Scosche iKit replaces car stereo with iPad
We've seen a few custom iPad dashboard mounts from the guys at SoundMan car audio. Now Scosche, manufacturer of car audio accessories, is stepping up to the plate and developing its own iPad dashboard mount kit, appropriately--and predictably--known as the Scosche iKit.Unlike the iPhone mounts that we've seen from this manufacturer, the iKitactually starts a double-DIN module that replaces your car's stereo with an auxiliary audio input and a powered USB port for charging. Protruding from this module is a mounting knob onto which an iPad-mounting cradle is attached. You can then position the iPad and tighten a locking ring to hold the tablet in place. Included in the kit is a 30-pin dock connector cable that connects the iPad into the system's USB port and auxiliary input.The connected iPad can then play back audio from its iTunes library through the vehicle's speakers when charging over USB. When used with an iPad 3G, you can choose from a number of Internet streaming audio sources or use the iPad with a navigation app such as the freshly minted CoPilot Live HD for turn-by-turn directions.We assume that there's some sort of wire harness coming out of the back of the iKit to connect the car's speakers and 12-volt power. There would also need to be some sort of internal amplifier, as the iPad's headphone jack doesn't output enough juice to push four or more speakers. However, Scosche hasn't outlined any installation instructions or details about the iKit's internal electronics. Until Scosche releases more details, check out the introduction video below for a sneak peak at the iKit in action.Is this new wave of iPad car audio accessories a cool implementation of new technology or does it herald a whole new level of driver distractions? Make yourself heard in the comments.
How to stream podcasts to your iPhone, iPod, or iPad
How to stream podcasts to your iPhone, iPod, or iPad
Podcasts are awesome-sauce. When I'm in the car or out for a run, there's nothing I like better than an episode of "This American Life," "Wiretap," or the amazing new radio-drama "The Truth."Seriously, what's not to like? iTunes is home to zillions of podcasts -- there's literally something for everyone -- and they're all free.There is, of course, one downside: podcasts consume space. Not a ton (the average episode of "This American Life" is about 27MB, the equivalent of three or four MP3 song files), but if your iPhone is already brimming with apps, music, videos, and the like, you might not have the necessary storage for all the great shows you want to hear.No problem: the iTunes app actually lets you stream podcasts rather than download them. It's not immediately obvious how, especially with that big, inviting download button next to each show title -- and no sign of a Play button. Let's walk through the steps.Open the iTunes app.Tap More, then Podcasts, then find a podcast you want to hear. (Alternately, of course, you can search for a particular show.) If you're a history buff, you can't go wrong with Mike Duncan's "The History of Rome."Notice the "Free" button next to each available episode. Tapping that is how you download a podcast, which isn't what we want here. Instead, tap the title of the episode.Presto! The podcast starts streaming right away. And, thankfully, iTunes is smart enough to resume playback where you left off, even if you stream a different podcast in the interim.The caveat, of course, is that streaming consumes your monthly data bandwidth, just like streaming from the likes of Pandora or Netflix. But podcasts are encoded at a lower bit rate than music, and certainly don't use anywhere near the bandwidth of video, so the impact should be pretty negligible. And you won't have to devote any precious storage to your shows.Now that you know how to stream podcasts from iTunes, you might want to consider streaming podcasts from an app other than iTunes -- one that gives you a lot more control over subscriptions and management. Two popular choices: Podcatcher and Instacast; the latter recently updated to a 2.0 version with a bunch of new features.I've listed some of my favorite podcasts; now let's hear yours. Hit the comments and tell me which shows make your travels infinitely more pleasant.
