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Apple unveils new iPad, Apple TV box

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iPad 2 has a great discount now. Yeahhhhhhh !!!!!!!! In America the cost for an ipad 2 is $100.00 - $200.00.

Get it before it's gone

0 ( +3 / -3 )

i bought a tablet for xmas, hardly ever used it. when u have a smartphone and a computer, there isnt room for a tablet. besides, its too bulky to carry around. u need something that fits into a pocket. my next smartphone will be one that is 5 inch in display. i hope more conpanies come out with one. so far its just samsung for docomo.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

The biggest enhancement if of course the Retina Display which, if you're into reading on you iPad, will be, I think at least, a much better experience and equal that of a Kindle. The new display will give the user the ability to configure the screen in many different ways. Not too mention the video play features will be truely amazing. If you're in the market for a tablet style device this iPad should serve you well for years to come.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

A feat of Japanese engineering. Though the company is America, the iPad is stuffed with Japanese producer goods.

-18 ( +2 / -20 )

IWish

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Yes it is a feat of engineering, much of it by Japanese companies which is why it is so shocking that docomo turned down releasing the iPhone saying "it was wrong for Japanese" and so held back the domestic industry for a year or so. Now Japanese companies are playing catch up when they should've been leading the pack! Again the arrogance of conservative companies held those amazingly talented R&D people back, SoftBank and au discarding the iPhones tethering function is ridiculously arrogant. They are and will continue to harm their own business with these narrow minded acts. Imagine what the iPhone 5 (not the Chinese release) will be like! True American foresight is showing its bright guiding light of what can and should be released into the consumer market.

But, I will not be getting an iPad 3 because I'm a SoftBank user and we still do not have tethering capable phones... How prehistoric!!

15 ( +14 / -0 )

iDon'tNeedOne. I'd take one for free, but no way I'd pay for a big smartphone, which is inferior to a laptop.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

@zichi - me too! But maybe within 2~3 months. Just a pity about my earlier iPod Touches that are not relegated to just mp3 players, and now don't even synch to macs.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

SoftBank and au discarding the iPhones tethering function is ridiculously arrogant.

I concocted a brilliant workaround for that: I switched carriers and handsets. The Apple-Softbank crowd can wallow in the dark ages, for all I care.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Apple TV is one of the best products we have ever bought. With UK, US & Japanese accounts I can stream an incredible wealth of programs for us to watch in Japan for a fraction of what video/DVD rental or purchase here costs.

As for the new iPad, I would like so might do a trade-in at some point. It is great for training, homework research and generally fleshing out ideas, particularly using mind-mapping apps.

I have tried competitor products and although some have a number of pluses, overall we prefer the comfort of the Apple products.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Yes it is a feat of engineering, much of it by Japanese companies which is why it is so shocking that docomo turned down releasing the iPhone saying "it was wrong for Japanese" and so held back the domestic industry for a year or so. Now Japanese companies are playing catch up when they should've been leading the pack! Again the arrogance of conservative companies held those amazingly talented R&D people back, SoftBank and au discarding the iPhones tethering function is ridiculously arrogant. They are and will continue to harm their own business with these narrow minded acts. Imagine what the iPhone 5 (not the Chinese release) will be like! True American foresight is showing its bright guiding light of what can and should be released into the consumer market.

Softbank being slow to adopt to new technology is a different situation from the fact that Japanese manufacturers dominates the production of producer's goods, the most intricate, sophisticated parts of all devices, like what makes up this iPad. Japanese companies make more money the more products that Apple sell.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Steve Jobs is laughing all the way to the bank from beyond the grave! He is still raking it in, the Great Man - I'm sure the iPad4 is already packaged to roll out in 6 months too.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Spot on Zichi - I have Windows 7 at home which as I am sure you have found is VERY stable, I have an ipad 2 wi-fi which I pair with a DoCoMo LTE wi-fi unit and a Galaxy S2 LTE phone - all of which meet every need perfectly. Yes you can finds cheaper, but I don't think thats the point here. I did note that the ipad 3 will support LTE, is Softbanks network up and running yet?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@oginome - Japanese engineering...? Feeling left out? Where was it conceptualized, designed and the software created? Sure many components are made here in Japan, probably about 30% or so but also uses others made in Korea, Taiwan, etc. The point is Fujitsu, Toshiba, Sony, Hitachi, etc - have not make a truly compelling device themselves in quite sometime. Apple did and they put the whole ecosystem together (iTunes and App store), that make it fairly simple to use for non-geek users.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Have they figured how to use flash yet? I don't understanding how Apple engineeers cannot make flash work on device?

