An Apple (AAPL) TV set hasn't arrived yet only because of challenges in making the Sharp IGZO LCD panels Apple wants for the device, according to Gene Munster. Most prior reports (I, II) have suggested content deals are the main holdup. Munster still thinks an Apple set could launch in a year, and sport an MSRP of $1.5K-$2K. But he's been predicting one would arrive for quite some time. [View news story]
Apple TV (iPanel) will surely come in the spring. The issue of a fifth-gen iPad would upset too many buyers who have seen two new iPads (3rd and 4th) in 6 months. A product to replace the iPad during the spring is granted and it will be the TV.
Apple (AAPL) is reportedly planning to roll out a smaller, cheaper iPad by the end of the year, with a screen that's 7-8 inches diagonally vs. the current 9.7 inch version. Apparently Apple's at least a little bit worried about the Nexus 7 (GOOG) and Surface (MSFT). [View news story]
This is ridiculous. There are rumors of this mini iPad from 6 months.
More on Valve: Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook reportedly paid a visit to the gaming service's Bellevue, WA headquarters today, igniting speculation about his intentions. It's hard to imagine Apple, with its proprietary hardware focus, being interested in Valve's rumored plans to build a console for third-party OEMs. Might Apple, with its existing and rumored TV ambitions, be interested in buying Valve, whose Steam service is an app store for PC games? [View news story]
They have too much money, Valve acquisition is very interesting!
Wedge Partners' Brian Blair tells Apple (AAPL -0.4%) investors to stay on the sidelines until the company releases its FQ2 report. Blair is worried new iPad sales will miss the Street's high expectations in spite of a strong opening week, noting Apple Stores have ample supplies. Moreover, he now thinks 2012 iPad shipments will likely be at the low end of a forecast range of 56M-60M. A Chinese site recently reported Apple has slashed production of new iPads. [View news story]
I think Brian Blair is totally wrong. It has no sense stay on the sideline now, one month before earnings results. The usual strategy "buy the rumors" fits perfectly in this case. I think we will see nice greens in AAPL the week before earnings. Obviously, it's possible that iPad sales were not good, and it could be a good strategy to sell the stock on the day before announcement. However, considering the jump around 7,5% on the opening the day after last results (420 - 450), it's not a good idea do not try to play earnings! A good strategy will include a cover (puts?) to reduce stock losses in case of very bad news. Moreover, the best strategy to play AAPL earning results, further to cover, if it will be another (little) monster quarter, is to sell everything the day of the jump and to buy again some days later, at lower leves, after people take profits.
AMD introduces mid-range graphics chips based on its cutting-edge Southern Islands architecture, the Radeon HD 7700 and 7750. Reviews (I, II) praise the low power consumption of the chips, but concerns are raised about pricing. Nonetheless, the 7700/7750 extend AMD's lead in commercializing 28nm graphics chips relative to Nvidia (NVDA); graphics cards based on Nvidia's Kepler won't arrive until April or May. [View news story]
Of course the prices will be high in a market without competition. Prices will drop 20% when nVidia will come our with all Kepler solutions, and so will be very good prices
An Apple (AAPL) TV set hasn't arrived yet only because of challenges in making the Sharp IGZO LCD panels Apple wants for the device, according to Gene Munster. Most prior reports (I, II) have suggested content deals are the main holdup. Munster still thinks an Apple set could launch in a year, and sport an MSRP of $1.5K-$2K. But he's been predicting one would arrive for quite some time. [View news story]
Apple iPhone 5 Suppliers: Winners And Losers [View article]
Apple (AAPL) is reportedly planning to roll out a smaller, cheaper iPad by the end of the year, with a screen that's 7-8 inches diagonally vs. the current 9.7 inch version. Apparently Apple's at least a little bit worried about the Nexus 7 (GOOG) and Surface (MSFT). [View news story]
More on Valve: Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook reportedly paid a visit to the gaming service's Bellevue, WA headquarters today, igniting speculation about his intentions. It's hard to imagine Apple, with its proprietary hardware focus, being interested in Valve's rumored plans to build a console for third-party OEMs. Might Apple, with its existing and rumored TV ambitions, be interested in buying Valve, whose Steam service is an app store for PC games? [View news story]
Wedge Partners' Brian Blair tells Apple (AAPL -0.4%) investors to stay on the sidelines until the company releases its FQ2 report. Blair is worried new iPad sales will miss the Street's high expectations in spite of a strong opening week, noting Apple Stores have ample supplies. Moreover, he now thinks 2012 iPad shipments will likely be at the low end of a forecast range of 56M-60M. A Chinese site recently reported Apple has slashed production of new iPads. [View news story]
AMD introduces mid-range graphics chips based on its cutting-edge Southern Islands architecture, the Radeon HD 7700 and 7750. Reviews (I, II) praise the low power consumption of the chips, but concerns are raised about pricing. Nonetheless, the 7700/7750 extend AMD's lead in commercializing 28nm graphics chips relative to Nvidia (NVDA); graphics cards based on Nvidia's Kepler won't arrive until April or May. [View news story]
Prices will drop 20% when nVidia will come our with all Kepler solutions, and so will be very good prices
Premarket gainers: TLEO +17%. AKAM +14%. CSOD +8%. ONNN +6%. HPY +5%. SABA +5%. LLNW +5%. V +4%. LVLT +4%. BPOP +3%. URBN +3%. STP +3%. FBN +3%.
Losers: DMND -40%. IRBT -23%. TRIP -16%. ARRY -14%. GRPN -11%. VLNC -8%. AONE -5%. TQNT -5%. KKR -5%. ING -4%. AMSC -3%. PEP -3%. [View news story]
Electronic Arts (EA): FQ3 EPS of $0.99 beats by $0.07. Revenue of $1.65B (flat Y/Y) beats by $40M. Shares -2.4% AH. (PR) [View news story]