Apple Hints at a 'Product Transition' and a New Product Soon?

[captnfun]

Apple ditches Hardware

I would guess that Apple will be "transitioning" all of their software products to Intel-only, starting in Q4. They've already announced that the next version of OSX will abandon PPC, so I would expect that iLife, iWork and the Pro-tools suites will all go Intel-only with the next upgrade.
This would affect revenues negatively due to the smaller potential pool of buyers for these products, but it would aid Apple in the long run as they are able to add new revenue-generating features to the products, and lower development/service costs of having a single platform to support.

What if the dropping of computer from Apple Computer Inc, was a sign. Snow Leopard has no new features, just lots of drivers. Apple moves to becoming a software only company. On the PC front that is. Imagine OSX for Dell , Acer, Toshiba, Sony, etc. Maybe they spin off a hardware division? (That has to compete on price?) Imagine getting to 30% market share overnight.

Apple focuses on Software, and continues working on world domination through owning the computer in your pocket. (iphone, ipod, etc.)

Just a thought?

 

[SurfinDNA]

The whole point of lowering the price is to get more volume.
If you are selling 1,000 widgets at $10 and it costs you $8 to make them, you are making a $2,000 profit.
Now think of this:
You are selling 10,000 widgets at $9 and it costs you $8 to make them, you are making a $10,000 profit.

The reason why you sold 9,000 more widgets is because the lower price made it accessible for more people.

Now factor in the sales of additional add-ons. Assuming those will remain the same price, you have a much large population of consumers to sell those too.

Back in Feb when the 2.4 base MBP came out, 2k was a reasonable (yet still expensive) price. They are most likely going to put the same level of high quality parts (todays equal), only sell it somewhat cheaper in hopes of gaining more volume and market share.

I agree that low-price/high-volume is a successful business model. However:
1. I don't think that Apple will lower its prices as this would be a change in their business model
2. I doubt they would get a 10-fold increase in market share with lower prices. I think (although I could be wrong) that they will have to drop prices by 30 - 40% to increase market share significantly, and would thus have to increase market share by such a significant amount that they would barely break even.

 

[asouza]

ipod numbers

The numbers released today show that you can decrease the price of the ipods by 20%, and still rely on the current market share numbers to arrive at the 5% increase in the cost of goods that they are talking about. The ipod marketshare doesn't have to move to realize the increased cost of goods. It is also consistant with apple pricing models to lower the ipod prices.

 

[MacTheSpoon]

Well, during the conference call, Oppenheimer kept talking about how Apple likes to introduce expensive, superior new technology, then make it more affordable over time.

So maybe the new product will command a premium price, and won't sell a lot at first, but the cost of rolling it out will take away from the bottom line during the next quarter? Could that explain the low guidance?

My only other thought is that if it's an $800 touch tablet, they may believe it will cannibalize enough Macbooks and Macbook Pros that they're giving low guidance. But I think the first scenario is more likely.

In any case, I'd have to go with multi-touch being a good bet for the new product. Maybe something using that technology they patented that pokes little bulges in the screen to provide a keyboard. But wouldn't they have to roll out a Leopard Multitouch OS, too, then?

 

[Bampei]

My $.02 on new products

My guess would be a handheld device larger than the iPhone or iTouch that would be primarily a reader to compete directly against Amazon's Kindle, and Sony's eReader. Books would be instantly downloadable via wi-fi from iTunes. Add additional functionality to just reading, and I'm a buyer.

I have a Sony eReader now.. and not really impressed, though it makes carrying books a whole lot easier! I also have new eReader software app for my iPhone, but reading a book on iPhone requires a fairly large font, and that means a LOT of page turns.

 

[asouza]

At this point in the life cycle of the ipod, they are trying to maintain market share at the expense of their cost of goods. When zune comes out with their product refresh, which they will, even if they match the ipod in function, which they wont, the lower priced, higher function ipod will win out at the average consumer level. Apple is in a unique position to protect their market share by leveraging their raw goods volume purchasing power and keep the overall price down below what a competitor could charge and realize a profit. The only way a competitor can compete is to make the product a lost leader, which Microsoft is well know for, and is sitting on enough cash reserve to still do with the Zune, as they did with the Xbox. It becomes a battle of margins in which Apple has a solid upper hand.

 

[UltimateSyn]

iPods were completely revamped last September, maybe little changes here and there.
iPhones were also just revamped, time to leave those alone this year.

It's time for the year of the Mac, baby! From now to WWDC '09 we'll be seeing a new installment of OS X and lot's of hardware upgrades and revamps! It's finally time to get back to the Mac!

For my predictions:
2008 iPods

• iPod touch get's volume controls, hopefully a play button. Price drop.
• iPod shuffle 1GB is discontinued, 2GB dropped to $49 possibly a 4GB added.
• iPod nano get's I have no idea what, in my opinion it's perfect as is. Possibly an iPod touch nano to replace the current nano, or as an added product.
• iPod classic stays the same, possibly a price reduction.

