Promises of Progress

…guess who wins?

Photo by zαxεr on Flickr

Yesterday I dropped by the humac (the biggest independent Apple reseller in Denmark) flagship store hoping to leave with a Time Capsule unit. After all - the Time Capsule is the #1 selling item on the Apple Store (in DK anyway) - so I kind off assumed that humac would stock them.

The response from the sales clerk was dissapointing: “No units in stock - but I could write you up for one. And we’ll give you a call once we have one for you.” I quickly remembered that I did the same thing in April. I actually have a piece of paper from humac, confirming that I have reserved a Time Capsule and that they would contact me. I have heard nothing from humac. No calls. No e-mail. Nothing.

“No thanks - I really don’t have time for that” I quickly responded and left the store.

In the afternoon, I went onto apple.com and ordered a Time Capsule (and some other stuff). The delivery estimate was Dec. 1 - Dec. 5. Around evening I received a shipment confirmation. The delivery estimate was now Nov. 25 - Nov. 28.

Just before lunch today I received a SMS telling me that my 2 parcels from Apple in Netherlands had arrived.

My conclusions:

• Physical shops will only survive if they have the goods in stock (or can get it faster that others can provide it).
• It is probably not fun being an icelandic owned company at the moment.
• I hope that the norwegian newcomer to the danish market, Eplehuset, have already learned that lesson. Maybe I’ll drop by their new shop, when they open and see.
• Apple knows how to pick logistics partners.

Anyway - I have now learned not to bother with physical shops with regards to Apple kit.

I love upgrades. Same device - only better.

• iPhone 2.1 to 2.2 (I need streetview in Copenhagen)
• AppleTV 2.2 to 2.3
• Xbox old to Xbox new experience (Netflix not in DK)

Oh - and finally - this was posted from a new MacBook. Yay.

I was crossing my fingers, hoping for new MacBooks to be announced. And it seems that my wish has come thru. Apple Announces October 14 Notebook Event.

Gadget geeks all over the world are participating in a frantic wildest-guesses competition, but so far it looks like a 13″ Aluminum MacBook of some sort is part of the announcement. And also reduced prices thruout the range. Whee.

While I am thrilled with the stability of my “old” 12″ PowerBook G4 (aka. Silver Pup), it IS getting kinda slow. Also, it seems that Intel binaries are the future. I can’t even run the iPhone SDK on the PPC.

Good news every one! It seems that Apple is getting ready for a refresh of the MacBook line. I realise that getting a “just-after-lauch” version of a Cupertino product, may shatter my experience of reliability and stability - but I’m getting desperate.

Maybe a 13″ MacBook Pro will soothe my aches. (Crosses fingers)

Got me an Apple TV

Apple TV

Plus side:

• Hot (as in form-factor)
• Really nice Front Row GUI
• Most convenient way to show those vacation photos to your friends
• Go to the States and get ~50% off (compared to DK Apple stores)

Negative:

• Hot (as in temperature)
• Availability of TV Shows, Movies, Music Videos, etc. in Denmark
• Tweak-ability limited

Verdict: In gadget terms, it’s old - but I still like it.

Update: It’s update time. Any maybe it’s worth checking out Boxee