Podcasts are awesome-sauce. When I'm in the car or out for a run, there's nothing I like better than an episode of "This American Life," "Wiretap," or the amazing new radio-drama "The Truth."Seriously, what's not to like? iTunes is home to zillions of podcasts -- there's literally something for everyone -- and they're all free.There is, of course, one downside: podcasts consume space. Not a ton (the average episode of "This American Life" is about 27MB, the equivalent of three or four MP3 song files), but if your iPhone is already brimming with apps, music, videos, and the like, you might not have the necessary storage for all the great shows you want to hear.No problem: the iTunes app actually lets you stream podcasts rather than download them. It's not immediately obvious how, especially with that big, inviting download button next to each show title -- and no sign of a Play button. Let's walk through the steps.Open the iTunes app.Tap More, then Podcasts, then find a podcast you want to hear. (Alternately, of course, you can search for a particular show.) If you're a history buff, you can't go wrong with Mike Duncan's "The History of Rome."Notice the "Free" button next to each available episode. Tapping that is how you download a podcast, which isn't what we want here. Instead, tap the title of the episode.Presto! The podcast starts streaming right away. And, thankfully, iTunes is smart enough to resume playback where you left off, even if you stream a different podcast in the interim.The caveat, of course, is that streaming consumes your monthly data bandwidth, just like streaming from the likes of Pandora or Netflix. But podcasts are encoded at a lower bit rate than music, and certainly don't use anywhere near the bandwidth of video, so the impact should be pretty negligible. And you won't have to devote any precious storage to your shows.Now that you know how to stream podcasts from iTunes, you might want to consider streaming podcasts from an app other than iTunes -- one that gives you a lot more control over subscriptions and management. Two popular choices: Podcatcher and Instacast; the latter recently updated to a 2.0 version with a bunch of new features.I've listed some of my favorite podcasts; now let's hear yours. Hit the comments and tell me which shows make your travels infinitely more pleasant.
The 128GB iPad hits the Apple Store, starting at $799
The 128GB iPad hits the Apple Store, starting at $799
Apple's 128GB iPad is now for sale.The storage-stuffed iPad Apple was announced just last week. It is identical to the fourth-generation iPad that Apple launched last year, except that it doubles the then-highest storage option of 64GB. And with the extra 64GB comes a bump in price. Apple's 128GB iPad starts at $799 for the Wi-Fi-only model, and those who want cellular connectivity will need to pay $929.As of this writing, the Wi-Fi-only model is available to ship in one to three business days. Interestingly, the version capable of connecting to AT&T's network is also listed as available in one to three business days. The Sprint and Verizon versions, however, will require customers to wait three to five business days.Much has been made about the 128GB iPad's price, which is just shy of a full-blown Mac notebook. For Apple, however, the additional storage provides a nicely profitable scenario. Last week, IHS analyst Andrew Rassweiler told CNET in an e-mailed statement that Apple pays about 55 cents per gigabyte of additional storage in its iPads. So, to add an extra 64GB to the iPad costs the company about $35.20. However, the 128GB option costs $100 more than the 64GB version.
Apple's 128GB iPad is now for sale.The storage-stuffed iPad Apple was announced just last week. It is identical to the fourth-generation iPad that Apple launched last year, except that it doubles the then-highest storage option of 64GB. And with the extra 64GB comes a bump in price. Apple's 128GB iPad starts at $799 for the Wi-Fi-only model, and those who want cellular connectivity will need to pay $929.As of this writing, the Wi-Fi-only model is available to ship in one to three business days. Interestingly, the version capable of connecting to AT&T's network is also listed as available in one to three business days. The Sprint and Verizon versions, however, will require customers to wait three to five business days.Much has been made about the 128GB iPad's price, which is just shy of a full-blown Mac notebook. For Apple, however, the additional storage provides a nicely profitable scenario. Last week, IHS analyst Andrew Rassweiler told CNET in an e-mailed statement that Apple pays about 55 cents per gigabyte of additional storage in its iPads. So, to add an extra 64GB to the iPad costs the company about $35.20. However, the 128GB option costs $100 more than the 64GB version.
