roadbloc
Mar 28, 11:15 AM
Looks like it's gonna just be Lion and iOS 5.
http://i.imgur.com/ghf38.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ghf38.jpg
cr2sh
Nov 30, 06:48 AM
I just bought a Nokia 6682 and find the Symbian OS Smart Phone to be a wonderful phone. I will not be buying an iphone unless it comes in GSM with a mobile browser, full email POP support, instant messaging photo/video and mmp3 playback... and even then it won't be worth the cost.... they better pull something out of the bag because this phone rules!
Detlev
Jul 30, 06:23 AM
Nor, methinks this iPhone shall ever happen. What would Apple gain in becoming a cell phone provider? Its a nasty market with no concensus between camps.
I stated this exactly in a previous thread but I could change my stance if I could be convinced of one or more of the following were possible.
1. Could Apple improve their iChat to compete with the likes of skype, etc?
2. Could Apple provide such a service?
3. Could Apple create an iPod tele without removing what is already available in an iPod?
4. Could there be a iTel AV to connect to iChat AV.
Even if the photographer's visit was legit from the sound of it, it is an entirely new product so I'd have to assume that it was just another phone. Whomever they jump into bed with (service provider) would have to be big, really big. Another thing detracting from the story is that the telephone companies are notoriously slow getting product into their stores whereas when Apple releases something it is in store (Apple store that is) rather quickly. AND I don't see Apple selling another company's cell phone service in-store.
I stated this exactly in a previous thread but I could change my stance if I could be convinced of one or more of the following were possible.
1. Could Apple improve their iChat to compete with the likes of skype, etc?
2. Could Apple provide such a service?
3. Could Apple create an iPod tele without removing what is already available in an iPod?
4. Could there be a iTel AV to connect to iChat AV.
Even if the photographer's visit was legit from the sound of it, it is an entirely new product so I'd have to assume that it was just another phone. Whomever they jump into bed with (service provider) would have to be big, really big. Another thing detracting from the story is that the telephone companies are notoriously slow getting product into their stores whereas when Apple releases something it is in store (Apple store that is) rather quickly. AND I don't see Apple selling another company's cell phone service in-store.
ChazUK
Apr 18, 04:15 PM
Irrelevant. Just because I stick a Ford logo on the hood doesn't mean I can make my new Mustang look like a Porsche Carrera clone.
Industrial design is legally protected work. And should be. It doesn't matter how you price your competing product.
How many other ways are there to design a simple tablet/touch screen phone before they start looking the same?
A car has many design elements that these slate type devices don't have the luxury of.
Industrial design is legally protected work. And should be. It doesn't matter how you price your competing product.
How many other ways are there to design a simple tablet/touch screen phone before they start looking the same?
A car has many design elements that these slate type devices don't have the luxury of.
cyberone
Nov 22, 11:20 PM
colligan:
I went through 8 - eight - treo 650, because the hardware quality was so poor, not to mention the constant resets.
now, imagine, i have a phone without a reset button. no, its not a palm device.
and i bet the iphone wont have a reset button.
your phones were decent - compared to the competition - three years ago with the announcement of the 650.
others have long overtaken you. and you have no answer.
I bet you cant wait to see that iphone and realize what you've all missed.
I went through 8 - eight - treo 650, because the hardware quality was so poor, not to mention the constant resets.
now, imagine, i have a phone without a reset button. no, its not a palm device.
and i bet the iphone wont have a reset button.
your phones were decent - compared to the competition - three years ago with the announcement of the 650.
others have long overtaken you. and you have no answer.
I bet you cant wait to see that iphone and realize what you've all missed.
-aggie-
May 6, 06:42 PM
I don't understand how it would be quicker either.
How about stick with me and we lose the clod you have for a husband? :)
How about stick with me and we lose the clod you have for a husband? :)
tigres
Mar 29, 07:20 PM
I wonder if Amazon just tried to rush this to beat Apple and Google.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Amazon-faces-backlash-over-rb-3699819521.html
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Amazon-faces-backlash-over-rb-3699819521.html
JAT
Apr 25, 11:16 AM
Where do people get the idea that Google collects location data regardless of whether or not you selected Agree on the popup?
Probably because their gps features work on their phones. And the fact they can make phone calls. :rolleyes:
But keep in mind that the data might be wrong. I typed in my real name and it came up with me . . . but with details oddly wrong. Multiple accounts that could be me, but in each case with wrong data. I clearly have messed up some databases along the way (good).
