AAPL - Apple Inc.

[racemize]

[Liberty]

https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/15/interview-apples-craig-federighi-answers-some-burning-questions-about-face-id/

[rkbabang]

Apple's silicon design team is the best in the business:

 

http://mashable.com/2017/09/14/inside-apple-a11-bionic-and-silicon-team/

 

I'm sure Apple's team is top notch, but working on a chip for 3 years isn't out of the ordinary.  The industry average from project start to release is 18-24 months, which has been my experience as well, but some projects just take a lot longer.  I've worked on chips for as long as 6 years.

 

[Liberty]

Craig Federighi interview by John Gruber:

 

The Talk Show With John Gruber: 200: ‘Episode CC’, With Special Guest Craig Federighi

https://overcast.fm/+BtuyYAAIQ

[Liberty]

Apple's silicon design team is the best in the business:

 

http://mashable.com/2017/09/14/inside-apple-a11-bionic-and-silicon-team/

 

I'm sure Apple's team is top notch, but working on a chip for 3 years isn't out of the ordinary.  The industry average from project start to release is 18-24 months, which has been my experience as well, but some projects just take a lot longer.  I've worked on chips for as long as 6 years.

 

It's not the amount of time that they worked on it that impresses me, it's the characteristics of the chips.

[Liberty]

https://www.wired.com/story/apples-neural-engine-infuses-the-iphone-with-ai-smarts

[Spekulatius]

Everyone should go ahead and buy new Apple iPhones asap. And then buy again next year. You guys know you want it. My AAPL holdings need love.

 

I'm gonna continue using my 4+ year old Nexus 4. Don't tell anyone.

 

I'm also sitting here glaring at my about 4 years old Samsung Galaxy S4 trying to make up my mind, if it is worth postponing my master plan of becoming the controlling shareholder of Berkshire. Quite irritating when a Berkshire investment also aims high and thinks big and makes me loose focus.

 

LOL, I am exactly in the same situation - I have an aging Samsung S4 that seems to have it's quirks lately, so I need to upgrade finally. I bought the Moto G5 recently from Amazon and did not like it and returned that thing in a hurry. My wife has the iPhone and I think they just work better in daily life and may be worth a premium.  I choke at the price points that Apple introduced their phones. I am thinking maybe get a refurbished IPhone 7+, should they go on sale in their store (November 2017?), as I had very good experience buying refurbished devices from Apple.

[DooDiligence]

Everyone should go ahead and buy new Apple iPhones asap. And then buy again next year. You guys know you want it. My AAPL holdings need love.

 

I'm gonna continue using my 4+ year old Nexus 4. Don't tell anyone.

 

I'm also sitting here glaring at my about 4 years old Samsung Galaxy S4 trying to make up my mind, if it is worth postponing my master plan of becoming the controlling shareholder of Berkshire. Quite irritating when a Berkshire investment also aims high and thinks big and makes me loose focus.

 

LOL, I am exactly in the same situation - I have an aging Samsung S4 that seems to have it's quirks lately, so I need to upgrade finally. I bought the Moto G5 recently from Amazon and did not like it and returned that thing in a hurry. My wife has the iPhone and I think they just work better in daily life and may be worth a premium.  I choke at the price points that Apple introduced their phones. I am thinking maybe get a refurbished IPhone 7+, should they go on sale in their store (November 2017?), as I had very good experience buying refurbished devices from Apple.

 

iP 6+ here, still going strong.

 

Stoked about the watch!

[Spekulatius]

I think the fact that Apple decided to market a super premium device for >$1000 a piece is a strike of genius. not w they upped the MRP of a phone from $600 to ~$750 (for the plus size) to >$1000 and without increasing their market shares in terms of units, Apple can increase their revenues and profits.

 

It is clear that the buzz is around the  IPhone X and I expect that the most expensive device will sell the best, my wife even noticed that iPhone X is what everyone talks about, even techs that make less $20/hour, go figure. She has the iPhone 6, which still works great, but almost anybody is on the iPhone 7 already and will probably jump into to the iPhone X, if they can afford it somehow.

