Apple – Wiebe Elsinga

Good things are coming

W.Elsinga — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:28:59 +0000

While a few committed individuals have been camping out for the iPhone 4S for some time now, others are now beginning to filter toward their local Apple retail stores in their attempts to secure one of the new models.

But wait there is more news… No not about Apple, but about Android.

It has been officially confirm that Google and Samsung are all set to unveil the Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich next week on Wednesday, October 19th in Hong Kong at 10AM. Yes the Samsung Mobile unpacked that was canceled last minute will now take place next week. As is the tradition with each new version of Android, a new dessert-themed statue has appeared outside Building 44 on Google’s Mountain View campus.

Is Apple now focusing on the mid-end part of the market?

W.Elsinga — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:58:30 +0000

So far, Apple has only sold 2 iPhone models at the same time: the most recent one and the version before. This has changed after the presentation of the iPhone 4s: looking at http://www.apple.com/iphone/compare-iphones/ you can see Apple selling 3 phones: the iPhone 3GS, the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S. All of these 3 phones come with iOS 5 pre-installed, although Siri is iPhone 4S only.

The displayed iPhone 4 has a capacity of 8GB. This is remarkable as an 8GB version hasn’t been sold till now (it used to be 16GB and 32GB). Not only the iPhone 4, but also the 3GS is now significantly cheaper than before. The 3GS is now free in combination with a two-year wireless service contract. This is the first time ever for an iPhone.

These changes specify a fundamental change in Apple. Instead of focusing on the high-end part of the market only, it now also focuses on the mid-end part with cheaper phones. This begs the question: will this affect the image of iPhones in any way? Has the new CEO got anything to do with it? And will Apple succeed in gaining market share because of this change?

Goodbye Mr. Jobs

W.Elsinga — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:40:51 +0000

Apple’s website announces the sad news that Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs has passed away. Jobs was 56 years old, and had been struggling with complications related to pancreatic cancer over the past several years. Apple leaves the following message on their website in tribute to Jobs

Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

IPad or wait for IPad 2

W.Elsinga — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 01:13:35 +0000

I must admit, I’m tempted to buy an Apple iPad. However, it could be prudent to wait a while. Maybe until the iPad 2 arrives.

Apple has achieved wonders with the iPad, of that there is no doubt. The design is fantastic, as it always is with Apple devices; the UI is both familiar and easy-to-use, even by a 2-year-old;
iPad apps are already showing promise, and look set to be as important to the Apple tablet as they are to the iPhone and iPad Touch.

However, if Apple follows its usual pattern, and there’s no reason to suppose otherwise, the iPad 2 will be with us by early next year. So would it be better to wait for the iPad 2? Possibly, and here is why…

The iPad 2 will likely be cheaper, lighter, have a better battery life, and have more features. Many of the disappointing aspects of the iPad will likely be fixed. The iPad 2 will have multitasking capabilities straight out of the box.
The addition of a camera is almost guaranteed, and is likely one of the things Apple purposely held back from the original iPad. The other big advantage to waiting is that you’ll get an idea of what the competition is doing.

So what to do….