Apple (AAPL) : Tim Cook announces iForum. Dodds and Bryant prepare shut down operations (1 Viewer)

[goonsquad]

The biggest barrier I see is that you are seeing a serious contraction of people going from Ipod->iphone->Ipad->IMac. Many people are also now rejecting the upgrade cycle. Ipad4 was launched with a whimper. Penetration into China has lagged. Lots of bad signs. The Ios has really stagnated as well and this is where IMO Jobs' vision was at the forefront. None of this however should be weighing on the stock right now. Growth is out there to sustain the market cap.

Apple never intended this to be a new model iPad launch, it is simply a mid-cycle update of the New iPad. That's why it seems to have launched with a whimper; it was just a side note to the iPad Mini launch instead of getting the spotlight of a new product launch. I'm confident that we will find that the whimper is more of a roar once Apple releases sales numbers for this quarter, even with the Mini being available.Also, what evidence do you have to back up the "serious contraction" of the halo-effect that you are seeing? iPhone and iPad sales are growing and Mac sales have outpaced industry averages for years.

I'll have to dig it up. There was a report out noting how Iphone/Ipad users Imac share topped off for the first time in the last quarter after half a decade now of growth more or less. Was out in the late Oct timeframe. Total share may still be climbing outside the multiplatform base.

Are you looking at just iMac and not the entire Mac lineup? I ask because you wrote IMac twice. If that's the case, it would make sense that iMac sales were lagging as it was long overdue for a refresh while Apple focused on the Air and Retina MBP's. Apple finally released a redesigned iMac this week, although its clear that the portables are their main focus.

 

[culdeus]

The biggest barrier I see is that you are seeing a serious contraction of people going from Ipod->iphone->Ipad->IMac. Many people are also now rejecting the upgrade cycle. Ipad4 was launched with a whimper. Penetration into China has lagged. Lots of bad signs. The Ios has really stagnated as well and this is where IMO Jobs' vision was at the forefront. None of this however should be weighing on the stock right now. Growth is out there to sustain the market cap.

Apple never intended this to be a new model iPad launch, it is simply a mid-cycle update of the New iPad. That's why it seems to have launched with a whimper; it was just a side note to the iPad Mini launch instead of getting the spotlight of a new product launch. I'm confident that we will find that the whimper is more of a roar once Apple releases sales numbers for this quarter, even with the Mini being available.Also, what evidence do you have to back up the "serious contraction" of the halo-effect that you are seeing? iPhone and iPad sales are growing and Mac sales have outpaced industry averages for years.

I'll have to dig it up. There was a report out noting how Iphone/Ipad users Imac share topped off for the first time in the last quarter after half a decade now of growth more or less. Was out in the late Oct timeframe. Total share may still be climbing outside the multiplatform base.

Are you looking at just iMac and not the entire Mac lineup? I ask because you wrote IMac twice. If that's the case, it would make sense that iMac sales were lagging as it was long overdue for a refresh while Apple focused on the Air and Retina MBP's. Apple finally released a redesigned iMac this week, although its clear that the portables are their main focus.

It was laptops. I don't own one. I thought they were just called IMac whatever.

 

[goonsquad]

The biggest barrier I see is that you are seeing a serious contraction of people going from Ipod->iphone->Ipad->IMac. Many people are also now rejecting the upgrade cycle. Ipad4 was launched with a whimper. Penetration into China has lagged. Lots of bad signs. The Ios has really stagnated as well and this is where IMO Jobs' vision was at the forefront. None of this however should be weighing on the stock right now. Growth is out there to sustain the market cap.

Apple never intended this to be a new model iPad launch, it is simply a mid-cycle update of the New iPad. That's why it seems to have launched with a whimper; it was just a side note to the iPad Mini launch instead of getting the spotlight of a new product launch. I'm confident that we will find that the whimper is more of a roar once Apple releases sales numbers for this quarter, even with the Mini being available.Also, what evidence do you have to back up the "serious contraction" of the halo-effect that you are seeing? iPhone and iPad sales are growing and Mac sales have outpaced industry averages for years.

