Interesting. Do you happen to know what the breakdown is for the major companies?
I always assumed Apple was like Wal-Mart, having the upper hand in negotiation and knowing how to use it. Maybe that's only the case for independent artists?
Apple isn't quite in the same position of power as Wal-Mart. Without inventory (which in this case is unique) Apple wouldn't have a store. This gives more control to the labels who can 'hold out' until they get the deal they want. If Apple says "screw off" to Sony/BMG or any of the big boys that's a huge gaping hole in their inventory that can't be replaced.
Wal-Mart on the other hand can stock underwear or TV's or food from pretty much anyone, so they hold all the cards and can pretty much write their own deal.
Still, Apple has some control as they basically own digital music market so I would imagine at this point, the labels don't have a viable 'plan b'.
The hardware keyboard on the G1 goes some way toward this from where iPhones are, but it's still not really useful for typing on (actually, I got a G1 last year after trying to type on an EEE and finding that my fingers and/or hands were too big to do that, so I might as well get a phone in the same device).
There are a bunch of "ultra mobile pc" devices like the OQO that are probably a better fit, especially since some of them have 3G/EDGE, and you can use Skype to replace your cellphone with them.
I think he was hinting at the fact that Android powered netbooks are on the horizon. But I guess at that point it's still a laptop. Maybe someone will make an Android phone with a MiniDVI port so it can have a usable screen and bluetooth keyboard/mouse.
