We start with a 160GB Apple TV for $129. Also on tap: an iPad compatible back panel for $69 and a series of reduced-price iPhone applications, including “Nightstand Control,” a time, weather and alarm app.
Along the way, we check out more iPhone applications, new cases for your iPhone 4 and software for your Mac. As always, details on these and many other items can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page after the jump.
Apple reportedly has hired a former Warner Music Group executive with intimate knowledge of negotiations between the music publisher and retailers, which presumably included the Cupertino, Calif. digital music giant. Elliot Peters, Warner’s senior vice president and head of its digital legal department next month will become the head of corporate legal affairs for iTunes based in Luxembourg.
In a memo, Warner told employees Elliot “had a hand in almost every major WMG digital deal.” Among the parties with which Elliot has negotiated: Columbia House Music and Video Clubs, Word Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Publications. Apple is the largest U.S. music retailer and digital music sales are expected to overshadow CD sales in 2011.
An analyst Tuesday issued a very bullish prediction for iPhone and iPad sales next year, double that of other onlookers and following lower-than-expected fourth-quarter sales. Wedge Partners analyst Brian Blair believes the Cupertino, Calif. company will sell 100 million iPhones and up to 48 million iPads in 2011.
While Blair admits the sales estimate is a “staggering number any way you look at it,” he insists Apple is prepping for a “nearly 100 percent year-over-year growth for iPhone” next year. By comparison, Oppenheimer analyst Yair Reiner believes Apple will sell 52 million iPhones and 23 million iPads during 2011. On the low end, following lower than expected fourth-quarter numbers, Needham & Company analyst Charlie Wolf predicts Apple will sell only 18 million iPads, but cautioned even that figure may be too high if tablet distribution doesn’t increase.
We begin with several refurbished MacBook Air laptops, starting at $849 for a 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo 13.3-inch model. Also on tap is a two-year iPad warranty from SqaureTrade. The warranty covers drops and spills. The spotlight is also on a new batch of free App Store titles for the iPhone and iPod touch, including “Finger Traffic Navigator”, a line drawing puzzle.
Along the way, we’ll also check out storage options, ways to keep your iPhone 4 in power, as well as software for your Mac. As always, details on these and many other bargains can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump.
More confirmation of what most already assumed: Apple’s iPad dominates the tablet market. Earlier, we reported 80 percent of people considering a tablet plan to buy an iPad. Now comes word from another research firm that Apple owns more than 90 percent of the global market, with Android-based equivalents far behind in the single-digit basement.
According to Strategy Analytics, 95.5 percent of tablets sold in the third quarter bear the Apple logo. In addition, the Cupertino, Calif. company shipped 4.4 million iPads, higher than the 4.19 million Apple reported for September.
The growth of tablets – particularly Apple’s iPad – is dampening consumer demand for low-cost netbooks. Only 14 percent of people planning to purchase a laptop in the next ninety days will pick a netbook – a 10-point drop from this summer, according to ChangeWave.
“The decline of Netbooks is attributable to a combination of factors including the end of the recession and the mounting penetration of Tablet computers – notably the Apple iPad,” said Paul Carton, Vice President of Research, Tuesday. The company’s October survey of more than 3,000 consumers also found plans to purchase a laptop remain flat at 8 percent while future desktop purchases grew by just one point to 6 percent, compared to August.
We start off November with a great deal on a 16GB Wi-Fi iPad – just $449. The Apple Store has more than a dozen factory-refurbished iMacs, including a 22-inch model powered by a 3.06GHz i3 for just $1,019. Finally, for those in the U.S. who haven’t gotten enough ghosties and ghoulies, get some undead action on your iPhone with the Zombie Flick app.
Along the way, we’ll also check out several cases for your iPhone, some apps and assorted other items for your Mac. As always, details on everything can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump.
Christmas came a bit early this year for two Apple executives who cashed in some of their high-flying Apple stock options for a combined $55 million payday in October. Retail head Ron Johnson came away with more than $44 million while Mac hardware chief Bob Mansfield raked in $10 million, according to papers filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Johnson, a former Target executive Apple brought in in 2000 to lead its then minor retail business, is known for developing 317 retail locations and pushing the idea of a “Genius Bar” at Apple Stores. He exercised 150,000 $11.73 options, selling them for $306.07 per share for $44.151 million before taxes. Almost three years ago, Johnson exercised 700,000 options at $23.72 each, selling them at $185 to $185.21 per share for $113 million. Additionally, earlier this year, Johnson sold 200,000 options for about $46 million.