I'll have to dig it up. There was a report out noting how Iphone/Ipad users Imac share topped off for the first time in the last quarter after half a decade now of growth more or less. Was out in the late Oct timeframe. Total share may still be climbing outside the multiplatform base.

Are you looking at just iMac and not the entire Mac lineup? I ask because you wrote IMac twice. If that's the case, it would make sense that iMac sales were lagging as it was long overdue for a refresh while Apple focused on the Air and Retina MBP's. Apple finally released a redesigned iMac this week, although its clear that the portables are their main focus.

It was laptops. I don't own one. I thought they were just called IMac whatever.

Last quarter sales of Mac Portables (Macbook, MB Pro, MB Air) were up 9%YOY. Surely not on pace with the growth of iPhone and iPad but strong none-the-less. Mac Desktops (iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Pro) were down -24%, but all three were long overdue for updates. Combined, Mac computer sales were only up 1% over last year, obviously the desktop lines dragged down the overall.

 

[Todem]

If you not buying some apple at these levels (assuming your have not been in the stock for years) and also selling puts.....you nuts. Selling puts on Apple has been one of the greatest trades in the history of man for me for the last 2 years.12 month price target = 800-850This company is dirt cheap here.Lot's of tax selling going on. It is a chance to get in. The company continues to grow in a strong way. It is truly amazing.

I recognize you are quite good at managing money so this isn't a criticism towards you.But the technical picture of AAPL would suggest investors exercise caution at this time, and that an entry price can be had at a significant discount to the present price sometime in the future.

The technical picture is being talked about far too much each and every day. The fundamental picture of this company is staggering for along term investment. While the big gains (I am talking 200-300% over the last 3 years) are over this still has a good 50-70 percent upside over the next 12-18 months. That is a great return.Timing a bottom on a stock you can by at 9 times forward earnings and if you strip the cash at 7 times....is amazing. And Apple is not showing signs of slowing down in the near future.Like any company the time will come when the growth slows, but by then your original investment can be mostly taken off the table and covered calls and collecting dividends will ensue. Apple is a generational stock IMO. And at these levels is an opportunity to get in again before it's next leg up over the next 12 months.Yes....you might be able to get it cheaper. I agree. But trying to time the bottom when it is already selling for such a discount relative to earnings and the potential future earnings and growth.....I don't time when I see a great investment.Apple is a great investment.Death Spiral, this and that. CNBC is a joke.So let's say you want 200 shares of apple. Buy half in the 550's or a little lower like today (I was adding shares for some clients at 520 this morning) and then selling a Feb 505 put and taking in 24.75 in premium.That is a 20% (more or less) APY on 50,500 (cash secured put) if it expire worthless. For the almost three months till expiration the yield is (4.9%).And if your put at 505......by all means long term you will love Apple as again I believe this is a 800-850 dollar a share stock over the next 12-18 months.Anyway. Good luck to anyone getting in. I see good things ahead still for this company. The global growth story we are about to see with equites over the next 10 years......pretty big IMO. Once we can get through this fiscal Cliff noise (they better put together something or else) the markets will take off on the next secular bull market.The 10 year Treasury is telling me everything right now.

 

[Mario Kart]

Time to buy?

 

[humpback]

Time to buy?

Isn't it always?

 

[Warrior]

Time to buy?

Isn't it always?

Depends on how much you like to lose $ I guess (lately)

 

[shader]

update?

 

[Fennis]

5) The Law of Large Numbers works against them. The growth required is not sustainable.

 

[culdeus]

Order estimates are being slashed. The run is over.

 

[Koya]

Order estimates are being slashed. The run is over.

