Piper Jaffray says Apple media event still likely by April, sees 'new iPad body styles'
Although a recent rumor that Apple was preparing to host a developer-related television event next month was almost instantly shot down, investment research firm Piper Jaffray says a review of years past indicates the company is still likely to host an event by the end of April, which could see the introduction of redesigned iPads.
"We believe that looking at the history of time between Apple product launch events suggests that the company will introduce something new in March or April," analyst Gene Munster told clients on Friday. "Over the past two years, the Spring event has been iPad updates."
Given that Apple just introduced the iPad mini in October but only made minor updates to the full sized iPads at the time, Munster believes the year's first Apple event could produce a major design overall to the full-sized iPad with Retina display with characteristics akin to that of the mini.
"We believe the most likely scenario is an event in between the two, i.e. March or April," the analyst wrote.
In addition to the incremental iPad update, Munster also believes Apple could update the Apple TV, primarily with better software and an early take an at App Store, ahead of a formal television launch at a later date.
"We would expect to see an Apple TV update in the next six months if Apple plans to launch a television by the end of the year, which we still expect," he said. "We believe the updated Apple TV software could 'prime the pump' for the ultimate television."
Munster's comments regarding a near-term Apple media event arrive on the heals of similar claims from one of his peers -- Peter Misek over at Jefferies. Misek's claim of an Apple media event in March related to developer tools for a future version of Apple TV was, however, instantly extinguished by Jim Dalrymple.
Dalrymple, as many Apple watchers will attest, has served as an unofficial extension of Apple's public relations department when commenting on matters as such, and therefore his comments are largely believed in-line and representative of Apple's actual intentions.
"We believe that looking at the history of time between Apple product launch events suggests that the company will introduce something new in March or April," analyst Gene Munster told clients on Friday. "Over the past two years, the Spring event has been iPad updates."
Given that Apple just introduced the iPad mini in October but only made minor updates to the full sized iPads at the time, Munster believes the year's first Apple event could produce a major design overall to the full-sized iPad with Retina display with characteristics akin to that of the mini.
Munster told clients that he went back and combed over several years of events where Apple launched a significant new hardware product and and paid special attention to the time lapses between those events. Since the June 8th, 2009 launch of the iPhone 3GS, Apple has held 11 major product launch events, he said.We believe Apple could update the full-sized iPad to a body style similar to the iPad Mini. Additionally, we believe that the iPad Mini could get a Retina display, although that may happen later in the year given the supply constraints Apple faced on the Mini in the December quarter.
Munster noted that the iPhone 4S may have faced some delays that extended the gap between launches. Therefore, given Apple's last event was October 23, 2012, a 4 month difference would suggest a late February event while a 7 month break would imply a late May event.The average time between the events has been 123 days, about 4 months. The longest amount of time between events since the 3GS launch in 2009 was 216 days (about 7 months), which was the gap between the iPad 2 launch in March 2011 and the iPhone 4S launch in October 2011.
"We believe the most likely scenario is an event in between the two, i.e. March or April," the analyst wrote.
In addition to the incremental iPad update, Munster also believes Apple could update the Apple TV, primarily with better software and an early take an at App Store, ahead of a formal television launch at a later date.
"We would expect to see an Apple TV update in the next six months if Apple plans to launch a television by the end of the year, which we still expect," he said. "We believe the updated Apple TV software could 'prime the pump' for the ultimate television."
Munster's comments regarding a near-term Apple media event arrive on the heals of similar claims from one of his peers -- Peter Misek over at Jefferies. Misek's claim of an Apple media event in March related to developer tools for a future version of Apple TV was, however, instantly extinguished by Jim Dalrymple.
Dalrymple, as many Apple watchers will attest, has served as an unofficial extension of Apple's public relations department when commenting on matters as such, and therefore his comments are largely believed in-line and representative of Apple's actual intentions.
Comments
It's really amazing how much press these analysts get when they're obviously wrong far more than they're right.
If anything comes out this spring it'll probably be the rumored watch.
Crap! Now I have to wait until April to get my new iPad Mini.
I'm a ninny.
Hey, I made a rhyme!
It's certainly possible that Apple could release the new iPads this spring, but not probable at this point (my opinon). I just think we'd be seeing more leaks of the redesigned iPad 5 by now if a spring release was on tap, not to mention the very short life of the iPad 4 if true.
Cook did say (in regards to the iPad) they're not not slowing down, pedal to the metal - surely he didn't just mean a 128 GB iPad? That is hardly "pedal to the metal." A redesigned iPad 5 and iPad mini with retina display by Q2, now THAT is pedal to the metal.
By the way, has this been dalrympled yet either way?
I would hope we see the next iPhone announced at WWDC with a launch in July so we can return to summer iPhones, and move iPads to the fall, say Sept/Oct in time for the holiday season. Unless they want to change the iPad vs iPad mini release cycle to keep more refresh cycle's going Spring (mini), Summer (iPhone), Fall (iPad), iTouch's go where they go.
Everyone has a prediction. Why are analysts' predictions written up as articles on AppleInsider? Do we really give that much credence to the Jim Cramers of the world?
The next event being about new iPads seems unlikely. We just had a 128GB model released to the line up. I think the Autumn is more likely, along with new iPods.
Again people are angry with rumours on a rumour site and Apple going outside their comfort zone.
A new 10" iPad model makes sense right now if they can make it lighter. The bump to a higher capacity is not a model change. Apple want to win in Tablets. Last year they released 3 models. Why not upgrade as soon as possible.
Fixed that for Mr. Munster ¡
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilBoogie
Fixed that for Mr. Munster ¡
if you were going to fix it then shouldn't it be
Munster is likely to look dumb when it turns out the iPad is shifting to a fall release
Quote:
Originally Posted by asdasd
Again people are angry with rumours on a rumour site and Apple going outside their comfort zone.
A new 10" iPad model makes sense right now if they can make it lighter. The bump to a higher capacity is not a model change. Apple want to win in Tablets. Last year they released 3 models. Why not upgrade as soon as possible.
That's how I feel: get a standard sized model out that follows the mini/iPhone 5 design, if they go IGZO for the screen battery life would be fine (or heck, improved).