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Comments
TM
After I had purchased the iPad from the local Apple retail store, I drove to the local Best Buy store which was only about 1 mile from the Apple store, and I bought a couple of different iPad cases to try out, because Apple doesn't sell any decent cases at all... only that little cover sheet, which I find a bit lacking. So, at Best Buy, I bought two different cases, and one has a built in keyboard that had gotten good reviews... much better than that goofy rubbery one they sell at Brookstone... and the other case is a leather case that actually allows the unit to swivel between portrait or landscape mode, and has 3 tilt positions for each mode. Pretty cool. I'll try them both out for a while and see if I like either of them (or both of them) enough to keep.
I also bought some high-end headphones in order to really enjoy the audio beyond that little tiny standard speaker.
Next... download some apps, of course.
"What a difference a day makes!... 24 little hours!"
TM
It is soooo good, I am seriously looking forward to getting more Apple hardware.
I cannot say enough good things about this iPad. I think it is evident from Len's and Charlie's and my posts that this is an amazing device, and we would recommend it to everyone else here without reservation.
TM
I'm very pleased that you found happiness with your new iPad. For a bit there, your were so perturbed that I thought you were ready to short AAPL tonight or tomorrow
Btw, I am also posting with the new iPad. The dictation function on it is excellent as well.
I have not tried the dictation function yet but I'm going to try it right now with this post, this sentence. Not too bad, but there was an error when I said "this post", it came up "dispose". Maybe I shouldn't talk while eating... hahaha.
I am also trying out the ZAGGfolio Bluetooth Keyboard Case. It is decent quality and in addition to a nice keyboard, it has a lot of cool function keys that directly command the iPad to do a number of things with one touch of a button... such as go to home, search, slide-show, hide/show keyboard, cut, paste, copy, video controls (previous track, play/pause, next track), mute, volume up or down, and lock sleep mode.
The more I use this device and the accessories and explore the apps, the more I like it. I am a little disappointed that there is yet to be a very good "printing" app. The ones out there have serious limits. But, I did manage to send a document I created in the "Pages" app to my computer via email, and I printed it from there. The "Pages" app can send it as a pdf file or as a word (.doc) file. I tried both, and they both worked. But, printing DIRECTLY from the iPad requires a printer that has a special type of wireless compatability (beyond typical wi-fi), and I think only HP makes the compatible printer... but I will look into it some more.
LOVE it! I will definitely get an iPhone5 and maybe even an iMac for my office later in the year, or after the next upgrade.
TM
But, an additional app is required to do more than "share" from apps that can "share" via email.
I am not buying an additional printing app yet, as I have read some VERY mixed reviews, and still want to explore what I can do first, without loading a printing app.
TM
I just got a new Epson printer with wifi. Epson has an app that allows you to print right from your device. They also have an e-mail address that your device can send a file to and it will print on your printer at home. It's kind of neat to be across the country and print something out at home.
EDIT: Yes indeed. There is an app for the Lexmark (called LexPrint) that I downloaded. However, I think it also requires another download called LexPrint Listener. I will have to make this work when I get home by mid next week.
We'll see. I would rather get the Canon to work, and that's what I will try first.
EDIT: I believe the whole secret is a new feature called AIRPRINT. If the device has it, then everything is possible. Without it, standard wi-fi is trickier. Latest devices are coming with AIRPRINT.
TM
Funny but I was playing blackjack on the game about 30 mins ago and got ahead $12K. Then I stated betting $5K a hand and lost everything. Then it asked me if I wanted to buy more chips and for a split second I thought I may have been playing for real. I even screwed up and took a hit on 20 thinking I was telling it to stand pat.
TM
It's some kind of glitch within Apple, but now I am unable to use iTunes or the App Store until they can figure it out. I now have an Apple agent that has started a "case file", but so far she cannot figure it out, and it could take a long time.
Unbelievable. Just when everything seemed perfect.
TM
This is awesome news if true (everything points that it's true). I bet AAPL trades at least $20 higher tomorrow.
