AAPL - Apple Inc.

[dyow]

There is no doubt apple's customer service is much worse than it was a couple years ago.

 

But i have some good news for those i have offended.  Notice i never said the you can't make money from owning apple. The iMac is sitting in my living room. 

 

Apple's products are so damn good i am willing to overlook those schmucks for employees (and am willing to overlook the terrible shareholder base). 

 

 

[rb]

There is no doubt apple's customer service is much worse than it was a couple years ago.

 

But i have some good news for those i have offended.  Notice i never said the you can't make money from owning apple. The iMac is sitting in my living room. 

 

Apple's products are so damn good i am willing to overlook those schmucks for employees (and am willing to overlook the terrible shareholder base).

??? I'm not one of those people that is crazy about Apple, mainly because I am very happy with Microsoft stuff. But really who considers a company's shareholder base before buying a product?

[DooDiligence]

There is no doubt apple's customer service is much worse than it was a couple years ago.

 

But i have some good news for those i have offended.  Notice i never said the you can't make money from owning apple. The iMac is sitting in my living room. 

 

Apple's products are so damn good i am willing to overlook those schmucks for employees (and am willing to overlook the terrible shareholder base).

 

Thanks for not calling us schmucks (I'll settle for being terrible...)

[dyow]

There is no doubt apple's customer service is much worse than it was a couple years ago.

 

But i have some good news for those i have offended.  Notice i never said the you can't make money from owning apple. The iMac is sitting in my living room. 

 

Apple's products are so damn good i am willing to overlook those schmucks for employees (and am willing to overlook the terrible shareholder base).

 

Thanks for not calling us schmucks (I'll settle for being terrible...)

 

You are very welcome.

 

 

[boilermaker75]

Yesterday, Thursday Dec 7, I placed an order for an iwatch (series 2) for my daughter. I thought there would be no problem getting it in time for the Holidays. I still might, but I was quoted delivery anywhere from Dec 23 - 29.

[Liberty]

On the lighter side, some trivia/backstory on the Get a Mac campaign 10 years ago:

 

https://9to5mac.com/2016/12/09/get-a-mac-ad-campaign-team-10-years-on/

[boilermaker75]

On the lighter side, some trivia/backstory on the Get a Mac campaign 10 years ago:

 

https://9to5mac.com/2016/12/09/get-a-mac-ad-campaign-team-10-years-on/

 

Those ads were often better than the TV shows they were embedded in!

[TheAiGuy]

I have all apple products. Don't own the stock.  Went to three apple stores in the last 2 days to buy an iMac (first 2 stores were out of the trackpads).  Apple stores have gone to shit, 2 years ago i remember walking in being greeted by friendly hipsters with beards and extremely tight pants who seemed to know what they were talking about. 

 

All i saw this time around were aspiring rappers, half of them looked like lil wayne, and they were clueless and useless.  I went to a best buy in the same mall and the guy there was the only one that actually answered my simple question....i don't know shit about computers and i just wanted to know what the difference was between the hard drives....and the guy at BEST BUY was the only one who could answer. 

 

Also i notice all apple shareholders are emotional fanboys with weak hands (lol at icahn, "apple is worth $220 it is the best stock ever...." and two weeks later he liquidates at $90). 

 

Cook seemed like a good chap, but after visiting those stores it is obvious to me that Apple died with Steve Jobs.

 

You guys should be ashamed if you own this stock.

 

There is no doubt apple's customer service is much worse than it was a couple years ago.

 

But i have some good news for those i have offended.  Notice i never said the you can't make money from owning apple. The iMac is sitting in my living room. 

 

Apple's products are so damn good i am willing to overlook those schmucks for employees (and am willing to overlook the terrible shareholder base). 

 

 

 

Do you mean the employees were black and you view this as a negative?

[fareastwarriors]

How Apple Alienated Mac Loyalists

 

Inside the company, the once iconic computer is getting far less attention than it once did.

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-20/how-apple-alienated-mac-loyalists

[giofranchi]

I am using my first pair of AirPods: fantastic product! Essential gadget for anyone who likes listening to great music while running or to informative audiobooks while walking. And, of course, a wonderful Xmas present!

 

Cheers,

 

Gio

[Phaceliacapital]

Interesting, can you explain why exactly they are better suited compared to normal earphones?

 

 

[DooDiligence]

Here's a pretty comprehensive review off of Amazon

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B01MQWUXZS/R26OPFTDJHXXLW?ref_=glimp_1rv_cl

 

I use a set of Bose SoundSport's & they're kind of OK (the Beats were not good for my listening style.)

 

I'd expect that the AirPods would be better than Beats offerings to date but the form factor tells me no (if I can't move around with them, what good are they...)

[giofranchi]

I'd expect that the AirPods would be better than Beats offerings to date but the form factor tells me no (if I can't move around with them, what good are they...)

 

Would you explain?

I ran 7 km and they were just fine. They practically never moved. I have found them to be very comfortable. What do you mean you cannot move around with them?