According to that site, there are 7 people in my family. I'm going to start counting that many on my tax return! The extra cash could buy me a MBP every year.
It's funny how people are panicking about this, but not the Geo-Map feature on any photo taken with an iPhone. Which can be pinpointed to 50m of where you took the photo.
Or any good "real" camera, too.
Wow, I just realised I've been on this forum for quite a while.
Pffftt! Newbie, you're not even in the first 6000 to sign up! ;)
You're holding it wrong. Non-Issue.
Technically, that was an opinion. The issue today sounded more like he was stating facts. So, let's actually look at them...
Looks factual to me. See bold.
[Caveat: this is an old copy, it's from last year sometime]
Information about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi access points is collected and sent to
Apple with the GPS coordinates of the device, if available: (1) when a customer requests current
location information and (2) automatically, in some cases, to update and maintain databases with
known location information. In both cases, the device collects the following anonymous
information:
Cell Tower Information: Apple collects information about nearby cell towers,
such as the location of the tower(s), Cell IDS, and data about the strength of the
signal transmitted from the towers. A Cell ID refers to the unique number
assigned by a cellular provider to a cell, a defined geographic area covered by a
cell tower in a mobile network. Cell IDS do not provide any personal information
about mobile phone users located in the cell. Location, Cell ID, and signal
strength information is available to anyone with certain commercially available
software.
Wi-Fi Access Point Information: Apple colIects information about nearby Wi-Fi
access points, such as the location of the access point(s), Media Access Control
(MAC) addresses, and data about the strength and speed of the signal transmitted
by the access point(s). A MAC address (a term that does not refer to Apple
products) is a unique number assigned by a manufacturer to a network adapter or
network interface card ("NIC"). The address provides the means by which a
computer or mobile device is able to connect to the Internet. MAC addresses do
not provide any personal information about the owner of the network adapter or
NIC. Anyone with a wireless network adapter or NIC can identify the MAC
address of a Wi-Fi access point. Apple does not collect the user-assigned name of
the Wi-Fi access point (known as the "SSID," or service set identifier) or data
being transmitted over the Wi-Fi network (known as "payload data").
So, the only way for this data to become "personal", is for a cop/hacker to actually take it from YOUR device/computer. Apple's copy has no personal data.
Probably because their gps features work on their phones. And the fact they can make phone calls. :rolleyes:
But keep in mind that the data might be wrong. I typed in my real name and it came up with me . . . but with details oddly wrong. Multiple accounts that could be me, but in each case with wrong data. I clearly have messed up some databases along the way (good).
According to that site, there are 7 people in my family. I'm going to start counting that many on my tax return! The extra cash could buy me a MBP every year.
It's funny how people are panicking about this, but not the Geo-Map feature on any photo taken with an iPhone. Which can be pinpointed to 50m of where you took the photo.
Or any good "real" camera, too.
Wow, I just realised I've been on this forum for quite a while.
Pffftt! Newbie, you're not even in the first 6000 to sign up! ;)
You're holding it wrong. Non-Issue.
Technically, that was an opinion. The issue today sounded more like he was stating facts. So, let's actually look at them...
Looks factual to me. See bold.
[Caveat: this is an old copy, it's from last year sometime]
Information about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi access points is collected and sent to
Apple with the GPS coordinates of the device, if available: (1) when a customer requests current
location information and (2) automatically, in some cases, to update and maintain databases with
known location information. In both cases, the device collects the following anonymous
information:
Cell Tower Information: Apple collects information about nearby cell towers,
such as the location of the tower(s), Cell IDS, and data about the strength of the
signal transmitted from the towers. A Cell ID refers to the unique number
assigned by a cellular provider to a cell, a defined geographic area covered by a
cell tower in a mobile network. Cell IDS do not provide any personal information
about mobile phone users located in the cell. Location, Cell ID, and signal
strength information is available to anyone with certain commercially available
software.
Wi-Fi Access Point Information: Apple colIects information about nearby Wi-Fi
access points, such as the location of the access point(s), Media Access Control
(MAC) addresses, and data about the strength and speed of the signal transmitted
by the access point(s). A MAC address (a term that does not refer to Apple
products) is a unique number assigned by a manufacturer to a network adapter or
network interface card ("NIC"). The address provides the means by which a
computer or mobile device is able to connect to the Internet. MAC addresses do
not provide any personal information about the owner of the network adapter or
NIC. Anyone with a wireless network adapter or NIC can identify the MAC
address of a Wi-Fi access point. Apple does not collect the user-assigned name of
the Wi-Fi access point (known as the "SSID," or service set identifier) or data
being transmitted over the Wi-Fi network (known as "payload data").