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Japanese engineering...? Feeling left out? Where was it conceptualized, designed and the software created? Sure many components are made here in Japan, probably about 30% or so but also uses others made in Korea, Taiwan, etc. The point is Fujitsu, Toshiba, Sony, Hitachi, etc - have not make a truly compelling device themselves in quite sometime. Apple did and they put the whole ecosystem together (iTunes and App store), that make it fairly simple to use for non-geek users.

Oh dear, another one who doesn't understand what producer's goods are. The components you speak of, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese are all dependant on even more skill intensive producer's goods and high tech which Japan has monopolised. Yes, Japanese engineering.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

A feat of Japanese engineering. Though the company is America, the iPad is stuffed with Japanese producer goods.

What are some of the critical components of an iPad?

Hard disk drive: Western Digital Processor: Intel Microprocessors: Texas Instruments, Samsung, etc Video: Nvidia Glass: Asahi Kasei Memory: Elpida, Micron, SanDisk Battery: Simplo Tech, DynaPack, etc

From that short list, I wouldn't exactly say "stuffed". Also, since Japan exports were affected by the disasters last year, Apple started to look for other sources of parts, so they won't have to rely heavily on Japan for their products.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@ elvensilvan, the Japanese dominate the production of producer's goods which all these components, whether they come from Japanese or non-Japanese suppliers, need. Producer's goods are invisible, but they are the most skill intensive and complex parts of devices.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@j4p4nFTW: Flash COULD work on an ipad. There is some bad blood between Adoba and Apple...even though Flash does work on the bigger Macs.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

the Japanese dominate the production of producer's goods which all these components

Japan makes them because no one else wants to. The problem is they're not highly profitable. The time and investment arent worth it. Apple makes hardware as a platform its lucrative i-services, not simply for the sake of making gagets. Making the hardware is the job of peasants.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

“At the end of the day, it isn’t going to be Tim Cook that sells the iPad, it is going to be the iPad that sells the iPad; and they are going to sell a lot of them,” he said.

The iPad is a no sale for me.

“We think that iPad is the poster child of the post-PC world,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said, noting that iPad sales topped those of any personal computer maker during the final three months of last year.

Three months ago bought a PC and not an iPad or a macbook. The iPad with 4G is going to cost the owner a lot of money by the internet service provider.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Japan makes them because no one else wants to. The problem is they're not highly profitable. The time and investment arent worth it. Apple makes hardware as a platform its lucrative i-services, not simply for the sake of making gagets. Making the hardware is the job of peasants.

Lol, 'because no one wants to'. This isn't the case at all. Other countries couldn't suddenly just start making these goods if it thought it was in its interests to. Producer's goods come from many years of R&D and training, they are highly specialised and can't be learned by other countries in two weeks from a manual. These companies individually do not pull huge profits, but collectively they have given Japan ever increasing monopoly of the supply chain from the very top and these monopolies and dominance have contributed to the trade surplus increasing hugely in value over the last 20 years (2011 nonwithstanding). Wait, aren't you the person who used the Boeing 787 as an example of the sophisticated Western technology which Japan could never hope to emulate? LOL, the latest Boeing is officially 1/3 Japanese and actually even more considering the other suppliers and producers are reliant on Japan's producer goods. Every new Boeing which has been released has shown an increased reliance on Japanese technology. Germany is another country which dominates in producer goods (and capital goods, just like Japan) and have given it as the reason for the roaring economic success today.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Making the hardware is the job of peasants.

This attitude is why the American economy is in the gutter today.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

“We think that iPad is the poster child of the post-PC world,”

Bang on. And as with music players and for the most part smart-phones, Apple leads the way while others follow.

Softbank's coverage can stink at times, for sure, but aren't they building some huge new antenna station now? (or just approved plans to).

