Links for Friday January 22^nd, 2010

• Rapidly Pressing The Button Beneath The Counter: Penny Arcade (of all places), regarding competing with Apple, nails it:

  "It's got to be so annoying to compete with Apple, at anything really, because it's not like they're doing something fucking crazy. Everybody's had these ideas before. The difference, and this is grim if you are a competitor, but the difference is that everyone else spends a lot of time (and often, money) determining why those things aren't possible. And then it comes out, for real, only you didn't make it. Some other guys did."

  Today's comic is also highly recommended.

• Apple Tablet goes Hollywood!: Photoshop gone wild in advance of Apple's media event next week. I like the first slide the best.

• What analysts should ask Apple: Long, but good article by Matt Deatherage about Apple's call with investors, scheduled for next week. It always bugs me when the analysts either a) ask stupid questions, or b) ask questions that we all know Apple isn't going to answer. Maybe, just maybe, Matt's piece will move things in a better direction. (via Daring Fireball).

• Why Amazon won't launch its own tablet, but will use Apple's: Wither Kindle, the device? Quote:

  "Ultimately, the Kindle has done its job for Amazon, so it's time to move on. E-Ink is no longer the novelty it once was, and publishers are looking to reach as many devices with their content as possible. Amazon's recent decision to give up more Kindle revenue to publishers is a recognition of the fact that its vise grip on them is now broken. In 2010, publishers have alternatives, and Amazon's Kindle platform, as huge and important as it was, is no longer calling the shots."

  It's amazing how the entire industry is running scared of the Apple Tablet, and it hasn't even been announced yet.

• ::official FAITH NO MORE site:: News::: Faith No More got back together last year and I wasn't informed? Shame on you Internet! Shame!