What’s up with Apple’s move to package and stock third party accessories in Apple designed Boxes ? 

 

What’s up with Apple’s seemingly strange decision to design and stock third party accessories in Apple designed packaging?

Apple Designed Third Party Packaging _Fotor_Collage

Click on this image to read Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac.com post on this

I think I may have an answer

If you remember back in April 2015, Apple announced that in conjunction with, and to be managed by,The Conservation Fund they were purchasing two Forests totaling 36,000 acres one in North Carolina and another in Maine .

Here is Apple’s Linda Jackson on Apples intention with it’s purchase at the time.

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environmental initiatives and former administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, told BuzzFeed News that the company managing its own supply chain — rather than buying pulp from outside vendors — represents a massive step forward.

“Imagine if every time you opened a package from a company you knew that it came from a working forest. And imagine if companies took seriously their paper chain and made sure that was renewable, just like energy. And imagine if they didn’t just buy renewable paper, but took the step of ensuring that they would stay working forests forever.”

Read my earlier post here

By bringing in outside vendors and enticing them with special placement in Apples’s retail Stores in exchange for utilizing Apple’s sustainable Forest for sourcing their packaging Apple may be moving this initiative forward. A Win Win for all. 

Just a Guess !

Cablevision is possibly the most forward thinking Cable company in the marketplace. (Believe it or not)

 

 

While other Cable companies are placing road blocks for cord cutters Cablevision has taken the bull by the horns by offering old fashion competition.

Cablevision Systems Corp. Thursday took a step toward retaining cord cutters who do without cable TV service, by offering two new products that include broadband service, Wi-Fi access and a digital antenna to capture over-the-air broadcast TV signals. Read the TechCrunch Report Here

Cablevision

Photo Credit: Bloomberg News

 

Over the years Cablevision a Long Island based cable company has led the cable industry with vision. Always ahead of its competitors and as well as other cable companies. Recently the company announced a deal with HBO NOW similar to the one signed with Apple, introduced a WIFI only mobile network FreeWheel for $9.99 per month,  has spread WIFI over its entire coverage area with over one million hotspots available to its members and readers of its Newspaper Newsday. Always leading the pack by its Chairman James Dolan (Owner of the NY Knicks & Madison Square Gardens). Cablevision has always met its competition with innovation from its “DVR” Lawsuit case back in 2006 to this weeks announcement to provide cord cutters with fast internet only service as well as a free digital antenna for over the air digital stations.

Apple WWDC 2015, with a Hint of Apple TV! Gaming, New Grid, HomeKit ! A wish List I believe is Possible

Notice the Graphic featuring the shape of the current Apple TV , also do the words ” The epicenter for change “ refer to the living room as the “epicenter” of the home? Considering the recent Media deals, strong rumors and chatter on the net and the recent reduction in price of the current unit this could be it.

Click the Graphic below for Conference details

 I Have been fooled Before !  Look at 2013

WWDC Apple TV 2013

I am looking for a new box that includes Home Kit, TV Kit, New Grid type interface, Channel Packages, and Gaming capabilities along with remote gaming controls. I lot to ask for but I believe they have been working on all these features over the last few years and believe all the technology is in place.

Here is a link to a post I did back in 2012 outlining my thoughts on the direction Apple could be going, I think it still holds up Click Here

More Beatles on iTunes !! Magical Mystery Tour a Fair Deal for Both Apples

Magical Mystery Tour

Looks like the iTunes deal on all things Beatles continues, it was once thought that Apple had negotiated a one year deal , it looks as if that deal is for a longer period. Also note that Apple Inc. has gained the Apple Corp. Apple Logo which like all the Beatles media shares the rights with the Beatles empire , The best for both Apples,

 Kudos to Steve for working that deal.

Apple’s New Line up (Part 2)

In September Apple introduced us to the new iPhone 5 as well as the new iPod Touch Line, on October 23rd Apple dropped the other shoe. With these two intros Apple has refreshed its entire line and added four totally new products, Below we have the latest from Apple , click on each image for more info.

Federal agency to switch to iPhone, drops BlackBerry & finds Android deficient !!

(Reuters) – The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) said it will end its contract with BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd in favor of Apple Inc’s iPhone, dealing a new blow to RIM just months before it launches a vital new device.

The Real Story here is that the government also evaluated Google’s Android OS and found it lacking 

It also said it analyzed Apple’s iOS-based devices and Google Inc’s Android operating system and concluded that, for the near term, Apple’s iPhone services offer the best technology for the agency because of Apple’s tight controls of the hardware platform and operating system.

The agency said the iPhone will be used by a “variety of agency personnel, including, but not limited to, Homeland Security Investigations, Enforcement and Removal Operations and Office of the Principal Legal Advisor employees.

Why anybody should be surprised by this boggles the mind GOOGLE IS IN THE BUSINESS OF CAPTURING YOUR DATA AND PROVIDING IT TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. THAT’S ONE REASON THEY DEVELOPED ANDROID AND PROVIDE IT AT NO COST. THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF MAKING THEIR DEVICES SECURE. tv

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/22/us-blackberry-iphone-idUSBRE89L0YW20121022

The Verdict is in, The Apple v Samsung case is a win for American Business !