So, the only way for this data to become "personal", is for a cop/hacker to actually take it from YOUR device/computer. Apple's copy has no personal data.
ZbHRP
May 7, 06:44 PM
MobileMe + iAds = FREE
MobileMe + Pro Features = $99.99
MobileMe + Pro Features = $99.99
hyper-meta
Apr 30, 06:11 AM
If not this year then soon I predict Apple will revamp the MP to be a module system tied together using TB. Of course, I hope they'll wait until the 100GB TB spec is ratified and in use, otherwise it will be a step backwards. But overall I think it could be a serious improvement for the MP. You buy the "brain" you want (mini ala i3/i5, a middle brain with Desktop i5/i7, and a "pro" brain with 1 or 2 Xeons. The brain would be CPU, RAM, USB, and TB (and perhaps wireless and ethernet). You can buy storage containers and video containers as you need.
This system would be easily and quickly standardized (commoditized) giving continuing Apple's tight fist of control but letting them spin off the lowest margined, fasting changing areas of video processors and storage.
I personally think it will work a bit like RED's cameras ushering a new era of embedded and server room technology. You could have a fanless I/O station and/or monitor sitting on your desk with all the fans and heavy lifting equipment isolated somewhere else.
Genius. Combined with the cloud computing and virtualization technology, a glimpse of the future emerges.
This system would be easily and quickly standardized (commoditized) giving continuing Apple's tight fist of control but letting them spin off the lowest margined, fasting changing areas of video processors and storage.
I personally think it will work a bit like RED's cameras ushering a new era of embedded and server room technology. You could have a fanless I/O station and/or monitor sitting on your desk with all the fans and heavy lifting equipment isolated somewhere else.
Genius. Combined with the cloud computing and virtualization technology, a glimpse of the future emerges.
HecubusPro
Sep 16, 11:24 AM
Slot Load Blu-ray Drive Exists � Sony Sells Blu-ray VAIOs
And I wouldn't be opposed to having a blu-ray drive in my MBP, though I doubt it's going to happen anytime soon what with the blue laser shortages at Sony.
And I wouldn't be opposed to having a blu-ray drive in my MBP, though I doubt it's going to happen anytime soon what with the blue laser shortages at Sony.
Object-X
Nov 22, 10:30 AM
I know that many Blue Tooth features of my Motorola cell phone is disabled by Verizon. Even if Apple would make the best cell phone possible, how many of those great featues do you think the cell phone companies would actually allow the use of.
Remember simple things like ring tones, photos & such could easilly be transferred from the cell phone to your home computer. But this is not usually allowed. Could this be because the cell phone companies allow these features only to add to their revenue stream, not to give the cell phone user some additional user or usuable feature?
Unless the an Apple cell phone was available from all cell phone service providers & without many of the cell phone features disabled, do you think that it could be a success?
Bill the TaxMan
To answer your question: yes, I think it will be a success.
First, there are the rumors that the phone will be sold unlocked. If true, then the carriers will have no control over what features a phone has or can use.
Secondly, most of the features we are talking about are Internet related. As long as the phone has the ability to connect to the Internet all of Apple's .Mac services can be reached.
Last, but not least, Apple has a history of innovating around intrenched limitations. One of the reasons Apple has been successful in changing market dynamics with their products is because they change the game.
Keep in mind that this will just be the first phone of many. It is quite possible that some sort of wireless VOIP phone could bypass cell phone networks entirely. I don't think that will happen at the beginning, but it is a future possibility. Perhaps what is behind the Apple Google connection. Remember, I said Apple has a way of changing market dynamics with their technology.
I don't believe Apple would ever allow some other company to dictate to them what features or technology they can use. If cell phone carriers had that kind of control Apple would simply stay out. This more than anything leads me to believe the "unlocked" phone rumors; that would be very consistant with Apple's way of doing business.
Remember simple things like ring tones, photos & such could easilly be transferred from the cell phone to your home computer. But this is not usually allowed. Could this be because the cell phone companies allow these features only to add to their revenue stream, not to give the cell phone user some additional user or usuable feature?
Unless the an Apple cell phone was available from all cell phone service providers & without many of the cell phone features disabled, do you think that it could be a success?
Bill the TaxMan
To answer your question: yes, I think it will be a success.