 

In the meantime, I am still running my Samsung S4 and noticed that many people at my workplace run iPhone SE (for the small size) with some more expensive devices mixed in, even so the salary range is way higher. I guess those dry cut engineers and scientist look at his more rationally.

Buth for many others, having the newest cellphone has become a matter of prestige, I think, so the value perception is beyond just the utility of the device.

 

I have to admit that the new Apple Watch looks interesting, my wife like her wearable Fitbit, but I think she would love the iPhone watch as a birthday gift.

 

Apple has done a great job offering a phone in almost any price range, with new add one like the watches now coming more and more mainstream. This will enable them to make more revenue and profits without even increasing the market share. It is good for other smartphone players too, because the customer becomes used to higher price points. I thought my Samsung S4 then for $600 was expensive back then and expected my next smartphone to be cheaper, the way electronics usually go, when the market become saturated, but it seems that the market has been moving upscale with more and more units being sold at higher price points.

 

[rkbabang]

I think the fact that Apple decided to market a super premium device for >$1000 a piece is a strike of genius. not w they upped the MRP of a phone from $600 to ~$750 (for the plus size) to >$1000 and without increasing their market shares in terms of units, Apple can increase their revenues and profits.

 

It is clear that the buzz is around the  IPhone X and I expect that the most expensive device will sell the best, my wife even noticed that iPhone X is what everyone talks about, even techs that make less $20/hour, go figure. She has the iPhone 6, which still works great, but almost anybody is on the iPhone 7 already and will probably jump into to the iPhone X, if they can afford it somehow.

 

In the meantime, I am still running my Samsung S4 and noticed that many people at my workplace run iPhone SE (for the small size) with some more expensive devices mixed in, even so the salary range is way higher. I guess those dry cut engineers and scientist look at his more rationally.

Buth for many others, having the newest cellphone has become a matter of prestige, I think, so the value perception is beyond just the utility of the device.

 

I have to admit that the new Apple Watch looks interesting, my wife like her wearable Fitbit, but I think she would love the iPhone watch as a birthday gift.

 

Apple has done a great job offering a phone in almost any price range, with new add one like the watches now coming more and more mainstream. This will enable them to make more revenue and profits without even increasing the market share. It is good for other smartphone players too, because the customer becomes used to higher price points. I thought my Samsung S4 then for $600 was expensive back then and expected my next smartphone to be cheaper, the way electronics usually go, when the market become saturated, but it seems that the market has been moving upscale with more and more units being sold at higher price points.

 

I would probably have skipped updating this year if I wasn't going to change providers.  I am getting really sick of T-Mobile's lack of coverage in New Hampshire.  You really need to be on the Verizon network in New Hampshire none of the other networks are sufficient.  The problem is that Verizon is expensive.  So I looked into changing to Xfinity Mobile, which is $12 for 1st MB of data + unlimited talk/text, then another $12/MB for additional data you use AND, most importantly, it uses the Verizon network.  There are two requirements to joining 1) you need to be a Xfinity home high speed internet customer (which I am) and 2) you need to get your device from them (no BYOD).

So I'm going to wait until the iPhone X is available from them then switch my family over.

 

[Liberty]

Intel sells CPUs for $1000+ :P

[rkbabang]

Intel sells CPUs for $1000+ :P

 

Not just $1000+, but $1000++!  Just think how many iPhones you could buy for the price of this:

http://shop.ironnetworks.com/cd8067303314400-intel-xeon-platinum-8180-processor

 

 

[Jurgis]

Screw it, let's talk billions:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/06/james-bond-distribution-rights-amazon-apple

[Spekulatius]

Apple has done a great job offering a phone in almost any price range, with new add one like the watches now coming more and more mainstream. This will enable them to make more revenue and profits without even increasing the market share. It is good for other smartphone players too, because the customer becomes used to higher price points. I thought my Samsung S4 then for $600 was expensive back then and expected my next smartphone to be cheaper, the way electronics usually go, when the market become saturated, but it seems that the market has been moving upscale with more and more units being sold at higher price points.

 

Screw Apple and other phone price gaugers. There is no reason for good smartphone to retail for more than $200. And I refuse to pay more.

 

Well, I tried that and went with the Motorola G5+ , but it the the moment I tried it. I'd rather stick it out  with my Samsung S4 a bit longer. I do think that there are some midprice phone a ailanle, which are essentially last years top models or something close.

