bryanz

Apple: Trading on the Cheap

Aren't MacWorld and the WWDC are typically buy the rumor, sell the news events though? The idea of underpromise, overdeliver that Peter Oppenheimer subscribes plays havoc with the hearts and minds of analysts who gush over the numbers that are reported then - pardon me - crap their pants on the guidance. Until recently when AAPL actually started reporting the non-conforming revenue numbers that bundle in deferred revenues from iPhone sales, people had trouble figuring those numbers out.

I'm curious as to AAPL selling an iPhone in WMT and what that would do to the image of exclusivity and chic appeal that belongs to the AAPL brand. I understand that you can buy iPods anywhere. Can you buy a Mac at WMT though? It's an incredible distribution channel but the coffee shop set might be a little turned off by seeing their baby sold at the big boxers.

I like that the market dropped 240pts (ok I don't like "that") while AAPL managed to stay positive and actually break $100 again. Hopefully it can develop support at that level and push higher.

Research In Motion: Vulnerable to a Takeover Bid? Part 2

Unless the situation at RIMM really deteriorates to a state of disrepair I don't see how MSFT would get a majority of shareholders to agree to the deal unless they offered $80/share at least. They couldn't even get YHOO to agree to a deal. Imagine if some company came in now and offered $115 for POT? They'd be laughed at. RIMM is trading at Fwd P/E of less than 14 right now while still producing a product with extremely high profit margins. They missed by a PENNY and got obliterated b/c their margins are going to shrink 3%?.

Where's the synergy anyway? You're talking about two wholly disparate smartphone platforms in BB OS and Windows Mobile. Integrating those seems like a logistical nightmare. Would MSFT just keep two separate platforms and sell Blackberrys and Treos?

I mean I understand its a rough market but it's not like RIMM is knocking on death's door here. They aren't desperate for a buyer, they've got the Storm coming out soon, they've got the successor to the Curve coming out sometime in Q4 of this year... They're maintaining their enterprise and business market while expanding into the consumer space. Smartphones are replacing regular phones as people realize they can have things like small devices with full or near-full keyboards, brilliant screens, WiFi, GPS, etc.

RIMM and AAPL are the leaders in the smartphone market for a reason, and they'll both continue to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

Research In Motion: Expectations Running High

I think one of the major issues with the iPhone is that you're tied to AT&T. Lots of people don't like the idea of being tied a carrier no matter how cool their phones are. Back when they were Cingular I had some pretty crappy customer service experiences with them and promised myself I wouldn't give them my money anymore. I switched to T-Mo, their customer service is great, coverage is pretty good, and even with my Blackberry plan my minutes are still cheaper than a standard plan from AT&T. A phone that loads the national geographic website in 19 seconds, no matter how slick, isn't enough to convince me to go back to them.

RBC Analyst: RIM Can Withstand Smartphone Competition

Smartphones are an expanding, not contracting marketplace. there's room for AAPL and RIMM to grow. Calling RIMM a one-trick pony is a bit short-sighted considering they've got the enterprise market eating out of the palm (no pun intended) of their hand, and the pearl and curve and forthcoming 9000-series are expanding their reach in the consumer market.

And RIMM isn't walking around saying "iPhone-killer"... that's analysts and reviewers trying to rev up the hype machine. AAPL and RIMM are two solid companies that have given me solid gains over the past couple months. And ppl predicting RIMM's demise... short the stock and put your money where your mouth is.