Apple, RIM: No Netbooks

by John Paczkowski
Posted on May 19, 2009 at 4:30 AM PT

Apple and Research in Motion may disagree on many things, but they are of the same mind when it comes to the netbook phenomenon: It will be short-lived. Asked about Apple’s interest in the category during a late-April earnings call, COO Tim Cook said the company has none.

“When I look at netbooks, I see cracked keyboards, terrible software, junky hardware, very small screens,” he explained, noting that it’s “a stretch” to call a netbook a personal computer. “It’s just not a good consumer experience and not something we would put the Mac brand on….it’s not a space as it exists today that we are interested in, nor do we believe that customers in the long term would be interested in. It’s a segment we would choose not to play in. That said, we do look at the space and are interested to see our customers’ respond to it. People that want a small computer so to speak that does browsing and e-mail, might want to buy an iPod Touch or they might want to buy an iPhone. And so, we have other products to accomplish some of what people are buying netbooks for and so, in that particular way we play in an indirect basis.”

Turns out, Research in Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie feels pretty much the same way. In a recent interview with Reuters, he said the company has no interest in adding a netbook to RIM’s product line. The only netbook Balsillie is interested in is one “you can hold up to your ear and clip onto your belt.” In other words, a BlackBerry. Anything larger just won’t cut it, as a parade of discontinued nonphone portable hardware has already shown us. “These devices don’t work,” Balsillie said. “At the end of the day what we’ve really found is that if [customers] can do it on a BlackBerry that’s what they’ll want.”

Interesting to hear these two companies come out so strongly against netbooks given the current buzz around them. Demand for netbooks is reportedly surging, so much so, it’s singlehandedly bolstering PC sales slowed by the econalypse. Nokia (NOK) is considering entering the netbook market according to Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo. So why are Apple (AAPL) and Research in Motion (RIMM) thumbing their noses at it? Perhaps because they view the netbook as an interim product, a placeholder. Perhaps because they know that the handset is the next computer?

Apple certainly does. The iPhone already runs a spartan version of the company’s OS X operating system. How long will it be before the device is outfitted with a more powerful processor–perhaps one designed by PA Semi–capable of running OS X SL? How long before the iPhone (or its dock) is outfitted with the Mini DisplayPort that will connect it to a monitor? How long before we no longer need netbooks or notebooks because our handsets do it all?

How Apple’s billion apps countdown timer works

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - 11:42 AM EDT

"We all know that Apple is closing in on a billion app downloads in the App Store. Currently, the counter on the main Apple.com claims it’s about 10 million away from the major number. But, Apple apparently already knows when the billion mark is going to be passed, because the billion celebration page is ready to go and can easily be accessed, right now," MG Siegler reports for TechCrunch.

"Simply go to your system settings and set the date and time to anytime after that mark, and reload the main Apple page. You’ll be greeted by big picture on the landing page reading, 'Thanks a billion. Over a billion downloads in just nine months. Only on the App Store,'" Siegler reports.

"Of course, this means that the number is at least somewhat tied (update below) to your computer’s clock rather than an actual billion app sales mark being triggered. Not that it’s all that surprising. After all, with so many apps being sold every second, can you really expect Apple to do anything other than estimate? This would be an issue though if said it was giving away a prize to the person who specifically downloaded the billionth app (it’s not)," Siegler reports.

Apple sets iPhone, iPod touch developers free; here’s what they’re working on

Monday, April 20, 2009 - 12:46 PM EDT

"Apple is on the verge of launching a new iPhone operating system -- and a toolkit to help developers of new applications for the handsets. Apple says the new operating system itself will add more than 100 features, including the ability to cut and paste text, and a virtual keyboard for use when the phone is turned sideways, making it easier to type emails. The toolkit is expected to add about 1,000 functions to help developers come up with new applications," Yukari Iwatani Kane reports for The Wall Street Journal.

"Some developers of authorized iPhone applications are reluctant to talk about their own specific plans. But many say they like the new system's push-notification tools, which allow instant messaging and notification when something new is available on an application, even when it's not running. Developers are also looking forward to adding subscriptions and transactions within their software for the first time," Kane reports. "Other developers are excited about wireless features that will let iPhone users connect with one another in new ways, such as playing games."

"Ngmoco, for example, is working on a virtual-pet game called Touch Pets, in which players complete missions with their virtual dogs to earn points that can be redeemed for virtual items like clothing. When the new iPhone operating system is available, Mr. Young says Touch Pets will use push notification to let users set up play-dates with other players and their dogs," Kane reports.

"One of the most original entertainment programs to emerge from the App Store is Ocarina by SonicMule Inc., a Menlo Park, Calif., start-up that was founded by Stanford University academics who specialize in computer music... SonicMule has just launched a similar iPhone music application called Leaf Trombone World Stage, in which users will be able to play a trombone-like instrument. With the new operating system, co-founder Ge Wang says, iPhone musicians will be able to sync up their iPhones through the Bluetooth connection to play duets," Kane reports.

Steve Jobs maintains grip at Apple: report

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than three months into a medical leave from Apple, Chief Executive Steve Jobs remains closely involved in key aspects of running the company, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook runs the day-to-day operations, but Jobs has continued to work on the company's most important strategies and products from home, the newspaper said in a story on its website.

He regularly reviews products and product plans, and was particularly involved in the user interface of the new iPhone operating system that Apple unveiled last month, the Journal said.

Jobs, an Apple co-founder who is considered the company's creative leader, is also involved in the development of future projects, the paper said, citing people with knowledge of the company's strategy.

Jobs, 54, who was treated in 2004 for a rare form of pancreatic cancer, took a medical leave in early January, saying he would return in June and would remain involved in "major strategic decisions while I am out."

But he has made no public appearances or statements since then, and it has been unclear just how involved he continued to be, the Journal said.

Jobs didn't respond to requests for comment, the paper said. Apple spokesman Steve Dowling told the Journal: "Steve continues to look forward to returning to Apple at the end of June."

Apple stock has suffered since last summer on speculation about his condition.

(Writing by Eric Beech; Editing by David Fox)