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Post by mbeauch on Nov 10, 2012 18:26:16 GMT -8
Good news everyone! Apple & HTC settle all patent litigation I presume this is in apples advantage and includes an ongoing royalty per phone. www.macrumors.com/2012/11/10/apple-and-htc-settle-patent-dispute/"HTC is pleased to have resolved its dispute with Apple, so HTC can focus on innovation instead of litigation" said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. "We are glad to have reached a settlement with HTC" said Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. "We will continue to stay laser focused on product innovation." This is for ten years. WOW. HTC has become insignificant, but a waste of legal assets by Apple. great move TC.
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benoir
fire starter
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Post by benoir on Nov 10, 2012 18:29:13 GMT -8
. I have not seen the Surface in person, but it sure looks thicker than the ipad yet is speced as the same thickness. Anyone? Nor have I. But it just doesn't seem like a compelling product. It's neither one thing nor the other.
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Post by Apple II+ on Nov 10, 2012 18:31:53 GMT -8
I offer the idea that much of the downtrend is a result of the election and the betting before the direction that Obama would win. Capital gains tax rates are likely to rise, and some of the selling is to get out with one's profits while the rate is 15%. I have read that many times, but why now? There are almost 2 months lefts in the year. The is nothing likely about it, CG are going up on LT holdings. I am not against the move to 20%, but the surtax crosses the line. I also think the dramatic hike in dividend taxation is just wrong. (I will say this about dividend though. I would like to see legislation passed to stop corporations from paying a dividend from borrowed funds) If a company is adding debt to the balance sheet they have no business paying a dividend. I think debt is great if it's for a good reason. Adding debt while paying a dividend is not necessarily a problem. If it turns out that there's a problem with the business, the free market will handle it. I don't see this as an area that needs regulation.
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Mav
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Post by Mav on Nov 10, 2012 18:33:47 GMT -8
Good news everyone! Apple & HTC settle all patent litigation I presume this is in apples advantage and includes an ongoing royalty per phone. www.macrumors.com/2012/11/10/apple-and-htc-settle-patent-dispute/"HTC is pleased to have resolved its dispute with Apple, so HTC can focus on innovation instead of litigation" said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. "We are glad to have reached a settlement with HTC" said Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. "We will continue to stay laser focused on product innovation." This is for ten years. WOW. HTC has become insignificant, but a waste of legal assets by Apple. great move TC. Minor, amusingly enough (since Samsung is the big player now), but important and a savvy move by Tim Cook to keep more focus on product and less on litigation. Not sure this helps AAPL in the short-term though.
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jz
Member
"Study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it." -- Lao Tsu
Posts: 162
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Post by jz on Nov 10, 2012 18:34:53 GMT -8
Not gonna call Surface the next Kin. Though IMHO, it has to compete mostly with Android for market viability. Microsoft obviously has more than enough resources to try to get Surface accepted as a tablet alternative for as long as they'd like. But it takes execution and a market as well as resources, Mav. MS is entering a crowded market with a higher priced device that froze during its onstage debut. Crapped onstage. That isn't success we smell here. Ballmer can't complete an intelligent paragraph... have you ever listened to him talk? Other than Xbox, I see very little Redmond execution. Regarding resources, not so long ago MS borrowed a boatload just to take advantage of low interest rates. Still needs to be paid back sometime... I think compared to HP's forgotten-the-name- tablet, however, the Surface will be a success. Bet you an Internet nickel Surface never reaches 15% of tablet sales...
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Post by jdrizzo89 on Nov 10, 2012 18:35:24 GMT -8
my apple related tid bits from the weekend
- dropped my Iphone 5. From my bed. Case less as I feel case for phones does not ADD to it especially when its a piece of art. So my bed is roughly 5 feet above the ground. Drop and land face down on the floor. Say a prayer, pick it up, and..... NOTHING. NO SCRATCH. NO SCREEN BREAK. (I just hope nothing internal, did get slowed down by a bag before hitting the ground though) Regardless - AWESOME this thing is so durable
Ipad mini - got the 32 Black last weekend (one of last few). Lady said that these along with I phone 5s are getting sold out every day(apple store) but IP5 supply is much better. I went to store to pick up Ipad mini case (i feel this adds to it for the simple way u can prop it up). Unfourtnately I decided to go with third party case right outside of store. It can rotate prop IPAD and then rotate it from portrait to landscape and still keep it propped. Also three different levels of propping plus a band to cover and keep shut (leather material).
