A Random Pattern

Archive for July 21st, 2006

Apple tips its hand? (or The Apple news crowd is too easy….)

Friday, July 21st, 2006

In one of many reports on Apple’s recent finance call, Bloomberg News reports on the closest a financial call gets to being exciting – unless Microsoft announces mass-layoffs during its next call, at least.

The news is that Apple, oh she of the supremely tight-lipped, the company that sues rumor sites*, actually tipped analysts off to product(s) coming in the Apple pipline. But did Apple really reveal what is spreading around the web? Or are they just taking advantage of the hysteria that accompanies every Apple announcement? Was this a calculated move to satiate Wall Street and the rabid Apple rumor press, while throwing competitors off their trail, even into a panic? Are they using this opportunity to checkmate some more media executives?

Whatever Apple’s up to, they’ve shown up till now several things:
1. A voracious aptitude for sharp business
2. A nose for cool
3. An intense desire – nay, need – for secrecy

Of course, everyone wants an Apple iPhone to appear, so it’s not a surprise that we’re all so willing to believe. After all, what other company could actually make a phone that would be a pleasure to use?

So what do you think? Bait, or a real whiff of what’s coming next year? Maybe some of both? I’m still holding out for a shiny new Apple PDA/Phone. ;)

*IANAL, but from the fairly extensive reading I did, Apple should have won this case. The Judge’s opinion seems almost laughable – of course it is very difficult for many judges on the bench to even follow all the new technology that has emerged… (if anyone can find the excellent write-up by someone siding with Apple, quoting extensively from the Appeals Court ruling, please let me know. I can’t find the post anymore.)

On count to 30, I’ve made it to 21…

Friday, July 21st, 2006

I’ve made it to 21. There are a lot of spoilers on this digg discussion, but I’ve mostly only needed the hints so far.

I seem to enjoy only doing one or two a day (not to mention I’m really short on time this week!), so it may be a few days before I can give out a complete set of hints through 30. Still, if you’re stuck I can at least point you in the right direction. See my earlier posts, or ask for help in the comments.

Once I finish, it’s back to Blifaloo!

Ok, one more hint. Use Google, and try different approaches. The answers can take some guessing: the puzzles don’t always seem obvious (self-evident) even after you’ve solved them. Patience, grasshopper…