The 2 percent- iPhone 5S, 5C find a fast foothold
The 2 percent: iPhone 5S, 5C find a fast foothold
The iPhone 5S and 5C continue to steamroll their way through the US, at least based on online activations.As of Thursday, the two new iPhones accounted for 2 percent of all active iPhones in the US, according to a new report from Localytics. That percentage showed a healthy rise from the 1.4 percent observed last Sunday -- during the devices' first weekend of sales -- leading the analytics firm to proclaim that adoption of the two phones "continues at a rapid pace."The iPhone 5S is still outshining the iPhone 5C, though the gap between the two has narrowed since last week. On September 22, activations for the 5S outscored those of the 5C by a factor of 3.4. But as of Thursday, that ratio had dropped to 2.9, with the 5S accounting for 1.5 percent of all iPhone activations and the 5C for 0.5 percent.AT&T and Verizon subscribers showed an overwhelming preference for the 5S. But 46 percent of those on Sprint and 40 percent of those on T-Mobile gave the nod to the 5C.Of course, one factor that plays into all this data is availability. The iPhone 5S is in short supply. Apple's online stores across the world estimate a ship time somewhere in October. The 5C is more readily available, shipping within 24 hours.To compile its latest report, Localytics analyzed more than 20 million iPhone activations in the US from Friday, September 20, until Thursday, September 26.
The iPhone 5S and 5C continue to steamroll their way through the US, at least based on online activations.As of Thursday, the two new iPhones accounted for 2 percent of all active iPhones in the US, according to a new report from Localytics. That percentage showed a healthy rise from the 1.4 percent observed last Sunday -- during the devices' first weekend of sales -- leading the analytics firm to proclaim that adoption of the two phones "continues at a rapid pace."The iPhone 5S is still outshining the iPhone 5C, though the gap between the two has narrowed since last week. On September 22, activations for the 5S outscored those of the 5C by a factor of 3.4. But as of Thursday, that ratio had dropped to 2.9, with the 5S accounting for 1.5 percent of all iPhone activations and the 5C for 0.5 percent.AT&T and Verizon subscribers showed an overwhelming preference for the 5S. But 46 percent of those on Sprint and 40 percent of those on T-Mobile gave the nod to the 5C.Of course, one factor that plays into all this data is availability. The iPhone 5S is in short supply. Apple's online stores across the world estimate a ship time somewhere in October. The 5C is more readily available, shipping within 24 hours.To compile its latest report, Localytics analyzed more than 20 million iPhone activations in the US from Friday, September 20, until Thursday, September 26.
Apple updates App Store screenshot rules to shutter scam
Apple updates App Store screenshot rules to shutter scam
Apple announced a new App Store policy for developers today that effectively puts an end to a common bait-and-switch scam.In a note on its Developer Portal, Apple said screenshots submitted by developers to accompany app descriptions in its App Store will be locked in place when the app wins approval.Beginning January 9, app screenshots will be locked in iTunes Connect once your app has been approved. New screenshots may be uploaded when you submit a binary for an update to an existing app or a new app.Before the new policy went into place, app developers would often upload legitimate game screenshots to accompany the app description, then switch them out for screenshots that resembled more popular games once the app was approved. The switch often snagged unsuspecting victims who assumed they were downloading a different app.The popular game Minecraft was a frequent target of clone apps, with developers lifting screenshots from the game to promote an unrelated game. One example, cited by Panic Blog, showed a game called Mooncraft with a Minecraft app image that billed itself as "a moon-themed Minecraft-type game for iOS." But as a Panic video shows (see below), the game was instead an app that featured building blocks labeled with numbers and letters. While this presumably means that scamming developers will no longer be able to game the App Store, it also hobbles legitimate developers trying to keep their app descriptions up to date.So, the bad apples in the App Store once again make it harder on the rest of us. Thanks! [I do think it'll help, just wish it wasn't needed]â€" David Barnard (@drbarnard) January 9, 2013(Via MacRumors)