 

They connect with my 7 Plus iPhone very seamlessly, as soon as I open their case and I put them on I start listening to whatever I was listening on the phone.

Finally, the design is very cool (as always with Apple).

 

Cheers,

 

Gio

[DooDiligence]

I'd expect that the AirPods would be better than Beats offerings to date but the form factor tells me no (if I can't move around with them, what good are they...)

 

Would you explain?

I ran 7 km and they were just fine. They practically never moved. I have found them to be very comfortable. What do you mean you cannot move around with them?

 

They connect with my 7 Plus iPhone very seamlessly, as soon as I open their case and I put them on I start listening to whatever I was listening on the phone.

Finally, the design is very cool (as always with Apple).

 

Cheers,

 

Gio

 

Thanks for that feedback.

 

My statement was actually based on a visual impression (they just looked clumsy) & was not based on fact as I've never actually worn a pair.

 

I'm quite glad to hear that as I've been holding Apple for almost 4 years now & they are my only tech bet.

 

Have you done any work in Venice?

 

I spent a bit of time in the Veneto back in the late 90's & loved it (Bologna, Trisino, Bassano del Grappa, Vicenza...)

 

Love Jovanotti & Irena La Medici!

[giofranchi]

Thanks for that feedback.

 

My statement was actually based on a visual impression (they just looked clumsy) & was not based on fact as I've never actually worn a pair.

 

I'm quite glad to hear that as I've been holding Apple for almost 4 years now & they are my only tech bet.

 

Have you done any work in Venice?

 

I spent a bit of time in the Veneto back in the late 90's & loved it (Bologna, Trisino, Bassano del Grappa, Vicenza...)

 

Love Jovanotti & Irena La Medici!

 

Ok, I thought you had already used them and found them uncomfortable...

 

We have never done any work in Venice, but have worked with Studio Altieri and Favero&Milan Ingegneria which are among the largest engineering companies based in Veneto. They are also partners in our University Consortium and Master School at the Politecnico of Milan.

 

I love Jovanotti too!

 

Cheers,

 

Gio

[DooDiligence]

I read an article recently in CFO magazine (subscriptions are free BTW) which talked about the wireless industries attempts to improve elongated cash flow cycles through receivables securitization.

 

The author explained how this allows carriers to book most of the device revenue up front which boosts EBITDA & increases operating cash flow (but it masks the investment required to finance the devices.)

 

It goes on to discuss Verizon's desire to move to asset backed securities markets to finance receivables in order to reduce financing costs & eliminate future headwinds created by receivables securitizations which accelerate future cash flows into the current period (ABS's sold would not be classified as a source of operating cash.)

 

How do carrier device financing methods (both consumer facing & internal) affect Apple & handset manufactureres in general?

 

My assumption is that as long as competition remains intense among carriers, then handset manufacturers should retain pricing power in addition to the ability to dictate terms of payment (not forgetting that consumer demand needs to remain constant...)

 

Does anyone see an end to the competition between carriers?

[HalfMeasure]

I read an article recently in CFO magazine (subscriptions are free BTW) which talked about the wireless industries attempts to improve elongated cash flow cycles through receivables securitization.

 

The author explained how this allows carriers to book most of the device revenue up front which boosts EBITDA & increases operating cash flow (but it masks the investment required to finance the devices.)

 

It goes on to discuss Verizon's desire to move to asset backed securities markets to finance receivables in order to reduce financing costs & eliminate future headwinds created by receivables securitizations which accelerate future cash flows into the current period (ABS's sold would not be classified as a source of operating cash.)

 

How do carrier device financing methods (both consumer facing & internal) affect Apple & handset manufactureres in general?

 

My assumption is that as long as competition remains intense among carriers, then handset manufacturers should retain pricing power in addition to the ability to dictate terms of payment (not forgetting that consumer demand needs to remain constant...)

 

Does anyone see an end to the competition between carriers?

 

To me it doesn't seem like it will change anything as far as the actual business is concerned. The reality is that carriers in North America already finance devices via device subsidies. If securitization becomes the norm, all it does is pull the cash conversion cycle forward permanently (one time bump) and then it will also improve balance sheet efficiency numbers (masking investment as you mention). It's really about booking financing differently in a way that looks more favorable on financial statements, it doesn't seem to be about changing the business dynamics.

[DooDiligence]

I read an article recently in CFO magazine (subscriptions are free BTW) which talked about the wireless industries attempts to improve elongated cash flow cycles through receivables securitization.

 

The author explained how this allows carriers to book most of the device revenue up front which boosts EBITDA & increases operating cash flow (but it masks the investment required to finance the devices.)

 

It goes on to discuss Verizon's desire to move to asset backed securities markets to finance receivables in order to reduce financing costs & eliminate future headwinds created by receivables securitizations which accelerate future cash flows into the current period (ABS's sold would not be classified as a source of operating cash.)

 

How do carrier device financing methods (both consumer facing & internal) affect Apple & handset manufactureres in general?