 

The price needs to be seen in context of the usage. A lot of people use their phone more than their home PC,  they don't buy cameras any more, no PDA's watches, GPS etc. So it is a lot of functionality in one device and people find it worth spending $1000 on it, even those that really can't afford it imo.

 

My Samsung S4 lasted for 4 years  and with spending $600 (which seemed absurdly high at that point for me), I think I got my money worth. If you upgrade every year, it's become much more expensive, but at least for iPhones, the residual value is good, for Android ohones, not so much.

 

 

[rkbabang]

at least for iPhones, the residual value is good, for Android ohones, not so much.

 

That is something you need to take into consideration too.  I'll be buying 3 iPhone Xs, but I'll be selling 2 mint condition iPhone 6Ss (a 64MB and a 128MB) and 1 mint condition iPhone SE (64MB) on ebay.  I'll get good prices for all of them compared with selling old Android devices. I still haven't sold my iPad Air yet either, I'll probably sell that too while I'm at it.

 

[Liberty]

When I look at how people around me use phones, they don't need anything in $600+ phones.

 

Yeah, nobody needs anything nicer or better... That's why Apple and all the premium brands out there are going bankrupt any day now.

[fareastwarriors]

Apple has done a great job offering a phone in almost any price range, with new add one like the watches now coming more and more mainstream. This will enable them to make more revenue and profits without even increasing the market share. It is good for other smartphone players too, because the customer becomes used to higher price points. I thought my Samsung S4 then for $600 was expensive back then and expected my next smartphone to be cheaper, the way electronics usually go, when the market become saturated, but it seems that the market has been moving upscale with more and more units being sold at higher price points.

 

Screw Apple and other phone price gaugers. There is no reason for good smartphone to retail for more than $200. And I refuse to pay more.

 

Well, I tried that and went with the Motorola G5+ , but it the the moment I tried it. I'd rather stick it out  with my Samsung S4 a bit longer. I do think that there are some midprice phone a ailanle, which are essentially last years top models or something close.

 

The price needs to be seen in context of the usage. A lot of people use their phone more than their home PC,  they don't buy cameras any more, no PDA's watches, GPS etc. So it is a lot of functionality in one device and people find it worth spending $1000 on it, even those that really can't afford it imo.

 

My Samsung S4 lasted for 4 years  and with spending $600 (which seemed absurdly high at that point for me), I think I got my money worth. If you upgrade every year, it's become much more expensive, but at least for iPhones, the residual value is good, for Android ohones, not so much.

 

My wife got Nexus 5X for $199 and I don't see anything missing in it - apart that they are no longer sold.

 

There's tons of smartphones on Amazon in $200 range and then there's Blu for $50 or so...  8)

 

There might be usecases that can't be done on cheap and good smartphones, but I haven't seen one that I'd be willing to pay for.

Photography might be one, but I don't take high quality photos with phone. Playing videos and/or games may be another but I don't do that either. When I look at how people around me use phones, they don't need anything in $600+ phones.

 

I totally see where you coming from Jurgis. It's seems crazy to me sometimes to pay $600, $700, $1,000 for a phone...but I have accepted it now. I use the damn thing more than anything in my life. I don't use my 60in TV to watching things since I watch it on my phone... I don't even have a laptop/tablet. Like Spekulatius said, there is so much functionality. I am willing to spend a few more hundred more for an iPhone if I like it even a few % more than a Samsung...

[rkbabang]

When I look at how people around me use phones, they don't need anything in $600+ phones.

 

Yeah, nobody needs anything nicer or better... That's why Apple and all the premium brands out there are going bankrupt any day now.

 

While we are on the subject.  Since you can get a Nissan Versa brand new, right off the lot, for $11.9K, I expect Nissan will sell nothing but Versas and all of the price gauging companies charging 10's of thousands more for their vehicles to quickly go out of business.  Did you know you can buy a used car on craigslist for a few thousand dollars?

 

[Jurgis]

I use the damn thing more than anything in my life.

 

Fair enough. I'm sure there are people who use the phones in ways that require top specs. Most (at least around me) don't. Maybe someone at some point will show me usecase that would make me go $600+ whatever on phone. Nothing like that so far.  8)

 

Peace.

