| Cult of Mac

Americans are far more interested in buying iPhone than Android

By

Apple display maker exec fired for embezzling millions of dollars
More U.S. consumers are interested in Apple devices like these than Android.
Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac

Americans about to purchase a handset are far more interested in an iPhone than in devices running the rival Android OS, according to a survey done by an industry analysis firm.

But the news isn’t all good for Apple. The same survey found only moderate interest in the company’s rumored streaming video service.

iPhone 9 could cost more than you expect [Updated]

By

Here's what the advertising for the iPhone 9 might look like.
Many people are hoping the iPhone 9 will cost less than its predecessor, but it could be priced higher.
Screenshot: Lee Gungho

The main reason the iPhone 9 is hotly anticipated is because it’s rumored to boast a large display but a relatively low price tag. However, some analysts are predicting that this 6.1-inch model will instead cost more than the iPhone 8.

They say Apple can do this because the one feature that consumers want more than anything else: larger screens. And we’re willing to pay more for them.

Update: A separate report coming from Europe indicates that the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone will cost exactly the same as the iPhone 8.

Apple could rake in $11 billion from augmented reality

By

LEGO AR Studio
Apple AR could help you shop for LEGOs in your living room, and help Apple make lots of cash.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Augmented Reality (AR) is still an emerging technology, but Apple is poised to profit from it significantly. Or that’s the prediction of one analyst anyway.

And all the extra billions in revenue wouldn’t require the rumored Apple AR Glasses, though that would help.

Woah! 200 Million FaceTime Devices In 2012, Analyst Predicts

By

iPhone4_steve_jobs_facetime_pic12_610

We’ll all be videoconferencing like crazy in 2012, predicts Barclay’s analyst Ben Reitzes.

By the end of 2012, Apple’s installed base of FaceTime devices will exceed 200 million, Reitzes predicts.

That’s based on more than 85 million FaceTime-enabled devices by the end of 2011:

  • 50 million FaceTime iPhones
  • 15 million FaceTime iPods
  • 12 million FaceTime Macs
  • 10 million FaceTime iPads

In 2012, Apple’s video conferencing platform will only gather momentum, driven by what he’s calling the “FaceTime networking effect.”

“While Android and competitive devices either have or are working toward incorporating a similar feature, we believe this particular feature benefits from Apple’s vertically integrated model,” Reitzes said. “Experiences across disparate hardware platforms tend to vary–with Apple’s one of the most reliable in our trials. Also, this feature allows Apple to mine the millions of iTunes users who have Apple ID’s–and provide an attractive feature across devices that can be put into use immediately. We believe the ‘FaceTime networking effect’ could enhance a halo effect on Macs and iPads as the feature becomes available.”

AllThingsD: 200 Million FaceTime-Enabled Devices in 2012?