The windows 8 tablet/phone/operating system will be an gigantic flop. The tablet is too expensive, looks like a PC product (ridiculous kick-stand, pointless keyboard), and doesn't have nearly the apps. The computer operating system is a major upgrade, but who cares to upgrade their PC OS? Especially if it's a dramatic change. I'm guessing people will prefer to stick with windows 7. Windows based PC sales are declining, Apple is the only computer maker gaining sales in that category.
The android OS is fragmented between all the different makes of phones, and app developers prefer to produce apps for apple because its easier than making them for all the different android versions. Android users don't/cant easily update their OS. Something like 12% of all previous androids are running the latest version, unlike apple with is at 80%. The majority of profits in the app world are from IOS devices, despite that, IOS has just 30% of smartphone share vs. android at 55%. According to a survey, 90% of iphone users will buy another Iphone. That's no the case with any other manufacturer. If any Android user happens to switch to an iphone, there's a 90% chance they'll stay with apple in the future.
Apple Q1 2013 will be astonishing.
The apple dividend is a better return than US treasury bonds, and probably safer. Apple has no debt unlike, and a bunch of cash. The 14 P/E ratio is a value buy, yet they have lots of growth ahead not only abroad but also in the US. They're barely even available on China telecom companies.
Is there any other stock that has as much going for it at such a reasonable price?
The only problems i can see is if the itv is a disaster. Or if the cell phone carriers get together and collectively refuse to pay high iphone subsidies. Neither seem likely.