Two analyst houses are out Monday morning reporting similar findings: Android is more popular in the U.S. than Apple, and both are squeezing RIM out of the market. Android is on 44 percent of American phones – up 11 points since the previous quarter. Meanwhile, Apple’s iOS has relatively flat growth – up 1 point to 23 percent, according to consumer research firm NPD.
RIM, despite its Curve 8500 being the second most popular phone behind the iPhone 4, lost 6 points in the third quarter.
We close out the week with a couple deals for the MacBook Pro and price drops on several iPad applications, including the venerable Pac-Man. Along the way, we’ll also take a look at other price cuts for iPhone apps, as well as accessories for your favorite handset.
As always, details on these and many other items can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump.
Apple’s latest record-breaking iPhone sales was enough to make the Cupertino, Calif. company the No. 4 mobile phone vendor worldwide, passing BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, according to research firm IDC. Although Apple has consistently scored among top smartphone vendors, this is the first time the iPhone maker has made it into the top ranks of general cell phone providers.
As a result, RIM pushed Sony Ericcson out of the top five for the first time in six years, according to IDC.
First Apple surpassed rival Microsoft in market capitalization, now the Cupertino, Calif. company has beaten the business that Bill built in terms of flat-out revenue. The iPad maker recorded a record $20.34 billion this quarter, compared to Microsoft’s $16.20 billion.
Apple didn’t just beat the Redmond-based software giant, but stomped Microsoft’s best ever three-month period: $19 billion in revenue. The one area Microsoft still leads is profit margin. The company reported $5.41 billion compared to Apple’s $4.31 billion. Apple’s profit margin was below expectation this quarter as it dealt with keeping costs low for the iPad and the extra expense of a free bumper program in response to problems with the iPhone 4.
We start off with two frightfully good deals for your iPhone. First is the latest crop of free iPhone applications, including “A Scary Prank.” Next is the Cyclops Case for your iPhone 4. A bit more on the ‘treat’ side is a stylish mini stand for your iPad that’s just $2.
Along the way, we’ll also check out some cases for your iPod touch, as well as some refurbished second-generation iPods, and a 27-inch LED Cinema Display bundled with Apple’s Magic Trackpad. As usual, details on these and many other bargains can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump.
Thursday marks the first day Verizon Wireless and AT&T offer the iPad. The two carriers are just the latest outlets for Apple’s extensive push to sell the tablet during the all-important holiday period. Earlier this month, the Cupertino, Calif. company unexpectedly announced Verizon would sell the iPad, alongside its longtime partner AT&T. The move only fuels speculation Verizon will soon also offer customers a CDMA version of the iPhone.
AT&T customers can purchase all three iPad models at the usual price, while Verizon subscribers will get a Wi-Fi iPad bundled with the carrier’s MiFi mobile hotspot. As for data plans, AT&T offers a 250MB per month deal for $14.99 or a $25 per month option with 2GB. Subscribers also receive unlimited access to AT&T’s more than 23,000 U.S. Wi-Fi hotspots.
Publicly-traded companies are obliged to file annual reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commision. Most are dry, recitations of a firm’s plans and projections, but sometimes they give insight into an otherwise tight-lipped organization, such as Apple. The Cupertino, Calif. company, riding high from its recent iPhone 4 and iPad successes, has increased its staff by a third, hiked its advertising budget and isn’t expecting any big acquisitions in 2011.
Apple has 26,500 employees, a third more than the 10,000 reported in 2009. The increase may be linked to the company’s retail expansion. The iPad maker has 317 retail stores, up from 273 a year ago. The company told federal regulators it plans to open 50 more retail locations in 2011.
Whether you are looking for a new workhorse Mac Pro or some silly downtown with your iPhone, we have the deal for you today. First up is a quad-core 2.66GHz Xeon Mac Pro Workstation for $2,119. Next, get your iPad engraved for free at the Apple Store. Finally, a new batch of marked-down iPhone applications, including “SpongeBob Marbles & Slides.”
Along the way, we’ll check out a slew of new cases for your iPhone or iPod, as well as software for your handset or desktop computer. As always, details on these and many other items can be found at CoM’s “Daily Deals” page right after the jump.
European-based streaming music player Spotify Tuesday denied reports of acquisition talks with Apple. A blog had reported Spotify and Apple were involved in buy-out discussions.
