22 posts
Be nice if this started a trend, right. This kind of stuff would surely help the hell out of our economy if companies started coming home!!!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/apple-produce-line-macs-us-133841213.html
apple has been way more concerned about huge profit margin, than keeping work at home.
I bought Amy an iPad several months ago. Their normal product cycle (and I've watched it for years) is 12-14 months. I bought her an iPad 3 when they'd been out what, 4 months? Two weeks later they come out with the 4. If it was me, I'd have taken it back for a new one, but she loves it and is not tech savy. The guy I got it from at Microcenter is the Apple specialist there. He said they had NO idea the 4 was coming and had TONS of people mad that they bought right before a new model came out. He said you expect that when something has been out about a year... you know a new model is coming. But this time blindsided them. He said they had TONS of 3s in stock literally a week before the 4 came out.
I know how all this works, but feel like I got a "cheap shot."
Then you need to go to Best Buy. ;D
I bought a Samsung tablet and was looking at the Ipad 3. The guy there said to wait 3 weeks because the ipad 4 was coming. I think he pissed on you and told you it was raining. Hell, it's been on the news for months and even the apple site was announcing the coming of the ipad 4. Not sure that one wasn't on you my friend. ;D ;D
I think the main point of the article is that China's labor is is going up. I'm hoping that drives business back here no matter what the reason is. :)
Wait, first--you feel like the company releasing an updated product is a cheap shot? Samsung releases a phone every friggin week. I agree that the iPad update from 3-4 was relatively fast, at least in Apple terms, but let's be real here. The iPad 3 is a KILLER product (I lust for one, I'm stuck on an iPad 1!). The only difference between the 3 and 4, I think, is the processor, which, though admittedly a faster processor in the 4, can't make all that much of a difference to 99% of people who use the iPad for say, web surfing, watching videos, etc. And EVERYONE knew the iPad mini was coming. If you watched Apple for years, you probably also noticed that when Apple releases one thing, they often update other things...
Second, you think Apple is more concerned about profit margin than keeping work at home? But not Samsung, or Motorola, or HTC, right? They're all out for the good of American manufacturing, while Apple is evil.
Name a single major electronics manufacturer who manufactures the majority of their product line in the US. At this point, I think Google is making the Nexus Q in the US, and after that, there's a whole lot of no one.
I bought an iPod Touch 32 GB/Akai Synthstation 25 last year when I was looking for a true mobile synth. None fit my bill price wise or performance wise until I stumbled across this combo. I had no idea what Apple and their associated developers were up to at that point but the available apps gave me much GAS.
Getting older and somewhat vision impaired, I bought the iPad 3 64 GB for its larger display and accumulated scores of iOS apps. For instance, I was lucky enough to buy the Auria DAW at the half price of $25 for one day only which is comparable to my desktop DAWs (Sonar X1 and Reaper, costing much more).
Three months or so later came the iPad 4 which doubled the memory and processor speed. Not a whole lot of difference for browsing, playing games, Wastelook, and Twatter but quite a difference for number crunching apps that musical apps are more and more becoming to require. I feel a bit peeved that my iPad had less than the usual lifespan but I cannot complain as it is still working perfectly and not obsolete yet.
I do not foresee me selling the iDevices in order to buy the newest up-to-date devices as the ability to connect them all via WiFi or WIST is too great.
Writing a song on my front porch this evening (lyrics and music) gave me much joy. My desktop DAW is still there with all of its VST's but I am enjoying the opportunity to be creative on the go much more now. At my girlfriend's house, on the boat, or camping is just another place I can write down the thoughts in my head (as atrocious as they may be).
As an aside, I picked up an app to write apps on the iPad that can be run on the iPad and can be sold on the Apple iTunes Store (after purchasing a Mac Mini or renting an online MAC service) and am finding my old school programming skills (or lack thereof) to be an appreciable break from music.
Al well worth the price of admission IMHO.
Yep, like I said, not a whole lot of difference for 95% of people who use those devices. But if you are actually crunching numbers with it, in synthesis or something, yeah, it would be nice to have that upgrade. Then again I'm running audio apps and synths on an iPad 1 and I find it mostly adequate. I have to imagine a 3 kicks it ass all over town. Nice combo, how do you like it with the Akai Synthstation? I like the app, and thought many times about getting the controller...
Charger,
While I never said Apple was evil, I did say I thought it was a cheap shot that they released the iPad 4 when they did. I know computers change every few weeks. I know new android devices come out monthly. I also know that Apple has had a "typical" product cycle for years. I know if I buy 10-12 months after a product comes out, that there is probably a new one right around the corner. So yeah, buying one about 4 months after one comes out, and having them update it 2 weeks later....same price, better specs, yeah, I didn't care for that.
