Two analysts told clients today that Apple’s future is so rosy Tim Cook needs to wear shades. Well, not exactly, in those words, but close.
In a note to clients — as reported by “All Things D” (http://macte.ch/osyxe) — Wedbush analyst Scott Sutherland says Apple will have a huge fiscal first quarter — and an even bigger second one.
“A key part of the Apple story remains new product launches,” he says.”While the iPhone 4 appears to be selling well due to existing market demand and new markets, we expect a bump up from the iPhone 5 this October, and a lower end iPhone geared towards emerging markets. With the introductions ahead of the holidays, we expect a monster FQ1 (Dec) from Apple. Furthermore, in 1H12, we expect the introduction of a 4G LTE iPhone with a materially improved user interface and the iPad 3.”
Along with those devices, Sutherland sees updates to the Mac and iPod lines, some improvements to Apple TV and that long-rumored first foray into the connected TV space. Add to this continuing demand for the iPad and iPhone and the debut of iCloud and Sutherland sees nothing but good news in Apple’s future.
Meanwhile, Carolina Milanesi, research vice president at the Garter research group told clients in a note — as reported by “Bloomberg” (http://macte.ch/VXyk1) — that Apple will dominate Christmas sales of tablet computers as rival products based on Google’s Android system aren’t competitive enough.
“Apple delivers a superior and unified user experience across its hardware, software and services” she writes. “Unless competitors can respond with a similar approach, challenges to Apple’s position will be minimal.”
Worldwide media tablet sales will probably more than triple this year and reach 63.6 million units and Apple is likely to keep a market share of more than 50% until 2014, Gartner says. The iPad may account for 73% of sales in 2011, after 83% in 2010. Apart from Apple and Android, no platform will have more than 5% of the market in 2011, per Gartner’s forecast.
— Dennis Sellers