First, there are the rumors that the phone will be sold unlocked. If true, then the carriers will have no control over what features a phone has or can use.
Secondly, most of the features we are talking about are Internet related. As long as the phone has the ability to connect to the Internet all of Apple's .Mac services can be reached.
Last, but not least, Apple has a history of innovating around intrenched limitations. One of the reasons Apple has been successful in changing market dynamics with their products is because they change the game.
Keep in mind that this will just be the first phone of many. It is quite possible that some sort of wireless VOIP phone could bypass cell phone networks entirely. I don't think that will happen at the beginning, but it is a future possibility. Perhaps what is behind the Apple Google connection. Remember, I said Apple has a way of changing market dynamics with their technology.
I don't believe Apple would ever allow some other company to dictate to them what features or technology they can use. If cell phone carriers had that kind of control Apple would simply stay out. This more than anything leads me to believe the "unlocked" phone rumors; that would be very consistant with Apple's way of doing business.
ThaDoggg
Mar 28, 09:47 AM
It's important that Apple starts to devote some serious time to it's operating systems as well. I don't see any major drawbacks to delaying any potential new hardware introductions.
iStudentUK
Apr 10, 01:47 PM
umm what the hell are you talking bout. / means divide plan and simple. No assumption are being made.
In higher level class you go dot see that - with dots above and below it in anything more than maybe text books and even then it is not that common.
/ is not clear, how far does the division extend? Exactly as we see here. Using _ is much more clear. The best notation would be ( ... )^-1
People can talk about PEDMAS, order of operations etc but that is kiddies stuff really. Nobody ever used / during my chemistry degree, none of my tutors or lecturers spent time talking through PEDMAS and the like. Using _ or to the power of -1 is much clearer. It's even more confusing if you use / when there is another division in the denominator.
EDIT- I'm not talking about �, I'm talking about using / or _
In higher level class you go dot see that - with dots above and below it in anything more than maybe text books and even then it is not that common.
/ is not clear, how far does the division extend? Exactly as we see here. Using _ is much more clear. The best notation would be ( ... )^-1
People can talk about PEDMAS, order of operations etc but that is kiddies stuff really. Nobody ever used / during my chemistry degree, none of my tutors or lecturers spent time talking through PEDMAS and the like. Using _ or to the power of -1 is much clearer. It's even more confusing if you use / when there is another division in the denominator.
EDIT- I'm not talking about �, I'm talking about using / or _
toddybody
Mar 30, 11:13 AM
Kudos to Amazon for allowing non-amazon content to be saved. This is just plain cool. The revamped Mobile Me will be plagued by Apple's MO.
nsjoker
Aug 7, 03:27 PM
106fps in Doom 3 at high quality with the X1900 XT :eek: :eek:
What a machine! I'll have 3 to go please.
http://gear.ign.com/articles/721/721902p2.html
alienware, less expensive, 222 fps :D
granted no os x though so i understand.
What a machine! I'll have 3 to go please.
http://gear.ign.com/articles/721/721902p2.html
alienware, less expensive, 222 fps :D
granted no os x though so i understand.
pmz
Mar 28, 11:11 AM
Sort of relieved no iPhone 5 announcements, Im firmly bogged down into a 2 year contract.
:confused: who cares?
There are lot of people waiting for new iPhone hardware, and if Apple doesn't deliver, there stock price is going to plummet.
Also, I'm REALLY tired of Macrumors following their articles with "X source has offered reliable information in the past..." when the given source has offered just as much complete ************ in the past.
Like a few days ago reporting that rumors from BGR come from a reliable source...whereas prior to iPad 2 BGR's rumors were ALL completely 100% fabricated. How quickly we forget.
:confused: who cares?
There are lot of people waiting for new iPhone hardware, and if Apple doesn't deliver, there stock price is going to plummet.
Also, I'm REALLY tired of Macrumors following their articles with "X source has offered reliable information in the past..." when the given source has offered just as much complete ************ in the past.
Like a few days ago reporting that rumors from BGR come from a reliable source...whereas prior to iPad 2 BGR's rumors were ALL completely 100% fabricated. How quickly we forget.
Popeye206
Mar 28, 10:39 AM
Hummm.... if they wait until the fall, then people like me who got their iPhone on day 1 may be eligible for an early upgrade. Could be a stroke of genius by Apple again.
Use new OS things to carry us through the summer and give us new hardware goodies in the fall with volumes ramped up to handle demand as opposed to cutting it so close like they have in the past.
