@joshua:

You're exactly right. In addition, however, this seems to be a stupid business decision for Apple. I know there aren't as many Pre users as iPod/iPhone users, but if Pre users are allowed to sync their phones to iTunes, where do you think they'll buy their music? That's right, the iTunes Store. If I were Apple, I'd certainly let it happen.

How about this -- have iTunes show some sort of pop-up warning the first time you sync a non-Apple device. Something like "This device is not authorized for use with iTunes and may or may not work properly. Please contact the device manufacturer for support with sync issues."

That way, Apple gets to grab more music purchases, and the user gets hooked into iTunes. In fact, if they enjoy iTunes but don't like the sketchy sync process used by the Pre, maybe they choose an iPhone the next time they upgrade their phone, huh?

Ugh.

Just another example of Apple's petty nature. Let it be. Take it as a complement that Palm feels the need to make their devices compatible with iTunes and leave it at that. First the ridiculousness with the App Store and now this. Is the company run by 5th graders?

'stachetastic does somewhat the same thing. I've used it and think it's great fun. The same devs have recently come out with Mulletizer, which I haven't tried, but should be fun.

"Accord hybrid failed because it was very expensive and barely increased fuel economy (main reason people buy Hybrids)."

I agree that it was too expensive, but to say that increased fuel economy is the primary reason people buy Hybrids is to oversimplify. They want higher MPGs, but they also want everyone else on the road to know that they bought an expensive car for the express purpose of getting higher MPGs. That's why the Civic hybrid, the Altima hybrid, and the Fusion hybrid haven't sold nearly as well as the Prius, despite similar price (in the case of the Civic). When driving a Civic hybrid, it's not immediately obvious to others that you're driving a hybrid. It is obvious when you drive a Prius. That's why we're seeing manufacturers move toward dedicated hybrid models (Insight, Volt) as opposed to hybrid versions of existing cars.

It's about MPGs, but its also about image.

"LOL @ that definition. Where did you get that? Rush Limbaugh's website?"


Come on, asuka. You're making too easy:

"FROM DICTIONARY.COM on socialism: 'the stage following capitalism...'"

It's amazing you were able to retain enough info from TPM, HuffPo, or DailyKos to spout the Rush Limbaugh line correctly. Get it together.

"In fact, the U.S. provides far more tax benefits and breaks to companies than any Western European nation that I know of."

Incorrect. The average US corporate tax rate is 39.3%, second only to Japan's 39.5% among industrialized nations. Lowering the tax rate to 30.5% would still leave the US as the fifth highest in the world (www.taxfoundation.org).

The average corporate tax rate for members of the European Union is 26%, over 1/3 less than the US average corporate tax rate (www.cato.org).


"The bigger problem with diesel in this country is perception -- no one is interested in them, except the few examples coming from VW."

Wrong again. The bigger problem with diesel in this country is that the vast majority of small diesel engines (like those sold in Europe) don't meet US emissions requirements. The consumer perception of diesel doesn't matter -- they aren't allowed to buy them.


"If there was actually a strong demand for diesel cars in this country, there would be reason to reconsider the emissions standards, or consider a wider range of options from all automakers on the market, but the impetus for this has to come from consumers."

It seems the larger problem with many liberal causes is that, since their agenda runs counter to the natural inclination of consumers, their main focus must be on enacting mechanisms that coerce consumers to make the necessary irrational decisions that further liberal causes. This also seems to be the case here: "If only we could force consumers to like diesel more, we could get the emissions law changed." Same with gas taxes: "If only we could force people to pay high gas prices, we could get them to buy more fuel efficient cars."

Interesting mindset.

"Spot-on, James. There needs to be a floating gas tax that ensures a floor for the price of gas (around $3.25/gallon). Consumers aren't voluntarily making the choices I want them to make, so let's tax the hell out of them until they do."

There. Fixed that for you.

"Spot-on, James. There needs to be a floating gas tax that ensures a floor for the price of gas (around $3.25/gallon). Consumers aren't voluntarily making the choices I want them to make, so let's tax the hell out of them until they do."

There. Fixed that for you.

Wobbly Ears is right. All the cool kids (like Maureen Dowd) copy straight from lefty blogs, not talk radio. Try to catch up.

I've had it since opening day and had a few crashes after watching video highlights, but audio has worked fine.

I just wish we didn't have to listen to it live -- a 7:35 start on the west coast means that the game doesn't end until about 1:00 in the morning out here in the east. I'd love to be able to just listen the following day. Bummer.

-Bryan