Apple announced a new App Store policy for developers today that effectively puts an end to a common bait-and-switch scam.In a note on its Developer Portal, Apple said screenshots submitted by developers to accompany app descriptions in its App Store will be locked in place when the app wins approval.Beginning January 9, app screenshots will be locked in iTunes Connect once your app has been approved. New screenshots may be uploaded when you submit a binary for an update to an existing app or a new app.Before the new policy went into place, app developers would often upload legitimate game screenshots to accompany the app description, then switch them out for screenshots that resembled more popular games once the app was approved. The switch often snagged unsuspecting victims who assumed they were downloading a different app.The popular game Minecraft was a frequent target of clone apps, with developers lifting screenshots from the game to promote an unrelated game. One example, cited by Panic Blog, showed a game called Mooncraft with a Minecraft app image that billed itself as "a moon-themed Minecraft-type game for iOS." But as a Panic video shows (see below), the game was instead an app that featured building blocks labeled with numbers and letters. While this presumably means that scamming developers will no longer be able to game the App Store, it also hobbles legitimate developers trying to keep their app descriptions up to date.So, the bad apples in the App Store once again make it harder on the rest of us. Thanks! [I do think it'll help, just wish it wasn't needed]â€" David Barnard (@drbarnard) January 9, 2013(Via MacRumors)
Apple tweaks international App Store pricing
Apple tweaks international App Store pricing
What does a dollar get you in Apple's App Store these days? Not the same thing it may have gotten you yesterday if you're a non-U.S. buyer. As picked up by MacStories and MacRumors, Apple's rolled out sweeping pricing changes to content in its international App Stores. For some the change has been beneficial with app prices going down; for others, software has seen a price increase. An Apple spokeswoman told CNET the "minor" price adjustments are due to changes in foreign exchange rates and local tax laws in those countries. Those changes are limited to the App Store and the Mac App Store, and not the company's hardware, the person said. A report from 9to5mac from earlier today suggested that pricing on refreshed Apple hardware (specifically yet to be announced MacBook Airs, Mac Minis and white MacBooks) would be receiving price drops to coincide with changes in the U.S. exchange rate, with some models dropping in excess of $100. So how much of a change are we talking for software? MacRumors has charted out a handful of changes from six countries, notably the UK, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland and Norway. Of the bunch the UK, Mexico and Norway have seen price increases, with Australia, Japan and Switzerland seeing minor reductions. On smaller apps the adjustments have been reflected with just a few cents worth of difference from the original cost. With bigger ticket items (which are often found in Apple's Mac App Store), the change can be more noticeable.Apple's App Store turned three years old this week, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 3G and iOS 2.0. Last week the company announced that more than15 billion apps have been downloaded from the App Store, which is up to 425,000 apps.
What does a dollar get you in Apple's App Store these days? Not the same thing it may have gotten you yesterday if you're a non-U.S. buyer. As picked up by MacStories and MacRumors, Apple's rolled out sweeping pricing changes to content in its international App Stores. For some the change has been beneficial with app prices going down; for others, software has seen a price increase. An Apple spokeswoman told CNET the "minor" price adjustments are due to changes in foreign exchange rates and local tax laws in those countries. Those changes are limited to the App Store and the Mac App Store, and not the company's hardware, the person said. A report from 9to5mac from earlier today suggested that pricing on refreshed Apple hardware (specifically yet to be announced MacBook Airs, Mac Minis and white MacBooks) would be receiving price drops to coincide with changes in the U.S. exchange rate, with some models dropping in excess of $100. So how much of a change are we talking for software? MacRumors has charted out a handful of changes from six countries, notably the UK, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland and Norway. Of the bunch the UK, Mexico and Norway have seen price increases, with Australia, Japan and Switzerland seeing minor reductions. On smaller apps the adjustments have been reflected with just a few cents worth of difference from the original cost. With bigger ticket items (which are often found in Apple's Mac App Store), the change can be more noticeable.Apple's App Store turned three years old this week, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 3G and iOS 2.0. Last week the company announced that more than15 billion apps have been downloaded from the App Store, which is up to 425,000 apps.
