AAPL - Apple Inc.

[Liberty]

I just got the new ipad mini retina (from the ipad 3, also retina).  I have to say, it is fantastic.

 

I also got the T-mobile free 200 mb plan, which is awesome.

 

The larger ipad was always a bit too heavy--this thing feels like a futuristic device to me.

 

My wife is also upgrading from the mini to the mini-retina.

 

A lot of people expected the Mini Retina to still be 1 year behind the big iPad in speed (in other words, to get the A6 SOC, like how the original Mini had the A5 when the big iPad had the A6). So basically, what you got this year is what most Apple pundits expected to come out next year. Futuristic indeed.

[hardincap]

fascinating acquisition: http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/11/17/apple-reported-to-buy-israeli-3d-sensor-firm-primesense-for-345-million

[DCG]

I just got the new ipad mini retina (from the ipad 3, also retina).  I have to say, it is fantastic.

 

I also got the T-mobile free 200 mb plan, which is awesome.

 

The larger ipad was always a bit too heavy--this thing feels like a futuristic device to me.

 

My wife is also upgrading from the mini to the mini-retina.

 

 

How do you like the size of the mini compared to the 3? I have a 3, and am thinking about getting a mini. Seems like the mini would be great for things like reading, but I like having the larger screen for things like watching videos.

[racemize]

I just got the new ipad mini retina (from the ipad 3, also retina).  I have to say, it is fantastic.

 

I also got the T-mobile free 200 mb plan, which is awesome.

 

The larger ipad was always a bit too heavy--this thing feels like a futuristic device to me.

 

My wife is also upgrading from the mini to the mini-retina.

 

How do you like the size of the mini compared to the 3? I have a 3, and am thinking about getting a mini. Seems like the mini would be great for things like reading, but I like having the larger screen for things like watching videos.

 

I think the size is much better--however, I use it almost solely for reading (books/pdfs/websites), and pretty much never use it for videos.  It is nice to be able to grip the entire tablet in one hand.

 

My wife watches videos a lot on her old mini and likes it better than the bigger version.

[Liberty]

Apple's solar farm:

 

http://gigaom.com/2013/11/18/apple-solar-farm-fuel-cell-farms-exclusive-photos-investigative-report/

[Guest valueInv]

Another way Apple is more disciplined than other companies:

 

http://kensegall.com/2013/11/apple-the-art-of-blowing-things-up/

[Liberty]

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/11/jury-awards-290-million-more-to-apple-in-apple-v-samsung-retrial/

 

 

The jury in the Apple v. Samsung damages retrial came to a verdict on Thursday, finding that Samsung now owes an additional $290 million. This brings the total damages bill for Samsung to around $900 million for the entire affair.

[Guest valueInv]

Ive sums up what Apple is about very well:

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/video/design-guru-jony-ive-apple-serves-higher-purpose-ToR~lepCTIuhPaUe3PiVOA.html

[Liberty]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-24/apple-agrees-to-350-million-deal-for-israel-s-primesense.html

 

Apple Inc. (AAPL) agreed to acquire PrimeSense Ltd., the maker of motion-tracking chip technology that was used in Microsoft Corp.’s Kinect game console.

Kristin Huguet, a spokeswoman for Apple, confirmed the purchase today via e-mail. Apple, maker of the iPhone and iPad, and Tel Aviv-based PrimeSense were were negotiating a deal for about $350 million, one person familiar with the deal said last week.

[Guest valueInv]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-24/apple-agrees-to-350-million-deal-for-israel-s-primesense.html

 

Apple Inc. (AAPL) agreed to acquire PrimeSense Ltd., the maker of motion-tracking chip technology that was used in Microsoft Corp.’s Kinect game console.

Kristin Huguet, a spokeswoman for Apple, confirmed the purchase today via e-mail. Apple, maker of the iPhone and iPad, and Tel Aviv-based PrimeSense were were negotiating a deal for about $350 million, one person familiar with the deal said last week.

 

And the pattern begins to emerge....

[DCG]

I just got the new ipad mini retina (from the ipad 3, also retina).  I have to say, it is fantastic.

 

I also got the T-mobile free 200 mb plan, which is awesome.

 

The larger ipad was always a bit too heavy--this thing feels like a futuristic device to me.

 

My wife is also upgrading from the mini to the mini-retina.

 

How do you like the size of the mini compared to the 3? I have a 3, and am thinking about getting a mini. Seems like the mini would be great for things like reading, but I like having the larger screen for things like watching videos.

