Apple iPad's pricing strategy

It is interesting to see how Apple priced its iPad.




Apple made a suprising announcement to price its entry level of iPad at USD499. This entry level price broke all predictions on the iPad Pricing that I have come across.

Most analysts, including myself (I am not analyst but I was predicting for the fun of it)- thought that Apple may be looking at the price of USD699 to USD799 instead.

Shortly before the anouncement on prices during the event held in San Francisco on Wednesday, I was shouted in my tweets that it is probably starting at USD499.

Why do I have such a feeling that it may be USD499 instead? I judged from the live demos during the event:

Steve Jobs highlighted that iPad is positioned to fill the vacumm between smartphone and laptop, and he went on and classified netbook as "cheap laptop with inferior display and build quality".

He has clearly mentioned Apple's ambition to shake the netbook market using iPad.

Second, Steve mentioned that iPad intended to excel in the areas like web browsing and emails, directly attacking the main reason people buying netbook.

Of course other features like iPod, iBooks, and movies experience are highlighted, but this can be replaced with other devices without considerable limitation.

Take iPod for example, using iPad to play music is no different from using iphone, iPod, or any mp3 players in the market.

To me, these are secondary as there are replacement where iPad is not THE device.

Of course, games is one of the target area too for iPad due to its large format display compared to other portable games consoles.

So how much is an average netbook cost? From USD299 up to USD999, and most of them are priced within USD500.

You may argue that netbook can do more bacause it is a full featured personal computer while iPad is just a large, boosted iPod. I bet you are wrong!

It is right that netbook runs so called full fledged OS, but running full-fledged OS does not mean that it can get the tasks done.

It is rather a misconception of people believing that if you get something that's mainstream, you won't go wrong.

When Apple showed its iWork on iPad and subsequently announcing the price, it is already clear that Apple hit hard at the bull eye - why Must you use Powerpoint costing hundreds of dollar that you can opt for Keynote on iPad for a mere USD9.90?

Apple's software pricing strategy is probably inspired by unprecedented success of its own AppStore, where apps are ridiculously priced at 0.99 onwards.

I will come back on AppStore if I have time to write my thoughts.

Let's come back to iPad. The mission for iPad as far as Apple is concern, is to fill the in between, and forcing competitors, direct or indirect, to dance with Apple's music. Clearly, Apple raises the bar on expectation and manages it pretty well.

It is interesting to see how many of the entry level iPad is sold, or will it be just like iPhone where most will go for top of the range instead.

The question now is how Market is going to react, from both consumers and competitors.




-- Post From My iPhone

马华卖猪肉

马华最近动作频频。

不是因为＂阿X＂课题，总会长说＂阿X＂不是课题，所以党总部发了些文告就够了，不需劳烦高层。

也不是为了＂F5阴茎＂事件，因为幸运的，国防部长不是马华领袖，被捕的两个＂神偷＂也不是马华所谓的＂华裔＂，所以党总部也发了些文告，表示关心。但是事不关己，也无需继续演戏。

更不是因为消费税课题。消费税课题嘛，反对会得罪老大，直接威胁自己的官位利益；赞成嘛，就会得罪选民，也会威胁自己的地位。想来想去，就只好委任胸口挂个＂勇＂字的后辈，姑且挡一挡。要被老大怪罪，就说后辈年纪小、不懂事；要被选民怪罪，就说后辈胡言乱语，黑白不分。要没有反应，就说在消费税的课题上，马华得到＂沉默的大多数＂支持，是高层领导有方。