Apple may rev up iTunes 11 at tomorrow's iPad Mini event
Apple may rev up iTunes 11 at tomorrow's iPad Mini event
iTunes users waiting for the new version could find their wait over sometime tomorrow.Reports cited by MacNN and other blog sites say that Apple will officially kick off iTunes 11 at its iPad Mini event tomorrow.Apple showed off the latest update to iTunes at its iPhone 5 launch event on September 12, promising that the new version would come sometime in October. So tomorrow does seem a likely candidate.iTunes 11 offers the latest refresh to the now 12-year-old music player. The interface itself has been redesigned, while iCloud support is now built in. And the new mini player offers more controls so you don't have to open the full applications as often.CNET's live coverage of Apple's event tomorrowiTunes has a long and sometimes rocky history.The software started as a basic music player. It then gradually incorporated more features throughout the years, such as iPod synchronization, TV shows and movies, iOS apps, and the Ping social network. But with the new features, iTunes also gained weight.I run iTunes on my PC and Mac Mini and have watched the software become slower and buggier as it's taken on more features. I had almost come to expect the program to crash or freeze on my PC each time I ran it.The last few iterations of iTunes have certainly improved performance. The software generally behaves itself now, so crashes and freezes are no longer the rule.Still, I think iTunes remains slow, bloated, and feature-heavy. I'd like to see Apple truly streamline the software to bring it back to its core purpose of playing and sychronizing music, movies, TV shows, and other items.
iTunes users waiting for the new version could find their wait over sometime tomorrow.Reports cited by MacNN and other blog sites say that Apple will officially kick off iTunes 11 at its iPad Mini event tomorrow.Apple showed off the latest update to iTunes at its iPhone 5 launch event on September 12, promising that the new version would come sometime in October. So tomorrow does seem a likely candidate.iTunes 11 offers the latest refresh to the now 12-year-old music player. The interface itself has been redesigned, while iCloud support is now built in. And the new mini player offers more controls so you don't have to open the full applications as often.CNET's live coverage of Apple's event tomorrowiTunes has a long and sometimes rocky history.The software started as a basic music player. It then gradually incorporated more features throughout the years, such as iPod synchronization, TV shows and movies, iOS apps, and the Ping social network. But with the new features, iTunes also gained weight.I run iTunes on my PC and Mac Mini and have watched the software become slower and buggier as it's taken on more features. I had almost come to expect the program to crash or freeze on my PC each time I ran it.The last few iterations of iTunes have certainly improved performance. The software generally behaves itself now, so crashes and freezes are no longer the rule.Still, I think iTunes remains slow, bloated, and feature-heavy. I'd like to see Apple truly streamline the software to bring it back to its core purpose of playing and sychronizing music, movies, TV shows, and other items.
Apple may phase out iPad 2 to make room for iPad Mini
Apple may phase out iPad 2 to make room for iPad Mini
Tablet buyers may see the iPad 2 sink away as the iPad Mini prepares to surface, says Evercore Partners analyst Rob Cihra.Chira said he thinks Apple could phase out the iPad 2 because the company's vision leads toward "clearer product tiers," according to AppleInsider. Apple is expected to unveil the iPad Mini at a launch event on October 23.Launched in March 2011, the 16GB iPad 2 is currently available through Apple at a price of $399 for the Wi-Fi only version and $529 for the Wi-Fi + 3G edition. In contrast, the new iPad starts at a price of $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi version and shoots up to $829 for the 64GB model with Wi-Fi and 4G.Apple has teased at a smaller iPad, using the term "we've got a little more to show you" on the invites for the October 23 event. But the company hasn't yet officially announced any such device, so there's been only speculation about it. Some reports say the smaller tablet will sport a 7.85-inch screen with the entry-level model offering 8GB of storage and Wi-Fi only access and a price tag of $249.A few rumors have pinned November 2 as the date the new tablet will go on sale. A "source close to Apple's supply chain" reportedly confirmed that date to TechCrunch as well.Related storiesiPad Mini: What we don't knowiPad Mini: What we expectAlleged iPad Mini screen, battery leaked in photosiPad Mini could hit stores November 2Cihra predicts Apple will sell close to 7 million iPad Mini devices in the current quarter, adding up to total iPad sales of 26 million.Looking at last quarter, he's estimating iPad sales of 17 million. That's just under a consensus found among 61 analysts polled by Fortune. With a low of 14.8 million and a high 23 million, the average forecast among the analysts was 18.38 million, while the median was 18.13 million.Apple is set to report its latest quarterly sales and earnings on October 25.