Exclusive: Apple using campus flyer campaign, undercutting resellers?

Anyone who's been to a college campus has probably seen the sea of posters and flyers posted for things like Semester at Sea, Roommate Wanted, used textbooks, etc. Well now Apple, known for classy, minimalist ads has entered the campus flyer fray. The flyer pictured above is from the campus of The University of Pennsylvania. It is a professionally made flyer (with perfect perforations, pre-scored) intended to mimic the look and style of those other signs around campus. Each tearoff directs you to www.apple.com/go/campusoffer which then re-directs to the Back to School offer on Apple's site. If you can't see it, iPod cleverly features the facebook app. Also in the bottom right is the marketing material number: L370509A-US

While Apple is certainly free to try this type of marketing, it is troubling because Penn also has its own computer store, offering Apple education discounts. Let alone the fact that on many college campuses, you are forbidden from posting these without permission. Did Apple seek permission first? Who posted them? How many campuses are these on? And how effective can they be in the summer, when most students are away anyhow?

Apple did not reply to a request for comment sent yesterday.

July Apple Fantasy Merger: Google

(Each month we weigh the pros and cons of a particular potential merger for Apple. Please note the "fantasy" part of this speculation: Many times the mergers mentioned couldn't or wouldn't be realistically possible. But put all that aside and enjoy this month's edition of Fantasy Merger.)

Last month, we talked about the wonders that would come from an Apple/Nintendo merger. This month, we dare you to dream of iTunes libraries searchable by lyrics, AdWord supported iWeb documents, and web-based OS X. Yes friends, imagine if you will, an Apple/Google merger. Clearly this month's merger leans more toward the fantasy side than others.

Rather than the advantages for each company, the real question is, what would happen to the rest of the tech industry? Would the Dept. of Justice allow such a merger between an internet powerhouse, and a hardware manufacturer? Could the two companies combined maintain Apple's legendary secrecy while also maintaining Google's "do no evil" philosophy? And what would happen to Microsoft? Beyond spending billions of dollars to oppose the merger, what would become of them in a world in which the "most advanced" operating system would be available to all?

Of course both companies are doing fine on their own thanks, and would have little interest in the other beyond their working partnership now. Still, once a month, we stop to wonder, what if...

Would this make you get braces?

When I was a kid, my parents (rightly) wanted me to get braces. They took me to an orthodontist whose reverse psychology changed the path of my life. "I can't put braces on a kid who doesn't want them. If you're not ready to have your teeth all straight, I won't do it. Are you ready?" "Nope," was my reply. And just like that, the whole thing was over.

Driving to the TDL headquarters today though, I was struck by this billboard:

Would this have changed my mind? How about you? And would a shuffle be enough, or would it take a iPod touch to numb the pain?

Ask Before you Take: Apple sues iPod Mechanic Website for Illegal Use of Name and Fraud

            The iPod is so popular that everyone wants a piece of the pie.  Too bad the name is trademarked.  Nicholas Woodhams of Michigan ventured into a home-run business to “repair” iPods, using the name iPod Mechanic for his company and website, without Apple’s permission, which is in clear violation of trademark laws.  Apple found Woodhams iPod Mechanic website business in 2006 and asked him to discontinue the use of the trademarked name.  Woodhams apparently struck a deal with Apple and would discontinue using the name by January of 2007.  While Woodhams adhered to changing the website domain from iPodmechanic.com to imechanic.com the business’s name is still the same.  Upon my own research, I see the sight is still in full operation under the domain imechanic.com with the opening page reading “iPod Mechanic.”  Whoops…this hardly seems like a step in the right direction Mr. Woodhams.

            Beyond the unauthorized use of the trademarked name, Apple further claims that Woodhams manipulated the computer giant into sending Woodhams free replacement units as well as having Apple repair out-of-warranty iPods. 

            Apple has filed claims of fraud and breach of contract.  In their first claim for fraud, Apple claims Woodhams abused the iPod shuffle Advance Replacement Program last year when Woodhams himself filled out several online repair forms, failing to send in the broken iPods and declining the charges to his credit card for the new shuffles, which were sent to him.  He then turned around and sold the shuffles at a reduced cost to Woodhams’ online customers.  Apple claims this scheme cost them over $75,000.00-that’s a lot of iPod shuffles.

            Further, in Apple’s second claim for fraud, Apple stated that Woodhams sent in out-of-warranty iPods for repair by switching the back-plates with in-date warranty iPods.  Clearly another loss of money for Apple, because the parts for the repairs were at Apple’s cost rather than the consumer’s. 

            It is clear that Apple attempted to originally settle the dispute out-of-court back in 2006.  Woodhams had the chance then to redeem himself and make good on his end of the bargain.  Considering that Apple originally only wanted Woodhams to change the name of his website and company, the further implications of fraud will mean Apple will look for considerable damages.  The complaint looks for relief in the form of triple damages considering the alleged fraud and continued illegal use of the iPod name.  Word to the wise, as my teacher told me in kindergarten-if you’d like to borrow something that is not yours, ask before you take it.  Oh and remember to say “please and thank you.”

This blog is based on information from an appleinsider.com article

LOST book club on iTunes: weak corporate tie-in or great idea?

Visiting the iTunes store today brings a new link (see above) to the Lost Book Club. What's that? It's a collection of books referenced, seen, or quoted in ABC's drama Lost. The executive producers aren't promising any great show-related revelations will come from reading (technically listening to) the books, but it is an interesting new way to build a community. Lost fans are a pretty devout group facing a long drought until the next season kicks off. This could be a great way to help them feel connected during the downtime, and it's certainly a more worthwhile endeavor than playing the awful LOST game for the iPod.

The cynic in me wonders though, why is it an ABC show (owned by Disney, who happens to have a single largest shareholder with the last name Jobs) that's trying this audiobook tie-in. It's a little strange (well my library friends will be up in arms) that while the characters in the show actually read the books, this tie-in encourages you to skip all that annoying reading and simply listen instead.

The easygoing side of me says it's no big deal, and it's just a nice way to promote a product (actually the books and the show). The old-man side of me wonders though, couldn't we come back from the brink of civilization a teensy bit by actually reading these books instead?

Nah.. go back to bed, old man.