Could Apple Survive Without Steve Jobs? [Apple]

Several sites and blogs are talking and speculating about the after math of Steve Jobs not attending the next MacWorld. The main point of emphasis is: Is he leaving Apple?

While speculation is likely to continue until Mr. Jobs actually confronts the issue, maybe Apple fans should focus on another, closely related topic:

What would happen to Apple should Jobs leave?

While it would be hard to compare a post-Jobs Apple to a post-Gates Microsoft, the results may be similar. The jury is still out on the post-Gates Microsoft result, but changes have been made and will continue to be made throughout the company.

Should Jobs leave Apple, would anything really change? I personally doubt it, at least for the next few years. Apple is doing very well in several markets, including music sales, the i-Line, and there various PC competitors. Apple has gained a respectable share of the computer market, "Mac’s share is now 10% worldwide and an impressive 21% in the U.S." [Apple Blog] Why mess with success? 

That level of change would only spur more interest and development in where Apple sees their strong suits. Major changes could prove counter productive to users, and could be seen as an abandonment of the Jobs legacy.

People like familiarity, and might bounce at the first site of a new "regime" making major over hauls to the product line. The only change I would recommend would be to at least attempt to compete in the lower cost PC market (not necessarily the Netbook market though).

Although Jobs is the face and major visionary behind Apple's success, whoever takes the reigns after he leaves, if he leaves, would be a fool to alter the formula to much.

Will Apple Design Their Own Search Engine?

According to an article on TechCrunch, it seems that Apple may be creating their own search engine.

While this may come as surprise to many (including my self) it is not that new of an idea for a computer mogul to "get in the search game." Microsoft has been doing it for years.

While Apple is tethered to Google's browser for Safari, making a break might not be a bad idea.

New Apple Laptops, not cheaper, nor better

I just read an article on Giz that sums up a portion of my discontent with Apple: They charge too much for too little.

Example: 

"Let's just look at the 13-inch MacBook that was just announced, for example. For $1,300, it comes with a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB of RAM and a 160GB hard drive. Over at Dell, I can grab an Inspiron 13 laptop with a 13.3-inch screen, a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo, 3GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. For $750. For those of you keeping score at home, that's a $550 difference, and the specs are better on the cheaper Dell." [Giz]

I am with this statement all the way. The worst part of this whole thing is that some Apple users believe that they are better than everyone just because they are willing to shell out $400 - $1000 more per laptop for the same technology.

When Apple is willing to meet the middle class person half way on price, I will meet them half way on features.

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Apple Fails To Convert Windows Guy...Due To iPhone

For any would be iPhone buyers out there, this one guys review may change your mind about your decision. I know several people who are less than hyped about the performance of the oh so hyped iPhone, especially the 3G version.

One quote from this guys review is very interesting: "As for when all of these bugs will be fixed, the guy on the phone said 'Sooner or later it'll be working to its full potential.' "

This is in relation to various issues he encountered with the iPhones abilities. This is fairly humerous considering all of the badgering Windows gets for it's bugs, which can be many, and it's lack of customer service, which is deplorable at best.

Now this guy is a devoted Windows user and, like so many Windows peeps, is very warry of switching.



Here is the link to his pseudo review.

iPhone 3G

The new and improved 3G iPhone seems to be what quite a few folks thought the first iPhone should have been.

With 3G network access, built in GPS, better battery life and more enterprise or business features, this iPhone will challenge the Blackberry...seriously.

I am still a little skeptical on the exclusivity of At&t. I have never thought that was a good idea. Even though the overall price of the phone has dropped, to around &299, the cost of the monthly plan must to, in my opinion.

Also, what happens to iPhone v1.0 owners? Will they be shunned and discarded when At&t switches over completely to the 3G network, disabling EDGE? Will they be able to opt out of their contracts or can they get some perk, like a discount on a iPhone, for being the first of the faithful?

We shall all be watching the Apple news releases for any glimmer of information about these happenings. Hoping with bated breath that they tell us something...useful...

If OSX Was Available on Non-Proprietary Hardware, Would You Ditch Windows, Macs?

This is a excellent question for the growing collection of build-your-own-box computer buffs. Would you use OSX on your computer if you could simply install the OS wherever you wanted to?

My main point of contention with Apple and The Mac OS in particular, is that it is proprietary. If you buy an Intel based system, with Mac OSX preinstalled, you can upgrade to the latest OSX version easily.

If you have built your own PC from scratch, your options are Windows and Linux. Of course there are ways to install OS X on any machine, but they are hacks and not a custom install from the manufacturer.

I would seriously consider buying a copy of Mac OS X and installing it as a dual boot OS on a system if I could. It seems to me that Apple should be considering this, and I find it hard to believe that they are not.

Maybe one day all one will need is the hardware, the OS and the desire to build whatever machine they want, however they want. Until then, we will just have to wait and wonder...

Original Gizmodo link.

Close Call: Apple's OS X Almost Looked Exactly Like OS 8

I am not a Mac historian, but this does sound like a "close call" for those that cheer the innovative UI geniuses at Apple.

The UI for the new OS X does look beautiful and it is hard to imagine what life, or Apples' stock price, might be if they had gone with the OS 8 look and feel!

Three cheers for Steve Jobs?

Original Gizmodo link here.

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The Mac Mini...Do They Still Make These?

The answer to this question is yes!

I have often seen the Mac Mini as a way for those, like myself, who have desired to use a Mac without shelling out well over a thousand dollars for the MacBook or MacBook Air to satisfy this desire. The Mac Pro and iMacs are still available, but they have the same problem for me...the price.

Here are some simple stats on the Mac Mini, according to the Apple Store:

1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
80GB hard drive1

This will cost you $599, buying direct from the Apple Store.

This of course does not come with a keyboard or mouse ($98), or a monitor ($599 for a 20" flat panel). These add up significantly, and tend to scare would be buyers away.

But you don't have to get the $599 monitor. Here is a link to help explain why.

Hopefully, one day, the MacBooks will be at a reasonable enough price for even me to seriously consider buying them. Until then, I will keep monitoring the Mac Mini...and hoping.