[Liberty]

When I look at how people around me use phones, they don't need anything in $600+ phones.

 

Yeah, nobody needs anything nicer or better... That's why Apple and all the premium brands out there are going bankrupt any day now.

 

Yeah, that's why high percentage of people have no or very little assets: because they buy pointless overpriced brand toys.

 

I've heard some people on this forum advocated reasonable consumption, saving, and early retirement. I wonder who that was?  ::)

 

Some things are worth paying up for because they provide more value. If you don't see it, then it's not for you, and I'm sure I'd find some of the things you like not worth the money; but pretending that because it's not for you it's not for anyone is ridiculous.

 

For a few hundred dollars a year I get the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars of value from just a few years ago. A network-connected super computer in my pocket that is protected by instant-biometrics, that can do gaming, GPS, take great photos and 4k video, has a super-high res, wide color gamut, HDR screen with ambient light sensors to adjust the color temp transparently, it's also a computer to browse internet, a way to stay in touch with friends and family, a way to make money through my work, a way to read books, listen to podcast, listen to millions of songs, do fitness tracking, jot down notes, make grocerie lists, do e-commerce shopping, book trips, do online banking, etc.

 

And if I keep that $1000 iphone for 3 years it costs me 333/year. So maybe I could save a few dollar a year by buying a crappier phone, but to me I get A LOT more value than what I'm paying, so it's worth paying a few bucks more to get what I find to be a better OS and better industrial design and better cameras and better apps, a better SoC, less malware, and certainty of software updates.

 

And the better camera is worth the upgrade alone, as someone with a young kid and a second one on the way. The nicer photos will be priceless someday (and I have a DSLR too, but the camera you always have with you is more important because that's always most of your photos).

 

All that for the price of nicer floormats and a sunroof in most cars, which most people never even take 5 minutes to think about.

 

We're terribly spoiled by electronics/software deflation... We've forgotten how much value we're getting.

[fareastwarriors]

When I look at how people around me use phones, they don't need anything in $600+ phones.

 

Yeah, nobody needs anything nicer or better... That's why Apple and all the premium brands out there are going bankrupt any day now.

 

Yeah, that's why high percentage of people have no or very little assets: because they buy pointless overpriced brand toys.

 

I've heard some people on this forum advocated reasonable consumption, saving, and early retirement. I wonder who that was?  ::)

 

I don't think too many board members have this issue. We need to have at least some savings in order to invest in the first place.

[rkbabang]

When I look at how people around me use phones, they don't need anything in $600+ phones.

 

Yeah, nobody needs anything nicer or better... That's why Apple and all the premium brands out there are going bankrupt any day now.

 

Yeah, that's why high percentage of people have no or very little assets: because they buy pointless overpriced brand toys.

 

I've heard some people on this forum advocated reasonable consumption, saving, and early retirement. I wonder who that was?  ::)

 

Some things are worth paying up for because they provide more value. If you don't see it, then it's not for you, and I'm sure I'd find some of the things you like not worth the money; but pretending that because it's not for you it's not for anyone is ridiculous.

 

For a few hundred dollars a year I get the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars of value from just a few years ago. A network-connected super computer in my pocket that is protected by instant-biometrics, that can do gaming, GPS, take great photos and 4k video, has a super-high res, wide color gamut, HDR screen with ambient light sensors to adjust the color temp transparently, it's also a computer to browse internet, a way to stay in touch with friends and family, a way to make money through my work, a way to read books, listen to podcast, listen to millions of songs, do fitness tracking, jot down notes, make grocerie lists, do e-commerce shopping, book trips, do online banking, etc.

 

And if I keep that $1000 iphone for 3 years it costs me 333/year. So maybe I could save a few dollar a year by buying a crappier phone, but to me I get A LOT more value than what I'm paying, so it's worth paying a few bucks more to get what I find to be a better OS and better industrial design and better cameras and better apps.

 

All that for the price of nicer floormats and a sunroof in most cars, which most people never even take 5 minutes to think about.

 

We're terribly spoiled by electronics/software deflation... We've forgotten how much value we're getting.

