A few posts back I made a statement expressing my policy of not discussing Steve Job’s health on our show unless it was publicly appropriate to do so. Now, with Steve’s open letter about his health now seems like as good a time as any to say something.

First, and most importantly, let us wish Steve a speedy recovery as he rests with his family.

More to the point, however, is something I want us all to ponder. Taking the business of Apple, investors, Macworld etc. out of the equation, if you were Steve and were sick like this, would you want everyone to know? Would you want people to know the intimate details of your medical condition if it really did not effect your ability to lead your company?

I will pause as you ponder that….

I know that the speculation before hand has built up to a frenzy and that there is an obligation to shareholders. But people, let’s get a grip on reality.

Steve is a human being.

And if he can still perform as CEO of Apple then you, me, and all the “analysts” out there need to put the duct tape over our collective mouths and leave him alone.

Nuff said?

Cal

Just when I thought AT&T was getting better, they pull this stunt.  The iPhone Blog reports:

“Still got that original iPhone 2G running on AT&T? Get ready to suffer, luddite! Gizmodo reports on OFB’s findings:

Timothy Butler over at OFB did some sleuthing and found that AT&T is downgrading its EDGE/2G service to the weaker 1900 MHz band. Their response to those with newly-lousy service? Buy a new phone.

Specifically, the weaker band means less bars in less places, like inside homes and offices and, out of the way regions — like maybe where you are?”

My question is at some point, where does Apple step in here?  This has got to be a nightmare for them in the customer service department.  Maybe if there is an iPhone nano floating around somewhere, it will be on another carrier.  Verizon anyone?

Cal

We look back at 2008 on the PC/MAC SMACKDOWN! Here is looking ahead to a great 2009!

 

 Episode #72: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Hi all. Looks like everyone has plans for New Years so we won’t be doing a regular show this week. If I have some time New Years Day I will attempt a Best of 2008 show and look back on our best moments.

Happy New Year everyone and thank you for making our show grow in 08!

Cal

YES!  It is true.  I heard from Beau yesterday that he has indeed bought himself a Mac Mini.  Apparently, his customers were starting to demand that all of thier web development also be compatible with safari on the Mac.

OH WHAT A JOYOUS DAY IT IS FOR ME!!!!!!

And, hopefully next week, Beau will come on the show as a guest appearance to tell us all the story.

Which leaves me with one question:  Does this mean that I win?

;)  Cal

With all the hype over Gizmodo’s post today I want to make one policy I have for the smackdown show very clear. You will NOT see or hear us disscuss Steve Job’s health on this show or this blog unless there is a public reason to do so.

Thank you for your time.

Cal

I’m glad to be back from the holidays.  I’m rested, relaxed and ready to start the smackdown again.  After browsing the web today looking for topics to talk about on the next show I came across, what has to be the third horse of the apocalypse.  Electronista reports:

“Microsoft may be experimenting with the idea of selling PCs in the same way as cellphones are currently sold, patent filings suggest. A recently-published patent application proposes selling “standard model” PCs at a significant discount, with the rest of the price being subsidized by an unspecified part of the supply chain. The real cost would be shifted into a usage contract, determining how long a person would have to use their machine.

Microsoft admits that a subscription PC would thus be more expensive than a regular one, but argues that the tradeoff would be a longer “useful life” made possible by access to cheaper high-end hardware. A more unusual aspect of the patent is that costs could be linked to the actual usage of hardware and software; running database applications or choosing faster graphics performance, for instance, could raise the price of a subscription.”

WHAT? !!!!!

Talk about just not getting it.  What do you think?

Ok, you all probably seen this already but I just had to post this when I got home.  Enjoy and from all of us at the PC/MAC SMACKDOWN have a very happy and safe holiday season.

Season’s Greetings everyone.  Tonight we discuss some items in the news as we wrap up another great year of smacking down in 2008.

 

 Episode #71: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Looks like this Sunday will be when we smackdown next. Thanks for your patience and I promise I will stay away from the wine this time