(Via AppleInsider)This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Tablet buyers may see the iPad 2 sink away as the iPad Mini prepares to surface, says Evercore Partners analyst Rob Cihra.Chira said he thinks Apple could phase out the iPad 2 because the company's vision leads toward "clearer product tiers," according to AppleInsider. Apple is expected to unveil the iPad Mini at a launch event on October 23.Launched in March 2011, the 16GB iPad 2 is currently available through Apple at a price of $399 for the Wi-Fi only version and $529 for the Wi-Fi + 3G edition. In contrast, the new iPad starts at a price of $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi version and shoots up to $829 for the 64GB model with Wi-Fi and 4G.Apple has teased at a smaller iPad, using the term "we've got a little more to show you" on the invites for the October 23 event. But the company hasn't yet officially announced any such device, so there's been only speculation about it. Some reports say the smaller tablet will sport a 7.85-inch screen with the entry-level model offering 8GB of storage and Wi-Fi only access and a price tag of $249.A few rumors have pinned November 2 as the date the new tablet will go on sale. A "source close to Apple's supply chain" reportedly confirmed that date to TechCrunch as well.Related storiesiPad Mini: What we don't knowiPad Mini: What we expectAlleged iPad Mini screen, battery leaked in photosiPad Mini could hit stores November 2Cihra predicts Apple will sell close to 7 million iPad Mini devices in the current quarter, adding up to total iPad sales of 26 million.Looking at last quarter, he's estimating iPad sales of 17 million. That's just under a consensus found among 61 analysts polled by Fortune. With a low of 14.8 million and a high 23 million, the average forecast among the analysts was 18.38 million, while the median was 18.13 million.Apple is set to report its latest quarterly sales and earnings on October 25.(Via AppleInsider)This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Apple may lease data center space in Silicon Valley
Apple may lease data center space in Silicon Valley
Apple's data center efforts could be expanding yet again, with the company reportedly leasing space from a new wholesale data center facility in Silicon Valley.Data Center Knowledge reports that Apple signed a seven-year lease with DuPont Fabros Technology last month, worth approximately 11,000 square feet of data center space in its Santa Clara, Calif., facilities. The beginning of the deal is slated for sometime in the third quarter, when the facility is up and running.This data center effort would differ from Apple's existing strategy, which has involved the company building its own facilities. Apple has data centers in Newark, Calif., as well as in Maiden, N.C. The latter facility is 500,000 square feet, roughly five times the size of the one in Newark. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lease, and DuPont Fabros does not reveal the name of its tenants. Nonetheless, the company listed details about the lease within its first-quarter earnings report (PDF), with executives noting that it was a Fortune 50 technology company. Data Center Knowledge pegged Apple as that company based on confirmation from "multiple sources." What Apple does within its data centers continues to be a topic of interest for industry observers. Most of that curiosity still centers on Apple's efforts in the cloud, particularly with user data and media storage. Apple this year is widely expected to re-launch its MobileMe service as a storage locker, offering users a way to access myriad files no matter what device they're on. The data centers could also play a crucial role in Apple offering an iTunes subscription service. Apple spent more than $1.7 billion during fiscal 2010 on IT assets, according to an analyst report from Bernstein Research published in March. The firm estimated that Apple plans to spend close to a billion more than that during 2011's fiscal year, which ends September 24.
