Tim Cook & Tariffs
Neil Cybart: Tim Cook Continues to Thread the Needle:
Taking a step back to look at the big picture, Apple is not being targeted by either the U.S. or China. If anything, Apple is being boosted by the U.S. with tariff exemptions and delays.
The tariffs that were set to be placed on Apple’s product line on September 1st have been delayed until December 15th. Looking through the list of products that benefit from the delay (iPhone, MacBook, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV), the decision to delay could have very well be renamed the iPhone exemption. It would seem that Tim Cook had a direct role in delaying the tariffs as he apparently talked to Trump about the latest round of tariffs.
Cook made the bet to engage with the current U.S. administration (he has explained his decision numerous times over the years) and it would appear that his bet has contributed to Apple successfully navigating the current environment with just some minor cuts and scrapes here and there.
It is certainly possible that the 15% tariffs will be applied to Apple’s entire product line once December 15th rolls around. However, at this point, it’s probably just as likely that certain exemptions will be granted to Apple as we approach December.
To be human is to make shit up as we go along. Tariffs are tariffs until they aren’t tariffs.
Nothing we make is concrete. Ever.
quote from Above Avalon via Phillip Elmer-DeWitt
Project Gem
After the wet fart that was the Essential Phone, Andy Rubin is back with Project Gem (via Gizmodo):
This looks very interesting and appealing in all the ways Microsoft’s recently announced, dual-screen, not-meant-for-your-pocket Surface Duo isn’t.
The questions are: A) Will it launch? and B) Will it gain traction?
As much as I shit on the Essential Phone, I’m honestly interested to see how baked Project Gem is.
Cornered
That ain’t me.
source unknown
Mi Mix Alpha
Duolingo
Samsung won’t fold on the Fold.
The Galaxy Fold is still extremely fragile, and Samsung knows it:
The updated Samsung Galaxy Fold is finally making its way into the world after a months-long delay by Samsung to shore up its hardware when it became apparent from review units (including The Verge’s) that the foldable phone was too fragile. Unfortunately, it seems that the “fixed” version of the Fold is still extremely fragile. And based on a new video Samsung released begging owners to treat their new phones with a “special level of care,” Samsung knows it. A new durability test from popular YouTube channel JerryRigEverything proves it.
You just won’t let it go, will you, Samsung?
Admit it, you have derailed.
Coney Island
Both these skulls are red.
Monkey Trap
Preconceptions can blind us from doing things in better ways. Sometimes expertise gets in the way. Buddhists push against this situation by seeking “beginner’s mind.” Over-devotion to the possibility of specific rewards can trap us in precarious situations. Poker players call it being “pot-committed.” All are forms of cognitive biases, but perhaps labelling it as “mental rigidity” is a more immediate and helpful way to think about all of this.
Stay loose. Let go. There are other bananas.
Schooley’s Mountain General Store
The 250-year-old general store in my hometown of Long Valley is up for sale:
LONG VALLEY, NJ — Schooley’s Mountain General Store is looking for a new owner.
The store is listed for $850,000 through realtor NAI James E. Hanson. Located at 250 Schooley’s Mountain Road, the store is 1,600 square feet. The colonial general store has been in business for 250 years.
Its currently occupied by the United States Postal Service, which is in the middle of a five-year lease. The old-school store also has sandwiches, pizza, salads, and other deli and grocery items.
It’s definitely not cheap, but it’s a great piece of history.
#walkingtowork
My walk to work, from the East Village down to SoHo.
September 11th, 2001