I don't think Apple is stupid... so I expect they have a plan that will make us all happy by the end of the year. Besides... iPhone 4 and iPad 2 are both very competitive products and a new iOS will keep them fresh for a while more while the hardware is sorted out.
I think this could be a good thing more than a bad.
Use new OS things to carry us through the summer and give us new hardware goodies in the fall with volumes ramped up to handle demand as opposed to cutting it so close like they have in the past.
I don't think Apple is stupid... so I expect they have a plan that will make us all happy by the end of the year. Besides... iPhone 4 and iPad 2 are both very competitive products and a new iOS will keep them fresh for a while more while the hardware is sorted out.
I think this could be a good thing more than a bad.
28monkeys
Apr 23, 06:21 PM
Bogus story because Apple would never fit graphics cards capable of outputting at that res in the iMacs or laptops. Plus I don't think any single monitor can have that resolution that you can buy today?
Do you understand technology?
Do you understand technology?
SidBala
May 5, 11:39 PM
The question of units is not really relevant if you are not in a science/engineering field.
I am an engineering student in Canada. We solve problems in both units. But mostly we stick to SI.
The imperial system is, quite honestly, a complete mess. Most of the time, we solve the problems in SI and then convert the results to metric.
Most professors do not bother to ask questions in imperial. Solving the problem is 1000 times harder than the conversion between units.
Sure, people who already have a feel for the imperial units will prefer imperial. But if they had grown up with metric, they would prefer that.
I am an engineering student in Canada. We solve problems in both units. But mostly we stick to SI.
The imperial system is, quite honestly, a complete mess. Most of the time, we solve the problems in SI and then convert the results to metric.
Most professors do not bother to ask questions in imperial. Solving the problem is 1000 times harder than the conversion between units.
Sure, people who already have a feel for the imperial units will prefer imperial. But if they had grown up with metric, they would prefer that.
xionxiox
Apr 26, 02:08 PM
Who cares? I thought this was macrumors not android news...
Joshuarocks
Apr 21, 09:31 PM
doubtful, this is a key switcher market... it would be crazy to axe the very thing that will continue to switch the PC builders/gamers over the next 5 years... this is a key ingredient to apple taking the industry over with time.
I think the iMac will take care of gamers and builders.. the mac pro is NOT a gaming device, it is a high class workstation that is designed for use with using and manipulating multi-threaded pro and audio apps.. Personally, I could care less about a new case design.. right now I just care that I can prolong the 6-core machine I have now.. and for my purposes, which are far and few between, the 6 core does everything I throw at it for a DAILY, email based machine.. I use it for dvd encoding, NO VIDEO EDITING(this area does not interest me one iota). If anything, i would use it for photography and everyday stuff, such as internet surfing, researching, writing books, etc.
I only got this for its expandability, as I despise an all in one machine like the iMac - if the screen goes, the whole thing needs to be replaced or repaired.. all in one desktops such as the imac are a dead end as one can't upgrade the processor easily if not at all..
Everyone please excuse me for my attitudes, I am going through a real tough time right now and have 103 temperature at the moment.
I think the iMac will take care of gamers and builders.. the mac pro is NOT a gaming device, it is a high class workstation that is designed for use with using and manipulating multi-threaded pro and audio apps.. Personally, I could care less about a new case design.. right now I just care that I can prolong the 6-core machine I have now.. and for my purposes, which are far and few between, the 6 core does everything I throw at it for a DAILY, email based machine.. I use it for dvd encoding, NO VIDEO EDITING(this area does not interest me one iota). If anything, i would use it for photography and everyday stuff, such as internet surfing, researching, writing books, etc.
I only got this for its expandability, as I despise an all in one machine like the iMac - if the screen goes, the whole thing needs to be replaced or repaired.. all in one desktops such as the imac are a dead end as one can't upgrade the processor easily if not at all..
Everyone please excuse me for my attitudes, I am going through a real tough time right now and have 103 temperature at the moment.
Geckotek
Apr 20, 09:50 AM
Please! Make the damn phone bigger! Oh no, it may weigh a few more grams. Currently, the iphone4 is a tiny phone. For us adults, please increase the screen size, and probably, the width.
If they do then the iPhone 4 will be my last iPhone. The iPhone 4 is big enough. Any larger and it won't fit as nicely in pockets.
If they do then the iPhone 4 will be my last iPhone. The iPhone 4 is big enough. Any larger and it won't fit as nicely in pockets.
Cavepainter
Mar 30, 02:36 PM
I hardly think $1 for 20 gigabytes of available anywhere storage is very unreasonable.