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Post by chasmac on Nov 10, 2012 18:45:42 GMT -8
Good news everyone! Apple & HTC settle all patent litigation I presume this is in apples advantage and includes an ongoing royalty per phone. www.macrumors.com/2012/11/10/apple-and-htc-settle-patent-dispute/"HTC is pleased to have resolved its dispute with Apple, so HTC can focus on innovation instead of litigation" said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. "We are glad to have reached a settlement with HTC" said Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. "We will continue to stay laser focused on product innovation." This is for ten years. WOW. HTC has become insignificant, but a waste of legal assets by Apple. great move TC. Mark, who knows what concessions were made (if any). All this litigation is not good for Co. PR IMO. Enjoyed Bond as well. Without giving anything away, really enjoyed the car! A date night was just what the doctored ordered after these last few weeks. BTW, have 4 spots in the local Mall and the iPhone5 displays are always messed up in the Carrier stores/Booth. Missing phone or no charge. Month after month. Best Buy mini stores is the only one with their shit together. It's like other ones don't want to sell these. Wonder if Apple ever does checks?
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Post by mbeauch on Nov 10, 2012 18:51:37 GMT -8
I think debt is great if it's for a good reason. Adding debt while paying a dividend is not necessarily a problem. If it turns out that there's a problem with the business, the free market will handle it. I don't see this as an area that needs regulation. Debt is never good, but if needed for expansion, yes. Look at AT&T, 80 billion in debt and paying a large dividend. DELL at one time had no debt, look at them now. Debt begets more debt because it becomes part of the expense of doing business. It also drags the GM. Look at companies like P&G. They have to sell Tide for $17 because of their debt. their GM's are insanely small on some of their products not because of component cost, but because of debt. Really like our government. We borrow .40c for every dollar we spend. fiscal responsibility is really all I ask from a company or my government. (Fed, state, & local)
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jz
Member
"Study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it." -- Lao Tsu
Posts: 162
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Post by jz on Nov 10, 2012 18:52:56 GMT -8
To add to the surface hating - apparently the windows 8 OS on the entry level 32GB model takes up 16GB of storage - so it's more comparable feature wise to the $399 16gb iPad 2 than the 32GB iPad. Wow. I did not know that. There's that (lack of) execution thing again. And Re my earlier post, it wasn't just Surface that crapped onstage... check out the MS demonstrator's pants when he does his little backpedal/sheepish shuffle thing trying to disguise that nothing is wrong... Do you see a stain in this poor guy's pants? www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1zxDa3t0fgI think anyone betting on the Surface or MS in general could be cured of that delusion by watching this vid a few times. Imagine how HUGE a deal this would be if it happened to Cook or Schiller.
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Post by phoebear611 on Nov 10, 2012 19:12:12 GMT -8
Went to MS store and held the Surface. It is cumbersome - feels like plastic - and not intuitive - customers all needed help and one could see confusion was pervasive. Didn't see customers sitting there while enjoying and exploring a product as I often do at the AAPL store. My biggest issue was my husband who literally burst out laughing at the salesman and said, "Excuse me but have you guys seen how much you try to look like an AAPL store? Gotta love your blue shirts - real nice touch there! Here's to innovation!" I was mortified - we left abruptly. We then strolled into the AAPL store - it was packed. They said they were out of white minis and out of the less expensive black model - but still had plenty of the other models. This was interesting given that people out here on Long Island aren't really out there with a mindset for shopping.
