Analyst shares insight on Apple cell phone
Analysts for American Technology Research on Tuesday said they "firmly believe" that Apple has been working on cell phone technology and that its "much hyped" imminent entry is "overdone."
"So far, Apple has applied and received WiFi and Bluetooth approval, but there is no sign of cell phone activity as of yet," he wrote.
The analyst believes Apple could protect potential product leaks about the phone by taking the 'announce now, ship later' strategy. "This could be similar to the Intel transition where actual product shipped seven months after the announcement," he wrote.
But Wu also believes the company is still in the planning stages of its market strategy for the device. Apple could participate in the traditional manner of teaming with carries likes Cingular and then supplying the hardware, he said. However, he told clients "Apple is also exploring a vertically integrated model and user experience similar to its iPod + iTunes and Mac business models."
According to Wu, the most sensible solution for Apple would be to take the MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) route. "Apple would have tighter control over the user experience including the hardware, marketing, service and support," he wrote."We believe its 147 or so physical retail stores in prime locations in the US and around the globe would come in handy in such an endeavor."
The analyst expects Apple's entry into the cell phone market to come no earlier than mid-2007 but "more likely in 2008-2009." In the meantime, he anticipates Motorola continuing its trend of introducing new cell phones with iTunes capability.
American Technology Research maintains a Buy rating on Apple shares with a price target of $101.
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The analyst expects Apple's entry into the cell phone market to come no earlier than mid-2007 but "more likely in 2008-2009." In the meantime, he anticipates Motorola continuing its trend of introducing new cell phones with iTunes capability.
Give me a break. "more likely in 2008-2009" 2008-2009!! WHAT??
What!?!??! I can't wait that long!
I've been holding out on getting a new phone for a couple of months now.
I really don't want to buy any of the crappy phones on the market today.
I know Apple's phone is going to be so much better than anything I buy today.
But 2007! Come on!
I'm hoping for an announcement by September.
$101 price target! I hope so and soon.
"Working on" does not mean "will bring to market." Apple may not have even made that decision yet.
"Working on" does not mean "will bring to market." Apple may not have even made that decision yet.
Go get a Sony Ericsson P910. They rock! It is a full mini computer with web browser and everything. And of course, it "just works" with the Mac.
Yeah Sony Ericsson Phones kick ass. I have the W800i and I love it. I barely even take my ipod any more cuz my phone holds 2 gigs of music and has a 2mpx camera and takes video!! The only thing its missing (which I will agree is kind of a big deal) is iTunes support. If only I could get my phone to show up in iTunes instead of manually loading songs. Anyone know of a way to do this? But yeah Sony Ericsson, GREAT PHONEs. Unfortunately since the US is so far behind the times in cell phone technology you have to buy unlocked versioins on ebay. But its worth it.
Sony Ericsson W800i