Analyst says iTV, new iPod and iPhone 'likely' at Macworld
PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster on Tuesday said Apple Computer is likely to roll out its iTV set-top box at Macworld Expo in addition to a new iPod and its much anticipated iPod cell phone.
In a note to clients, the analyst assessed 11 of the most popular product rumors surrounding the Cupertino, Calif.-based company, including a ranking of certainty on which products are likely to appear at the January trade show.
"With one month left in what is anticipated to be a solid holiday quarter for Apple, we believe investors will start to shift their focus to potential new product announcements at Apple's Macworld expo on January 9," Munster wrote.
He said growing expectations for new and upgraded products at Macworld could provide upside to his valuation of Apple, noting that the iTV and iPhone represent "significant additional potential drivers" for the company. He said the two products could be strengthened further by a release of a widescreen iPod at the trade show.
"Just as Apple waited several years to enter the MP3 market, we believe the company is well-positioned to enter the phone market now that early music-enabled handsets have tested the waters," Munster told clients. "Apple will differentiate itself by offering iTunes integration on Macs and PCs, and by leveraging its expertise in software engineering for media playing devices."
Almost Certain (in the next 2-6 months):
In the "almost certain" category, Munster listed both the iPhone's entry to manufacturing and a release of iTV at Macworld, ranking both rumors a 10 out of 10 in terms of certainty.
Likely (in the next 6-12 months):
The analyst said it's "likely" the iPhone will sport a candy bar form-facor, giving that rumor a 9 out of 10 ranking. Similarly, he said a wireless widescreen iPod with touch-sensitivity and a second iPhone model with integrated keyboard are also likely, ranking both rumors a 7 out of 10.
Also likely, though with a slightly lower ranking of 6 out of 10, are rumblings that the iPhone will be available in 4GB and 8GB configurations, bundle an iSight camera, and work on multiple wireless carriers.
A Stretch (possibly in the next 12-18 months):
Unlikely rumors, which Munster calls "a stretch," include an ultra-portable 12-inch MacBook Pro (4 out of 10), radio-transparent material used for iPhone casing (3 out of 10), iPhone to feature "iChat Mobile" video and instant messaging (2 out of 10), and a release of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard at Macworld (3 out of 10).
In a note to clients, the analyst assessed 11 of the most popular product rumors surrounding the Cupertino, Calif.-based company, including a ranking of certainty on which products are likely to appear at the January trade show.
"With one month left in what is anticipated to be a solid holiday quarter for Apple, we believe investors will start to shift their focus to potential new product announcements at Apple's Macworld expo on January 9," Munster wrote.
He said growing expectations for new and upgraded products at Macworld could provide upside to his valuation of Apple, noting that the iTV and iPhone represent "significant additional potential drivers" for the company. He said the two products could be strengthened further by a release of a widescreen iPod at the trade show.
"Just as Apple waited several years to enter the MP3 market, we believe the company is well-positioned to enter the phone market now that early music-enabled handsets have tested the waters," Munster told clients. "Apple will differentiate itself by offering iTunes integration on Macs and PCs, and by leveraging its expertise in software engineering for media playing devices."
Almost Certain (in the next 2-6 months):
In the "almost certain" category, Munster listed both the iPhone's entry to manufacturing and a release of iTV at Macworld, ranking both rumors a 10 out of 10 in terms of certainty.
Likely (in the next 6-12 months):
The analyst said it's "likely" the iPhone will sport a candy bar form-facor, giving that rumor a 9 out of 10 ranking. Similarly, he said a wireless widescreen iPod with touch-sensitivity and a second iPhone model with integrated keyboard are also likely, ranking both rumors a 7 out of 10.
Also likely, though with a slightly lower ranking of 6 out of 10, are rumblings that the iPhone will be available in 4GB and 8GB configurations, bundle an iSight camera, and work on multiple wireless carriers.
A Stretch (possibly in the next 12-18 months):
Unlikely rumors, which Munster calls "a stretch," include an ultra-portable 12-inch MacBook Pro (4 out of 10), radio-transparent material used for iPhone casing (3 out of 10), iPhone to feature "iChat Mobile" video and instant messaging (2 out of 10), and a release of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard at Macworld (3 out of 10).
Comments
12" Macbook pro! That would be so sweet! w00t!
I hope it has illuminated keyboard this time around .
i'm kinda hoping for the widescreen ipod to debut at macworld in january.
Didn't the analyst just give that a 7 out of 10 of happening?
