UPI: Apple’s stellar earnings might not last due to environmentalists’ criticism against iPod

“Apple’s robust earnings report for the latest quarter surprised few, given the runaway success of its ubiquitous iPod, yet there already is concern sales of the digital music devices will not suffice to keep Apple growing in the longer term. Moreover, criticism against iPods is on the rise, particularly from environmentalists,” Shihoko Goto writes for UPI.

MacDailyNews Take: Surprised few? What planet is this guy from? The highest estimate for iPod sales was 5.5 million. Apple sold 6.155 million iPods. The consensus estimate of $3.33 billion in revenue was nearly $200 million short of Apple’s reported $3.52 billion.

Goto continues, “…many analysts are already worried that Apple is far too heavily dependent on a single product… Apple faces the problem, however, that even its computer sales hinge on the success of the musical device, said Chris Green of London’s Computing magazine… Meanwhile, environmentalists have complained that Apple has been less responsible than other companies in using recyclable products in its music devices. The batteries and microprocessors inside iPods contain potentially hazardous material, and the company should be ‘more proactive in using materials that are less harmful to the environment,’ Zeina al-Hajj, campaign coordinator for toxic-waste disposal at Greenpeace International in Amsterdam, told United Press International.”

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s stellar earnings might not last due to environmentalists’ criticism against iPod. We’ve heard it all now.

From Apple.com: Apple rechargeable batteries provide a better solution for both your pocketbook and the planet. For instance, if your iPod were powered by 4-AA Alkaline batteries and you used one pack per week (which is conservative), after two years you would have spent over $200 (buying in bulk) and piled up 400 dead batteries for your local recycling center. http://www.apple.com/batteries/ipods.html

MacDailyNews Note: The once-proud UPI is currently owned by Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church which, in the year 2000, caused battleaxe Helen Thomas to leave the Moonified organization after 57 years for Hearst Newspapers.

57 Comments

  1. Twisted Logic…

    The Premier California Eco-Nuts: The Sierra Club should also take a hike.

    Get this- They came out in favor of MTBE additives to Gasoline because in their opinion it was better to pollute the water then pollute the air. So now we have a MTBE contaminated wells in Calif as well as higher gas prices then the rest of the nation. MTBE doesn’t breakdown or disperse quickly.

    Thanks again EcoNazis.

    Jeeze I guess this really bothers me.

  2. take a number and get in line dab2 – one of the original *founders* of Greenpeace has since departed calling the current crop of morons “Anti-human” “pro anarchy” and “basically anti-civilization”

    For info on the funding and some of the more despicable acts of Greenpeace and other loony organizations check out http://www.activistcash.com/ – ecoterrorism makes for strange bedfellows and very interesting reading

  3. While I sometimes consider myself an environmentalist I have to wonder how people can critisize the ipod.

    Consider the infrastructure that itms/iPod replaces… no more plastic (fossil fuels) CDs + energy to run manufacturing plant + fossil fuel to ship and deliver said CD’s to physical store + energy to light and heat store + disposable batteries to run CD player.

    Now consider this compared to an electronic device with a re-chargable battery and songs downloaded via a network. Seems like the net environmental impact is much lower.

  4. I guess these guys missed the announcement by Apple that there is a program to trade in your old iPod and receive a discount off of a new one, or to just have an old one recycled. Plus, the environmentalists have been on Apple for years, conveniently ignoring the good things Apple does for recycling.

    Plus, who says that just because something is recycled means that it is appropriate for all things?

  5. Thanks Jack… you made my day.

    There isnt’ a day that goes by that I don’t live in fear thinking about the the “big one” which could cause glass shards projected from my iMac G5 to terminate my existance.

    I have to thank you and Rob for the reminder.. greatly appreciated.

  6. What’s next? Because of the rechargeable iPod batteries, Apple will be blamed for global warming and increased nuclear waste (why, just think of all the big evil power plants needed to keep those iPods recharged!). The next-generation iPods will be expected to be battery-free and powered by a mini-generator and crank. Just don’t exhale too much C02 when powering your iPod…

    Greenpeace used to be a legitimate environmental group, but became a kook-squad infamous for intimidation (even violence) and questionable scientific claims. When they start behaving more like a respectable organization and less like a cult, the world might start paying more attention to them.

  7. This writer has a valid point (hehe). I mean it is carefully (hehe) worded and full of (hehe) facts, and..

    Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha…

    Winston: This is almost worthy of the Onion!!

  8. Apple makes products that __last__. End of story. How much more environmental can you get?

    P.S. Apple is also causing the industry to adopt “mini PCs”. It wasn’t until the Mac mini that Mini PCs really started being advertised and noticed as a viable alternative to the big, bulky, throw-away boxes that PCs have been to date.

  9. what an assbag. the environmentalist group has been totally discredit since the founder got busted admitting they only went after the iPod since it was an icon.

  10. Guys, I USED to consider myself an environmentalist, but not anymore since I realized much of the modern environmentalist “movement” is driven by just one thing–FUNDRAISING. It’s a racket–that’s why they are constantly crying the end is nigh; they’re no longer focused on the real issues, the real challenges to human health or environmental sustainability. Sad to say, because we could use a real environmental movement. Instead, they’ve squandered their credibility, and it’s NOT just Greenpeace. ALL the major enviro-groups are the same.
    Too bad…

  11. Some time before, I did need to buy a car for my firm but I did not have enough money and couldn’t buy something. Thank God my sister proposed to try to take the credit loans from creditors. Therefore, I acted so and used to be happy with my consolidation loan.

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