This. This. This.
A bunch of fine points made I this thread, but this is why. If people knew a replacement was coming out 2-3 months ahead of time, no one would buy the 4.
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Is Apple hurting themselves by being so secret?
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A bunch of fine points made I this thread, but this is why. If people knew a replacement was coming out 2-3 months ahead of time, no one would buy the 4.
Do you not know there is a new iPhone coming every July? In this case in Sept due to Verizon getting it and the horrible delay of the white iPhone? Are you saying you had no idea a new iPhone was coming?
C-mon guys.
I am going to predict a new iPhone in July-August 2012
I don't think anyone is clamoring for a 2-(especially)3 month notice.
And do you have any proof to back up your claim anyway? There's always been at least what, a 10 day window from announcement to release between models? Can you prove there were no 'current' model iPhones sold in that window?
They'll still sell iPhone 4's, and probably some 3Gs models, after the next phones release.
I don't think they need to leak anything. The iPhone 4 is still one of the best phones...
I think it's fair to argue from Apple's financial state that they haven't hurt themselves up to now. However, that's because they have always managed to meet, generally exceed, the expectations their potential customers have.
I do worry about a scenario such as the market expecting a wizzy new, add your favourite feature here, next generation "iPhone 5" to be launched in August, and they deliver "iPhone 4-and a bit-s(with added iOS5!!)" sometime in November.
I genuinely don't expect that, but if it happened??
I can't think that Apple would choose to delay the release cycle in a year they had little to announce, FWIW.
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That's certainly true, but Apple can't be sure they control it. What do they do if a feature they aren't releasing gets rumoured, and people go wild for it? Deny it, and the credibility of other rumours goes up. Ignore it, and people are disappointed come release day. It's a high-risk (though up to now, high return) strategy. There are some more subtle things they can do via third parties, but they take time. The rise and fall in 4G/LTE expectations may well be an example of this.
I do worry about a scenario such as the market expecting a wizzy new, add your favourite feature here, next generation "iPhone 5" to be launched in August, and they deliver "iPhone 4-and a bit-s(with added iOS5!!)" sometime in November.
I genuinely don't expect that, but if it happened??
I can't think that Apple would choose to delay the release cycle in a year they had little to announce, FWIW.
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That's certainly true, but Apple can't be sure they control it. What do they do if a feature they aren't releasing gets rumoured, and people go wild for it? Deny it, and the credibility of other rumours goes up. Ignore it, and people are disappointed come release day. It's a high-risk (though up to now, high return) strategy. There are some more subtle things they can do via third parties, but they take time. The rise and fall in 4G/LTE expectations may well be an example of this.
Secrecy
I agree.....Apple should at least announce a new iPhone will be coming out this Fall....Stay Tuned.......We need to switch phone vendors and have been waiting for Apple's Announcement for over four months.....Will I buy a slightly update iPhone 4s or a new 4.3 inch screen Droid....I want to know now...
I agree.....Apple should at least announce a new iPhone will be coming out this Fall....Stay Tuned.......We need to switch phone vendors and have been waiting for Apple's Announcement for over four months.....Will I buy a slightly update iPhone 4s or a new 4.3 inch screen Droid....I want to know now...
Normally, no. Regarding the iPhone 5, maybe.
I'm sorry if this has already been said.
Apple are typically very good at releasing products in a certain time frame. The iPhone 5 however has broken the cycle (for whatever reason). I think this is what leads to questions such as the one posted by the OP and this delay for me means that the iP5 will have to have something amazing to wow me again and make the wait worth it.
If they include something great, something that isn't just playing catch-up to the competition (see custom wallpaper, 3G, multi-tasking etc), then being secretive will pay off big time.
If Apple just end up playing catch up, or worse, releasing an iP4S, yeh, it might hurt them. I've said it before, if it's an iP4S released, then after not too many horrible complaints with my 3GS and 4, I will be looking at an alternative.
I miss the Apple that always wowed and inspired me.
I'm sorry if this has already been said.
Apple are typically very good at releasing products in a certain time frame. The iPhone 5 however has broken the cycle (for whatever reason). I think this is what leads to questions such as the one posted by the OP and this delay for me means that the iP5 will have to have something amazing to wow me again and make the wait worth it.
If they include something great, something that isn't just playing catch-up to the competition (see custom wallpaper, 3G, multi-tasking etc), then being secretive will pay off big time.
If Apple just end up playing catch up, or worse, releasing an iP4S, yeh, it might hurt them. I've said it before, if it's an iP4S released, then after not too many horrible complaints with my 3GS and 4, I will be looking at an alternative.
I miss the Apple that always wowed and inspired me.
I believe it's $76 Billion, and I'm sure it will be after they release iPad 3 and iPhone 5. Add to that the fact that iPhone 4 continually breaks its own sales records (and profit and revenue for Apple) and you realize that they aren't doing anything wrong. They're simply milking the iPhone 4 cow before they release the next-gen device, imo.
How often have Apple announced a product that is available immediately? A couple of features of iOS 5 and the Mac app store are the only things that spring to mind. Everything else is announced at least a couple of months in advance of release.
Building expectations and a consumer frenzy seems to serve Apple well anyway. Look at the recent on-sale times of 5pm. Apple staff say it's to be able to control queues. I say it's to allow queues to build up to draw attention to the release. Add in the lunatic employees whooping and cheering each customer into store to increase the hype. Their marketing is unmatched presently in my opinion, love it or hate it.
Building expectations and a consumer frenzy seems to serve Apple well anyway. Look at the recent on-sale times of 5pm. Apple staff say it's to be able to control queues. I say it's to allow queues to build up to draw attention to the release. Add in the lunatic employees whooping and cheering each customer into store to increase the hype. Their marketing is unmatched presently in my opinion, love it or hate it.
Maybe there are exceptions, but I can't remember any Apple products announced months in advance other than the initial release of new product lines (where they don't have to worry about the Osborne Effect). 2 or 3 weeks at most. Usually sooner.
First off, the amount of cash a company has isn't indicative of its success. The goal of these companies is to deliver return to shareholders. Holding cash doesn't do that unless it's used for something.
And secondly, where are people getting this $70 billion number? I've seen it in tons of posts and I can't, for the life of me, find where. I'm looking at their 10Q right now...
staeit said:
Where are you getting $76 billion from? That issue notwithstanding, you're right about the lack of leaks. They don't want users holding off purchasing because of what's coming next. The only thing they can do to that effect is not release any details at all that a new iPhone is coming, even if most people know it is.
Yeah, I'm sure Apple needs financial advise from you
They did just beat out ExxonMobile for the more valued company in the WORLD last week. All of us sitting behind a keyboard are always so freakin' smart We always know what's best Must be the ego in us.If you haven't heard about how many billions Apple has been making, you need to read or watch the news more. Every newspaper and nightly news show has been talking about Apple. Two weeks ago it was reported Apple has more money than the US government. Last week they beat out ExxonMobile as the most profitable company in the world (ExxonMobile took the title back shortly after - marginally).
Yeah, I'm sure Apple needs financial advise from you
Their common equity is more highly valued than Exxon's. Look at enterprise value.
Hankster said:
Where did I say that they haven't been making billions? I'm simply questioning the $70 billion number. Can you find it?
That is not what they beat XOM at. Apparently you need to read or watch the news more? And secondly, they simply had more cash than the U.S. government had to pay interest and principle on treasuries because the debt ceiling hadn't been raised yet.
polekat said:
Thank you for the link but I can't find where they are sourcing that number from. Not your fault, of course.
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OK, I see where people are getting the $76 billion from. People have been including their long-term marketable securities in the cash number.
