Apple seen countering Microsoft with wireless iPod
Microsoft Corp. may have plans to debut a wireless digital music player this year, but likely so does Apple Computer, say one Wall Street analyst.
In a research note released to clients this week, PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster said he also sees a wireless iPod making its debut from Apple.
"Apple has stated that ease of use is a key element of the iPod, so wireless functionality is an obvious next step for the product line," Munster wrote. "Apple has also stated that the pace of iPod innovation will not change."
Historically, Apple has released two new iPods each year. "But Apple has yet to release a new iPod this year," Munster added. "Based on these two factors, we expect a new wireless iPod this fall."
While acknowledging that there has recently been a lot of talk about Microsoft's new wireless MP3 player, the analyst said he does not believe the yet-to-be-seen offering will be a worthy opponent for the iPod.
"One significant indication is that Windows Media-enabled MP3 players have been in the market for three years and have been unable to grow their roughly 25 percent market share," he wrote. "Additionally, we expect Apple will release a new iPod this fall that will likely focus on ease of use, including wireless connectivity."
Munster remains bullish on shares of Apple, rating them "Outperform" with a price target of $99.
In a research note released to clients this week, PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster said he also sees a wireless iPod making its debut from Apple.
"Apple has stated that ease of use is a key element of the iPod, so wireless functionality is an obvious next step for the product line," Munster wrote. "Apple has also stated that the pace of iPod innovation will not change."
Historically, Apple has released two new iPods each year. "But Apple has yet to release a new iPod this year," Munster added. "Based on these two factors, we expect a new wireless iPod this fall."
While acknowledging that there has recently been a lot of talk about Microsoft's new wireless MP3 player, the analyst said he does not believe the yet-to-be-seen offering will be a worthy opponent for the iPod.
"One significant indication is that Windows Media-enabled MP3 players have been in the market for three years and have been unable to grow their roughly 25 percent market share," he wrote. "Additionally, we expect Apple will release a new iPod this fall that will likely focus on ease of use, including wireless connectivity."
Munster remains bullish on shares of Apple, rating them "Outperform" with a price target of $99.
Comments
1 - Make presentation on Mac o PC.
2 - Save to wireless iPod.
3 - Boot Mac OS X (mobile) from wireless iPod and use it as a remote control for the wireless presentation. No cables. No computers involved. Just the wireless iPod and a wireless videoprojector.
The halo effect will be tremendous on corporate, domestic and educational markets.
Full article:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/06/m...yer-working-o/
Originally posted by ebolagp
We needed an analyst to tell us this obvious truth?
Nope. But a lot of investors do.
Originally posted by solsun
The real stickler is todays news that "Microsoft plans to convert iPod users by replacing iTMS purchased songs with FREE WMA format songs if you switch players."
Full article:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/06/m...yer-working-o/
At this point it seems like they're still doing the "let's throw a hundred rumors out and see which ones excite people the most" stage of product development. The Live Anywhere thing could become Big, or could be a big dud... hard to tell. And letting people, essentially, transcode their iTMS music gets rid of the Apple DRM lock-in issue. (See? competition solves everything-- no reason to complain about DRM anymore
The iTunes purchased tracks will not be transcoded. Instead, Microsoft will scan your iTunes library and pay the labels/content owners directly so that consumers can download free WMA versions of songs they've already purchased from iTunes. The labels benefit because they are getting paid twice for the same song, once from the iTunes customer and once from Microsoft for a WMA version.
It's basically like Microsoft is offering a rebate to consumers for all of their iTMS purchases if they buy Microsofts new player.
1. A hoax
or
2. Microsoft is trying to beat Apple at it's own game.
-Apple releases Leopard which will allow users to run their PC apps without Windows.
-Microsoft releases x-player which allows users to listen to their iTunes songs without iTunes or an iPod.
The whole Leopard virtualization must be pissing of Redmond big time. This could be Microsofts way of getting even. God knows they've got the money to do it.
Originally posted by Ferali
the thing is, they could be losing alot of money depending on how many songs each user has, but even so not enough people will switch to even make a noticable amount of money lost.
Agreed.
If Apple has sold 50 million iPods and 1 billion songs, that breaks down to an average of $20 worth of iTunes purchases for each iPod sold.
