“PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster this week issued a research note to clients in which he addresses ’22 unanswered questions surrounding the Apple story.’ In the note, the analyst offers his comments on a broad array of topics, ranging from the Intel iBook launch date to thoughts on Apple’s campus expansion,” AppleInsider reports.
Questions answered:
1. Will Apple Offer A Built-In FM Tuner In The iPod?
2. Why Did We See A Seasonal Downtick In iPods In The March Quarter For The First Time In 3 Years?
3. How Is Apple Attacking The International iPod Opportunity?
4. How Many iPods Does Each iPod Owner Have?
5. Is Apple Going To Make An iPhone?
6. How Can Apple Keep The iPod Competitive?
7. Why Can’t Sony Figure Out The MP3 Player Market And Compete With The iPod?
8. Will The iPod shuffle Stay In The Lineup And When Will It Be Updated?
9. Is iTunes Headed For A Tiered Pricing Model?
10. How Many Videos Are Sold On iTunes Per Week And Are iTunes Videos Any More Or Less Profitable Than iTunes Songs?
11. Will We See Full Length Movies On iTunes Anytime Soon?
12. Will Apple Start Selling Advertising In The iTunes Music Store?
13. Why Will The Release Of The iBook Not Lead To Another Transition Quarter?
14. What Will Apple Do With Mac Pricing In The Coming Years?
15. Why Is Boot Camp Important?
16. Will Apple License The Mac Operating System?
17. What Caused The Weaker Than Expected Apple Retail Store Performance In The March Quarter?
18. What Should We Expect From Apple Retail Stores This Year?
19. Why Are The Apple Retail Stores So Unique?
20. What Will Apple’s Marketing Look Like Over The Next Several Quarters?
21. What Is Apple Doing With Its >$9 Per Share In Cash?
22. What Is The Reasoning Behind The New Apple Campus In Cupertino?
Full article with Gene Munster’s answers here.
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wjhy you rerase my comment? i like macs too, moire the windoze xp
Apple rules!
8. Will The iPod shuffle Stay In The Lineup And When Will It Be Updated?
I hope Apple will continue offering iPod shuffle. Just need to target the product to give-away-item. Some companies give away USB memory sticks. Why not iPod Shuffle instead? If someone gives me a iPod Shuffle with their logo and telephone number, I won’t forget them…. at least not until someone gives me an iPod nano.
it must be tough to learn english from avril levigne.
We were surprised that Apple raised pricing (from $499 to $599) on the Mac mini when it transitioned to the Intel platform, but in fairness to Apple, the Mac mini did get some upgraded features with a 1.5GHz processor, up from 1.25GHz and the inclusion of Front Row.
The Mac mini also got: 2 more USB ports (for a total of 4 vs. 2 on the old model), an Audio line-in jack, a dual-layer DVD burner, DVD-R and DVD+R burning at 8x (vs. 2x on the old model), and built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, which were expensive upgrade options on the old model.
I think that’s fair for $100.
While I hate to rain on this parade, these answers are naive. It’s amazing how many supposedly knowledgable and experienced people in the business have become addicted to Steve’s kool aid.
When is someone going to ask him if there are long term plans to support the Mac OS? What are the plans to deal with the coming onslaught of malware? Why is iLife so buggy and poorly supported (except for iTunes (answer: $$$$$))? What’s the real strategy behind easy access to Windows? Other than ease of access to Windows, what else will Leopard offer to the Macintosh base of loyal customers?
Somewhere in these questions is an opportunity to flush out the truth: Apple is becoming an iPod and hardware only company. Honesty is the best policy, unless, of course, you can make more money by not being honest.
It won’t happen this year or next, but we loyalists need to prepare for a very different future as we join the other 96% of personal computer users.
Right on, Jooop. The entry-level Mac mini is a much better machine than its G4 predecessor — the extra features are definitely worth $100!
“What are the plans to deal with the coming onslaught of malware?”
Hahahahahaha! Just had to laugh a little at that one!
