Apple Inc (AAPL)

[langostino]

thx yofal


I guess I'm of the opinion that Apple's durable differentiators are everything BUT the hardware. For me, it's all about the software (and its integration with the hardware). I have a hard time believing Apple would suffer in the least even if erected flashing neon lights in every Apple Store saying "we use the exact same Intel gizzards as Dell".

But I'll withhold judgment until we see what we get. If going with more and more proprietary MoBo/chipset design can really deliver meaningful differentiation, then I s'pose I can take the medicine. But I didn't like the looks of how far Apple got out there on the MacBook Air. Does anyone even talk about the MB Air any more? I see a ton of Apple stuff out in the wild these days. Made me smile to see quite a number of iPhones scattered around my section last night at the ballgame (where tomm's Mets put a butt-whoopin' on the Marlins, lol). But I've been surprised not to see a MB Air in the wild yet.

As for the iPhone business, Google's struggles with Android and today's revelation from Garmin (look out below!) that the NuviPhone is more vaporware than reality, only serve to reinforce how strong Apple's first-mover advantage is. The more I reflect on the iPhone 3G, the more I think this is really not Rev B, but Rev A2 -- the phone Apple wanted to release all along as its entry into the market. I look forward with great anticipation to seeing what Apple is able to do in the real Rev B. The sooner the better. Taking maximum advantage of the first-mover window will have a lot to do with how much market share Apple ultimate gobbles up.