If they like it, we will probably see the stock fly higher. But, if they do NOT like it, we could see a VERY big pullback, and that could represent a very big buying opportunity. I am going to be ready for either scenario, because I am just not smart enough to know with any certainty which way it will go.
TM
At this point I cannot see how this would be interpreted as bad news. It can't! I'm looking for at least $20 higher tomorrow. Here is the complete article from Bloomberg:
Apple Seen Returning Some of $97.6 Billion in Cash With Dividend
2012-03-19 00:51:17.847 GMT
By Adam Satariano
March 18 (Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc., which plans to discuss its $97.6 billion in cash and investments in a conference call tomorrow, is likely to announce a dividend, according to analysts’ predictions and data compiled by Bloomberg.
Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook and Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer will host the call, scheduled for 9 a.m. New York time, Cupertino, California-based Apple said in a statement today. The company didn’t elaborate on its plans, and said it won’t discuss topics besides cash.
“They should pay a dividend,” said Shaw Wu, an analyst at Sterne Agee & Leach Inc. “This is something that large shareholders have been asking for.”
Apple’s cash pile has swelled amid surging demand for its products, such as the iPhone and iPad. Investors have urged Apple to return some of the balance to in the form a dividend.
Cook fueled speculation an announcement may be coming when he said this year that the company has “more than we need to run a company” and that the board is considering its options.
Apple directors held a meeting in the past few weeks to discuss the plans, said Wu, who predicted that Apple will announce an annual dividend of 2 percent to 3 percent of its share price. That indicates a dividend of $11.71 to $17.57, based on Apple’s closing share price of $585.57 on March 16.
Steve Dowling, a spokesman for Apple, declined to elaborate on the statement.
Dividend Estimates
Apple may issue a quarterly dividend of $2 a share, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The estimate is based in part on the dividends paid by other large technology makers, including Microsoft Corp. and International Business Machines Corp. Brian Marshall, an analyst at ISI Group, projects an annual dividend of $14.65 a share.
While a share buyback is also a possibility, a dividend is more probable, Wu said.
Apple and Google Inc., owner of the most-popular search engine, are the only technology companies with market values higher than $100 billion that don’t pay a dividend.
Apple generated $16 billion in cash in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, which ended in December. Wu predicts that Apple will generate about $75 billion in cash this year. Analysts at Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Mizuho Securities USA Inc. also have predicted that Apple will institute a dividend.
The growing amount of money on Apple’s balance sheet has followed the introduction of the iPhone, the best-selling smartphone, and the iPad, the leading tablet computer.
Jobs Resists
The company last week began selling a third-generation iPad, which comes with a high-definition screen and faster processor.
A dividend would be an added boon to investors who have already seen the company’s stock rise 45 percent this year.
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who died in October, long resisted calls to return some of the money to investors.
Apple last paid a dividend in 1995, before co-founder Jobs returned as CEO and led the introduction of top-selling products including the iPod, iPhone and iPad. The final dividend, of 12 cents a share, was suspended amid leadership upheaval and dwindling computer-market share. According to a company filing, Apple’s cash, equivalents and short-term investments dropped by about half, to $491 million, in the year through Sept. 29, 1995.
Highlighting its turnaround since that period, Apple has surpassed Exxon Mobil Corp. as the world’s most valuable company. The iPhone maker’s market value is $545.97 billion, compared to $407.4 billion for Exxon Mobil.
(Apple will webcast the conference call, scheduled for March 19 at 9 a.m. New York time, at
www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/call31912.)
I certainly hope you are right, but if investors aren't "satisfied", and the stock pulls back too far, I will be ready to buy more shares. I guess I just don't trust Wall Street and those computerized HFT's.
It will be exciting!
TM
But, I think the bigger picture points to a price rise. Consider that there are many investment funds that cannot invest in stocks that don't pay a dividend. So, a dividend would open the floodgate.
