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Dane's Have It Out For The iPhone

Danny Estrada — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:05:09 -0500

According to a report from the Denmark consulting firm, Strand Consult, the iPhone has been nothing but a waste of money for carriers world wide, We will assume they mean every where other than the United states. Strand begins their report by stating that from they beginning they have been very critical on how they believe the iPhone would play out. Now if these reports from carriers holds any real truth to it, or if it's just a way of covering their bases for predictions on a full out failure of the devices isn't very clear.

Strand has provided a list of 10 myth about the iPhone, which seems a weird way of listing the iPhone top 10 faults, but doesn't really provide a factual contrast to them.

1. The iPhone drives data traffic into mobile operators networks.

2. The iPhone helps operators attract new customers.

3. The iPhone is good business for mobile operators.

4. The iPhone is dominating the mobile services market.

5. App store is a huge success that has revolutionized the services market.

6. There is money to be made by developing applications for the iPhone.

7. It is iPhone customers that are generating the majority of online mobile surfing traffic.

8. The iPhone has a large market share.

9.The iPhone was the first mobile phone with a touchscreen.

10. The iPhone is a technologically advanced mobile phone.

Simply put, many of the conclusions that the media have published about the significance of the iPhone for mobile operators are not documented in the operators’ - or other key market players - financial statements. We can also conclude that the closer a relationship is between an operator and Apple, the larger negative influence it has on the operator’s overall business case from a shareholder's viewpoint.

Maybe it's just us, but this list would probably be a lot more helpful if they removed the "myth" from it and added "does not" into every point they were trying to make. Until we see some pie charts and line graphs that show the eminent failure of the iPhone world wide, we will safely assume that the Danes are a crazy people who don't like to be proven wrong.

Via VentureBeat

Podcast #102: 15-Inch MacBook Pro Goes Matte and More Fantastical Tablet Speculation

Mac|Life Staff — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:53:17 -0500

Apple adds the matte screen option to the 15-inch MacBook Pro just in time for late summer pool side computing. Gene Munster busts out the crystal ball to predict the sales figures of the not-yet announced Apple tablet. No word on which spirit plane Gene used to report on the tablet.

iTunes 9 rumors gets us excited, and a little worried, and we wonder what's going on with the Apple TV.

Got a question, but you're afraid to leave a voice message because of Witness Relocation Dept. rules? Drop us a question via Twitter twitter.com/maclife.

This week's Battlestar Applactica picks:

Todo - $9.99

Boxcar - $2.99

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Wintek Tapped to Supply Apple Monitor Parts?

Roberto Baldwin — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00:35 -0500

Whoa, Déjá vu! Yesterday, Mean Gene Munster informed us that using his magical analyst powers he deducted that the Apple tablet/netbook/video poker device wouldn't land in our excited little hands until 2010.

Well, DigiTimes is telling us that Wintek will be supplying panel modules for an upcoming Apple e-book form factor netbook. You may remember Wintek from such articles as: Apple Target of Protest in Taiwan for their alleged harsh treatment of employees.

The article states:

Taiwan IC designers are optimistic about demand for notebook related products in the second half of 2009 as more diversified products will hit the market during that time.

The second half of 2009 would coincide with Apple's annual September iPod extravaganza event. Whether it's in '09 or '10, we have our fingers crossed that'll actually happen. Eventually, someday, hopefully.

Analyst Predicts Apple Tablet in 2010

Roberto Baldwin — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:48:20 -0500

Apple-famous* Piper Jaffray analyst, Gene Muntster busted out his worn notebook of speculations and unicorn drawings to report he believes that Apple is indeed working on a Mac tablet to fit between the iPhone and MacBook.

Whoa, before you start emptying out what's left of your 401k for the opportunity to be the first on your block to have one of these beauties, Munster says this tablet won't be in our hands until 2010. Booo!

According to Munster, Apple needs to work on a third incarnation of OS X for the tablet. Something more robust than the iPhone, but not as full featured OS X Leopard. Something that's just right. Munster states, "We expect the development of such an OS to be underway currently, but its complexity, along with our conversations with a key company in the mobile space, leads us to believe it will not launch until CY10."

