Jason O'Grady's Blog

LinuxWorld has a story theorizing that IBM sold its PC division “to get even with Microsoft for all that bad blood over the early versions of Windows”

Once publicly free of the PC division, will IBM either buy, or form a close joint venture, with Apple – to sell its PCs, which coincidentally are now built around IBM’s PowerPC chip? That’s the question being asked by tech-savvy commentators who wonder what will happen next if Big Blue truly goes ahead and sells the division to the Chinese company Lenovo.

Engadget’s take on it

IBM is jettisoning its PC business in order to more closely partner with Apple (there’s also talk of a merger or acquisition, but that’s just crazy talk). It’s not exactly clear what would be the result (or specific advantage) of such a close collaboration, but Apple does already use IBM’s PowerPC processor in its Macs, so the thinking is that IBM might end up jumping right back into the pool, this time selling laptops running on OS X and powered by their very own chips. That seems a little way out there for the moment, but at the very least selling off its PC unit does free IBM to try and push its chips to more and more manufacturers.

T-Mobile has announced a new service called CallerTunes, which is their version of ringback tones. Ringback tones are custom audio clips that callers hear when they dial your number instead of the usual ringing sound. CallerTunes are available from T-Mobile for US$1.49 per month and you have several to choose from.

CallerTunes is a cool, new service that lets you choose what your callers will hear until you answer your phone. Instead of the normal, boring “ring, ring” they hear today, your callers can hear music, sound effects, or short, spoken clips.

Now if I could only figure out how to configure the settings in a Mac browser…

A PowerPage reader sends in this tip about the Best Buy Extended Service Plan.

I purchased a 30GB iPod at Best Buy in June 2003 – US$499.99 plus US$39.99 service plan + tax = US$584.52. The iPod has been in for service three times and the problems are still not fixed. Time to use my service plan.

Yesterday I purchased a 60GB iPod Photo – US$599.99 plus US$49.99 for the service plan + tax = US$703.60. Deduct the US$100 Best Buy mail-in rebate for iPods over US$500 and the US$584.52 credit for my lemon 30GB iPod.

Net out of pocket after rebate to upgrade my dying iPod 30GB to a brand new iPod Photo 60 GB: US$19.08.

I have to admit to liking the clothes at Banana Republic. Unfortunately after the horrible service I received at the Willow Grove, PA store recent I don’t plan to shop at Banana ever again. A shame really, because they have decent clothes there once in a while. It’s a real sin when you overhear the manager and staff talking about how their numbers are worse than last year and how retailing is taking a dive this year. Gee, I wonder why?

So, I’ll be taking my hard-earned dollars to other retailers this year and will be avoiding Banana Republic. Oh, and that goes for the rest of Gap Inc. too (The Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy).

The December 2004 issue of Consumer Reports magazine discusses consumer satisfaction with technical support of major computer manufacturers (“Shiny Apple,” p.41).

In this atmosphere of low expectations, Apple Computer has actually raised its support satisfaction for desktop computers over the past three years to levels above all competitors, while offering the most reliable desktop hardware.

It’s easier for Apple to excel in support because it alone makes the computer and its operating system, plus numerous applications and peripherals. Consequently, many glitches get caught at the design stage. And when Apple support agents do tackle support problems, they’re often familiar with all the puzzle pieces. Apple’s superiority in all aspects of support, including waiting on the phone and Web support, suggests that it invests its support resources wisely.

Another factor working in Apple’s favor: Macs are vulnerable to few viruses and little spyware (stealthy marketing software that can impede a computer’s performance) because both target mostly Windows-based users. Symantec, makers of Norton AntiVirus, say approximately 60,000 viruses aim at Windows-based, but about 60 target Macs.

Sure, it’s stuff we already know, but Apple should better promote its support reputation and the fact that a respected consumer advocacy group like Consumer Reports has recognized it.

Everyone has had to deal with Apple support at some point, is Apple’s support getting better or worse?