I pay a premium for an Apple. I could have bought a Nexus 10 or Galaxy 10. If they changed it a few months later I wouldn't have been surprised. But when you buy based on their very typical product cycle and they cut that in about 1/3 then come out with a new model, you tend to feel like you got juked.
Don't try to take it much further than that though. I didn't say Apple was evil. They have a big profit margin and legions of phanboys. You've said so yourself. One of the things that actually made me try Apple WAS their product cycle. Instead of rapidly changing software and devices (android) you can get something that 2 years from now is typically only 2 models from the current one. Now if they updated in a year LIKE NORMAL, we'll have a 13 month old device that's two models back. Wouldn't have an issue if they discounted the 3's or something knowing the 4's were literally built already... And don't think anything I'm saying is whining or out of the norm. Just stating facts.
the psychological power of deflation.
getting more for less this week sounds great... unless you're the guy who bought last week.
if you're the guy thinking about buying next week... you might just wait longer hoping to get even more for even less.
as a "phanboy" of Apple stuff for almost two decades now, let me just recommend that, when interested in anything Apple, buy the latest as soon as possible after it's announced.
otherwise, buy used/refurbs from a couple product cycles ago... they're pretty cheap. http://www.amazon.com/Apple-first-generation-MB292LL-Tablet/dp/B002C7481G
Sheep, in this case, it was part of an anniversary gift. So timing wasn't a "hey, the new one is out. Time to buy" thing. But honestly, while Android devices have been more "computer like" in that every time a new hardware upgrade becomes available, now models come out, and the old ones get cheaper, Apple has had a far more "car like" approach. New models about every year. When you know that, and the "occasion" comes 3-4 months after the new one just hit, you don't expect the new model two weeks later. That's all I was saying. Again, Amy isn't a heavy user and probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference. She got the nicer screen and that's all she cares about. For me it just kind of ticks me off a little bit that the one time they break their long trend, it's right after I bought one. And with every other model change, EVERYONE knew they were coming. THis one, apparently only Hook knew. LOL
And, you know I'm not calling everyone who likes Apple a phanboy. But you know there are legions of them. They buy Apple JUST because it's COOL. Won't consider anything else under any circumstances. I was at Sams two weeks ago. A approximately 12 year old girl was with her mother and grandmother. Her Grandmother saw me looking at the Ipad and Nexus 7. She asked me to compare them. I did. She said she was letting her grand daughter pick out her own Christmas present, and she wanted an Ipad but she didn't have the money for the iPad. She asked if I would tell the girl that I had both, and for many people they'd do the same things, etc. and that the Nexus 7 was really great and a great buy. The girl insisted she didnt want ANYTHING but an Apple. I told grandma you could get iPad II's for $349 and she said she couldn't afford that either. She had $250 or less to spend and wanted to get her a tablet. She had a Nexus 7 herself, loved it and wanted to buy her grand daughter one. The next time I walked by, the lady asked me to show her a few things in the Nexus. I did. The girl was not even paying attention. When we left the store about 15 minutes later, the girl said "well I'd rather have an iPod than a Nexus 7 because I want an Apple. The grandmother said she didn't want to get her a music player, she wanted the girl to have a nice tablet. She tried repeatedly to explain to her that she didn't have a computer and she could do email, messenger, web surfing etc with the Nexas 7. The girl wasn't having any part of it. When we got to the car, we saw them walk out with nothing.
That's a little different than you or Charger or I having the money to buy whatever we want and buying an Apple because we like it better. There are tons of people like that girl. They'd rather go without than have anything but an Apple, and in this girls case, I heard her grandmother say "you've never used an Ipad. How do you know you'd like it better?" The answer is simple. She knew it was better because it was apple . :) That's a phanboy! (And I know adults that are just as bad. LOL)
I didn't mean to criticize at all - just some advice from a long time apple fan. I also take no offense at being called an Apple fanboy - I am one! Well, I was more of a Steve Jobs fan than just Apple... so it's waning a bit but still pretty strong.
Anniversary-wise, you still get credit for buying the best that was available. Thought that counts!! Circumstances beyond your control!! heh.
I get your frustration though, I've experienced it from Apple a time or two over the years and it does suck... but, in the end, you got a working device at a price you were willing to pay. Unfortunately, that's no consolation... but its a decent rationalization to work with. :\
As for the kid... I remember when I was in second grade, it was critical that I had an NFL belt buckle. CRITICAL! I doubt I ever would have had one if they cost the 1977 equivalent of $350, though. lol! Probably time for her to learn that grandma isn't made of money - she should try hitting up mom or dad instead. ;)
They only release new iPads three times. The release schedule went... 15 months, 12 months, 8 months. Seems like you weren't following that closely, or you would have noticed the time between releases decreasing.