2008 Macs

• Redesigned MacBooks and MacBook Pros with the new processers, MacBooks get multi-touch.
• Hopefully a frigging Mac Mini update, maybe redesigned as an upgradeable tower.
• New ACD's (haha ) built in iSight, maybe iSight HD which would also be included in the revamped MacBook line and future Macs. A price drop!!
• Hopefully a Mac touch later this year, but probably not until 2009

Early-Mid 2009 Macs
Macworld '08:

• NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCED~!
  Full look at the tablet Mac, running a full version of OS X Leopard optimized for multi-touch support throughout the OS.
• Shipping soon
• Faint details of Mac OS X Snow Leopard which will be optimized for full OS X multi-touch devices. Shipping late July

Specs of the tablet:

• Full OS X Leopard
• 13" screen, (hopefully no less than 11") with multi-touch.
• 2Ghz processor, 2GB ram, 80GB HDD, 64GB SSD option.
• $799 perfect in-between price point of MacBook/ iPhone/iPod touch
• Shipping sometime February/March.
• Optional Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

WWDC '09:

• Full details of Snow Leopard, shipping late July.
• Quad-core iMac, possible redesign shipping late July with 10.6
• Look at Mac touch sales
• More

 

[MShock]

First, I had to look that one up. How about a link or explanation for those of us not versed in Sun/Solaris. Second, ZFS seems to be far from ready for prime time, so I doubt it could or should be integrated fully into the filesystem options in Leopard. Finally, it appears that Apple already has/does allow porting of ZFS in Leopard, albeit with serious limitations to its use. I guess my bigger question is why dream so small? Not that nearly infinite filesystems will not some day be of use, its just that only the smallest fraction of current users, and for that matter even users into the near future, will have any reason to make use of its capabilities. How many of us can even afford the physical drive space to make use of such a filesystem? Give it another shot and this time think of something you may actually need or use.

I'm not for sure how to interpret the tone of your post, but hears my best shot. The way an application interacts with an operating system is through the filesystem. ZFS is so radically different, apps probably need some rewriting. While ZFS may be far from prime time, developers need time. Additionally, as pointed out in my last post, be an excellent for mobile devices in terms of backup and data integrity, meaning ZFS (if the Snow Leopard really is a clean up to push the platform) could be the newest and latest platform. Sun also contends that ZFS is excellent for Flash b/c flash dies faster than a normal HD. Jeff Bosnwick's explains, but I can't find the blog post at the moment (Something about being able to control where data on the drive is written to). I'm just saying that this impacts everything that Apple does because this is the core of Apple, no pun intended. Apple just isn't all about you and end-user stuff. It's about quality (hence, the transition to Intel). Oh... and on MACOSFORGE, they do say they want full boot for the next release of OS X. I bet boot for server, and full boot for client in 10.6.2 update. Then it works its way down to iPod and iPhone and whatever else uses OS X, particularly the flash stuff. This blog also explains a bit. http://blogs.zdnet.com/Murphy/?p=1191. The possibility to back up critical data, particularly on mobile devices is key for business which is a market Apple clearly wants to attack b/c its bigger than its usual clients.

 

[omega21]

Here's my prediction for the Product Transition[tm]:
• All products gradually get the touch interface. This includes the MBP, MacBook, iMac, Apple Cinema Display. Who thinks Apple came up with Cocoa Touch simply to use it for their phones and iPods only?
• All laptops become tablet hybrids. It will be possible to close the lids in such a way that they face up. Input via external keyboard or through touch.
• This occurs without keeping non-touch version in the portfolio and without increasing the prices. Hence the warning on lower profit margins for Q4.
• No further product changes, apart from iSight on the new Touch Cinema Displays.

I could see this happening. Maybe that's why we still are lacking in a tablet computer from Apple? They may have been like "lets just wait for multitouch to get better."

 

[bluefiberoptics]

In fact, a three way merger between Apple, Disney and Nintendo would be a match made in heaven - no overlap and they all perfectly complement each other. Not going to happen though.

I dare you to say that on the gaming Kotaku blog.

 

[asouza]

The lower priced ipod is also consistent with the "superior new technology, then make it more affordable" statement. The ipod has always had superior technology, and is now becoming more affordable. It is not time for the laptops to drop drastically in price, primarily because the laptop is one of Apple's fastest growing segments year-over-year and in especially high demand relative to the lackluster growth of the other major PC makers, both in Desktop or Laptop. They won't mess with the laptop margins anytime soon, especially while we are still in the market share growth stage. The laptop prices may drop, but the margins wont. The iPods face the greatest potential of losing market share to competitors as the segment reaches consumer saturation and competitors increase functionality. This is the easiest, high volume segment to protect with a price drop.

 

[MacGohil]

yes finally! 24" MBP with bluray and pull out ipod touch, $7999! apple you can have all my money!!

I hate to see people talk without even given things a thought first!

24" MBP.... So the portability is out the window and I guess portability is the main reason people go after laptops!

I cannot even imagine how one woulg lug around a 24" laptop without bumping into things every now and then when on the move.

Just not practicle... "think differently".... but not like this....

 

[Bampei]

I hate to see people talk without even given things a thought first!