Some very troubling signs for sure. While the hard number fundamentals may be there, what does Apple really own? They are a fancy hardware company at this point. The content that drives their user base is now as good elsewhere, or very close to it. Some argue that content and the hardware from other companies has surpassed Apple.They have a little blank box and every else has started to make the same damn thing. What's differentiating Apple at this point?While I've never been a big fan of Apple products, I have enjoyed the iPhone and iPad a lot... but my wife is already chomping at the bit to get a Windows phone (not my choice) or maybe an Android. There is NO reason for me to upgrade from my 4s to a 5 where I can remember in the past being impatiently waiting for the next gen to hit to get key upgrades.From a marketing and consumer preference standpoint, I see a lot of issues here and perhaps the begin of Apple going back to more of a niche player, not the stand in front monolithic behemoth it had become.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Order estimates are being slashed. The run is over.

Some very troubling signs for sure. While the hard number fundamentals may be there, what does Apple really own? They are a fancy hardware company at this point. The content that drives their user base is now as good elsewhere, or very close to it. Some argue that content and the hardware from other companies has surpassed Apple.They have a little blank box and every else has started to make the same damn thing. What's differentiating Apple at this point?While I've never been a big fan of Apple products, I have enjoyed the iPhone and iPad a lot... but my wife is already chomping at the bit to get a Windows phone (not my choice) or maybe an Android. There is NO reason for me to upgrade from my 4s to a 5 where I can remember in the past being impatiently waiting for the next gen to hit to get key upgrades.From a marketing and consumer preference standpoint, I see a lot of issues here and perhaps the begin of Apple going back to more of a niche player, not the stand in front monolithic behemoth it had become.

I think you're burying AAPL far too quickly. They're going to post 50B+ in revenue when they announce earnings on 1/23. There's nothing niche about that.

 

[Card Trader]

Apple's going to have to get innovative, Samsung has really just stomped them lately. Not sure if Apple can get creative now that Jobs is gone, we shall see. I do know playing commercials over and over of placing your phone in sleep mode and taking a panoramic picture (something virtually every phone does) is going to cut it.

 

[culdeus]

Apple's going to have to get innovative, Samsung has really just stomped them lately. Not sure if Apple can get creative now that Jobs is gone, we shall see. I do know playing commercials over and over of putting your phone in sleep mode and taking a panoramic picture (something virtually every phone does) is going to cut it.

The most hilarious thing about the panorama mode is that it was in IOS 5.1, but they did not advertise it at all. Then they removed it in 5.1.1 so they would have something to "wow" people with in IOS6.

 

[eoMMan]

I'm by no means an Apple fanboy but, financially, they are still in awesome shape:http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=AAPL+Income+Statement&annualhttp://finance.yahoo.com/q/bs?s=AAPL+Balance+Sheet&annualAnd even though demand is down based on this report today, they still have several products that people still buy (iPod, iPad, iPhone, Mac, etc. etc.). It's not like people will all of sudden NOT buy these products.I think a pullback was bound to happen. The point is that they still make a ton of money and have products that people still want to buy. I think buying here is a good move and then sell at $550 or $560 for a quick 10% profit in few months.

 

[Da Guru]

When my daughters were home at Christmas I was looking around and saw 4 Iphones and 4 IPads. Not counting the 2-3 IPhones in the drawer that we don`t use anymore. That is over 10 Apple products in one household.

 

[Koya]

Order estimates are being slashed. The run is over.

Some very troubling signs for sure. While the hard number fundamentals may be there, what does Apple really own? They are a fancy hardware company at this point. The content that drives their user base is now as good elsewhere, or very close to it. Some argue that content and the hardware from other companies has surpassed Apple.They have a little blank box and every else has started to make the same damn thing. What's differentiating Apple at this point?While I've never been a big fan of Apple products, I have enjoyed the iPhone and iPad a lot... but my wife is already chomping at the bit to get a Windows phone (not my choice) or maybe an Android. There is NO reason for me to upgrade from my 4s to a 5 where I can remember in the past being impatiently waiting for the next gen to hit to get key upgrades.From a marketing and consumer preference standpoint, I see a lot of issues here and perhaps the begin of Apple going back to more of a niche player, not the stand in front monolithic behemoth it had become.

I think you're burying AAPL far too quickly. They're going to post 50B+ in revenue when they announce earnings on 1/23. There's nothing niche about that.

