Apple is known for its tight control of the message, so the announcement that Apple will release its fourth-quarter financial results has the media in high anticipation. With a company threatening to knock energy giant Exxon off the S&P 500 leaderboard, potential questions are not hard to find.
The iPad is heralded as the “fastest selling electronic device in history” and the Cupertino, Calif. company sold 100,000 iPhone 4s in the first four days in China. Little wonder then that analysts like BMO Capital’s Keith Bachman keeps raising forecasts for the September quarter. Wednesday, Bachman forecast 11.5 million handsets were sold in September, up from his previously-expected 10.4 million. However, that increase may be too tepid. Apple could sell more than 12 million iPhones in the three-month period, the analyst suggests.
Although Apple had little to say in the midst of the so-called ‘Antennagate‘ hoopla, the frenzy of reports of signal trouble and the company’s response will likely be a subject when the firm’s executives face the media. How much did the problem hurt Apple?
Apple’s response to the questions by some iPhone 4 users was to offer free cases, a program that recently ended. Did it cure the complaints or simply Apple’s PR headache?
When will Apple announce a CDMA iPhone for Verizon or other carriers? Many analysts predict the company could unveil a new version of its iPhone in early 2011. Bachman, for instance, expects a CDMA iPhone will appear around March of next year, a product liable to sell 8 million copies. A CDMA iPhone is often viewed as a tactic for Apple to compete with the growing power of Android.
And what about Android? How will Apple respond to the threat from Mountain View, Calif., which now includes Google TV?
Though most feel Apple has a vastly successful future ahead, is the company likely to change? Many see the iPad as the successor to the Mac. Will Apple begin concentrating on the iPad/iPhone duo, leaving the Mac/iPod pair like some vestigial organ?
Many question to answer. Like last time, Apple will Webcast the event, set to start at 2pm Pacific.