MacDude(FUD Troller – Not!), go back to bed but remember to take your meds first. You delusional freak.
I’ll help you.
When is someone going to ask him if there are long term plans to support the Mac OS?
Yes, there are. Apple has never, ever, ever stated different. Steve Jobs loathes Windows. Apple has stated that a beta of Leopard will be released in August and then available in stores probably five or six months after that.
What are the plans to deal with the coming onslaught of malware?
User-level permissions, requiring admin passwords to make OS-wide changes, not supporting vbscript or ActiveX, and shipping with all ports closed by default. Oh wait, already done.
Your “coming onslaught of malware” is pure speculation, by the way. You pulled that out of your ass.
Why is iLife so buggy and poorly supported
iLife ’06 seemed rushed and buggy to me. But if you click on the Apple logo then Software Update, problems solved. The bugs I experienced in the inital release have been resolved by the updates, the last few being squashed in the latest GarageBand update.
What’s the real strategy behind easy access to Windows? Other than ease of access to Windows,
To make more money by making it easier for people with an irrational affection for Windows to buy Mac hardware. Every Mac sold is one more computer that can run Mac OS X.
what else will Leopard offer to the Macintosh base of loyal customers?
Unlike Microsoft, Apple doesn’t like to talk about products that aren’t very, very close to shipping. You’ll have to wait for the Leopard beta and accompanying Stevenote in August.
Most of you will attack him but, FUD Troller is right – we are being had. Speaking of iLife, I can’t believe it’s part of the new ad promotion. What an embarrassment that something as poorly supported as iMovie and iPhoto (if you are not a user of these programs, read the Discussions on Apple’s own site – it’s very embarrassing and very sad) is actually being touted as an example of how Macs are better.
Jooop,
You should write your own article. That was a good response but I wouldn’t waist my energy explaining anything to a troll.
Oh yeah…forgot to add. There not looking for one.
I use iPhoto almost everyday and never experience problems. As for the iMovie problems I cannot really comment as I don’t really use it.
I meant “They’re not…
FUD-Not,
I made it very clear, when I introduced OS X five years ago, I said this is the OS for Macs for the next 15 years.
What part of 15 years do you not understand?
Bozo
Thanks, Jooop. I only hope you are right but fear that Steve has hung on with the tiny market share as long as he can and we are being converted without being told. If you watched his body language, listened to the tonal changes in his voice, and the difficulty of him looking into the camera when he announced the Intel conversion you would know why so many are suspicious of what is really going on.
FUD-trolla;
You’ve GOT to be kidding me?!?
“If you watched his body language, listened to the tonal changes in his voice, and the difficulty of him looking into the camera … “
Are you NUTS?
I swear, that’s NSA-level quackery there, pal. I think it’s YOU who’s trying to put something over on people.
<i>”NSA-level quackery” LOL
FUD Troller is right! If you watch Steve in these videos, you’ll see what FUD Troller means about body language, tonality, aversion to camera eye contact, not to mention the copious amounts of sweat. Oh wait, you didn’t mean Steve Ballmer?!?
ballmer
ballmer
You guys are right. I AM a FUD Troller. I just did a big o’ line of coke and just couldn’t help myself. Sorry, I won’t do it again.
FUD … the conversion to Intel chips was not SJ’s proudest moment. But, what were his choices? IBM wasn’t providing any joy and had to go. That pretty much leaves Intel and AMD … and Apple already had decades of experience with a second-tier CPU maker.
As for the “tiny market share”,
a) it’s growing – growing faster than any other PC maker in any market
b) it’s bigger than many car makers – mostly those who build the cars you’d rather own
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never bought a Mac because of the excellent hardware design. Don’t get me wrong … I’m not denying the designs are excellent, only that they are not my primary motivation. It’s the OS. It’s the positives it provides and the negatives it avoids.
1. Just buy the FM Radio remote. Out of curiosity, I wonder how many of those things has Apple sold? I’m sure it can’t be too many. FM is just not in demand.