 

And you'll probably get $300+ for it when you sell it in 3 years.

 

[DooDiligence]

When I look at how people around me use phones, they don't need anything in $600+ phones.

 

Yeah, nobody needs anything nicer or better... That's why Apple and all the premium brands out there are going bankrupt any day now.

 

Yeah, that's why high percentage of people have no or very little assets: because they buy pointless overpriced brand toys.

 

I've heard some people on this forum advocated reasonable consumption, saving, and early retirement. I wonder who that was?  ::)

 

Some things are worth paying up for because they provide more value. If you don't see it, then it's not for you, and I'm sure I'd find some of the things you like not worth the money; but pretending that because it's not for you it's not for anyone is ridiculous.

 

For a few hundred dollars a year I get the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars of value from just a few years ago. A network-connected super computer in my pocket that is protected by instant-biometrics, that can do gaming, GPS, take great photos and 4k video, has a super-high res, wide color gamut, HDR screen with ambient light sensors to adjust the color temp transparently, it's also a computer to browse internet, a way to stay in touch with friends and family, a way to make money through my work, a way to read books, listen to podcast, listen to millions of songs, do fitness tracking, jot down notes, make grocerie lists, do e-commerce shopping, book trips, do online banking, etc.

 

And if I keep that $1000 iphone for 3 years it costs me 333/year. So maybe I could save a few dollar a year by buying a crappier phone, but to me I get A LOT more value than what I'm paying, so it's worth paying a few bucks more to get what I find to be a better OS and better industrial design and better cameras and better apps, a better SoC, less malware, and certainty of software updates.

 

And the better camera is worth the upgrade alone, as someone with a young kid and a second one on the way. The nicer photos will be priceless someday (and I have a DSLR too, but the camera you always have with you is more important because that's always most of your photos).

 

All that for the price of nicer floormats and a sunroof in most cars, which most people never even take 5 minutes to think about.

 

We're terribly spoiled by electronics/software deflation... We've forgotten how much value we're getting.

 

Preach brother...

[johnny]

Screw it, let's talk billions:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/sep/06/james-bond-distribution-rights-amazon-apple

 

Vanity bid. Ostentatiously raising the paddle at a charity auction so everybody knows what a big swinging dick you are.

[Kapitalust]

When I look at how people around me use phones, they don't need anything in $600+ phones.

 

Yeah, nobody needs anything nicer or better... That's why Apple and all the premium brands out there are going bankrupt any day now.

 

Yeah, that's why high percentage of people have no or very little assets: because they buy pointless overpriced brand toys.

 

I've heard some people on this forum advocated reasonable consumption, saving, and early retirement. I wonder who that was?  ::)

 

Some things are worth paying up for because they provide more value. If you don't see it, then it's not for you, and I'm sure I'd find some of the things you like not worth the money; but pretending that because it's not for you it's not for anyone is ridiculous.

 

For a few hundred dollars a year I get the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars of value from just a few years ago. A network-connected super computer in my pocket that is protected by instant-biometrics, that can do gaming, GPS, take great photos and 4k video, has a super-high res, wide color gamut, HDR screen with ambient light sensors to adjust the color temp transparently, it's also a computer to browse internet, a way to stay in touch with friends and family, a way to make money through my work, a way to read books, listen to podcast, listen to millions of songs, do fitness tracking, jot down notes, make grocerie lists, do e-commerce shopping, book trips, do online banking, etc.

 

And if I keep that $1000 iphone for 3 years it costs me 333/year. So maybe I could save a few dollar a year by buying a crappier phone, but to me I get A LOT more value than what I'm paying, so it's worth paying a few bucks more to get what I find to be a better OS and better industrial design and better cameras and better apps, a better SoC, less malware, and certainty of software updates.

 

And the better camera is worth the upgrade alone, as someone with a young kid and a second one on the way. The nicer photos will be priceless someday (and I have a DSLR too, but the camera you always have with you is more important because that's always most of your photos).

 

All that for the price of nicer floormats and a sunroof in most cars, which most people never even take 5 minutes to think about.

 

We're terribly spoiled by electronics/software deflation... We've forgotten how much value we're getting.

 

Preach brother...

 

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