Today’s verdict justly comes on the anniversary of Steve Jobs voluntarily stepping down from his leadership role @ Apple. This issue with competitors was a chief concern for Apple’s CEO and I am sure he would be very pleased with this victory. The California jury decision is not only a win for Steve Jobs and Apple, it is a win for all American businesses that value the ideals of true and fair competition. Samsung’s distasteful public statement after the verdict is only further proof that Samsung just does not get it. Ingrained in their company’s culture is the concept that competing in business is only a matter of efficient production irregardless of the products origin, environmental concerns or working conditions. Apple plays by the rules agreed upon by international business and so should Samsung. While most Pacific Rim corporations follow a business model of copying other companies innovation and reproducing a less expensive version, Samsung has deliberately crossed the line by stealing trusted information from their own client and using it to compete against their own client.

Apple said in a statement provided to The Loop.

“The mountain of evidence presented during the trial showed that Samsung’s copying went far deeper than even we knew. The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung were about much more than patents or money. They were about values. At Apple, we value originality and innovation and pour our lives into making the best products on earth. We make these products to delight our customers, not for our competitors to flagrantly copy. We applaud the court for finding Samsung’s behavior willful and for sending a loud and clear message that stealing isn’t right.

”Click on the links below for two previous columns and a more in-depth analysis.

Click    and  here

 

 

Can Apple untie this Gordian Knot we call Television ? I think I see the answer!

Apple Set Top Box circa 1995 thx to Shrine of Apple

Apple Inc. has been sitting or the fence when it comes entering our  living rooms with a television solution. The problems involved have been huge hurdles to get over. Yesterday we were informed that Apple had been granted a patent for a television channel guide UI software.  This got me thinking about which way Apple may be heading and the more I think about it the more I see Apple’s fingerprints all over the place. Follow me here , this could be the Game Changer we have all been looking for!  Continue reading “Can Apple untie this Gordian Knot we call Television ? I think I see the answer!” »

Why Microsoft should Purchase Radio Shack

Those that follow my work know that I have been predicting that Microsoft is going to follow Apple’s lead and go vertical (click link below). With that in mind, Microsoft would need to develop it’s own distribution channel , I think the boys from Redmond should take a look at Radio Shack to quickly satisfy their needs. Below I attempt to make my case.

Continue reading “Why Microsoft should Purchase Radio Shack” »

Karma Wars, Microsoft Surface and that mad twinkle in their eye

I’m Back !!

Its been a little while since Microsoft introduced its answer to the iPad and there are still many questions that have gone unanswered. I subtitle this blog a holistic view of tech for good reason, our thoughts on this piece of hardware are best viewed thru the big picture lens.

Continue reading “Karma Wars, Microsoft Surface and that mad twinkle in their eye” »

Windows/ Metro 8, Microsoft’s desperate strategy for Survival, Revealed!

“Anyone with any computer experience knows this OS is a dud, a red herring in drag. Microsoft however seems to be betting that their clients will not look too closely”

Sigmund Freud and the sinking of the Titanic

Although Microsoft makes lots of money in a lot of different ways, their core business is built upon its ability to license the Windows OS, everything stems from that. Without that solid base stability its structure will begin to collapse. The same fact holds true for Microsoft’s newly designated nemesis, Google, whose existence is built on its search engine business. Below I layout what I see as Microsoft’s survival strategy . Continue reading “Windows/ Metro 8, Microsoft’s desperate strategy for Survival, Revealed!” »

Where will Google’s path lead? I chose the path less traveled, its made all the difference


When choosing the right path to follow in tech, it is important to think where we should be, do we follow the road that Google leads or travel the path of Johnny Appleseed?

Robert Frost’s timeless poem seems appropriate Continue reading “Where will Google’s path lead? I chose the path less traveled, its made all the difference” »

Will the next iPhone have a larger screen, Yes and No !, Same size yet bigger ? (Updated)

The next iPhone will probably be the last hands on iPhone Steve Jobs took an active role in developing, if true then we can make a few predictions about its design. Apple got it right with the iPhone 4s form factor, easy to navigate with one hand, not too big to carry and not too small to read clearly. If Apple does indeed introduce a larger screen with its next iPhone , I believe they will maintain the same form factor while increasing the screen size, with innovation and miniaturization this is possible , here’s how.

John Gruber of Daring Fireball fame lays out a strong case. tv

Please Read his very logical post here:

Update 9/12/2012

Got this one right (well , pretty much)

Microsoft takes the fight to Google in “Requiem for a Heavyweight” at a phone store near you

Pressure Makes Diamonds

Here is how Microsoft is putting this x factor and it’s ring savvy to good use in their crucial battle with Google’s

Larry the Kid.

Continue reading “Microsoft takes the fight to Google in “Requiem for a Heavyweight” at a phone store near you” »