1. Will Apple Offer A Built-In FM Tuner In The iPod?
A. No, because they want you to buy songs from iTunes, not listen to them for free on the radio. That was an easy one.
2. Why Did We See A Seasonal Downtick In iPods In The March Quarter For The First Time In 3 Years?
A. Coz everyone was waiting for the “real” video iPod.
3. How Is Apple Attacking The International iPod Opportunity?
A. With guns blazing.
4. How Many iPods Does Each iPod Owner Have?
A. Three. That’s how many my wife has.
5. Is Apple Going To Make An iPhone?
A. Yes, and they’ll still charge you to recieve calls in the good ol’ US of A.
6. How Can Apple Keep The iPod Competitive?
A. By releasing the “real” video iPod.
7. Why Can’t Sony Figure Out The MP3 Player Market And Compete With The iPod?
A. Coz they’re in the “more is better” mindframe. Flashy lights and lotsa buttons and functions don’t make a better product. Morons. Stick with tape… it’s kinda better…. really.
8. Will The iPod shuffle Stay In The Lineup And When Will It Be Updated?
A. It’ll stay. See earlier report about alternate navigation methods. It’ll be updated when they’re ready.
9. Is iTunes Headed For A Tiered Pricing Model?
A. Yes.
Average new songs:$1.99
Crappy new songs the industry wants to plug:$2.49
Old classics you’ve already purchased on Vinyl, tape and CD:$1.79.
Crap classics you’ve already purchased on Vinyl, tape and CD:$.99.
Anything by Kenny G: -$.99
10. How Many Videos Are Sold On iTunes Per Week And Are iTunes Videos Any More Or Less Profitable Than iTunes Songs?
A. About 3. Probably less profitable due to excessive download costs.
11. Will We See Full Length Movies On iTunes Anytime Soon?
A. Yes, but only when George Lucas releases the original Star Wars movies on DVD… oh wait, it’s being done. Sept. 12. But is it the real non-special edition, letterboxed, THX enhanced, AC-3 versions we’re been waiting for??
12. Will Apple Start Selling Advertising In The iTunes Music Store?
A. Yes. Coz they need the money. The paltry few cents they earn per song download only just covers the costs. Except for the iPod profits that is.
13. Why Will The Release Of The iBook Not Lead To Another Transition Quarter?
A. School’s in. Woooo.
14. What Will Apple Do With Mac Pricing In The Coming Years?
A. Continue gouging customers for as long as they can on new CPU products which in all liklihood cost the same to make as prior models.
15. Why Is Boot Camp Important?
A. Get those Windows Weenies trained up for OS X, and ready for the ultimate showdown of “Mine’s better than yours”.
16. Will Apple License The Mac Operating System?
A. No. Been there done that. No, wait, Yes…. they’ll licence it for use in ATMs and cash registers coz they’re sooo gonna increase market share.
17. What Caused The Weaker Than Expected Apple Retail Store Performance In The March Quarter?
A. No “real” video iPod.
18. What Should We Expect From Apple Retail Stores This Year?
A. More broken stuff other than Windows (yes, there’s a pun there. Hope you got it. Otherwise pay attention in class more.)
19. Why Are The Apple Retail Stores So Unique?
A. There are over 100 of them…. how can they be “unique” (stupid question that one.)
20. What Will Apple’s Marketing Look Like Over The Next Several Quarters?
A. Same as usual… iPod signs all over the place, Mac signs extolling the virtues of blowing $2.5K on a high-end machine with a crappy graphics card… but you’ll at least you’ll think you’re cool.
21. What Is Apple Doing With Its >$9 Per Share In Cash?
A. Steve’s rolling on floor laughing and thinking “Suckers….” (disclosure: I’m a shareholder.)
22. What Is The Reasoning Behind The New Apple Campus In Cupertino?
A. Duh, they ran out of room for drink machines and possibly car park spaces (I mean, for those large shareholding execs who cashed in and now need to park their 4 fancy cars at work while their 5 car garage is being build.)
23. Why doesn’t Steve Jobs just get contact lenses already??!?!
interesting buried tidbit… stock buyback