Anyway, I want a iPad3, for sure, but I think I'll hold off a bit as I can't justify use of it for the cost, especially with an iPhone. Apple TV sounds like it would be a wicked plus, though, as does the better resolution.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The U.S.A.... period has dominated the initial creation of around 80% of the technology going into these devices. I'm saying initial... not the companies that are currently producting the various parts going into them. And you can talk till you're blue in the face about who is making what but the BOTTOM LINE is PROFITS. You can spin your wheels producing extremely techie commodized parts and get your name mentioned but if you're not making at least 15 to 30% margin on them then you may as well keep quiet. In order to survive you need R&D and without good profits you can't afford to do the research. Happened with Elpida.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The U.S.A.... period has dominated the initial creation of around 80% of the technology going into these devices. I'm saying initial... not the companies that are currently producting the various parts going into them. And you can talk till you're blue in the face about who is making what but the BOTTOM LINE is PROFITS. You can spin your wheels producing extremely techie commodized parts and get your name mentioned but if you're not making at least 15 to 30% margin on them then you may as well keep quiet. In order to survive you need R&D and without good profits you can't afford to do the research. Happened with Elpida.

No one is saying that the US didn't invent the technology, but the Japanese took it, improved on it, advanced further with it and now has huge monopolies on it. These SMEs (small-to-medium sized firms) employ less than 300 people each. The profit margins are smaller for individual companies, but collectively, the high cost goods these companies produce caused the value of Japan's surplus to increase hugely over the last 20 years. These companies invest massively in R&D. Innovation is the key. And once again, Elpida made chips which are NOT producer's goods. Japan serves more than 70% of the worldwide market in 30 technology sectors, each sector which is worth over $1 billion.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

This attitude is why the American economy is in the gutter today.

And Japan's isn't? Last time I read something about Japan's budget was that the government has injected several billion yen into the economy to prevent further collapse.

Japan's economy, when using the GDP to measure, is one of the worst in the world ... the US economy is even way better.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And Japan's isn't? Last time I read something about Japan's budget was that the government has injected several billion yen into the economy to prevent further collapse.

Japan's economy, when using the GDP to measure, is one of the worst in the world ... the US economy is even way better.

The US economy is in FAR worse shape than Japan's. Last time, I checked America hadn't run a surplus since the early 80s.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

When Apple etc..make DECENT batteries, with real LONG LIFE for them to actually use IPADS when you are away from an electrical outlet, then and ONLY THEN will this consumer be impressed, even though I do want one but so far more than the price it is the inferior quality of those pesky batteries that really irks me.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

@Elbuda... do you own an iPad? I bought the first iPad that came out and let me tell you... you can watch full motion video for over 6 hours on it. I found that on average I was getting at least 8 hours of usage before it got down to 20% left of power. Where have you heard that the iPad battery life it bad? No joke... battery wise I was extremely impressed with the iPad... only wish the iPhone were as good!

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Got to love the Apple haters! I watched the entire video from Apple on the new iPad this morning and wasn't all that impressed. I have iPad 1 and 2, and managed to download all the relevant apps and updates for both, except iPhoto for iPad 1. I have a Windows 7 system too, next to my iMac. The Windows computer gets used once every 2 months or so, if it's lucky. Apple devices fulfill all my needs and more. I simply lost faith in Windows after two of my favourite laptops died within 5 months of each other last year, and my previous Windows system a year before that. The iMac is reliable and suits my needs. The iPad has been a complete boon to my working life and has helped me make thousands of $$$ over the past year and a half of owning them! Love it or hate it, Apple is here to stay and will continue to dominate the market. But I'm not in a hurry to get the "New iPad".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Here in Hong Kong, people buy new model of i-pad, i -phone each year, is it environmentally friendly? The government imposed surcharge on plastic shopping bags last year. It serves no purpose as we throw away many electronic products and frequent home decorations result in many building wastes.

Do we really need a new model of i-pad each year? It is for the benefit of consumer or for the businessman?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Looks good but can't afford it

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"tablet computer"

Too big to carry around, no keyboard, no thanks.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

What do you think, folks - does this merit an upgrade from my iPad 2?

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I like my iPad2... I've found that it seems more comfortable in the evening to sit on the sofa and do browsing and emailing and the odd game rather than sit in front of the computer.