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Post by Red Shirted Ensign on Nov 10, 2012 19:40:54 GMT -8
Ah fellas ... you warm a girl's heart. In all seriousness, not having any of my AAPL devices powered and functional was like going through some awful detoxification in some parallel universe. Although I wasn't able to secure warp speed, it felt great to be able to power up and beam myself on Board again! Just what language are you speaking?, warp? Beam? ;D
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Post by mbeauch on Nov 10, 2012 20:15:25 GMT -8
Seriously, can the Surface even be used in portrait orientation? It does not look to be size appropriate. Uses half of its memory for its operation and made out of plastic, what gives?
I remember watching that video before, I actually felt sorry for the guy. I am sorry, somebody would have lost their job with that botched presentation.
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Post by chasmac on Nov 10, 2012 20:26:18 GMT -8
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Post by Apple II+ on Nov 10, 2012 21:00:50 GMT -8
I think debt is great if it's for a good reason. Adding debt while paying a dividend is not necessarily a problem. If it turns out that there's a problem with the business, the free market will handle it. I don't see this as an area that needs regulation. Debt is never good, but if needed for expansion, yes. Look at AT&T, 80 billion in debt and paying a large dividend. DELL at one time had no debt, look at them now. Debt begets more debt because it becomes part of the expense of doing business. It also drags the GM. Look at companies like P&G. They have to sell Tide for $17 because of their debt. their GM's are insanely small on some of their products not because of component cost, but because of debt. Really like our government. We borrow .40c for every dollar we spend. fiscal responsibility is really all I ask from a company or my government. (Fed, state, & local) Out of respect for the forum rules, I've moved my response to this political post to the Death and Taxes thread.
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Post by Tetrachloride on Nov 10, 2012 21:15:46 GMT -8
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Post by mbeauch on Nov 10, 2012 21:25:54 GMT -8
Ha, I watched "where Eagle's dare" not to long ago. Talk about twists at the end. Love the old WWII movies.
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JDSoCal
Member
Aspiring oligarch
Posts: 4,182
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Post by JDSoCal on Nov 10, 2012 21:27:41 GMT -8
Government debt can be very good. It may not spend it in the most efficient way, but you know if government has debt that it's being spent. Spending money stimulates economic growth. Keynesian nonsense. It's a sugar high, if you even get that. Robbing from the future and spending now, with losses from the inefficiencies and bad decisions of government, plus interest. As Bastiat said, "that which is seen (the now) and that which is not seen (the later)." Nobody ever talks about the later. God forbid we have a few bad quarters for the sake of long term fiscal health. It is not Monopoly money. It is stolen from the productive class (i.e., those who pay taxes, and those who will in the future), and has to be paid back. With interest. And we're running $1T deficits with the lowest interest rates ever. Guess what would happen if interest rates jumped to 5%. Or 10%. Or 15%. Our interest payments on the debt would explode. This part is true. So why aren't they spending? Uncertainty. Tax and regulatory. A capital strike, just like the 1930's. Then FDR stopped vilifying business and worked with them, and then they started expanding and investing. You want corporate spending? Eliminate the double-taxation of foreign-earned corporate profits, and watch that ~$1.5T (~$75B from Apple) overseas flood back into the US, free stimulus. All of what I have said is Austrian school economics, not politics, so please don't get the vapors. You brought it up as if Keynesian economics were Gospel, and it isn't.
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JDSoCal
Member
Aspiring oligarch
Posts: 4,182
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Post by JDSoCal on Nov 10, 2012 21:31:10 GMT -8
Good news everyone! Apple & HTC settle all patent litigation I presume this is in apples advantage and includes an ongoing royalty per phone. www.macrumors.com/2012/11/10/apple-and-htc-settle-patent-dispute/"HTC is pleased to have resolved its dispute with Apple, so HTC can focus on innovation instead of litigation" said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC. "We are glad to have reached a settlement with HTC" said Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. "We will continue to stay laser focused on product innovation." This is for ten years. WOW. HTC has become insignificant, but a waste of legal assets by Apple. great move TC. IMO, there is a Machiavellian value to such suits beyond the damage awards. If the top bulldog in town lets the chihuahuas nibble at him without a response, the rest of the dogs may think they can also take advantage of him. "When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber." -- Winston Churchill.