 

I think the size is much better--however, I use it almost solely for reading (books/pdfs/websites), and pretty much never use it for videos.  It is nice to be able to grip the entire tablet in one hand.

 

My wife watches videos a lot on her old mini and likes it better than the bigger version.

 

 

I just picked up the mini w/retina screen. I'll be selling my Nexus 7. Have a 3rd generation iPad that my daughter has mostly taken over, so I'll probably keep that one as well.

[nikhil25]

Why Did Apple Just Pay $360 Million For Microsoft’s Sloppy Seconds?

http://www.fastcodesign.com/3022225/why-did-apple-just-pay-360-million-for-microsofts-sloppy-seconds

 

Apple's iGlasses Are Real. Here's Why You Might Never See Them (Apologies if this has been posted before)

http://www.fastcodesign.com/3018060/apples-iglasses-are-real-heres-why-you-might-never-see-them

[Guest valueInv]

What happened today? Up more than 2%.

[CorpRaider]

It's going to be an AAPL x-mas.

[Guest valueInv]

The issue is not whether the S4 is better than iPhone 5S, it's really about when the rival product is "good enough" so that the iPhone is not such a big upgrade anymore. That is, if you like Android, I don't see why you'd get an iPhone over the Nexus, which is very comparable and $200 cheaper.

 

The way I see it, in the eyes of most users, GS4 is only superior to the iPhone 5S due to its screen size. If/When Apple fixes that, then they're going to be playing on an even footing which will hurt Samsung IMO.

 

True.  It's about whether Android products are "good enough" and how the price point differential affects Apple's unit sales and profits. 

 

But if we are going to be comparing iOS and Android in terms of "how ahead" they are, we really should be looking at Kit Kat on new hardware versus iOS on the latest hardware (iPhone 5S).  Also, there's really no way to say that Apple will be on even footing if/when Apple fixes the small screen problem because we don't know what Samsung's new phones will look like at that time.  Samsung will always have a COGS advantage because they are vertically integrated -- which means that Apple will never be on equal footing with Samsung at least in one important aspect: price.

 

As usual, you are not even close to reality. Apple has already shifted to 64 but not so much Kit Kat.

btw, the nexus 5 still doesn't have a fingerprint sensor and the camera still sucks. I could go on and on.

 

You probably could have done without putting that first sentence in.  I'm willing to "engage with you intellectually" if you learn some manners.

 

I don't consider support for 64-bit to be of much use at this time.  However, I do think it becomes more important on upcoming next gen devices because I still believe in convergence, where the phone will be the only computer you need (the Ubuntu Edge vision, if you will).  The fingerprint reader is pretty nice, but it's only one feature and doesn't make it a given that Apple is way ahead. 

 

In some respects, Apple is behind.  Small screen is absolutely a problem.  Tighter integration of Google Now into Kit Kat blows Apple out of the water for the very common use case of finding stuff on the fly on your phone.  iCloud integration still isn't very good compared to Android and Google services.

 

So, no, I wouldn't say Apple is far ahead.

 

Or, maybe they are  ;)

 

http://gigaom.com/2013/11/26/google-confirms-major-camera-improvements-are-coming-to-android/

[hardincap]

Another reason why Apple's capital management is terrible: they let the stock run up from 400 to 545 without using a significant portion of their huge warchest for buybacks.

[gfp]

Looks like 5s production has really caught up - good timing…

 

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/11/27/foxconn-adds-more-workers-to-assembly-lines-as-iphone-5s-supplies-continue-to-improve/

 

edit:  ipad mini retina supply is looking better as well - http://www.macrumors.com/2013/11/27/retina-ipad-mini-supplies-improving-for-holidays/

[Liberty]

Looks like 5s production has really caught up - good timing…

 

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/11/27/foxconn-adds-more-workers-to-assembly-lines-as-iphone-5s-supplies-continue-to-improve/

 

edit:  ipad mini retina supply is looking better as well - http://www.macrumors.com/2013/11/27/retina-ipad-mini-supplies-improving-for-holidays/

 

This might be what has been lifting the stock lately. The market is getting more confident that there will be enough supply for xmas.

[Guest valueInv]

Another reason why Apple's capital management is terrible: they let the stock run up from 400 to 545 without using a significant portion of their huge warchest for buybacks.

 

They definitely needed to buy more.

[Liberty]

More iOS integration with carmakers:

 

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-autos-honda-acura-apple-siri-eyes-free-20131126,0,1467892.story#axzz2lsbMVRs6

 

That's just Siri hands-free integration. iOS in the car should be a lot more interesting, with an iOS interface showing on the car's LCD screen.