Hardly burying it... but companies that had a far more diverse set of products with an even greater standing than Apple have faded in the past. I guess for me, looking longer term, is this nagging question of what has Apply done over the last year or so to continue to differentiate itself? It's product is no longer heads and tails above anyone else. It's no longer utterly innovative and intuitive as compared to everyone else. When does that catch up with the Company when the sales figures, loss of market share etc. continue?

 

[The Commish]

I own about a third of what I did a little over a year ago. Apple was so efficient and there was a CLEAR direction and purpose to everything they did while Jobs was there. I can think of one, maybe two things, that "flopped". That's it. Jobs was why. Jobs is gone. I'm not throwing dirt on their coffin by any stretch, but those who think it's going to keep going the way it's going are fooling themselves. Their financials look fine, but as soon as that efficiency goes away or decreases significantly, it's going to cut into the bottom line and quickly. I've not seen a clear direction out of them after Jobs' passing. To date, they've simply carried out what was left of his vision. That will only last so long.

 

[SacramentoBob]

If you not buying some apple at these levels (assuming your have not been in the stock for years) and also selling puts.....you nuts. Selling puts on Apple has been one of the greatest trades in the history of man for me for the last 2 years.12 month price target = 800-850This company is dirt cheap here.Lot's of tax selling going on. It is a chance to get in. The company continues to grow in a strong way. It is truly amazing.

I recognize you are quite good at managing money so this isn't a criticism towards you.But the technical picture of AAPL would suggest investors exercise caution at this time, and that an entry price can be had at a significant discount to the present price sometime in the future.

Pretty good work here.

 

[SacramentoBob]

I guess Microsoft is getting the best of them with the new Surface tablet

?

AAPL stock price on 10/17, when Microsoft announced the Surface release date & specs: $650Close today, 4 weeks later: $525

Update?

 

[hxperson]

When my daughters were home at Christmas I was looking around and saw 4 Iphones and 4 IPads. Not counting the 2-3 IPhones in the drawer that we don`t use anymore. That is over 10 Apple products in one household.

That's great, but what do you think is the probability you will continue to have 10 Apple devices in your household ad infinitum, and that you will continue to buy these products at the same price/margin and same frequency that you have done over the past 4 years, forever? Not saying you should be bullish or bearish, but this is what matters for the stock price.

 

[Sarnoff]

I guess Microsoft is getting the best of them with the new Surface tablet

?

AAPL stock price on 10/17, when Microsoft announced the Surface release date & specs: $650Close today, 4 weeks later: $525

Update?

No need to toot my own horn here, enough people are pointing out that Microsoft and the rest of Apple's competitors have caught up with them handily.

 

[Da Guru]

When my daughters were home at Christmas I was looking around and saw 4 Iphones and 4 IPads. Not counting the 2-3 IPhones in the drawer that we don`t use anymore. That is over 10 Apple products in one household.

That's great, but what do you think is the probability you will continue to have 10 Apple devices in your household ad infinitum, and that you will continue to buy these products at the same price/margin and same frequency that you have done over the past 4 years, forever? Not saying you should be bullish or bearish, but this is what matters for the stock price.

I agree, I don`t upgrade every time a new product come out. Bought my IPad last year and pretty sure I will keep it for quite awhile.

 

[tommyGunZ]

When my daughters were home at Christmas I was looking around and saw 4 Iphones and 4 IPads. Not counting the 2-3 IPhones in the drawer that we don`t use anymore. That is over 10 Apple products in one household.

That's great, but what do you think is the probability you will continue to have 10 Apple devices in your household ad infinitum, and that you will continue to buy these products at the same price/margin and same frequency that you have done over the past 4 years, forever? Not saying you should be bullish or bearish, but this is what matters for the stock price.

Apple absolutely owns the younger generation. As those kids become working adults, Apple should continue to grow.

 

[Ned]

The ace up the sleeve might be this tv we keep hearing rumors about.

 

[culdeus]

When my daughters were home at Christmas I was looking around and saw 4 Iphones and 4 IPads. Not counting the 2-3 IPhones in the drawer that we don`t use anymore. That is over 10 Apple products in one household.