So what do you think? Will Apple finally enter the tablet/netbook market in 2010 with a mythical device? Drop your answers in the comments below.

* He's more than famous, he's Apple famous because he talks about Apple all the time.

Via Silicon Valley Insider

Analysts Thinks AT&T Will Reduce Monthly Charge and That Candy Mountain is Real

Roberto Baldwin — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:19:53 -0500

As foretold by prophecy! Well that's what Cote Collaborative analyst, Michael Cote will say if AT&T drops their entry-level monthly service price from $69 to $59.

Cote believes that AT&T could drop their monthly prices when Apple launches the new iPhone at WWDC this year. The price cut would serve to lure new customers to the iPhone and help justify AT&T's less-than-generous data plan. Hopefully text messaging will be rolled into that price. Dare to dream, people!

As usual, we're skeptical of anything analysts believe, make up, or predict. Still, if Mr. Cote is correct in his magical prediction, we'll happily enjoy the extra $10 a month we're saving and purchase a celebratory burrito in his honor.

Apple Execs Hint at New iPhone Pricing

Florence Ion — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:23:03 -0600

While there is still speculation about whether or not Apple will release a new iPhone this year, analysts and Apple execs are hinting at the probability of new pricing for the popular device.

Toni Saccanaghi of Bernstein Research mentions in a research note that a discussion with Apple COO Tim Cook, CFO Petter Oppenheimer, and worldwide marketing senior VP Phil Schiller point both to an upgrade of the iPhone, as well as the possibility for a variation of price points.

Though Cooke and Schiller have both teased that this will be an exciting year for iPhones, there is no evidence as to what that excitement will entail. However, Saccanaghi trampled rumors that Apple is considering an iPhone nano.

A price change for Apple hardware is not uncharacteristic of the company. Each year of the iPhone’s existence, Apple has made at least one major price change, with the iPhone falling from $200 in 2007, and the iPhone 3G selling for $100 less than its predecessor.

iPhone "Lite" Latest Cheap iPhone Hotness

Roberto Baldwin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:58:20 -0600

Once again, an analyst has peered into a magical crystal ball and pulled out an iPhone that will retail for $99.

RBC analyst, Mark Abramsky reported this morning that Apple will begin selling an entry-level iPhone sometime this summer. The cheapo iPhone will come with exciting cost-saving features like, no 3G access, no GPS, a lower resolution camera, and a $15/month data plan with a usage cap.

Silicon Alley Insider points out that iSuppli noted that adding 3G and GPS only cost Apple $20 per iPhone. Making us wonder how likely the possibly of a stripped $99 iPhone really is.

Mark Abramsky goes on to state that Apple is expected to release an updated iPhone 3G with larger capacity, the ability to record video, and a higher resolution screen this summer.

It would be great if Apple released a $99 iPhone that didn't gut the device of its functionality, we're just not going to be holding our breath for it.

What do you think? Is Apple going to release a $99 iPhone this summer?

New iPhone Rumors a Buzz.

Danny Estrada — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:44:08 -0600

Investment bank Piper Jaffray, believes this year's Macworld Expo will be, needles to say, a bit drab. But what we can look forward to, other than new iMac and Mac minis, is the possibility of a new, cheaper, iPhone.

Piper analyst and all around Apple cheerleader, Gene Munster, believes that it will be "... unlikely that a new iPhone will be released at Macworld, we continue to expect a new model by the end of the March quarter," Munster wrote. "Specifically, we believe Apple could introduce a lower-end model that is slightly thicker due to the inclusion of a slider keyboard for students (texting) and business use (email) between $99 and $149."

Some other cost cutting options would be to change the casing materials in to other cost-effective plastics... meaning that you better look into getting some insurance on your cheap-o iPhone because a gust of wind could break it, where as the current iPhone requires the Hammer of Thor to inflict damage. Of course, like the hammer of Thor, this is all hearsay, but some of use here at Mac|Life aren't repulsed by a slide out keyboard. Okay, we kind of are.

Via AppleInsider.com