Apple's data center efforts could be expanding yet again, with the company reportedly leasing space from a new wholesale data center facility in Silicon Valley.Data Center Knowledge reports that Apple signed a seven-year lease with DuPont Fabros Technology last month, worth approximately 11,000 square feet of data center space in its Santa Clara, Calif., facilities. The beginning of the deal is slated for sometime in the third quarter, when the facility is up and running.This data center effort would differ from Apple's existing strategy, which has involved the company building its own facilities. Apple has data centers in Newark, Calif., as well as in Maiden, N.C. The latter facility is 500,000 square feet, roughly five times the size of the one in Newark. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the lease, and DuPont Fabros does not reveal the name of its tenants. Nonetheless, the company listed details about the lease within its first-quarter earnings report (PDF), with executives noting that it was a Fortune 50 technology company. Data Center Knowledge pegged Apple as that company based on confirmation from "multiple sources." What Apple does within its data centers continues to be a topic of interest for industry observers. Most of that curiosity still centers on Apple's efforts in the cloud, particularly with user data and media storage. Apple this year is widely expected to re-launch its MobileMe service as a storage locker, offering users a way to access myriad files no matter what device they're on. The data centers could also play a crucial role in Apple offering an iTunes subscription service. Apple spent more than $1.7 billion during fiscal 2010 on IT assets, according to an analyst report from Bernstein Research published in March. The firm estimated that Apple plans to spend close to a billion more than that during 2011's fiscal year, which ends September 24.
Apple may launch $799 MacBook Air this year, claims report
Apple may launch $799 MacBook Air this year, claims report
We could see a $799 MacBook Air as early as the third quarter, according to the folks at DigiTimes.Citing the usual "sources from the upstream supply chain," the site says that a more aggressively priced MacBook Air could crimp rival ultrabooks, especially if Intel is unable to bring their average selling price down to its goal of $699. A $799 offering from Apple may also keep competing machines from becoming more standardized.Intel has been on a quest to push ultrabooks as the latest and greatest technology. Last year the chipmaker created a $300 fund to aid hardware and software companies aiming to enhance the lightweight laptops. The company has also spent $100 million to invest in ultrabook software developers.Related storiesApple's MacBook Air to dominate ultrabook market, says analystApple may unveil new MacBook hybrid this year, says analystDon't expect ultrabooks to transform the PC market, says analystIntel sees ultrabook prices dropping to $699 this yearRegardless of Apple's strategy, ultrabooks may not truly take off until the launch of Windows 8 later this year, say DigiTimes' sources. However, the latest sales figures from Dell are painting a brighter picture.The PC maker recently revealed that its $999 XPS 13 ultrabook is selling way beyond expectations, providing some signs that the market as a whole may be poised to take off.Apple is currently pricing its 11-inch MacBook Air with 64GB of flash storage at $999 and its 128GB version at $1,199. The 13-inch 128GB edition sells for $1,299, while the 256GB moidel is $1,599. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently projected that Apple could even introduce a hybrid laptop in the third quarter, one with the power of the MacBook Pro but the portability of the MacBook Air.
We could see a $799 MacBook Air as early as the third quarter, according to the folks at DigiTimes.Citing the usual "sources from the upstream supply chain," the site says that a more aggressively priced MacBook Air could crimp rival ultrabooks, especially if Intel is unable to bring their average selling price down to its goal of $699. A $799 offering from Apple may also keep competing machines from becoming more standardized.Intel has been on a quest to push ultrabooks as the latest and greatest technology. Last year the chipmaker created a $300 fund to aid hardware and software companies aiming to enhance the lightweight laptops. The company has also spent $100 million to invest in ultrabook software developers.Related storiesApple's MacBook Air to dominate ultrabook market, says analystApple may unveil new MacBook hybrid this year, says analystDon't expect ultrabooks to transform the PC market, says analystIntel sees ultrabook prices dropping to $699 this yearRegardless of Apple's strategy, ultrabooks may not truly take off until the launch of Windows 8 later this year, say DigiTimes' sources. However, the latest sales figures from Dell are painting a brighter picture.The PC maker recently revealed that its $999 XPS 13 ultrabook is selling way beyond expectations, providing some signs that the market as a whole may be poised to take off.Apple is currently pricing its 11-inch MacBook Air with 64GB of flash storage at $999 and its 128GB version at $1,199. The 13-inch 128GB edition sells for $1,299, while the 256GB moidel is $1,599. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently projected that Apple could even introduce a hybrid laptop in the third quarter, one with the power of the MacBook Pro but the portability of the MacBook Air.