The downside is that it does give me a stiff neck, which has been reported recently.

iPad3 is looking good but what about the camera? The camera on the iPad2 is a disgrace. Have they upped the resolution?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Ivan - No. It doesn't have a keyboard and it's too big to carry around like a keitai.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Apple TV sounds like it would be a wicked plus, though, as does the better resolution.

But what kind of content can you get (legally) in Japan? It seems all the best TV programs from other countries cannot be streamed in Japan for copyright reasons.

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I just found out today that I can print wireless with my iPad 2. When I get home I will have to check out if my older printer can do it. I do not want to buy a new one.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Do we really need a new model of i-pad each year?

It's called "new toy syndrome"! Millions of people around the world will be trying to think of legitimate excuses to justify buying an iPad 3 when they already have an iPad2 and/or an iPhone4 (or even an iPod touch4g) or similar appliance. I just wish my wife wanted an iPad2!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

People really crack me... "do we really need a new iPad model each year?" Tell that to every manufacturer out there practically. Take cars for example... updated each year with major body overhaul about every 4 or 5 years. Look at every cell phone and every laptop... all are updated at lease once a year and sometimes more. Think. What if fashion designers decided to come out with a new look every 3 years..... they'd go bust. Its all about competition... you cannot afford to not update at least once a year because everyone is.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Agree with Wurthington.

They sell the iPad3 now and the iPad 4 is ready to hit the production line, iPad 5 is already alpha-tested. And the same is true for any other product out there. But the sheeple gobble it all up.

Same goes for any tech, takes 10-15yrs to make new tech available and affordable for the masses.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I saw many Hong Kong people watching video with i-pad or i-phone while in 地铁, I just can't comprehend how enjoyable it would be with such a tiny screen. For me, I would rather take a rest while travelling and watch my big screen 3D TV at home.

I do think it is a psychological need of people today, we are too lonely but afraid of making contact with real human.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I have used many Ipads, and they always seem to be low on batteries, so looking at my friends and family complain about their Ipad 2 etc...and the price?? Please, still way too over priced.

-5 ( +0 / -4 )

I've had the iPad 2 for about a year. Really nice piece of work. I use it mostly for entertainment....anytime I'm on a train, anytime I'm in a waiting room, anytime I'm having lunch alone. I've probably read more books in the last 6 months than in the last 6 years since I always have books on me via the iPad. Now anytime I have a few minutes to wait I always pull it out and browse the headlines or read something. The battery life is better than any portable unit I've ever had. Things like Google maps in a foreign country on a big screen is really, really, really convenient.

But it's definitely not a PC replacement. If you can live with an iPad and not a PC then it means you don't really do the type of work where you need a PC in the first place. The word processing and spreadsheet feels more suited for schoolkids. I remember researching it before I bought it and one website just kept talking about how you can make a document, insert a picture, make the picture bigger, make the picture smaller, move the picture left, move the picture right...heh. Honto? Was I supposed to be impressed? If you ever need to email an attachment then it's not a machine for you. The keyboard is nice but anything more than a few lines isn't really practical.

What shocks me about the iPad 3 is the price. The iPad 2 was about the same price as a lower level notebook so losing the notebook wasn't much of a loss. At $829 you're getting into the range of a pretty good everyday notebook. I use the iPad every day but there's no way I'd ever compare it to an $829 notebook. For me it's a mental barrier where I wouldn't recommend it to others. Get the cheaper iPad 2 for half the price.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

looks pretty sweet, the only thing the seems odd is the name, what happens one year from now and the next ipad comes out will it be "new new ipad" "next ipad"?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I watched the hour and a half Apple commercial this morning and hype aside, I think that it's cool, but not worthy of an upgrade from an iPad 2. Why? First, the biggest change seems to be the graphics. They kept going on (and on, and on) about the retina display -- which basically seems to mean that your eye cannot see individual pixels on the iPad -- and also that it has a new quad speed processor. The camera is supposed to be much better as well. 5Mp and capable of filming HD? Not sure about that. The other big upgrade was the fact that it is 4G capable now and can also be used as a wi-fi hot spot. That means you can wirelessly hook up other gadgets to the the iPad.

The size is actually slightly larger and heavier from the iPad 2 model, which makes it more like the iPad model I think.