24" MBP.... So the portability is out the window and I guess portability is the main reason people go after laptops!

I cannot even imagine how one woulg lug around a 24" laptop without bumping into things every now and then when on the move.

Just not practicle... "think differently".... but not like this....

Ummm... don'f forget that the Japanese have developed a flexible screen that can be rolled into a tight little bundle. It's probably close to production, and that means you COULD carry a 24" screen around in your suitcase, or even a backpack, then just roll it out and presto.... big screen. (I won't buy one, buy you never know...!)

 

[Jak3]

If they lowered the price of the macbook or made a 13" MBP, I would definitely pick it up.

If they did both, I'd have to shoot myself because it's hard to make a decision between the two...

 

[timmillwood]

I am hoping for the speed of the Macbook Pro in a macbook body with an SSD drive.

A bit like the Dell XPS M1330

 

[Elektroflux1528]

If were to come out with new iPods I would like, a revision on the iPod Shuffle, the iPod Touch needs to have it's aluminuminumminim back changed into a the hard plastic like the 3G OR the metal back of the original iPhone. Maybe even add more memory to the iPod Touch, and best of all A PRICE DROP. iPod Classic doesn't need much of a revision because it's due for retirement because no one I know likes them. iPod Nano could be a little bit bigger, have a different interface or something. needs to lower it's prices on the laptops and desktops because I think they are too expensive at the moment of economy. Maybe introduce a more affordable laptop or desktop. ALL iTunes Music Videos, and Music should be DRM free.

 

[MattInOz]

The Mac Mini or AppleTV isn't too far away from that. Add a tv tunner, HDMI, BluRay drive and Huge HD (500gb/1tb/2-3tb) and there you go. Maybe even a Co-Axial out to get regular cable to older TVs. It'll be the Apple TV done right. The only real reason why I don't think it's selling is that you are paying Apple to buy shows/movies from them. Add a computer style DRV (without subscriptions) and you will sell, sell sell.


What you get:
High Def for DVD play back
DRV
Server for movies already owned (Copyright issues will need to be worked out)
and a Mac. The Front Row/Apple Tv firmware as a bootable and launchable option.

No idea what pricing would be. Maybe $899-1k?

What if they made it modular?
Head unit size of current AppleTV but the mobo of the AIR with a speed bump, so the same or more grunt than the current Mini. But using a Firewire like interface connects to modules like hard drive or TV tuners or Blue-Ray drives or PCI slot enclosure(although would have to be damn fast connection).

Base Model it's the AppleTV, or ThinMac
Add parts and you cover TimeMachine, MacMini, PhoneDock, DVR,...
A whole range of options.

 

[skellener]

guys everything is getting updated just looks at the buyers guide everything except for the iphone duh is up for an update

Not really. Just the Mac-mini and soon the Mac Pro. Everything else is either new (iMac) or neutral (notebooks). Monitors are loooooong over due though.

 

[deputylove8]

Hahahha..here we go agaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin...Let the wait begin...

 

[Tarside]

I suspect they'll expand on the technology that allows a MacBook Air to hook into the optical drive of a nearby PC or Mac. Or if you still need access to optical media all the time...

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB397G/A

I think it would be OK for Apple to remove the optical drive in the laptops as long as they make an external optical drive that you can access over wi-fi. That would mean that you no longer need another computer and hopefully you can use it away from home.

 

[MacPhilosopher]

Sure...

I'm not for sure how to interpret the tone of your post, but hears my best shot.

Just really meant that what I read on ZFS seemed to say that many of the items that would make it most useful for snapshot backups and dynamic systems are not quite ready for implementation in an OS that demands reliability for individual endusers. I don't think Apple wants to experiment with its OS this next quarter. The original post for this thread referenced new products. Your post seemed oriented at under the hood coding that would be hard for Apple to market as a new product. Hope my tone didn't come off negative, rather I meant to elicit a more concrete example like: Apple is going to release a new enterprise device/software that takes advantage of ZFS. Something that allows schools to image disks for network booting of an entire campus of Macs. Perhaps OS X/ZFS servers that deliver unimaginable reliability and services. Something along those lines. Sorry if it came across as snippy

 

[panamajack]

Very good point.

What did happen? Nothing big. The iPhone was already released. We just got the MBA and a few updates along the way to the computer lineup.

Don't forget, the iPod Touch was announced last September. The "product transition" might very well be seeing more iPods become touch based, and/or see the Touch functionality get ported throughout the Mac line in some fashion.

 

[omega21]

Am I the only one having issues accessing the Canadian store? US is fine, but I'm getting 404's.

 

[gnasher729]

Appleinsider is all a buzz about Job's health.

It is kind of odd that the company line has changed from
"He is recovering from a flu bug" to "Steve's health is a private matter"

I hate to say it but it sounds like Steve's cancer is back. Everyone noticed how thin and sickly he looked at WWDC and now no comment to investors concerned about his health.

I think your post is disgusting. Everyone who needs to know about Steve Jobs' health knows about it. The number is not very large. I'd say it's Steve Jobs, wife, children and GP.

 

[omega21]

Forget it... we're back.