Also, I have read that a one-time payout could be $30/share plus 1 - 1.5 % ongoing dividend. Wow!
Or, they could simply buy back their own shares.
Most likely... 2.5% dividend.
TM
And, in addition to the expected dividend announcement, we may hear from Apple today (or soon) regarding iPad sales results thus far... and I previously posted the expectation of a million or more new iPad sales so far. If we do indeed hear about runaway iPad sales, then that could even further boost Apple's share price.
This is awesome.
TM
Gary... I totally agree it's a bit weak, and as I posted to Charlie yesterday, I had some reservations about what might happen with the share price. It is obvious that investors are a little disappointed, and were probably hoping for something more generous... although it's not terribly under their actual expectations. The day is early.
Regardless, the share price is up, and it will continue to make gains. As I posted earlier, it won't be long before the first round of iPad sales numbers will come out, and I expect they will be very good.
Remember, the very fact that there is now a dividend, opens the door completely to those funds that were formerly unable to invest in Apple due to their requirement to invest only in stocks that offer some kind of dividend. Those fund managers can now include Apple in their funds... and I expect they will. I think that fact alone is very significant to boosting the LT share price.
EDIT: AT&T just announced that they set an all-time record for iPad sales last Friday the 16th. (This is the type of iPad sales data that will continue to stream in).
TM
The addition of a smaller iPad, which is expected at the end of the year, will dominate that segment of the tablet market when it arrives. I would LOVE a smaller iPad, and would even consider getting one IN ADDITION to the larger one. From what I've read, I expect it to be 7.85", and if it features a Retina Display, then it will absolutely crush the competition.
Before that happens, I am expecting a 15" MacBook Air VERY soon.
Regarding Samsung... a Galaxy S III will be coming down the road before too long, likely sporting a quad-core Exynos processor.
TM
Btw, when I woke up for a few minutes at about 5:45 AM Pacific, AAPL was trading a bit more than $20 higher in the pre market. Obviously, the actual announcement was a bit disappointing to some and the high was something like $597 in the day session until just recently when it reached $599+. I would not be surprised if it does close at least $20 higher today. As I have stated several times in the past, AAPL is BETTER than gold.
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Look out Apple. Microsoft is coming to Freehold Raceway Mall too.
The news from the Microsoft Store went out on Facebook and Twitter on Thursday morning. “This just in: our newest Microsoft Store location will be opening at the Freehold Raceway Mall in New Jersey!” the company blasted on Facebook.
The company is taking a 6,000-square-foot space on the lower level near JC Penney. The space was last occupied by Guess, which moved to a different part of the mall.
It brings the Microsoft store head-to-head against the Apple Store, which is also on the lower level. The Microsoft Store will sell computers, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 game console, as well Microsoft Windows and Office, and PC games, and offer customer service help with its products.
Let the Games begin!
“It is an exciting new store that will be great for the mall,” said Debra Panzarella, a spokeswoman for Freehold Raceway Mall.
No word on when the store will open. A sign at the store location said “Coming Soon.”
The Microsoft Store, part of Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft, is also opening a store at the Bridegwater Commons Mall in Bridgewater. There’s an Apple Store there too.
Regards,
OW
TM
TM
Have you gotten your iPad to work correctly on buying Apps? I looked for the closest Apple Store to me. It is 35 miles away. And has a lot of negative reviews. Incompetent sales and tech support people. Our greater area has over 3 million people and only 4 Apple stores. None have more than 4 star rating.
Apple Store ratings
Hi Gary...
No, the problem is still not solved! But, the problem is not with the iPad. The iPad is awesome. The problem is within the Apple servers. Years ago, when I owned iPhones (before buying the EVO 4G), I had an account with Apple, and had an Apple ID and bought media from iTunes and apps from the App Store. So, when I started using the account again, it apparently got flagged as a possible fraudulent account. And even though I have answered all the security questions and reset my password, and sent countless emails and talked to Apple representatives in customer support and tech support, and proved the validity of three different credit cards... they still can't seem to figure out how to solve the problem!! :confuse: :sick:
How crazy is that?!