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Post by mbeauch on Nov 10, 2012 21:53:40 GMT -8
Make no mistake JD, I want Apple to defend itself. What I don't want it to do is lose sight of the big picture. I do not want them to settle with SS or Google. That is where I was them to focus their legal actions. Apple is doing what I have begged for for several years and that is move away from SS as a supplier. Apple pays SS billions of dollars a year. i would like that to become 0 in 3 years. Apple can work with other company's to provide their needs. In the case of Sharp it appears that Apple has become a partner. If it is what I think, Apple has purchased the plants with cash and worked out long term leasing deals. It will make Sharp viable and remove cash flow problems. I believe a deal with TSM has been done also. TC, will use the cash wisely.
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Post by Apple II+ on Nov 10, 2012 21:54:26 GMT -8
Government debt can be very good. It may not spend it in the most efficient way, but you know if government has debt that it's being spent. Spending money stimulates economic growth. Keynesian nonsense. It's a sugar high, if you even get that. Robbing from the future and spending now, with losses from the inefficiencies and bad decisions of government, plus interest. As Bastiat said, "that which is seen (the now) and that which is not seen (the later)." Nobody ever talks about the later. God forbid we have a few bad quarters for the sake of long term fiscal health. It is not Monopoly money. It is stolen from the productive class (i.e., those who pay taxes, and those who will in the future), and has to be paid back. With interest. And we're running $1T deficits with the lowest interest rates ever. Guess what would happen if interest rates jumped to 5%. Or 10%. Or 15%. Our interest payments on the debt would explode. This part is true. So why aren't they spending? Uncertainty. Tax and regulatory. A capital strike, just like the 1930's. Then FDR stopped vilifying business and worked with them, and then they started expanding and investing. You want corporate spending? Eliminate the double-taxation of foreign-earned corporate profits, and watch that ~$1.5T (~$75B from Apple) overseas flood back into the US, free stimulus. All of what I have said is Austrian school economics, not politics, so please don't get the vapors. You brought it up as if Keynesian economics were Gospel, and it isn't. Out of respect for the forum rules, I've moved my response to the Death and Taxes thread.
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Post by mbeauch on Nov 10, 2012 22:14:50 GMT -8
OMG, you want to guarantee that people can't pass on wealth to their heirs. Taxing unrealized gains, are you serious? People work so they can make a better life for their children. Just because they die, why should that money go to the government?
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Post by steeler on Nov 10, 2012 23:04:47 GMT -8
I don't understand why people don't sell their stock in ensure themselves of a lower capital gains tax - them buy it back immediately thereafter. (I am talking about US citizens, of course). If you owned it lower, take your lower gain and up your basis by buying it right back. You can practically cross it to yourself. Wash sales are not applicable in this instance because you are taking (I am assuming) gains for the year. The government doesn't give a hoot if you reinvest immediately again. So why not pay (especially you long term holders) your lower tax rate and then jump right back in if you feel we may be potentially in a reversal? Food for thought. Not sure whether anyone has done the calculation. Based on my back of the envelop math, even if LT tax increases by 5%, we will still be better off if we hold on to our gains until next year if our annual gain is higher than 50% :-).
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jz
Member
"Study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it." -- Lao Tsu
Posts: 162
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Post by jz on Nov 10, 2012 23:25:34 GMT -8
If removing uncertainty over tax policy before we get to the edge of the fiscal cliff will be good for my Jan. AAPL Calls, then there is good news in this well-argued article claiming that there is no benefit for Congressional Republicans to play a game of who blinks first. Dems are pushing to leave Bush tax rates the same for incomes under $250K and Reps. are pushing for no tax hikes on anyone. But if nothing is done, taxes will go up for everyone. Republicans can't afford to be blamed for taxes going up for the middle class, so the end game is clear. The article does a better job of explaining it: www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2012/11/boehner_and_the_fiscal_cliff_the_house_speaker_is_bluffing_about_the_bush.htmlBut I disagree with the author's conclusion that they will let the Bush tax cuts expire and then lower taxes for under $250K after Jan. 1. Even our congressmen are not that stupid. Are they?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2012 0:40:16 GMT -8
I find it amusing that governments and world banks etc the world over are telling Greece they will only get financial aid if they put their economy in order by cutting government spending and raising taxes.
