kind of fever -- and the fever U.S. consumers felt at every iPhone launch in the U.S. -- seemed tepid by comparison when China Unicom unleashed the iPhone for sale last week.Continue reading Apple's iPhone sees lukewarm reception in China debut
Apple accused of being monopolist, sued over new Snow Leopard software
Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), the consumer electronics manufacturer with unmatched style, was just accused of being a lame monopolist. Why? For ensuring the operating system software it makes only runs on personal computers it manufactures itself. Oh, the horror!Continue reading Apple accused of being monopolist, sued over new Snow Leopard software
Microsoft to open retail stores near Apple locations
Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) will be employing another "me too" move this year as it opens retail locations near existing Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) retail stores. This is apparently meant to be a second act to the "laptop hunter" ads the software giant has been running that tout the affordability of Windows-powered laptops above Apple's more expensive MacBook laptops. But retail stores? What gives?Continue reading Microsoft to open retail stores near Apple locations
Palm replaces CEO with former Apple alum
Palm Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) is just under a week into the launch of its groundbreaking Pre smartphone, and so far the wireless handset is a great seller for exclusive partner Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S). Former Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) executive Jon Rubinstein, who was brought in to reinvigorate Palm and who is largely credited with the Pre, will now take over the Palm CEO spot from longtime CEO Ed Colligan.
Apple's (AAPL) timely product price cuts shouldn't affect margins
Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) released some new software and hardware products a few days ago, and at the same time lowered the price on the standard iPhone to $99 with a two-year contract with AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T). Considering that the very first iPhone was released at the $599 price point with that same two-year contract almost exactly two years ago, one has to wonder how Apple has lowered the subsidy-priced iPhone in the U.S. to such a low level while retaining decent product margins.Continue reading Apple's (AAPL) timely product price cuts shouldn't affect margins
Could Apple's (AAPL) Tim Cook become the permanent CEO soon?
Now that Apple, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) biggest day of 2009 is officially over, co-founder and CEO-on-leave Steve Jobs did not make an appearance. Although he's scheduled to come back to his day-to-day duties at Apple at the end of this month, some thought he may pay a visit to Apple's worldwide developer's conference to kick off a new iPhone or any other iDevice. It didn't happen, and Apple hasn't even told the world if plans for Jobs to return in a little over two weeks are still on track.Continue reading Could Apple's (AAPL) Tim Cook become the permanent CEO soon?
Apple unveils plans to take on more of the business PC market
Although yesterday was a big day for Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) -- a new iPhone and lower pricing all being announced -- there were some other interesting developments as well. Apple's upcoming Snow Leopard operating system will gain built-in support for Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Exchange server environment. In other words, some folks using Mac PCs in a business environment will no longer need the Microsoft's Office (which includes Outlook) package.Continue reading Apple unveils plans to take on more of the business PC market
Apple could sell twice as many iPhones by going with Verizon Wireless
Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) could sell twice as many iPhones if it decided to dump partner AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) as the only exclusive provider of the iPhone, according to some Bernstein Research analysts. Would Apple dare do that? Since Apple and AT&T joined exclusive forces almost two years ago, Verizon Wireless has emerged as the largest wireless carrier in the U.S. -- and none of its 87+ million subscribers has an iPhone. Mighty tempting, Apple.Continue reading Apple could sell twice as many iPhones by going with Verizon Wireless
Microsoft beating Apple in consumer living rooms
When Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) released the Apple TV years ago and subsequently upgraded the device and pushed it as as the link to the iTunes stores for the living room, consumers and tech enthusiasts were generally favorable and many believed it would be a hit product for Apple.This hasn't happened -- although the Apple TV continues to sell in decent numbers. The iTunes store has one of the largest libraries of music, movies and TV shows available, but consumers apparently are not that interested in piping that content into their living rooms. That, or the Apple TV is just to expensive at over $200.
Continue reading Microsoft beating Apple in consumer living rooms
Best Buy's Napster takes a value stab at Apple's iTunes
When the Napster brand woke up the music industry using illegal downloading almost a decade ago by allowing digital music swapping across the internet, a completely new cottage industry was born. Pretty shortly, Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) came long with its iPod and iTunes product and made the business model work for legally downloading music. On that note, Apple has the lion's share of music downloading business at this time, although many a competitor has cropped up in the last five years.Continue reading Best Buy's Napster takes a value stab at Apple's iTunes
Apple to roll out new lower-priced Macs?
Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) may be looking at lowering pricing on some of its most popular Mac PCs after the first year-over-year decline in Mac shipments (3% drop) in the last six years. It's no surprise: the U.S. and much of the world are in a recession and cash conservation is king. Macs are among the most expensive PCs there are in many ways (regardless of style, design and software), and customers are backing off a bit.Apple's (AAPL) customer service trumps all other PC makers
Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has been on a tear for years. The company, which markets, merchandises and sells its iPod, iPhone and Mac PCs as only it could do, also ranks at the top of customer service in the PC industry as well as being the hottest company in tech.Continue reading Apple's (AAPL) customer service trumps all other PC makers
Apple kills iTunes 99-cent pricing, goes for tiered approach
Internet music leader Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has abandoned its one-size-fits-all pricing models for music downloads at the iTunes media store. The company, which announced the move in January, has gone to a three-tier pricing model for all its song downloads: 69 cents, 99 cents and the new $1.29.Continue reading Apple kills iTunes 99-cent pricing, goes for tiered approach
Apple to launch touch-screen netbook computer?
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) may be planning a touch-screen netbook computer, according to several sources. Apple, which has had a ho-hum stance on the rapidly-growing netbook market in the past, may be close to deciding that it could indeed enter into the fray and probably take some sales away from the $500 or $600 netbook (and notebook) market.Continue reading Apple to launch touch-screen netbook computer?
Apple at the top of Fortune's Top 100 Most Admired Companies list
Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has made one of the business world's most triumphant returns ever in the last 10 years. Company founder Steve Jobs has put the company into its most profitable and envious position ever, and it seems very little can go wrong for Apple in any sense. We'll count the company as being named to Fortune's "The World's 50 Most Admired Companies" list for 2009 among its huge list of accomplishments in the last half decade.Continue reading Apple at the top of Fortune's Top 100 Most Admired Companies list
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