Final Cut ProSumer?

[Starshine Video]

There simply is no good news in Appleville lately. First the panic after members of the FCP team were let go, then the news of "prosumer" doom and now this...

http://videomaker.com/community/videonews/2010/06/7989-the-break-up/

I'm a PC... and I'm smiling.

The guy who wrote that article has no clue what he is talking about. Apple hasn't taken a "butt whompin" from microsoft.

Apple has 40 billion in cash on hand, Microsoft has 40.4 both are more than 15 billion more than google and 20 billion more than Intel... They are doing OK

But what ever gets ya through the night.

 

[Barry_Green]

Apple hasn't taken a "butt whompin" from microsoft.

Steve Jobs himself would disagree.

Apple has 40 billion in cash on hand, Microsoft has 40.4 both are more than 15 billion more than google and 20 billion more than Intel... They are doing OK

Yes, but that's because Apple is no longer Apple Computer, Inc. They're "Apple, Inc."

According to Steve Jobs:

“Apple is the largest mobile devices company in the world now.”

Tim Cook, Chief Operating Officer of Apple, reasserted that by saying:

“Yes, you should definitely look at Apple as a mobile-device company.”

http://techcrunch.com/2010/02/23/tim-cook-apple-mobile-device-company/

So yes, Microsoft handily whooped Apple when it comes to computers, but fortunately for Apple the world is a lot bigger than just computers. Apple recently actually surpassed Microsoft to become the second-largest company in the world, based on stock-market valuation. The iPhone and the iPod and iTunes are the reasons why.

 

[tflak]

While Microsoft was busy whooping Apple computers, Apple was steadfastly using their experiences with the Macintosh to develop truly innovative and revolutionary products. While Microsoft was content to either maintain the status quo or make ineffectual attempts at innovation. And now it shows.

If you want to get a glimpse of the future, pay attention to what products are most coveted by the youngsters. Apple's halo effect is ever expanding and they're consistently on the forefront of modern computing because they understand the evolution of computing for the masses and are making the devices that are and will enable it.

Nothing lasts forever, but I sure wouldn't want to bet against Apple in the foreseeable future.

 

[BVX]

. . . Apple's largest revenue source continues to be the Macintosh, and it is where the largest margins reside. . .

Actually, according to this site, the latest revenue figures are:
#1 iPhone @ 40%
#2 Macs @ 28%

http://www.businessinsider.com/char...-about-where-apples-revenue-comes-from-2010-4

Looking at the chart shows the small portion coming from all software sales. Now imagine the very tiny slice of that coming from proapps and it's logical to wonder why Apple would sink a lot of effort into continually keeping them cutting edge. Ego? Corporate pride? Who runs a multi-national corporation that way?

As for profit margins, what could be easier than simply selling billions of tunes, movies, books & mobil apps for the 30 or 40% cut?

I'm just sayin'.

 

[tflak]

Ego? Corporate pride? Who runs a multi-national corporation that way?

Certainly not Steve Jobs! :laugh:

 

[Barry_Green]

Apple's largest revenue source continues to be the Macintosh

Actually the numbers show that the desktop is one of their smallest revenue sources, and even if you add in the laptops and software, computers still only account for less than 1/3 of Apple's revenues. More than 2/3 of Apple's revenues come from iPhones, iPods, and iTunes.

The iPhone, by itself, brings in more revenue than all the desktops, laptops, Xserve products, ProApps, and everything computers, combined. iPods and iTunes, combined, bring in as much revenue as all their computer products combined.

 

[David Saraceno]

I stand corrected.

However, what does all this have to do with the professional applications?

For example, is Panasonic going to stop making broadcast cameras because it earns more money from selling refrigerators and microwaves?

Or meat grinders?

 

[TimTheFoolMan]

I'm reminded in this discussion, of the guy who worked for the graphic design service back in the late 80's, and was puzzled by me bringing in a bunch of Pagemaker and Freehand files created on a Mac, when I could have had his art department hand-strip the color separations instead. When he found out what it cost for me to do the layout and 4-color seps, and then handed him files that did things he couldn't do "old school," I could see the blood drain from his face. Yes, "desktop publishing" was the butt of jokes with typographers for awhile. Then, they either learned those "consumer" tools or retired.

The ego that surrounds difficult-to-use interfaces has annoyed and amazed me ever since the early days of WIMP interfaces. If Apple (most likely, given their track record, iMovie '08 notwithstanding) or someone else produces a product that generates the desired end-product, why get your shorts in a wad about them making it easier for a noob? If your skills are greater than the various interface oddities you've learned to accomodate, then you have nothing to worry about.

Then again, if the only reason you have a job is because you "run the Linotronic," you might not be so lucky. - Tim