Anyway, like I said, your wife is probably using the iPad to what, surf the web and read books? Would a super-charged processor would really turn that experience upside down?
I've never been a big fan of Apple, iTunes, and especially apple desktops and laptops, but I think they got almost everything right with the iPhone and iPad. I can't say that releasing a product four months earlier than the last one makes me feel like they screwed anybody... especially because they didn't raise the price. Look at it this way, it's only two years ago that I spent $499 for an iPad 1, which is now for all intents and purposes obsolete. The new ones cost the same amount and are far, far better. I could just keep waiting forever and never buy one... or I can do what I did. I'm not unhappy with the iPad. I wish it was a new one. But it's not. I'd be fucking THRILLED to have your wife's iPad3. I certainly wouldn't cry about it. Man up, DTR.
Note: Expressing the prior sentiments = not whining. Stated repeatedly that she'll never know the difference. Also previously noted that she ABSOLUTELY loves it. So again, I'm not whining that I got ripped off, I just said I felt like I got juked.
Besides, I just bought two new iPhone 5's yesterday, so I'm clearly not in some militant anti Apple mode. LOL now, if they come out with the iPhone 6 before Christmas, I'll be going back to android! ;D
Sheep, we can face time!!!
DTR has slammed the great giant Apple. Theirs no going back now. Your branded as a Apple hater. Shame on you. The only way to redeem yourself now is to go by a Imac computer, 7 ipads, and 33 more phones to give away at Christmas. ;D ;D
dang it! Jobs is haunting me from the grave!
Hey sheep, we used to get in groups on Skype and talk. Me, Matt, Jamie, Deano, Dar, I think even Richard got on... can't remember who all participated... it was several years ago. We had a blast on there. But also, several of us rigged our pod/mic/computer so we could jam (one at a time) and talk. That was way back before the first WHStock. But Jamie and I used to jam on there. Good times! With this technology today, who knows what we could pull off. Google + "hangouts" or something would be cool.
I think Apple sucks too. But no more than any other large corporation that is willing to destroy the third world to make their products. Hell, I remember when I was working at Digidesign and Apple got rid of the floppy drive. We were so fucking pissed... that was how we authorized our plugins! But everyone adapted, and when's the last time you saw a floppy drive on a computer? Those things held 1.4 MB. Fuck, you can't put a ringtone in that space. The history of Apple removing things from computers and thus forcing the industry to change is long and painful. But ultimately, they always seem to be right.
They certainly got a few things right with i* devices... the first was the Apple app store.. Say what you will about the freedom of the Android store, I think the fact that Apple approves apps has made a marked impact on the quality and safety of apps you can put on your phone. Second was the form factor. Everyone keeps making bigger and bigger phones, but I love the fit and size of the iPhone. A phone should be small and elegant, not a friggin tablet. Third is that you no longer need iTunes to use the iPhone... you can sync everything over wireless. That eliminates a real pain factor for some.
I'm never going to buy an Apple desktop or laptop--I think they are overpriced... yes, they are beautifully designed but $400 is a lot of pedal-making equipment and guitar woods. But iDevices hit me right where it counts and I really do think they are brilliant products. I want more of them, not less... I want an iPhone6 (which will probably be released right around the time my 4s contract expires) and I want a new iPad (3 or 4, I'm not picky), and maybe a mini.
I do not hate apple!!! :)
If they'd swap me a 32 gig 4 for my 64 gig 2, all would be forgiven! Hahahahahaha
Sheep, just clicked on the Amazon link and very confused! Used 1st gen iPads STARTING at $300???? What the....
New ii's are on sale for $349 here every month. ???
yeah, I was thinking $300 vs. $500+ for the retina version... but still $300 is a lot less than I paid for my iPad v.1 when it was new! heh.
Charger,
The Akai SS25 controller is quite usable though it is of poor build quality as one might expect in that price range. I haven't had any failures yet like some users have experienced. Being a 30 pin dock, it is not for new or future iDevices. A lot of people are peeved with Apple's decision to change to the Lighting dock system, especially those that purchased quite expensive docking interfaces. Yes, you can get an adapter but that negates the the whole purpose of docking.
The app itself isn't half bad. I don't use it much any more since there are newer apps that can do a lot more.
The long awaited Audiobus app was released yesterday allowing compatable apps to send and receive audio to and from other apps. Audio/Copy/Paste has been the only work around prior to Audiobus and it can be a pain. So far it is working great with the four or five compatible apps that I have. More apps to be updated soon according to their developers.
It is a good time for mobile musicians and I think times will only get better.