Apple-Apple Action Good for iPod’s Future?

The continuing saga of the third round of Apple Corp vs. Apple Computer has hit the headlines of the mainstream press again this week. I don't suppose the level of coverage is surprising considering the two feverent fan-bases involved. But what none of the coverage I've seen has mentioned is how a ruling against Jobs & Co might force them to take positive action vis-a-vie the iPod branch of Apple Comp.

I remember reading some analysts proposals a few weeks ago about breaking up Apple: divesting the consumer electronics part of the company (basically iPod and iTunes) from their traditional computer hardware and software base. [If I find the link again I'll update this post.] Such a move does make a lot of sense. The iPod brand is very strong and could easily survive away from the Apple core [excuse the pun]; separate companies would allow each to focus properly on their diverging interests; and it may go some way to solve the recent legal hassle from the French and Danes trying to open up iTunes.

The only question is how much does the public's exposure to iPods and iTunes go towards pushing Apple's profitable computing business? This is perhaps the only reason for maintaining the corporate link.

I haven't had time to do any real analysis, but first impressions suggest that the numbers of iMacs etc. sold to once-disinterested PC-using iPod owners is small. There was speculation at the time of the release of iTunes for Windows that exposure of hardend Windows users to a swish OS X Cocoa-like application/environment would send them in hoardes to Tiger, but I think that's turned out to be wishful thinking. The barriers for an uncertain Windows user to make the 'switch' are too high, both in terms of the perceived extra expense and the incompatability woes, two issues that Apple may be able to address with the ramping up of the new Intel chips and rumored software in Leopard (OS X 10.6).

So, back to the Apples and the courts, whatever the verdict, it'll hopefully spur Apple Computer on better things.

CoComment

One of the latest Web2.0 startups, and one of the few with an original, well-executed idea, is CoComment, who kindly offer to track and aggregate all your comments scattered across the Blogosphere.

I’ll add to this when I’ve built up a hefty wad of inane unfunny missives myself.
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Facebook or (CIA) Factbook?

I’ve just come across a rather disturbing article by Marie on Common Ground Sense analysing Facebook.

Not only does she highlight some very strange clauses in Facebook’s privacy policy, most notably the collection of ‘information about you from other sources, such as newspapers and instant messaging service’, but she also suggests the whole enterprise is funded by the CIA. Admittedly, she stretches the argument almost to the full six-degrees of separation, but it still raises interesting issues into this vast database Facebook seem intent on developing.

Another article can be found on Prison Planet.
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