Apple & Jobs have done it again

Apple and Steve Jobs have done it again.

What a wild ride it's been for Apple since Jobs returned as CEO in 1997. First, the iMac, then the iPod, and now the iPhone.

I was in college when the iMac was introduced, and I used them extensively. It was a groundbreaking computer which probably saved the company. I actually only used a Macintosh for the first 10 years that I used a computer.

Through good and bad, I've always been a fan of Apple. And there was some bad, to be sure -- we used to call Adobe PageMaker RageMaker when we'd do layout for the newspaper at Kutztown University. Apple made my four semesters as editor in chief both a joy and a curse, but in the end of I love Apple, and the Macintosh.

But, after graduation, I tilted toward the "PC" world - I used a PC at work, and it really didn't make much sense to buy an Apple. So, I bought a PC with an AMD processor, and we recently purchased a new Dell Computer.

However, when the iPod was introduced in 2001, I instantly fell in love with it, but couldn't own it, because I didn't own a Mac. But, since Mac had about three percent of the U.S. computer market at the time, I knew it would only be a matter of time before the iPod went PC, and mainstream.

It did in '02, and I bought one as a layoff present to myself. (Yea, you read that right.) Five iPods later, my love for the iPod is as strong as ever; besides my digital cameras, if I were on a deserted island, it would be the tech gadget I'd have to have.

So, naturally I took notice when the iPhone was introduced last week, for about two seconds, until I found out that Cingular is the exclusive cell phone service provider, and will be until 2009. (Above, Jobs shakes hands with Cingular CEO Stan Sigman) I will never, EVER be a customer of Cingular Wireless ever again. They are on my permanent boycott list.

Just like Apple limited itself when the first iPod was rolled out in a "Mac only" version, the company is making the same mistake with the iPhone. Oh well.

Not that I'd be rushing to get one anyway. Vandra may not believe me, but I wouldn't have been in a hurry to get one anyway - I'm a self-confessed tech whore, but not with cell phones. I flat out drop them too much.

Knock on wood, I've never have a cell phone last me very long, because I drop them much too often. My current Razr holds the record - almost two years! I still can't believe it.

Anyway, I have some doubts that this one will succeed for Apple (which renamed itself at MacWorld "Apple Inc." and dropped the "Apple Computer" name). The cell phone segment is a whole new ballgame. Are people going to pay $500 for a phone?

No way in hell would I pay that kind of scratch for a phone. Especially when I have an iPod I love, and a digital camera that's much nicer than the one on this overpriced phone.

Here's a scenario where I'd buy one - they are down to $99, Verizon carries them, and I happen to need a cell phone. Not 'til then.

The iPhone could be another winner for Apple, but I don't think Jobs thought this one through. Even the name might be problematic - Cisco Systems has already announced that it's suing Apple over the name "iPhone." But then again, people have underestimated Jobs for over 30 years, so I wouldn't be surprised if the iPhone is the next big thing for the company, and Jobs.

Apple is great, but Cingular ain't. C'mon, Steve - don't limit this product, or your company. Until the price comes down and another cell carrier offers iPhones, color me iDon'tcare.

My latest love: Podcasting

I am not a stranger to owning an iPod. In fact, I'm on my 5th one - I've owned every generation, I think. My latest model is the 60 GB iPod Video. I couldn't be happier with it. I owned the very first iPod, which, looking back at it now from about 4 years ago, looks ancient compared to the new ones.



Anyway, I'm a little late to the game, but the latest thing I love about my iPod is Podcasting. What is that, you might ask? (And I would ask, how's that cave you've been livin' in?) Anyway, it's downloading audio and video shows from iTunes (the world-renowned software that accompanies an iPod), almost all of them for free. It's fantastic! It now competes with my much loved Sirius Satellite Radio for my attention in the car. Even more exciting is that starting this fall, my long commute to KU will feel a lot shorter with so much material to listen to.

Early favorite Podcasts include a compliment of Slate programs, five different NPRs, VH-1's Best Week Ever, four different features from the New York Times, several from ESPN, and I even subscribe to several Podcasts from my beloved Edmonton Oilers, which include all press conferences. Righteous!

In short, Podcasting is my new addiction. And, of course, I love the video Podcasts. The picture is clear as a bell on my iPod video, too. It's like having mini TV shows at your fingertips, without the commercials. I'm loading up the iPod for our two weeks in Mexico. I may be about halfway to filling up my 60 GB in another week with all of my music, coupled with lots of videos and Podcasts.

Microsoft may have Windows, and with it an enduring legacy, but Apple will always have the iPod. Microsoft wins that matchup on many fronts, but not in hipness and coolness. Steven Jobs not only saved Apple, but he couldn't have done it without the many brilliant minds in Apple's R&D labs who gave the world the iPod; the company shipped just over 8 million iPods in the last quarter alone. Wow. Try as he might, Bill Gates has yet to even scratch the surface in the war for mini-music players, which are quickly becoming mini-media players. Apple dominates the MP-3 player segment with over 70 percent market share. Sounds like Windows-type domination to me.

If you are looking for an MP-3 player, look no further than the bitten fruit. Other companies have players that may cost a bit less and have a few more accessories, like FM radio, but who the hell cares about FM radio? That's deader than a Michael Jackson daycare. In the end, iPod outperforms them all anyway - the proof is in the market share.

In the portable media player universe, iGod.