Analyst Shaw Wu with Kaufman Bros. released a note to investors Tuesday morning in which he predicted that Jobs will not personally unveil new iPods. That's a different take than the one sent out only hours before by Gene Munster with Piper Jaffray, who said he believes that a keynote from Jobs would be the biggest news of Sept. 9. Wu, however, believes the keynote will be delivered by Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.
"It is not clear that Steve Jobs will be present," Wu said, "but most would welcome his appearance as a positive surprise."
Wu and Munster agree on most everything else, though. New iPods are a given this point, and are expected to be equipped with cameras. Wu also believes that a new version of iTunes with social media capabilities will be unveiled.
The analyst also does not expect an appearance of Apple's upcoming tablet device, expected to arrive in early 2010. Following up on a report from last month that Apple was exploring touchscreen devices of 4 inches to 12 inches in size, Wu said any tablet and/or sub-notebook devices won't be announced until next year.
Wu does predict that the iPod refresh will include more storage for devices with lower price points. He has maintained his "outperform" rating for AAPL stock, with a price target of $184.
"It will be interesting what storage capacities and price points Apple decides to set for these new iPods," he said. "Most recently, Microsoft announced a new Zune HD with 16GB of storage for $220 compared to Apple's current 8GB iPod touch for $229."
40 Comments
Oh dear oh dear.. Jobs is not going to be there.. Maybe he's reserving himself for 2010..
Steve won't be there. He still looks frail and won't want to become the story.
"It is not clear that Steve Jobs will be present," Wu said, "but most would welcome his appearance as a positive surprise."
I don't expect him to make a appearance.
Apple needs to make it's transition to a new leader, unfortunately no one is nearly as qualified.
So it looks like we will still have him in charge, but a reduced capacity, for as long as possible.
I wish it could be forever, and I wish he has enough time to realize all his dreams to influence the future of computing and not get cut short like Walt Disney did (EPCOT).
Keep up the good fight Steve and thanks for bringing back the 15" matte screen MacBook Pro!
There's no reason for Job's to show up for an insignificant iPod event. He's not going to show up until the tablet comes out. And frankly, after the way the media treated him during his absence, I don't blame him.
Actually his hologram will be there, repeating his favorite mantra, "Help us Steve Ballmer, you're our only hope!"