Apple’s COO, Tim Cook, Talks

I’ve heard more from Mr. Phil Schiller, Marketing VP at Apple than Apple’s own COO, Mr. Tim Cook. And, now, I wonder why that is. He’s a really good speaker. Makes his points about the company and products (and people!) with some genuine sounding affection. And comes across as a real, dyed in the wool believer. He projects well enough to be a contender for Mr. Jobs slot in a succession planning situation. We just need to see and hear more of him.

You might give his talk to the investment analysts at Goldman Sachs a listen. Worth the couple of minutes of streaming.

iPhone’s Rightful Owner

Apple’s got the green light to do what every sane person in the world expected in the first place… the ‘privlege’ of using the iPhone name (a registered tm of Cisco). Or, looking at this another way, Cisco gets to keep their tradmark until someone else comes along to challenge it.

So, what does all that mean in the end? “SQUAT” The ONLY thing it means is AAPL stock was up $2 for all of about 30 minutes (the equivalent of a HOORAH! on Wall Street) and then promptly settled back down in both price and volume.

Apple was going to manage to eek this one out all along and the iPhone launch is now baked into the price of Apple stock. Not much, short of the FCC panning the device is going to detract from Apple’s iPhone plans.

BTW, did you see the iPhone is now front and center again on the Apple homepage? ’tis true.

Apple Legal

Talk about your Infinite Loop! This legal poop just won’t go away.

Law.com posted a new article regarding the backdating situation and that Mr. Jobs has hired representation apparently. Probably a good move to seperate your peas and carrots as Apple’s interests may not necessarily be in HIS own best interests. Not saying he has anything to hide. In fact, quite the opposite. I think he’s probably had his own counsel for some time now on the matter. Probably the first thing to do in that situation is call your attorney first.

I sold my position in Apple Nov. 21 at about 88 and change. Kinda glad I did and kinda have a niggling to get back in and ride it back up for a quickie off of MacWorld San Francisco. But, if AAPL appears to be delisted (would that REALLY ever happen!?) I think I’ll watch the circus from the sidelines.

An Enemy of My Enemy Might Be My New Board Member

I’m a firm believer in stacking your board with insanely strong contributors. Gore’s a great choice. Anderson’s a great choice. Jobs… well, nothing need further be said there. Schmidt… Awesome.

But, there’s this sense that something big is looming. And, there’s always going to be something big looming. If you’re an Apple or a Google (or a Microsoft) if you don’t have something big ahead… you’re toast.

Look, I bought a position in Apple in the past two weeks. I’m following them like a HAWK now that I have skin at play. And the board looks like this:

Bill Campell:
INTUIT, CEO
APPLE COMPUTER, Chairman
OPSWARE, Director

Millard Drexler
THE GAP, Chairman
APPLE COMPUTER, Director

Stephen Paul Jobs:
APPLE COMPUTER, CEO, Director
DISNEY, Director
THE GAP, Director

Arthur Levinson, Ph. D.:
APPLE COMPUTER, Director
GENENTECH INC, Chairman
GOOGLE, Director

Fred Anderson:
APPLE COMPUTER, Director
EBAY INC, Director

Jerome B York:
APPLE COMPUTER, Director
GEN MOTORS, Director
EXIDE TECH NEW, Director

Albert Gore, Jr.
APPLE COMPUTER, Director

Now, add Dr. Eric Schmidt

To think these folks don’t bring shortcuts into the other companies they’re directors/executives at is goofy (sorry, Disney). But, it is! Because THEY DO! They’re so well connected into the fabric it would be foolish not to harness their networks. Now, I’m not entirely sure if Mr. Jobs is still on The Gap BoD. At one time he was. I’m leaving it in until I find out otherwise.

I also think that the “gang up” boardroom tactics aren’t necessarily bad either. Why the heck not!? If you have a common strategic foe… build some corporate girth/alliances to take on the opponent. By all means! I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Mr. Jobs and Dr. Schmidt compare notes and intel on Redmond. That would be a hoot.

“Well, Steve they’re doing THIS well. But here’s where we see opportunities.” Stare… “Uh huh… So, where’re Sergey and Larry on this? We were supposed to get three for the price of one.” “Hammocks. They’re still in their hammocks.”

Stories which might be helpful/interesting perspective:
Don Dodge on The Next Big Thing: Google CEO joins Apple board – is there more to this?

Silicon Beat: Apple and Google alliance — makes sense given culture, goals

Bought AAPL

Well, finally have a very, teeny tiny position in AAPL stock. Set up an acount with Scottrade yesterday and so far so good. Money’s making more money today.

For anyone who hasn’t experienced this for themselves… You ought to set up even a smallest account. $100 will get you a GREAT learning experience and maybe grow into a big pile of cash in the process. I’m not smart enough yet to recommend Scottrade over e*Trade over (fill-in-the-blank). I can say this… I wired money to my Scottrade account yesterday afternoon and was trading by end of business in after hours trading. This is EASY folks!

Not knowing what I was doing I bought my AAPL on margin… But, other than that all is good.