There are many smaller brands and millions of generic no-name desktop computers call “white boxes” that get sold every year. All of these generic computers fly under the radar, and no one keeps track of what is going on. It is a perfect place to hide a million or so Hackintoshes from public scrutiny - and especially from Microsoft.
An extra million copies of Mac OS X 10.6 sold will look like more people are upgrading from Mac OS X 10.5. Analysts will just report how great Apple is doing getting people to switch. But Apple will have the actual sales data, and it will be able to spot any unusual trends.
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Apple Posts Their Response to the FCC
In a shockingly transparent move, Apple has posted their response to the FCC’s inquiry into the company’s removal of Google Voice apps from the App Store. Here’s a sample:
Apple alone makes the final decisions to approve or not approve iPhone applications.
There is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T’s cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T’s permission. Apple honors this obligation, in addition to respecting AT&T’s customer Terms of Service, which, for example, prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone. From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration.
Hurricane Bill, as Seen From the Space Station
Students Turning to Netbooks? [Updated]
According to the “Gadgetology” study—culled from Retrevo’s own users—34 percent of students buying laptops are planning to purchase a netbook. Another 49 percent want a full-sized laptop, and the majority of student laptop buyers aren’t considering a Mac. Students surveyed for the report indicate that longer battery life, small size and light weight are all factors affecting their buying decision, according to Retrevo CEO Vipin Jain, who called 2009 “the dawn of the netbook.”
1st Generation iPods on the Online Apple Store
TUAW:
Who knew that there were first-generation iPods still for sale on store.apple.com! This is the very first iPod model, introduced in 2001. I don’t know how they ended up there, or why they’re selling them, but they’re shipping “within 24 hours” and are available for $129.00. Remember, this is the model with the “scroll wheel,” it’s not touch sensitive, and you have to physically turn it with your thumb or finger. Note that the image Apple is using on the store is actually for a third-generation iPod, but the product description and model number are for the first-gen. Also, these iPods are refurbished, they’re not brand new.
Buying a Used Mac
Macworld has posted a great list of tips for buying a used Mac:
Never buy a Mac that’s undervalued unless it’s coming from a family member or a longtime friend you trust. How do you know what the going rate for a used Mac is? Check eBay. Look under the “Completed Listings” link, which will appear in the lower-left area of the window after you’ve searched for something. Searching eBay and craigslist.org (which is in various cities around the country) is a great way to see what the acceptable price range for an item is.
Memphis City Schools to Receive $100 Million from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Memphis stepped to the top of education elite today when the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation offered the city schools a berth in its $500 million effort to improve U.S. teacher quality.
Under a memorandum of understanding the district is asked and foundation plan to sign, the district can expect to receive nearly $100 million over seven years to enhance teacher recruitment, professional development and school leadership.
Maybe AT&T Isn’t So Bad
A Queens man needed a doctor after a house call from a surly Verizon repairman who pummeled him – and never fixed the problem, according to a lawsuit.
Damn.
Love One, Not the Other
A total of 99 percent of 200 respondents to a RBC/IQ ChangeWave survey in August said they are satisfied with their iPhone 3GS, with 82 percent of those “Very Satisfied.” That’s an improvement from the already-stellar statistics on the last two iterations of the iPhone, of which 73 percent of customers gave a superior ranking. Similarly, 94 percent of iPhone 3GS buyers said the product met or exceeded their expectations.
Mailsmith Now Free
Bare Bones Software has opened up their email client, Mailsmith, as freeware:
“Like many others, I use and rely on Mailsmith on a daily basis,” said Rich Siegel, founder and CEO of Bare Bones Software, Inc. and owner of Stickshift Software. “However, at this point it is strictly a labor of love for me. Since I’m in the unique position of being able to support it for others who also use and rely on Mailsmith, I have created a new company whose sole purpose is to provide a home for Mailsmith, while allowing me to focus on my work at Bare Bones Software, which remains my first and highest priority.”
iPhone Dominating Flickr
The iPhone has become the most frequently used camera for Flickr photos, according to the photo site’s Camera Finder. While not providing a timeline for when this happened or its percentage of the market, the Yahoo-owned site shows that Apple’s smartphone has just recently overtaken the Canon Digital Rebel XTi in overall popularity for submissions. About 12.4 million photos have been identified as coming from some form of iPhone, with an average of 5,017 users uploading photos every day.