I like Gene Munster, he seems to be one of the better analysts.
They're like... analyzing rumors? Is that it? Just like you and me and everyone else? Strange business. Just because they say it, what makes it more reliable?
well, the difference is, non analyzers pay them
The analyst said it's "likely" the iPhone will sport a candy bar form-facor, giving that rumor a 9 out of 10 ranking. Similarly, he said a wireless widescreen iPod with touch-sensitivity and a second iPhone model with integrated keyboard are also likely, ranking both rumors a 7 out of 10.
1- A touch screen iPod and a candy bar with an integrated keyboard?! It is so not Jonathan Ive! Only tech heads want to use eeneeweenee tiny keyboards and greasy touch screens! Bytheby, ever tried using a touch screen or babykeyboard outside during Winter with your gloves on?! It's no problem with the (physical) clickwheel 8)
2- A 10/10 certainty is a fact
3- A 12" MBP? Don't think so. They'd rather wait for Santa Rosa (the new Intel chip sheduled in spring 07) and update the complete MBP family.
4- iTv is gonna be the big news! Together with a new iPod. The hot iPhone is not gonna be until September 07! And if they do, it's gonna outshine the other announcements.
A Stretch (possibly in the next 12-18 months):
Unlikely rumors, which Munster calls "a stretch," include an ultra-portable 12-inch MacBook Pro (4 out of 10), radio-transparent material used for iPhone casing (3 out of 10), iPhone to feature "iChat Mobile" video and instant messaging (2 out of 10), and a release of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard at Macworld (3 out of 10).
I don't understand. 12-18 months for Leopard? We already know it's going to be with us around spring time… so why even bother saying otherwise?
The article is pointless in my opinion, it's just a summary of what we know with some random stuff.
-tj
LG showed their ultra portable concept laptop rumors of an ultra portable mac laptop emerges... sounds like some mac fan or some leaker at apple didn't like the blow.
They're like... analyzing rumors? Is that it? Just like you and me and everyone else? Strange business. Just because they say it, what makes it more reliable?
Yes. These rumors are now 10% more reliable because they have analyzed them.
... iPhone to feature "iChat Mobile" video and instant messaging (2 out of 10)
from context, i feel like this will be an uninformed question, but that won't stop me! Why WOULDN'T a new iPhone include text messaging? both my phones include it, and all the low-end Sprint phones my daughters use allow IM'g. I consider it a standard feature. Apparently it's not?
You know, I guess Almost Certain is 10 out of 10... And that makes sense, because when it is knowledge it isn't a rumor.
mr O, in case you were wondering, it isn't just 'tech heads' who use them, actually all of our attorneys and our office manager love using them, and many other 'regular' people. They really are quite handy. If you look at market share, I do believe items like the Treo and Blackberry are most purchased by people in the Professional field...
from context, i feel like this will be an uninformed question, but that won't stop me! Why WOULDN'T a new iPhone include text messaging? both my phones include it, and all the low-end Sprint phones my daughters use allow IM'g. I consider it a standard feature. Apparently it's not?
This also crossed my mind. With a statement like "leveraging its expertise in software engineering" and the fact that anyphone has IM and text messaging it's agiven that the iPhone will have iChat features out of the box.
With Vista finally being released in January I can't imagine waiting for Leopard to arrive, much less 12-18 months.
Why would an iPod need 802.11 wireless? It's a slow transfer compared to USB2.0 or FW-400. It will significantly reduce the battery life of any device while adding increased cost and weigh. Seriously, I'm looking for a valid answer as I really don't the interest in it.
And as previous stated, a 10/10 Certainty rating is not speculative. It's hard to believe these people get paid for this. Where can I get a job like this?
Didn't the analyst just give that a 7 out of 10 of happening?
I like Gene Munster, he seems to be one of the better analysts.
well, he also said 6-12 months... that's too long in my opinion.
i agree that he seems more insightful.
he really is pissing in the wind
Don't get Tukata (whatever his fake name is) going on about urine therapy again.
They're like... analyzing rumors? Is that it? Just like you and me and everyone else? Strange business. Just because they say it, what makes it more reliable?
He does that every so often. After all, the rumors he acesses are ones that are popular, and sometimes brought up first by the analysts themselves as they go through their sources for information.
I think it's interesting, and what he saya looks likely, though they are only his informed guesses.
Most likely candidates for introduction at MacWorld: 100GB iPod and re-branded iTV.
do you think 100GB ipod = 6th gen widescreen ipod? or 5.9 gen ipod?