Originally posted by ebolagp
We needed an analyst to tell us this obvious truth?
Seriously, these analysts actually get PAID to say things like, "Apple usually refreshes the iPod twice a year. They haven't refreshed yet this year, so we forecast two refreshes in the next six months. Check please."
Originally posted by zunx
A wireless iPod with videopresentation capabilities would be a new standard and sell millions:
1 - Make presentation on Mac o PC.
2 - Save to wireless iPod.
3 - Boot Mac OS X (mobile) from wireless iPod and use it as a remote control for the wireless presentation. No cables. No computers involved. Just the wireless iPod and a wireless videoprojector.
The halo effect will be tremendous on corporate, domestic and educational markets.
They should pair this with that new Samsung projector that is the size of a Mac mini.
- Well, the new sega, the megadrive, is gonna be 16 bit, it's gonna kick your NES ass!
And the next kid was like:
-Well, the next Nintendo is gonna be 17 bit, so just bite your...
Just because Apple introduced 2 new iPods a year doesn't mean Apple is introducing a wireless iPod this year, that's just silly to assume something like that. And screw this wireless iPod thing anyway. Is it really that interesting? Is the deal that if you constantly have the music store in your pocket you'll buy more music? Over like 3G phone networks, that are barely up and working today? Perhaps.. but it must be free at all times to browse and purchase from the store, and with no SIM card thing. Perhaps apple could Donate half their share of the purchase to the network supplier if the song is purchased online. If it costs to browse the store and the prices are higher the whole thing is just stupid. It seems really complicated to make this get going.
Originally posted by McHuman
It was reported that Apple was hiring tons of wireless engineers early this year. I suspect they are working on a wireless iPod that lets you play music from an iTMS server (and videos!) from anywhere.
My guess is they are working on adding Bluetooth and not WiFi.
Bluetooth has some immediate tangible advantages.
Wireless headphones
Wireless car interface
Wireless gaming
Information Syncing and sharing (send vcard)
GPS interface (external GPS receiver sends coordinates via Bluetooth, iPod shows you your current location and allows you to zoom in/out using the scroll pad)
WiFi has limited use on an iPod today and will only pay off in a few years.
WiFi will suck batteries and add bulk to the iPod.
Originally posted by Johnny Mozzarella
My guess is they are working on adding Bluetooth and not WiFi.
Bluetooth has some immediate tangible advantages.
Wireless headphones
Wireless car interface
Wireless gaming
Information Syncing and sharing (send vcard)
GPS interface (external GPS receiver sends coordinates via Bluetooth, iPod shows you your current location and allows you to zoom in/out using the scroll pad)
WiFi has limited use on an iPod today and will only pay off in a few years.
WiFi will suck batteries and add bulk to the iPod.
I wholeheartedly agree.
I just can't see a reason or an advantage to a Wi-Pod... however, if they would just make a larger screen, add a bloody AM/FM radio and GPS capability... I would be stoked to the max!
Originally posted by bdj21ya
Right, then maybe a keyboard, a trackpad and an AC Power adapter, throw in a CD Drive, it could be the best iPod yet.8)
Why in the name of all that is sacred would I want to weigh down an iPod with a CD drive....?!
Originally posted by solsun
The whole Leopard virtualization must be pissing of Redmond big time. This could be Microsofts way of getting even. God knows they've got the money to do it.
1. Boot Camp isn't virtualization (you're thinking of Parallels, which Apple doesn't own)
2. In order to use either Boot Camp or Parallels, you have to buy a copy of Windows, which only means more $$$ for Microsoft
3. Does this mean that Microsoft is pissed off at Dell and HP for making it possible for Windows to run on their hardware too?
4. If virtualization pisses Microsoft so much, then why have they been offering Virtual PC for the Mac for some time now?
In summary:
Originally posted by solsun
Agreed.
If Apple has sold 50 million iPods and 1 billion songs, that breaks down to an average of $20 worth of iTunes purchases for each iPod sold.
Ok! That's what I was going to say. The estimate is that the average iPod has 20 songs. The people who are dissatisfied might very well move over. MS can afford to do whatever they want to gain customers.
People, don't forget that MS said that they were going to spend $500 million to promote Vista. They can afford to pay for a few million songs.