可是春节要到了，马华连一个应景的课题也没有，的确不是太好看。党争这个剧本演了几十年后，已经没有叫座力；用来歌颂总会长的自贸区丑闻也不再是总会长的菜了。

马华何去何从？




刚巧猪肉涨价给了马华衮衮诸公一个可以谷人气的机会，自此总会长署理总会长纷纷针对猪肉课题大作文章，颇有以捍卫中华民族文化习俗者自居。

一时之间，猪肉论犹如滔滔江水，绵绵不绝，就差没象立白事件时所大摆猪肉宴那样。

自此，马华除了捍卫华小、提倡终身学习、维护道德以外，又开拓另一个＂维持猪肉价格＂的使命。

到最后，马华可能会进军猪肉业，为捍卫猪肉价格出力。

-- Post From My iPhone

菊花多多开，好屎自然来！

赛先生，

我想替你祈祷，但为了不被扣上向回教徒宣扬他教，所以想到呼叫你的真神来保佑你。

但又身在雪州，不可直呼你的真神，我真的非常难过：为什么在你最需要祝福时偏偏闹出这等宗教难题。

当你的遭遇公开後，我队你只有同情。我同情你。

辛好我们有一个哀鸣褥子的最高领导，在我想为你做点什么时，听闻现任最高领导拨出宝贵的时间在他的家接见你，替你分忧。

我干到非常高兴，也替你干到荣幸，最高领导成了你的心理顾问，那是天大的面子啊！

当然，当我听到那些死鬼医生的报告说你的菊花还完好如处，心中恨死这些没医德的死鬼。你把整个八月十五加上你那宝贵的菊花让他们动手动脚後，居然还说你的菊花还没开包，真是黄禄。

哎呀，旧事就不再这里重复了。

祝你：菊花多多开，好屎自然来！

赛夫弱者形象迎接肛交案审讯 透过部落格敦促民众为他祈祷

1月19日 傍晚 6点58分

安华肛交案审讯近在眉睫，人民公正党今早召集超过12个国家的使节或代表，汇报即将开审安华肛交案，以期向当局施加压力。 但在另一边厢，肛交案的另一主角，指控安华涉及肛交的安华前助理赛夫（右图）也没有闲着，通过其部落格要求民众指引、协助，并为他祈祷。 赛夫今日在其部落格发表题为“真相大白的日子越来越接近，祈祷并指引…”（Hari Kebenaran semakin hampir.. Mohon doa dan bimbingan.. ）贴文，将审讯日称为“真相大白日”，并选择以弱者的姿态，赢取民众的支持。 称审讯日为“真相大白日” 他在贴文第一段便写道：“全民期待的真相大白日将要到来。感谢真主，我仍然继续为生存而奋斗到今天”。 他也表示，这是他第一次上庭供证，而他没有足够的知识与经验，应付法庭上的各种状况。 呼吁民众给予全方位协助 “我意识到，我一个人的准备必然有许多弱点。” “因此，我卑微地希望你们（读者）导我出庭前的准备工作，包括心理上、精神上及法律上的准备，教导我在庭上该如何供证、应答或其他有关出庭应该知道的事。” 赛夫一再地感激指导他的民众，并表示真主会保佑协助他的人。 为了获得民众的协助以上庭为肛交案供证，赛夫甚至用“真相大白日”之名申请电子邮箱，并表示民众可以电邮HariKebenaran@gmail.com为他提供建议。 赛夫不希望审讯再被推迟 赛夫除了示弱以求民众的支持外，也表示不希望审讯再次被拖延，“我不希望被告再给予诸多借口，推迟1月25日的审讯”。 在文章的最后，赛夫写道：“正确的必然被伸张，错误的必然被唾弃！”，不过，赛夫在整篇部落格里没表明什么是正确的和什么是错误的，只是一再祈祷及呼吁民众支持他。

这就是大马皇家警察？

总警长说过：警方人手不足，教堂自己必须加强保安，不能只依赖警方。

原来人手不足是因为警方除了要破案，也同时要兼顾做案。

但是，这做案的手法未免过于粗糙，简直是低庄，太过丢脸。

要偷听，买个与会代表，堂堂正正的坐着录音又有何难，何必搞到灰头土脸，里外不是人？


政治部警察埋伏窃听
行动党党工当场捉包


独立新闻在线
作者／本刊黄书琪 Jan 17, 2010 06:51:51 pm

【本刊黄书琪撰述/苏晓枫摄影】政治部警察在民主行动党代表大会楼上窃听，遭该党保安人员当场捉包，民主行动党霹雳州主席倪可汉直批警方知法犯法，侵犯他人隐私，决定报案。

民主行动党今日在怡保舜苑酒店召开2010年党员代表会议，仅有受邀的代表、观察员及媒体获准入场，是为私人活动场合，不料，政治部警察却埋伏在会议大厅楼上窃听，并使用录音笔录音，遭保安人员发现，现场收回其录音笔，不过碍于其警察身份，民主行动党只能让他离开现场。

不过，倪可汉指出，该党已经决定报警处置，而且，身为警方却知法犯法，更应加重责罚。

现场保安人员告诉媒体，他们是在下午四点左右，发现大厅楼上的工程室出现人影，于是上楼察看，“结果，我们就看到这个录音笔。”

倪可汉接受记者访问时表示，从该党秘书长林冠英致词之后的议程皆属闭门会议，是不开放给未受邀者参与、旁听的项目，即使是警察都不能进入，“所以警方也是违反法律，他在楼上记录我们的会议。”