Apple may have sold 57M iPhones last quarter -- analyst
Apple may have sold 57M iPhones last quarter -- analyst
Apple could reveal iPhone sales as high as 57.5 million later today. At least, that's the forecast from Sanford Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi Jr.In an investor's note out Monday, Sacconaghi noted that Wall Street expects Apple to report around 55 million iPhone handsets sold in the final three months of 2013 -- which is actually Apple's first fiscal quarter of 2014. But Sacconaghi said he believes the Street is underestimating the benefit to Apple from "carrier additions and an earlier China launch relative to the iPhone 5 cycle." During the quarter, Apple added Japan's NTT DoCoMo to its carrier lineup and was covered in China by China Telecom and China Unicom.If Sacconaghi is on the money, iPhone sales would jump by 70 percent from the 33.8 million units reported in the July-through-September quarter and by 20 percent from the 47.8 million seen in the final three months of 2012. Moving ahead, China Mobile is expected to boost iPhone sales by adding 11.6 million units sold for fiscal 2014 and 15 million for fiscal 2015.His projection isn't as promising for the iPad. The analyst expects iPad unit sales of 23.5 million, lower than the Wall Street consensus of 26 million."Apple has been losing meaningful market share to cheaper Android competition (34 percent in [calendar year] 2013 through Q3 vs. 46 percent unit share in 2012), and we believe the market for high-end tablets may be increasingly saturated," Sacconaghi said.The analyst also ended his report with a sour note for the future."Beyond [fiscal year] 2014, it is not a slam dunk that Apple's net income will be higher in 3-5 years," Sacconaghi said. "Without new product categories, we see Apple's end markets as increasingly mature and competitive, which could pressure or limit revenue growth and gross margins."Sacconaghi said that his revenue and earnings estimates for fiscal 2015 are 3 percent below the consensus but added that those predictions are likely to change based on new and refreshed products.Apple will report its results for the final three months of 2013 after the stock market closes today.
Apple could reveal iPhone sales as high as 57.5 million later today. At least, that's the forecast from Sanford Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi Jr.In an investor's note out Monday, Sacconaghi noted that Wall Street expects Apple to report around 55 million iPhone handsets sold in the final three months of 2013 -- which is actually Apple's first fiscal quarter of 2014. But Sacconaghi said he believes the Street is underestimating the benefit to Apple from "carrier additions and an earlier China launch relative to the iPhone 5 cycle." During the quarter, Apple added Japan's NTT DoCoMo to its carrier lineup and was covered in China by China Telecom and China Unicom.If Sacconaghi is on the money, iPhone sales would jump by 70 percent from the 33.8 million units reported in the July-through-September quarter and by 20 percent from the 47.8 million seen in the final three months of 2012. Moving ahead, China Mobile is expected to boost iPhone sales by adding 11.6 million units sold for fiscal 2014 and 15 million for fiscal 2015.His projection isn't as promising for the iPad. The analyst expects iPad unit sales of 23.5 million, lower than the Wall Street consensus of 26 million."Apple has been losing meaningful market share to cheaper Android competition (34 percent in [calendar year] 2013 through Q3 vs. 46 percent unit share in 2012), and we believe the market for high-end tablets may be increasingly saturated," Sacconaghi said.The analyst also ended his report with a sour note for the future."Beyond [fiscal year] 2014, it is not a slam dunk that Apple's net income will be higher in 3-5 years," Sacconaghi said. "Without new product categories, we see Apple's end markets as increasingly mature and competitive, which could pressure or limit revenue growth and gross margins."Sacconaghi said that his revenue and earnings estimates for fiscal 2015 are 3 percent below the consensus but added that those predictions are likely to change based on new and refreshed products.Apple will report its results for the final three months of 2013 after the stock market closes today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)