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The Cost of the iPod

An anonymous reader writes "The New York Times is running an article today entitled Apple's Got a Secret. They discuss the cost behind making the ever-popular iPod ... a secret the company is keeping close to its chest. As a result of the company's signature secrecy and antiquated way of tracking profits, analysts are beginning to question the 'trust me' nature of buying Apple stock." From the article: "Geographic disclosure was adequate when pretty much all Apple sold were computers, Mr. Renck said. But the iPod has changed everything. Sales of Macintosh computers now trail those of iPod, which last year made up 46 percent of revenue. 'Apple clearly has its feet in two separate and distinct business models, namely computer manufacturing and software creation, and the consumer electronics industry,' Mr. Renck said."

1 of 217 comments (clear)

  1. Tired of mindless apple worship! by David's+Boy+Toy · · Score: 1, Troll

    Oh please there are dozens of other mp3 players out there that work just as well.
    Its all this cult mentality about apple. Personally I've never been impressed with
    there UI ability. The first macs supposedly some amazing revolution, where very
    painful to look at, bright white flickering background on which you attempted to
    read black text. More like a torture device (and not of the fun variety like vibrating
    nipple clamps!) than computer. This as opposed to long persistance easy on the eyes
    green and amber monitors that had been out for years.

    Sadly the influence still shows in everything including this web site. Bright text on
    a black background is alot easier to read than the other way around. Just because paper
    is that way doesn't make it ideal. Lemmings just following along with a bad idea because
    apple put it out.