Anyway, the problem is not with the local store, or with the iPad... It is a glitch within the Apple servers. They have a specialist scheduled to call me tomorrow morning to discuss the problem, and I am hoping that this person can solve the problem.
TM
Well, it did, in fact start to move downward in pre-market, so I sold my remaining position., and locked all gains at an average of yesterday's closing price. I have read about the upcoming "shorting" of the stock, and I think I will let the dust settle first. I will buy back in as soon as I get the impression it is safe to do so. That could be in today's session, or later in the week, depending upon the share price movement and market sentiment.
I realize I could miss another run up in share price, but frankly I am willing to take a breather, and I made enough extra gains from "trading", that I am waaaaay ahead anyway, so I would not lose out enough to matter to me if I was to miss a price jump. I will be fine, and I will be "invested" again soon, just as soon as I finish catching my breath and when I see the proper re-entry point.... for example, a share price drop of about $10/share, I would start buying back, or a 2% drop, I would buy a little more, and then work back into a new position. Could happen today, or later on... no way to know.
EDIT: My trading software showed a massive price drop to $570/share this morning, and then it recovered itself immediately. Looks like a massive trading glitch, and I wish I had a limit order in place... LOL. Anyway, already bought a position back in earlier at $592.10, just to keep it interesting... guess that "breather" didn't last long.
TM
I watch my son and daughter easily sync data between their iPhone 4s and their MacBook Pros. My son also syncs his iPod Touch, which he rarely uses now since getting the iPhone 4s. Each iTunes account allows the account holder to authorize up to 5 devices to sync and share data, and of course with iCloud, it gets even better.
I am supposed to get a call from an Apple specialist this morning, and hopefully I will be able to enjoy what is SUPPOSED to be a terrific experience as you describe, and as my kids experience. I must assume that my experience is not typical, but nonetheless it shows that even Apple has its problems now and then. After the phone call from Apple tech support, I'll post the outcome here.
I anxiously look forward to getting a new Apple computer, right after the next update, as well as the upcoming iPhone5.
TM
However... Apple's customer support may be an entirely different matter. I am now going into day 4 of a problem that Apple is so far unable to solve. In addition, I was supposed to receive a phone call at 8:45 AM Pacific Time from an Apple Customer Support Advisor. They sent me an email to confirm this phone appointment. I have been ready, with my computer set up, my iPad set up, my case number and case history all set up. Yet, I have not received the phone call, and it is now 45 minutes late... and counting.
EDIT: It is now about 10:10 AM Pacific Time. At 10:00 AM I received an automated phone call from Apple. I was placed on hold, then a representative came one and looked up the case number, and I am on hold again... We'll see what happens next, and I'll post here soon.
EDIT 2: The representative came back, after a loooong hold time, and has told me that the Apple ID has been "reset" within the Apple servers, and that I should wait 30 minutes before signing into the account and then at that time, everything should work. I will report back here after that, and let you know if in fact the problem has finally been solved.
TM
Len referred to this VERY quick type of recovery last week in a post, and today is no exception, at least at this very moment. If I don't watch this thing every minute, it is nearly impossible to deal with it. I can see why it is so much easier to just "let it ride".
Just to illuminate, for example, why I am "trading". When the stock goes down, say $8/share, for example, I sometimes buy anywhere between 500 and 2,000 EXTRA shares (beyond the amount I usually am "holding" longer-term), depending upon my perception of the stock's movement at that moment in time and then as the share price recovers, the result is a nice gain... and at 500 shares, an $8/share recovery (for a realistic example) gives a quick gain of $4,000, and at 2,000 shares, an $8/share recovery gives a quick gain of $16,000. This is IN ADDITION to the gains from the LT holdings.
Anyway... I do NOT want anyone here to attempt this. I am only posting this to explain what it is I am doing, to share my situation with all of you... with details.