So, that said it's not that much different than the iPad 2 unless you have the 3G model which is much slower than the 4G model. If you just have the wi-fi model, then I don't think it will really change your life that much. The processor is a quad processor, but it seems that a lot of that processing power will go to powering the new graphics since the resolution has gone up considerably. I'm very happy with the resolution of my iPad2 model, so if they are only offering a higher resolution, I don't see any real point in upgrading. I use the camera mainly for SKYPing, so I don't really care if the resolution isn't all that. I've used the camera on the iPad for small things, but it kind of sucks as a camera due to it's size.

As for people complaining about the battery power. That's just nonsense. If you're constantly using it all day long for games and playing video with your bluetooth, wi-fi and 3G network on, yeah, you're going to have a big battery drain. However, it should still last for at least 6 hours under those conditions. However, if you're plugging your iPad into the wall every night whether it needs a charge or not, you've probably killed the battery already. These batteries are designed to last for about 1 to 2 years I believe before they start losing their charging capacity. The downside of the iPad is that you can't just pop the battery out and put a new one in. You pretty much have to take it into an Apple store and have it 'serviced' for a heavy fee.

The new iPad battery will keep the iPad running for the same amount of time as the iPad2. Since it uses a lot more power and has much better graphics, the battery is probably larger which is probably why the new is heavier and thicker than the old one.

So, I think that I'll stick with my iPad 2 until they make some real earth shattering changes. Right now, they are just improvements on the old model without changing anything big (with the exception of the 4G network, which doesn't concern me as I am sticking to my wi-fi model anyway....don't feel like paying those big monthly internet charges)

Love Apple products, but not a fan-boy. (I love all tech stuff equally!!)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@oginome

Japan’s massive public debt, which at nearly double its gross domestic product is the worst among industrialised nations.

That was taken from today's article regarding the lower house approving the budget.

I, for one, respect Apple for their innovation and creativity. But I do agree with Wurthington. Lately, technology advances like crazy and we have newer, better and faster gadgets one after another. Do we really need all these technological stuff? For 800 USD, I think I'll get myself new parts for a DIY PC which would last me at least 5 years.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@That was taken from today's article regarding the lower house approving the budget.

Japan's debt is mostly internal, unlike America's which makes the situation different.

And here, look at this link

http://www.financialsense.com/contributors/leslie-cuadra/2011/08/31/list-of-worlds-largest-creditor-and-debtor-nations

Japan is the world's largest creditor nation, the US the world's largest debtor.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

perhaps this will be sold as well iPad2, but i feel nothing innovation from this one. the x4 resolution made me realized the apple apps are difficult to adjust many of other resolutions, and that means next 7inch iPad must be 1024x768.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

perhaps this will be sold as well iPad2, but i feel nothing innovation from this one. the x4 resolution made me realized the apple apps are difficult to adjust many of other resolutions, and that means next 7inch iPad must be 1024x768.

I buy Nokia mobile phones, they're boring, yes, but safe and reliable. I've had the C2-01 for nearly a year now and my previous Nokia lasted me for 3 years. I don't get the iPad worship, yes, they're advanced and have all these applications blablabla, and the more they sell, the better for Japanese companies, but I use my laptop to go on the internet and my phone to ring and text. I'd hate to feel pressured to buy a new iPhone/iPad every year... it reminds me of a cult.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

oooh - I'm joining a cult! New ipads ordered, coming next Friday. Guess I'll just have to the ipad2 in the garbage.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I think that the screen is nothing short of amazing... I am looking at my full high def TV and 1920x1200 monitor and see that they are now obsolete. Beaten by tiny 9.7 screen. That's where my excitement ends though. I am sure reviewers and bloggers will praise the hell out of it, completely ignoring the fact that this device is completely missing the point.

For the amount of money Apple wants you do dish out on it, you can get a fully functional ultrabook. Why is it a better choice? How about more storage? How quickly do you think you will fill out the 64GB in your ipad with high def movies, games and apps. And when you go on the road with your nice digital camera, you can't even view the photos you taken because ipad doesn't know what an SD card or USB hosting is. How about running multiple apps and actually seeing all several of them at the same time? 2048×1536 should allow you do this, but it doesn't. And gaming on pads sucks.. Pads need a damn gamepad!