However that exact same thing would happen if the fiscal cliff came into effect in the USA, and yet everyone on Wall Street is saying that it would be catastrophic to the US economy
So which is it?
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Post by phoebear611 on Nov 11, 2012 3:15:21 GMT -8
Hello world - after 13 days I finally have cable and internet back! The only news I was getting was a newspaper or a radio - and WHAT TIMING with AAPL price action through it all! Hope everyone is doing well...so nice to be fully functional. Have lots of reading to catch up on. Welcome back Phoebes!!! what happened to your beach house? Beach house survived - and it's right on the Long Island Sound. I had everything the sea brought me on my back patio - sand, mussels, pebbles, starfish, .... everything. But the "little house that could" had zero water and wind damage. So grateful...thanks for asking. By the looks of our fruit company, looks like IT had some hurricane damage....now for the clean up and better tomorrows!
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Post by phoebear611 on Nov 11, 2012 3:18:35 GMT -8
I find it amusing that governments and world banks etc the world over are telling Greece they will only get financial aid if they put their economy in order by cutting government spending and raising taxes. However that exact same thing would happen if the fiscal cliff came into effect in the USA, and yet everyone on Wall Street is saying that it would be catastrophic to the US economy So which is it? Poignant....but truth is that this - like most all else in life - is to strike the right balance of both. And most importantly, to compromise - regardless of ideals or egos - every relationship should be about some level of compromise. Just my two unpolitical cents.
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Post by phoebear611 on Nov 11, 2012 3:21:06 GMT -8
I don't understand why people don't sell their stock in ensure themselves of a lower capital gains tax - them buy it back immediately thereafter. (I am talking about US citizens, of course). If you owned it lower, take your lower gain and up your basis by buying it right back. You can practically cross it to yourself. Wash sales are not applicable in this instance because you are taking (I am assuming) gains for the year. The government doesn't give a hoot if you reinvest immediately again. So why not pay (especially you long term holders) your lower tax rate and then jump right back in if you feel we may be potentially in a reversal? Food for thought. Not sure whether anyone has done the calculation. Based on my back of the envelop math, even if LT tax increases by 5%, we will still be better off if we hold on to our gains until next year if our annual gain is higher than 50% :-). Again - it's the uncertainty - what will the new tax rates be? How can you run a valid analysis. I think if we remove most of the unknown - the rest becomes basic maneuvering.
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Post by fas550 on Nov 11, 2012 3:25:08 GMT -8
. I have not seen the Surface in person, but it sure looks thicker than the ipad yet is speced as the same thickness. Anyone? Nor have I. But it just doesn't seem like a compelling product. It's neither one thing nor the other. And they are probably realizing that having a tablet product puts quality control into the forefront: www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2012/nov/09/microsoft-surface-cover-flaw
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Since84
Moderator
To infinity and beyond!
Posts: 3,933
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Post by Since84 on Nov 11, 2012 5:17:16 GMT -8
Make no mistake JD, I want Apple to defend itself. What I don't want it to do is lose sight of the big picture. I do not want them to settle with SS or Google. That is where I was them to focus their legal actions. Apple is doing what I have begged for for several years and that is move away from SS as a supplier. Apple pays SS billions of dollars a year. i would like that to become 0 in 3 years. Apple can work with other company's to provide their needs. In the case of Sharp it appears that Apple has become a partner. If it is what I think, Apple has purchased the plants with cash and worked out long term leasing deals. It will make Sharp viable and remove cash flow problems. I believe a deal with TSM has been done also. TC, will use the cash wisely. It also creates/strengthens a competitor Samsung will have to contend with for years...
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Post by qualitywte on Nov 11, 2012 6:28:04 GMT -8
Poignant....but truth is that this - like most all else in life - is to strike the right balance of both. And most importantly, to compromise - regardless of ideals or egos - every relationship should be about some level of compromise. Just my two unpolitical cents. Even though I fully agree with you on this, without compromise, you should allow some room for compromise on your position that your two cents are "unpolitical". ;D
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