[Viking]

Looking at mobile (smartphones and tablets) Apple owns the US market, with the largest market share of any manufacturer.  When you look at the high end segment Apple is even more dominant. 

 

Apple looks to be in the process of also owning the Japanese market for mobile devices, now that it has docomo on board. October sales show Apple with more than 70% of all smartphone sales,  including 61% at docomo.  The Japanese market is even more profitable for Apple than the US market.

 

With Apple increasing its sales and profits in both the US and Japan,  Apple has a great beachhead. Should a deal with China Mobile come together then growth in China will be guaranteed for the next couple of years.  Moving forward in Europe, I expect Microsofts purchase of Nokia to help Apple in the coming year as Microsoft is not viewed as favourably as Nokia in Europe.  The shine is also coming off Samsung as people come to better understand its business model. Weave all of this together and we get the sentiment change we are now seeing with Apple the stock. The question becomes how much higher can Apple go from here ($545)?

[Guest valueInv]

Looking at mobile (smartphones and tablets) Apple owns the US market, with the largest market share of any manufacturer.  When you look at the high end segment Apple is even more dominant. 

 

Apple looks to be in the process of also owning the Japanese market for mobile devices, now that it has docomo on board. October sales show Apple with more than 70% of all smartphone sales,  including 61% at docomo.  The Japanese market is even more profitable for Apple than the US market.

 

With Apple increasing its sales and profits in both the US and Japan,  Apple has a great beachhead. Should a deal with China Mobile come together then growth in China will be guaranteed for the next couple of years.  Moving forward in Europe, I expect Microsofts purchase of Nokia to help Apple in the coming year as Microsoft is not viewed as favourably as Nokia in Europe.  The shine is also coming off Samsung as people come to better understand its business model. Weave all of this together and we get the sentiment change we are now seeing with Apple the stock. The question becomes how much higher can Apple go from here ($545)?

 

We're still trading at below 15x earnings. And they still have to return more than 80billion to shareholders.

 

Not sure how much Nokia helps Apple. They haven't solved their Europe problems yet. Job for Angela....

[Guest valueInv]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/wv_q9wH_j_M/

[Liberty]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/wv_q9wH_j_M/

 

IBM's data is bearing out a trend we've seen elsewhere that tablets, rather than smartphones, are driving more actual conversions to purchases. Smartphones today have so far driven 22% of all online traffic, IBM says, versus just 12.5% for tablets. But tablets have driven 13% of all sales online, 1.5 times the rate for handsets at 9%. The bigger screens of tablets are also driving more valuable orders - $125 versus $114.21 when items are purchased on smartphones.

 

In terms of platforms, iOS is trumping Android yet again when it comes to engagement. It may be losing to Android in overall marketshare globally, but when it comes to the U.S. market, iOS wins out for the most voracious consumers. IBM says iOS has seen more than three times the amount of sales that Android has - or 17% versus 5% of all online sales. iOS users spent $120.03 per order, IBM says, with Android at $114.19 (very close to the smartphone average basket value, in fact). iOS devices have accounted for 24% of all online shopping traffic so far; Android 10.5%.

 

So one company's products against everybody else had three+ times more sales. And of course, it would look even better if you compared Apple one-on-one. Not a bad position, I'd say.

 

When Tim Cook talks about web usage and number of apps downloaded and such, he's not trying to use non-standard metrics to confuse people. He's looking at what really matters, which is that when people really love a product, they use it all the time, and that makes it more sticky, more valuable to them (worth paying more), and the ecosystem as a whole becomes more valuable. Quality over quantity.

 

I have access to some non-public web stats that represent tens of millions of pageviews, and the numbers are similar to Cook's. About 80% of the mobile traffic is from iPhone and iPad, and everything else (Android, Windows, Blackberry, etc) is 20%.

 

Another thought: Markets where phones aren't 'subsidized' could move toward that model, because it's good for carriers. It gets people to buy more expensive phones because they don't have to pay for it up-front, longer contracts keep customers from switching, and carriers get more money over the life of the contract.

 

I'm not sure about timing or what exactly is required before that can happens (better developed credit infrastructure in those countries? that's probably why there's so much prepaid), but once there's 1 carrier that starts offering iPhones for $100-200 (with older or "C" models for 'free') on a contract in some country, it'll be very hard for its competitors not to follow suit and keep asking people to pay the whole thing up-front.

[Palantir]

I prefer dividends to buybacks, so no time limit for me...