Maybe that rate wouldn't be bad, but if you read the article, that's not what they're charging. Beyond the initial free amount, its $1 per 1 gig, not $1 per 20 gigs. A terabyte per year is a thousand dollars a year. That's not too cheap. And this isn't including bandwidth usage, which is gonna cost money too, of course. Plus, what do you think, are these rates and bandwidth usage costs gonna be higher or lower in the future?
They (banks) aren't storing physical cash somewhere anymore, it's all just a line of electronic code that states what your balance is.
Well, it actually it still exists as money, but of course banks aren't storing it all in a vault- they're loaning it out to other people, at rates 10 to 100 times greater than the interest rate they are offering you for using that money- and they're using your money to make them money. I'm sure they could loan out money at much lower rates and still do fine, but that's what we're used to paying, so there you go. But anyway, back on track-
If you want premium content, you pay for it.
That premium content you're happy to be paying lots of money for is actually making the provider plenty of money on the back end too- remember cable and satellite television still has plenty of advertisements. Again, they could probably charge you a third of what you currently pay and it would still be profitable. (I'm just sayin'...)
People just think it's ridiculous to spend money on music because avenues have popped up where you can get it for free.
True, but for me, no, I actually buy my music and support the artists- I just think its ridiculous to buy my music and pay someone else over and over and over again, forever, just to be able listen to it.
I have 2 computers at home, a laptop, a phone that has storage, a DVR, even my Xbox can store music files..... How nice to be able to visit my parents, or go on vacation, or be at a friend's house, log on to their computer, and have my entire music library instantly available at my fingertips.
80 gigs of music in a computer's memory doesn't actually "weigh" all that much. You can have all those files right there on your devices right now, unless you have terabytes of things to store. As storage continues to grow on computers, I think you'll find that the prices will be more and more appealing for larger and larger amounts of storage.
Look, I understand your points, and if you have multiple platforms that need to share and sync enormous amounts of files, that can be a challenge and the cloud would be convenient. But for the amount of music and photography and other files I have and the way I would store it and access it, I personally would rather just have all the files I need right there on my computer at my fingertips without having to pay someone to access it from a remote location. You're certainly free to spend money to access things you already purchased, but its not for me. To each their own.
Maybe that rate wouldn't be bad, but if you read the article, that's not what they're charging. Beyond the initial free amount, its $1 per 1 gig, not $1 per 20 gigs. A terabyte per year is a thousand dollars a year. That's not too cheap. And this isn't including bandwidth usage, which is gonna cost money too, of course. Plus, what do you think, are these rates and bandwidth usage costs gonna be higher or lower in the future?
They (banks) aren't storing physical cash somewhere anymore, it's all just a line of electronic code that states what your balance is.
Well, it actually it still exists as money, but of course banks aren't storing it all in a vault- they're loaning it out to other people, at rates 10 to 100 times greater than the interest rate they are offering you for using that money- and they're using your money to make them money. I'm sure they could loan out money at much lower rates and still do fine, but that's what we're used to paying, so there you go. But anyway, back on track-
If you want premium content, you pay for it.
That premium content you're happy to be paying lots of money for is actually making the provider plenty of money on the back end too- remember cable and satellite television still has plenty of advertisements. Again, they could probably charge you a third of what you currently pay and it would still be profitable. (I'm just sayin'...)
People just think it's ridiculous to spend money on music because avenues have popped up where you can get it for free.
True, but for me, no, I actually buy my music and support the artists- I just think its ridiculous to buy my music and pay someone else over and over and over again, forever, just to be able listen to it.
I have 2 computers at home, a laptop, a phone that has storage, a DVR, even my Xbox can store music files..... How nice to be able to visit my parents, or go on vacation, or be at a friend's house, log on to their computer, and have my entire music library instantly available at my fingertips.
80 gigs of music in a computer's memory doesn't actually "weigh" all that much. You can have all those files right there on your devices right now, unless you have terabytes of things to store. As storage continues to grow on computers, I think you'll find that the prices will be more and more appealing for larger and larger amounts of storage.
Look, I understand your points, and if you have multiple platforms that need to share and sync enormous amounts of files, that can be a challenge and the cloud would be convenient. But for the amount of music and photography and other files I have and the way I would store it and access it, I personally would rather just have all the files I need right there on my computer at my fingertips without having to pay someone to access it from a remote location. You're certainly free to spend money to access things you already purchased, but its not for me. To each their own.