"We believe this points to 50 million new iTunes accounts in December, but note that not all new accounts would be associated with a new iOS device (could be a new Windows user)," Munster wrote.

Can somebody explain that last sentence to me? It sounds like he's saying somebody using Windows for the first time might open a new iTunes account without actually getting a new iOS device. So, for example, they have an iOS device and iTunes account already and switch from Mac to Windows so they need a new account? Or they don't have an iOS device or iTunes account and switch to Windows, so they download iTunes and set up an account just to buy music to play on their computer or something? Neither seems like it could account for very many new accounts, but maybe I'm missing something.

So eight out of ten smartphones sold by AT&T were iPhones yet there were claims that AT&T stores were actively trying to steer customers away from it?

And by the way, Android is WINNING!

Why does Apple have to compete for the low-end smartphone market? Samsung sells a lot of cheap phones, so what? The race isn't for the most, it's for the best and Apple knows that. It's the crazy analysts who think all smartphones are equal. They aren't.

Uh oh. More bad news for Apple. /s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retrogusto 

Can somebody explain that last sentence to me?

He's saying that some of those new accounts could be from Windows users who do not own an iOS device, but still may want to buy content from iTunes.

He's basically pointing out that the 65 million new account activations in the last quarter may not directly translate into expanded iOS user base. Although, it wouldn't be illogical to assume that a vast majority are from people new to iOS; 50 iPhones, 25 million iPads, 7 million iPod touches, that's 80+ million iOS devices sold in the quarter.

Ummm someone in windows ecosystem got an ipod as a gift and need itunes account to load medias?.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob53 

Why does Apple have to compete for the low-end smartphone market? Samsung sells a lot of cheap phones, so what? The race isn't for the most, it's for the best and Apple knows that. It's the crazy analysts who think all smartphones are equal. They aren't.

Agreed. It boggles the mind that these analysts are supposed "experts" on Apple when they obviously have no idea what Apple's M.O. is and has always been. They've never had to go for the low-end of the market.

Having said that, I can see Apple producing a less expensive "feature" phone where apps are limited to what is pre-installed. Much in the same way Apple TV and the iPod nano are. In fact, I think the latest iPod nano is a reference design for such an iPhone. Apple could go for the high end of the low-end market; $199 with no contract. It would have limited features, but be very similar to other iOS devices, which could help push these new users up to a regular iOS device.

Unfortunately Android is winning the Market Share race.  The biggest difference between now and the PC wars is that the Apple EcoSystem still makes more money for developers than the Android EcoSystem.  They also need to start expanding their target market like then did with the iPod Mini / Shuffle / Nano.  If they don't start winning back marketshare they could be in trouble in a couple of years.  Making 5 times the amount of dollars per market share does not help you if you have only 1/10 the market of your competitor.  While Apple is far from DOOMED they can not continue to view Android as an inferior copy that will not catch on.  Depending on who you ask Jelly Bean is as good / better than IOS and with 50-75% of the market share I fell safe saying that it has caught on and is here to stay.

Before anyone calls me a Fandroid, I am far from one.  But I do fear that the IOS platform will become like the Classic MacOS platform of the 90s if Apple does not get their act in gear.  (Don't get me started on my opinion on what is happening with Mac Hardware.  The rMBP were the first Macs is a long time that I have absolutely no interest in.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob53 

Why does Apple have to compete for the low-end smartphone market? Samsung sells a lot of cheap phones, so what? The race isn't for the most, it's for the best and Apple knows that. It's the crazy analysts who think all smartphones are equal. They aren't.

Because most analysis only know what they learned at Business School which Market share is the only thing that counts even if you are selling most of your products at a lose. So 80% market share of a very large market at Sub 30% Margins is good or 20% market share at +60% margins is good. Anything in between is bad. In the case of Samsung, they loose money on some product which drags down their margins as a whole but since they do not report out the specifics it had to know which products they are giving away to drive up market share. In the case of Apple they are earning +40% margins so they are stuck in the hate zone with Wall Street even though they are putting more money in the bank than anyone other company out there. What Analysis fail to factor in is the $ each iOS device holder spends on the extras in iTunes store, of you add those numbers to each iOS device the margins per active device would be in the 60% to 80% range. But the market treats iTune and App Stores as a separate business competing with Amazon and the such who too gives away products to drive market share.

"...which has led Gene Munster"

Stopped reading.