TM
Actually both Samsung and LG are making the screens for Apple. But go one step futher - look at Corning Glass Works (GLW). They make the glass for the iPad.
They aren't as sexy as the Apples of the world but...
I'm glad I wasn't watching.
As I understand it, Samsung can be purchased, but only through a broker. I have a fuzzy recollection that I purchased some a few years ago.
Since you bring it up, if it turns out that is is indeed possible to purchase Samsung shares, I think Samsung would be a brilliant purchase at this point in time. They have favorable financials and global market position that strongly suggest they are a terrific and compelling buy.
TM
SOMETHING did indeed happen! My on-screen information has now revised the sudden downward spike activity to $582/share, but that is still weird. I thought I was getting in at the bottom at $592.10, but that weird downward spike is driving me crazy. It couldn't have lasted more than a few seconds!! It appears to have been some sort of powerful computer-driven activity... very suspicious!
Anyway, have a safe flight, and maybe the news will report on it later on.
TM
Finally.
I can now purchase from iTunes and from the App Store.
TM
http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=AAPL+Interactive#chart1:symbol=aapl;range=5d;- - - - - - - indicator=volume;charttype=line;crosshair=on;ohlcvalues=0;logscale=on;source=und- - - - - - - efined
It's even more obvious on a one day chart from today. It's too bad I don't have the one day chart from the day after Apple first topped $600. That's when it got down to $584 or so in the morning and a minute before and a minute after it was $4+ higher:
http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=AAPL+Interactive#symbol=AAPL;range=1d
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/significant-fabrications-apple-criti- c-mike-daisey-under-fire-205305865.html
These charts are astounding. There has to be some manipulation taking place. There is no other way this is possible in my opinion.
I looked long and hard at that downward spike to $584 in the early morning after the day the stock hit $601 and was really besides myself. It was a mini flash. The stock was many dollars higher seconds before and seconds after. Then the stock rallied sharply and then fell back again and it fell to even lower figures than in the morning. Again it barely spent seconds there and took back off in a repeat of the morning. The volume in those seconds and minutes was very high. Someone was doing a lot of selling and some high frequency computer had to see it and stepped in immediately with heavy buying propelling the stock right back up. You really only see it well on a one day chart. On a 5 day chart it gets more lost and on a one month chart (see below) it is almost indiscernible.
http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=AAPL+Interactive#chart1:symbol=aapl;range=1m;- indicator=volume;charttype=line;crosshair=on;ohlcvalues=0;logscale=on;source=und- efined
The ACTUAL event that I witnessed took the stock down to $570, and it was later CHANGED to $582. I have a Sony HD monitor displaying Scottrade Elite software that I have set up to display 4 real-time charts on AAPL. I have two of the charts set to one-second intervals of time, while the other two charts are set to one-minute intervals. The first one-second interval is set to display every second of activity over the period of one minute, and the second one-second chart is set to display every second over a period of ten minutes. The last charts are set to display every one-minute over a period of one hour, and then the final chart is the entire day's session as it unfolds, minute-by-minute.
It was the first chart (that shows all activity within every second for a period of one minute!!) that caught the spike. This chart setting is like a microscope. The spike only lasted within one second, and it went down to $570. I know it because I saw it. I posted about it right here!! When it happened the software initially reported that the stock had traded down to a value of ZERO!!!!, which was mind-boggling, and then it showed the $570 "low" of the session... which was then subsequently edited by Scottrade servers to $582... exactly as I reported right here on the forum. It was amazing, and I have my suspicions that it was a computer-driven HFT situation.
Things were happening fast, but I took immediate action and purchased shares at $592.10 exactly. I also bought some more shares subsequently at $593.10.
After the spike, I placed two limit orders... one at $571, in case it happened again, and later when the session "low" was editied to $582, I placed another limit order at $583, in case it also happened again.
The event was blazingly fast, and my chart caught it as a dual-lined spike, indicating that there were two actions that coordinated together within the event. Never seen anything like that before.
TM