 

My assumption is that as long as competition remains intense among carriers, then handset manufacturers should retain pricing power in addition to the ability to dictate terms of payment (not forgetting that consumer demand needs to remain constant...)

 

Does anyone see an end to the competition between carriers?

 

To me it doesn't seem like it will change anything as far as the actual business is concerned. The reality is that carriers in North America already finance devices via device subsidies. If securitization becomes the norm, all it does is pull the cash conversion cycle forward permanently (one time bump) and then it will also improve balance sheet efficiency numbers (masking investment as you mention). It's really about booking financing differently in a way that looks more favorable on financial statements, it doesn't seem to be about changing the business dynamics.

 

Thanks...

[Phaceliacapital]

https://chuqui.com/2017/01/apples-2016-in-review/

[DooDiligence]

https://chuqui.com/2017/01/apples-2016-in-review/

 

Thanks!

 

When I read the Chuqui write up, I was ready to sell half my Apple & then I clicked the link to the Stratechery piece near then end of the page.

 

Stratechery describes how Apple's U-form organization has enabled them to create integrated products by organizing around expertise & how this is at odds with the needs of services development, marketing & management.

 

The author draws an analogy between how Dupont changed to an M-form or divisional organization because their main 2 products (gun powder & paint) were sold to very different customers (gun powder in bulk & paint in small cans.)

 

The Dupont analogy of "gun powder = iPhones & paint = Apple services" sounds plausible.

 

Can Apple create an organization that straddles the needs of hardware & services?

 

My attempt to summarize the Stratechery piece is woefully inadequate to the beautifully conveyed concepts illustrated at the link below...

 

https://stratechery.com/2016/apples-organizational-crossroads/

 

Any comments?!?

[fareastwarriors]

Apple’s App Store Sales Top $28 Billion

 

The App Store business roughly maintained its growth rate even as iPhone sales volumes fell

 

http://www.wsj.com/articles/apples-app-store-sales-top-28-billion-1483623002

[Jurgis]

IMO one mistake Apple has done in the last 10-15 years is that they did not push Mac OS into enterprise. Of course, this probably would have been anti-Steve thing to do, but IMO there was a time where Mac OS could have displaced Linux in the Linux'y enterprise ecosystem and this in turn could have made Mac OS make bigger inroads into desktop OS market and displace Windows. It could have made Apple more software company.

 

Microsoft is now firing on all cylinders as enterprise/cloud company. Apple owns a huge chunk of mobile and a sliver of desktop, but it would be hard for them to push into desktops/enterprise now. Win/Lin duopoly is now much stronger in enterprise/cloud than it was 10 years ago notwithstanding BYOD and some Mac inroads.

 

Just random musings.

[Liberty]

IMO one mistake Apple has done in the last 10-15 years is that they did not push Mac OS into enterprise. Of course, this probably would have been anti-Steve thing to do, but IMO there was a time where Mac OS could have displaced Linux in the Linux'y enterprise ecosystem and this in turn could have made Mac OS make bigger inroads into desktop OS market and displace Windows. It could have made Apple more software company.

 

Microsoft is now firing on all cylinders as enterprise/cloud company. Apple owns a huge chunk of mobile and a sliver of desktop, but it would be hard for them to push into desktops/enterprise now. Win/Lin duopoly is now much stronger in enterprise/cloud than it was 10 years ago notwithstanding BYOD and some Mac inroads.

 

Just random musings.

 

What other major things that they did during that period would you have them sacrifice to try to achieve that goal? It's not like they had spare capacity laying around, especially not 15 years ago.

 

Personally, I don't think Apple pushing in the enterprise in 2002 or 2007 would've worked for many reasons, and their consumer efforts would've suffered from the lack of focus, so they'd be in worst shape today. But that's just me.

[bargainman]

IMO one mistake Apple has done in the last 10-15 years is that they did not push Mac OS into enterprise. Of course, this probably would have been anti-Steve thing to do, but IMO there was a time where Mac OS could have displaced Linux in the Linux'y enterprise ecosystem and this in turn could have made Mac OS make bigger inroads into desktop OS market and displace Windows. It could have made Apple more software company.

 

Microsoft is now firing on all cylinders as enterprise/cloud company. Apple owns a huge chunk of mobile and a sliver of desktop, but it would be hard for them to push into desktops/enterprise now. Win/Lin duopoly is now much stronger in enterprise/cloud than it was 10 years ago notwithstanding BYOD and some Mac inroads.

 

Just random musings.

 

What other major things that they did during that period would you have them sacrifice to try to achieve that goal? It's not like they had spare capacity laying around, especially not 15 years ago.

 

Personally, I don't think Apple pushing in the enterprise in 2002 or 2007 would've worked for many reasons, and their consumer efforts would've suffered from the lack of focus, so they'd be in worst shape today. But that's just me.

 

Jobs said he was extremely proud of all the products and businesses he said no to so they could focus. 

 

Plus they did have an enterprise strategy and it was extremely successful, care to guess what it was? ;-)

[DooDiligence]

Ahem; iPhone...