Although the company normally wouldn’t comment on speculation, “we wanted to make it clear that we have absolutely no intention of selling Spotify,” a spokesman told a reporter. An earlier report suggested the two companies were in talks about the Cupertino, Calif. firm acquiring Spotify, which is attempting to enter the U.S. digital music market.
More evidence has been uncovered that Apple intends to double the size of its soon-to-be-operational 500,000 square-foot data center in North Carolina. Apple, in 2009, purchased 70 acres just across the street from the already-disclosed location of its Maiden, NC site, according to new reports. The news appears to support rumors that the Cupertino, Calif. company will eventually create a 1-million acre site to support future streaming media ventures.
Initially, when in 2009 Apple acquired land for a second data center in addition to its Newark, Calif. locations, reports put the land purchase at 183 acres. However, this new report supports talk of a “Phase 2” which would create a second mirror-image of the previously-disclosed data center.
Apple should sell 22.5 million iPads in 2011, controlling half the 45 million tablets likely sold. The prediction comes from an unlikely source: ViewSonic, maker of an iPad rival. ViewSonic, maker of the just-released ViewPad 7, hopes to get 10 percent of the remaining non-iPad tablet purchases – or around 2 million units.
ViewSonic’s Asia Pacific president, Alan Chang, believes tablets will eventually force the phase-out of netbooks in Taiwan. The company’s 10-inch iPad alternative now uses Android, but will also offer a Windows 7 version.
Nintendo, the mobile gaming pioneer, now sees Apple as the immediate threat to its future, not Microsoft. “Do I think that in the near term [Apple] can hurt us more than Microsoft? Absolutely,” Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime tells an interviewer.
September was a good month for Apple’s push into mobile gaming. Alongside its claim that the Cupertino, Calif. company held 50 percent of the portable gaming segment, and that the iPod touch was the No. 1 gaming device, Apple opened a gaming center for its lucrative App Store. That, along with a survey finding iOS gamers nearly outnumber Nintendo fans is enough to explain why the DS maker sees Apple as the “enemy of the future.”
The white iPhone 4, which has become somewhat of a mysterious species among the vast herds of black-and-silver handsets, may soon appear in the wild. Apple’s new Apple Store applications is listing it among the options for reserving and iPhone.
Although not available at Apple’s online storefront, the white iPhone, in 16GB or 32GB configurations, is listed in the “Reserve product” tab of the application. The option may mean the white iPhone 4 is ready for wider distribution.
Could Apple, with $51 billion burning a hole in Cupertino’s pocket, turn its acquisitive eye toward consumer electronics pioneer Sony? That’s the question getting attention today as rumor of potential purchases by the iPhone maker push Sony stock higher. Like many rumors, the Sony buyout chatter has vaporous origins.
Although analysts appear skeptical as to how friendly such a takeover would be, just the potential of a buyout had Sony’s stock climbing 3 percent. Also fueling the rumor were comments by former Apple CEO John Scully. Scully, talking with reporters, said Steve Jobs always envisioned Sony as Apple’s goal.
Apple’s new data center in North Carolina is “fully operational” and prepared to “ramp up production,” according to a weekend report. Additionally, the industry publication appears to confirm last week’s report that the Cupertino, Calif. company may double the current 500,000 square-foot server farm.
The report buttresses a July statement by Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer to reporters. “We expect to complete it by the end of the calendar year, and begin to use it,” the executive said. Since acknowledging the North Carolina site’s existence nearly a year ago, the location has been the source of rumor and speculation.
We wrap up another week of Mac deals with three bargains in the spotlight. MacConnections is now offering a discount on Apple’s recently released MacBook Air laptops. The $969 deal includes an 11.6-inch unit with a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor and 64GB SSD. Also on tap is a bevy of iPhone games from EA, including Sims 3, Spore Creatures and more. Finally, there is a deal on the iDuo iPod/iPhone dock with card reader.
Along the way, we’ll also take a look at iPhone hardware and Mac software. As usual, details on these and many other bargains can be found on CoM’s “Daily Deals” page after the jump.
The MacBook Air, heralded earlier this week for its ultra-thin 0.68-inch profile and lack of any hard disk drive, is putting a knife in the back of drive makers. That’s the word from one company hurrying to move from dinosaur drives to a flash memory future.
“The new announcement of the MacBook Air is really stabbing Seagate and Western Digital in the back,” LacCie CEO Philippe Spruch, told the Wall Street Journal. The French-based Lacie is transforming quickly into a flash-based firm. The MacBook Air, instead of a hard disk drive uses flash for storage and a read-only memory card for installations. Who are the winners and losers in the storage upheaval?