So here is my view: Tim Cook should be fined for saying that it's a PC replacement, as it's nothing more than false advertisement. Unless you are an idiot and don't know what a PC can do and how to use it, ipad with all its glory and portability doesn't come anywhere near being a pc replacement. Give it until end of the year and ultrabooks will come up with same screen resolution and keep you busy with things you expect for a PC. Until Apple and some Android device makers open their eyes and start beefing up these devices with features, they will remain just mobile devices where people just read books, surf net or watch occasional movie. While I have no problem with that, paying a price of a full blown PC for something this limited is not for me.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The retina display is probably nice but ive never looked at my iPad 2 and thought, "it's ok, but I wish the display were better" so it's filling a gap that isn't really that important to me. The new chip is probably nice for those who need it, but I don't really do much heavy work so it would be extra capacity that I wouldn't use. The camera.....that might be nice. The iPad 2 camera is an embarrassment to Apple. But again if I want a nice picture of something pulling out an iPad as opposed to my camera would seem strange, especially if I needed a flash.

oginome: I'd hate to feel pressured to buy a new iPad every year...it reminds me of a cult.

Um.....pressure? What world do you live in? Heh. Given your odd comments it's clear that you feel overwhelming pressure to talk about Japan when the iPad is mentioned. Not everyone around you feels some kind of pressure regarding iPads/iPhones. Some people are happy with iPhones, some people are content with boring Nokias. Live and let live.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Steve Jobs said, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." It is ironic that we people are so crazy about the electronic toy marketed to us.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

hi zichi, I don't oppose new technology, but it seems that we are pursuing more than we actually need. With so many functions embedded in i-phone, for which we have paid for, how many we really need?

Make life simple, otherwise we have to struggle for a new solution for the side-effect of a previous solution, the cycle keeps on.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Most iPad 2 owners I know aren't planning on upgrading to "iPad 3." (Really, what is Apple plan on calling this without creating confusion? Just the "New iPad?" Repeated use of that phrase could eventually become lame. And 8 months from now, then what, the old New iPad, or maybe the iPad formerly known as the New iPad? Anyhow...) This is like iPhone 4 to iPhone 4S to them - not a great enough leap to justify spending another $500+ just a year later, even if they sell their iPad 2. (It's like changing computers every year, who does that?)

Anyways, it's good that Apple is continually improving, but as they said, it's not that great a leap. 5MP camera isn't really all that, plus there are already others better. As well, Apple is just catching up now to 4G. An HD resolution is good to have, but eventually, it becomes a case of diminishing returns: it's still a 9-inch display usually held a foot from your eyes, not a 37-inch screen 10-ft away from the couch. Faster chips are also good advancement, but current chips right now are hardly strained by typical apps used by people (as they say, people typically use tablets for consumption of content, not creation of content that could strain resources - people still use computers for that). Ergo, less justification to upgrade.

On the other hand, Apple does not necessarily need a great leap forward at the moment. Its main attraction is the great environment it has developed around the iOS devices that's trusted by consumers - from iTunes to the app store to the variety of accessories. As long as that environment keeps its "trust" lead over the competition -in that consumers feels comfortable operating there- then Apple could afford to not have the "da bomb" device every release. Now, whether Tim Cook would even have a portion the charisma that Steve Jobs had, still remains to be seen.

As for Apple TV, I'd like to check out what advancements they've made. It hasn't taken off because there are already other devices that could do as well what Apple TV does plus more. It's limited in that the basic thing that differentiates Apple TV is syncing with iPhone/iPad, but most people still don't have those, and of those that do, only a fraction are also looking for a media player. Meanwhile, other devices already play more file format types and also from a flash drive or hard drive, and some cheaper. While "smart TVs" are already having all that built-in (and I don't see Apple going into the LCD business anytime soon). So Apple TV is having a hard time measuring up to competition.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Last time, I checked America hadn't run a surplus since the early 80s.

Nope, the later Clinton years and a bit afterwards, late 90's - early 00's. (Hahaha, America was actually paying down its debt! Anyways, US debt was still just a fraction of its GDP, so they can afford it then. It's when it becomes a big part of GDP that's a problem, as Japan's.)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nope, the later Clinton years and a bit afterwards, late 90's - early 00's. (Hahaha, America was actually paying down its debt! Anyways, US debt was still just a fraction of its GDP, so they can afford it then. It's when it becomes a big part of GDP that's a problem, as Japan's.)