身为律师的倪可汉批评警方此种作为要比苏联国家安全委员会（KGB）以往作为更加糟糕，“如果警方都不尊重我们的隐私权，我们整个马来西亚就像往日的苏联国家安全委员会一样，我们的生活、行动都被警方监视，我们在马来西亚就完全没自由了。”

现场保安人员告知媒体，他们相信该名政治部警察乃通过舜苑学院的通道前往位在三楼的工程室，并在窗边俯瞰监看民主行动党的代表大会，该名警察亦使用录音笔录下会议过程。

-- Post From My iPhone

A country of two truth

Yesterday, the minister in the prime minister's department Nazri said that it is alright for Sabah and Sarawak to continue using the word "Allah" but not in West Malaysia.

I wonder if the minister speak up his mind, or try to please both sides, or as ignorrant as he used to be.

JAKIM issued a statement today wanted the word to be exclsive to Muslims regardless of whether in east or west Malaysia.

I can understand where JAKIM is coming from, but I cannot understand on what ground Nazri is making such confusing statement.

Is Nazri implying that east and west Malaysia should receive different treatments?

If so, is Nazri representing east and west Malaysia or just east or west Malaysia?

Najib seems letting all these contradicting statements to keep confusing everyone as opposed to his 1Malaysia slogan, and raise even more confusion among us than the issue itself.

What is the real
Motive to keep confusing people? Isn't we were asked to put away our differences, unite, and build a better tomorrow?

-- Post From My iPhone

司马昭之心

老大到国外，老二就说话了。

（本文为了避免宗教敏感，所有有关宗教敏感的字眼都一律以X，以示尊重）

老二说你们基督教只要将「阿X」案撤销，X教徒就不会对非X教徒不满而引发不必要的事端。

老二没说为何一个用了千年用遍全球的称号如何突然在最近却成了X教徒的专属，而且只实施在我们伟大的祖国。

老二也没说是内政部的官在若干年后才发觉原来非X教徒不得使用阿X这字眼。

所以，千错万错是因为你们不是X教徒，没资格用阿X这称呼。

还有内政部最近召集所有外国使节解释阿X的争议时说：

我国国情不同，不能与他国相比。

言下之意，就是：

这是我的家事，你管不着。

换言之，他们这些XX都把话说白了：

你要不撤案，而且不再用阿X这字眼的话，以后还有什么更凶更狠的事，就怪你自己不会做人，不明白宗教和谐的意思就是有他说没你说。

还有，要因为这而XX们「被逼」祭出紧急状态、中止国会民主、取消大选，那你们就是千古罪人、万恶不赦，更没资格用阿X这字眼。

所以你们想好好，做好人或坏人只在你们一念之间。

-- Post From My iPhone

In the name of the Father

It has been heated debate lately on the recent high court ruling about the name of the Father.

I was talking to my neighbour, a sincere muslim by practice, on this issue, and this is what he told me:

Ask those who denied your rights to mention the Father's name who made you to this world.

They probably said it is your father and mother brought you to this world.

Ask them further who made your parents to this world, and ultimately who brought the first human to this world.

It is stated clearly that all mankind are rooted from the same persons, Adam and Eve.

And who made them?

Father made them.

How should you then mention Father?

Ask them! Isn't their Father the same Father? Why should they differenciate Father between you and me?

Else, are they creating another Father for those who are not embracing the same religion as them?

So, how many Father do we all have?

Is this stated in the Holy books to differentiate one Father from another when there's only ONE AND ONLY?



-- Post From My iPhone

Now we know where the missing F5E jet engines

Something must be wrong, very wrong indeed. Read the following from our respectable quote and quote, Mr AG:

Only Rank And File Involved In RMAF F-5E Jet Engines Theft - A-G

(Bernama) -- Only rank and file personnel and not senior military officers were involved in the theft of the two engines of F-5E jet fighters of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said Monday.

This made me getting very angry, and worried. Should low ranking officers able to siphon the 2 jet engines, then the higher ranking officers probably convert our newly delivered submarines aka Mongolia bananas into a full-scaled TAMIYA model

He said the decision on whether to charge those involved in the incident would be made "in the very near future".

He also said that all efforts would be made by the government to recover as soon as possible the two missing engines, last traced to Uruguay.

Uruguay, the final destination or just another transit? With the efficiency of the Police Force combining with Armed forces' intelligence, of which was once claimed to be the best intelligence in the world, lost the trace in Uruguay?

I wonder how accurate is this piece of information uttered from our Mr AG.

Why should Uruguay wanted the engines? Uruguay Air Force does not have F5E, not even one!

Attack	IA-58
Fighter	A-37
Patrol	EMB-110
Trainer	T-41, SF.260, PC-7, B-58
Transport	C-130, C-212, EMB-120, UH-1, Bell 212, AS-365, U206, D50

Courtesy of Wikipedia

If not Uruguay, where have these two engines gone? Gone with the wind?

"We are now engaging into mutual legal assistance procedures with certain countries in trying to get those engines back," he told reporters.

If the engines are smuggled out from Malaysia, do you think it can be claimed back? Who are you my friend? How much more that we need to pay, and pay to who to get it back?

Abdul Gani said the police had completed their investigation into the missing engines, which revealed that they were sent to an address in Subang Jaya, Selangor, on Dec 30, 2007 and Jan 1 last year.

"The military realised the loss only on May 22, 2008 and, when they found out, they proceeded with the investigation and then on Aug 4, 2008, a police report was made.

"On May 4, 2008, a container carrying the engines was shipped abroad and we traced it to Argentina, and from Argentina, the engines were offloaded onto another ship to Uruguay," he said.

Time line, Mr AG. If you look carefully your explanation, it either revealed that our investigation officers are either NOT CAPABLE, or something else is wrong!

Reconstruction of the timeline

2007-10-31 - engines was boxed in container, to be delivered to RMAF Sungai Besi Airport (why the engines are taken out and sent to Sungai Besi for storage? Why cant it be sent to repair, or repair to be conducted immediately?)

2007-12-30/2008-01-01 - engines was shipped from RMAF Sungai Besi Airport, to an address in Subang Jaya, and stored there. (Who authorised the re-location? Why sent to Subang Jaya?)

2008-05-04 - engines was shipped out and transit in Argentina, then heading to Uruguay. (From 2007-10-31 until 2008-05-04, no one ever asked where the hell the engines' gone? The F5E is grounded for such a long time and no one bothered? Who is in charged of the F5E?)

2008-05-22 - the armed forces discovered that the engines lost, and initiate internal investigation. (the F5E grounded for 7 months and no one ever bother to find out what happened. Now someone discovered, and conducted internal investigation. What is the outcome of the investigation? Why not make it public? Who is incompetent? the one who investigate or the caretaker of the lost engines?)

2008-08-04 - RMAF lodged a police report. (why wait almost a year to lodge a police report? Why need to lodge a police report since this is the armed forces' matter and police should not have judiciary over military events. Then why lodge a police report? Why not announce at that point to the public if the armed forces and the Government wanted to act on it?)

Abdul Gani said Interpol was aware of the case, and added that he believed that the United States was also aware, based on the published reports.

If US is not aware of this, do you think that the Government will duly announced that that 2 jet fighter engines are GONE?

I would rather guess that US is "informing us" on the missing engines instead. Should we not make it public, we will have bigger problem.

Thus, we have this "EXPLOSIVE NEWS"

Asked about the buyer of the engines, Abdul Gani said he could not say anything about that because the investigation for their recovery was still going on.

This is the JOKE!

Said earlier that the Police has completed their investigation, a moment later, said the investment is ongoing, so which is the truth? Or these are all lies?

Asked how much the actual cost of an engine was, he said one should be realistic about it as the jets were bought in 1975.

Gosh! Mr. AG. You mentioned that it was bought in 1975, and we should be realistic about the actual cost.

Are you implying that we should just write it off as it is already 35 YEARS? Which means we should not say the loss is RM500 million per engine but should be RM0.00 since it has been used for the past 35 years?

Why not you, Mr AG, take into consideration of inflation to calculate how much we have paid in present value, for the value of RM500million per engine back in 1975?

I give you a hint: A glass of soya bean on the street was selling at RM0.10, and not it is RM1.20, 12 fold over the 35 years.

Thus, if we use this as the reference, RM500Million back in 1975 is equal to RM6billion NOW per engine, my dear Mr AG, did you learn maths in school??

2010

Every year, there's a new year coming, and a year gone.

Every day, there's always a new day coming, and a day gone.

Why is the first day of the year be significant when most of us don't even appreciate the first moment of everyday?

Appreciate every moment, whether it is a new year day or any ordinary day so to speak. For every ordinary day, is always an unique day by itself.