Your country certainly didn't pull any kind of trade surplus in the late 90s and early 2000s. And as for the current account balance... oh dear, I think I'll let the facts speak for themselves. I think you must have dreamed about those surpluses, since America certainly hasn't seen any kind of trade or current account surplus in a LONG time.

http://www.indexmundi.com/united_states/current_account_balance.html

Then compare it to Japan's

http://www.indexmundi.com/japan/current_account_balance.html

0 ( +0 / -0 )

First of all, my country isn't U.S.A. Guess again, hahaha.

Second, you were talking about Japan's budget and surpluses, right? U.S.A. had budget surplus then:

http://www.factcheck.org/2008/02/the-budget-and-deficit-under-clinton/

0 ( +0 / -0 )

First of all, my country isn't U.S.A. Guess again, hahaha.

Second, you were talking about Japan's budget and surpluses, right? U.S.A. had budget surplus then:

http://www.factcheck.org/2008/02/the-budget-and-deficit-under-clinton/

Oh dear, you were thinking of something else entirely. Budget surpluses are completely different from trade and current account surpluses.

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oginome,

Re-reading again, yeah, it seems I did veer off a bit, entangling trade surplus/deficit and national debt, though national budget is more directly associated with national debt than trade accounts (as you mentioned, despite the U.S. been having trade deficits for a long while, it was able to have latest budget surpluses during Clinton and then able to pay down debts (IIRC, Japan's last budget surplus was even older ~1993, despite having trade surpluses).

Now about economy, currently, I'd say U.S. economy is doing better than Japan's because U.S. GDP has been growing (not consistently, but continuously growing) since late 2009, while Japan's also was growing since early 2010 but then the earthquake and crisis have been shrinking it since, which also made Japan's business and consumer confidence trending negative, while U.S. business and consumer confidence have been positive. Still, I think both economies are on the recovery road, especially if not for Japan's earthquake.

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Re-reading again, yeah, it seems I did veer off a bit, entangling trade surplus/deficit and national debt, though national budget is more directly associated with national debt than trade accounts (as you mentioned, despite the U.S. been having trade deficits for a long while, it was able to have latest budget surpluses during Clinton and then able to pay down debts (IIRC, Japan's last budget surplus was even older ~1993, despite having trade surpluses).

Whether you have a budget surplus or deficit simply reflects the spending a government has done. Current account surplus and creditor/debtor status is much more representative of a nation's wealth. America can use its surplus to pay off its debt, but if it continues to run up current account deficits and be the world's largest debtor country, that's no good. The vast majority of Japan's debt is internal, unlike America.

Now about economy, currently, I'd say U.S. economy is doing better than Japan's because U.S. GDP has been growing (not consistently, but continuously growing) since late 2009, while Japan's also was growing since early 2010 but then the earthquake and crisis have been shrinking it since, which also made Japan's business and consumer confidence trending negative, while U.S. business and consumer confidence have been positive. Still, I think both economies are on the recovery road, especially if not for Japan's earthquake.

America's economy has been growing, but that's because of the massive number of immigrants who flood into the country each year. Compare that to Japan, which has one of the most stringent immigration policies in the world. If you look at GDP growth in Japan and the US and take into account population growth in both places, then America certainly hasn't surpassed Japan.

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new iPad only works on on 3G network in Japan!

@j4p4nFTW "Have they figured how to use flash yet? I don't understanding how Apple engineeers cannot make flash work on device?" have you ever bothered to actually find out why apple does not use flash. Well I will inform you. First off I do mostly like flash and I am not an apple fan boy. I am simply more informed about this than you. Flash is a MEGA SUPER power hungry app that has to run in the back ground. It SUCKS battery life out of laptops. It is not apple who does not want to adapt, it is ADOBE who refuse to adapt flash to the power needs of mobile computing. I would not worry about it. Flash is basically all but dead/dying. Their refusal to adapt to the mobile market has made fast number of developers to simply stop developing programs for it. I have much love for Adobe. and loved flash in its heyday. but its like holding onto windows 3.1 after XP came out. All good things...

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