That's great, but what do you think is the probability you will continue to have 10 Apple devices in your household ad infinitum, and that you will continue to buy these products at the same price/margin and same frequency that you have done over the past 4 years, forever? Not saying you should be bullish or bearish, but this is what matters for the stock price.

Apple absolutely owns the younger generation. As those kids become working adults, Apple should continue to grow.

Got a link here? Most market research I've seen lately is showing this trend reversing.

 

[Major]

The ace up the sleeve might be this tv we keep hearing rumors about.

I'm not as bullish about this (margins low on tvs)...they need to get China/India off the ground. That's what I was banking on.

 

[zDragon]

When my daughters were home at Christmas I was looking around and saw 4 Iphones and 4 IPads. Not counting the 2-3 IPhones in the drawer that we don`t use anymore. That is over 10 Apple products in one household.

That's great, but what do you think is the probability you will continue to have 10 Apple devices in your household ad infinitum, and that you will continue to buy these products at the same price/margin and same frequency that you have done over the past 4 years, forever? Not saying you should be bullish or bearish, but this is what matters for the stock price.

Apple absolutely owns the younger generation. As those kids become working adults, Apple should continue to grow.

Not sure this is true. I know my daughter did not want an iPhone. The S3 is the most popular phone in her school and my son wants to ditch his when his contract is up. Jr. High and High School kids. You also have to just look at the nature of youth. The iPhone used to be the rebel. It's know the most common phone you can find. Kids just don't like being common and will move on to a different platform.

 

[tommyGunZ]

When my daughters were home at Christmas I was looking around and saw 4 Iphones and 4 IPads. Not counting the 2-3 IPhones in the drawer that we don`t use anymore. That is over 10 Apple products in one household.

That's great, but what do you think is the probability you will continue to have 10 Apple devices in your household ad infinitum, and that you will continue to buy these products at the same price/margin and same frequency that you have done over the past 4 years, forever? Not saying you should be bullish or bearish, but this is what matters for the stock price.

Apple absolutely owns the younger generation. As those kids become working adults, Apple should continue to grow.

Got a link here? Most market research I've seen lately is showing this trend reversing.

Munster report from October

 

[siffoin]

Technically. A close in the next days/weeks below $495 would be non-optimal. Really important for AAPL to hold this $500 level of support.

 

[The Commish]

When my daughters were home at Christmas I was looking around and saw 4 Iphones and 4 IPads. Not counting the 2-3 IPhones in the drawer that we don`t use anymore. That is over 10 Apple products in one household.

That's great, but what do you think is the probability you will continue to have 10 Apple devices in your household ad infinitum, and that you will continue to buy these products at the same price/margin and same frequency that you have done over the past 4 years, forever? Not saying you should be bullish or bearish, but this is what matters for the stock price.

Apple absolutely owns the younger generation. As those kids become working adults, Apple should continue to grow.

Yeah, I'm not so sure this is true. If anything it's the opposite. I call it the "AOL Effect". I'm not saying Apple will go the way of AOL, but their next outline for vision and progress is going to be big and a pretty good indicator of where they see themselves fitting in the market going forward.

 

[SacramentoBob]

Technically. A close in the next days/weeks below $495 would be non-optimal. Really important for AAPL to hold this $500 level of support.

 

[culdeus]

When my daughters were home at Christmas I was looking around and saw 4 Iphones and 4 IPads. Not counting the 2-3 IPhones in the drawer that we don`t use anymore. That is over 10 Apple products in one household.

That's great, but what do you think is the probability you will continue to have 10 Apple devices in your household ad infinitum, and that you will continue to buy these products at the same price/margin and same frequency that you have done over the past 4 years, forever? Not saying you should be bullish or bearish, but this is what matters for the stock price.

Apple absolutely owns the younger generation. As those kids become working adults, Apple should continue to grow.

Got a link here? Most market research I've seen lately is showing this trend reversing.

Munster report from October

That is a long time back and even before the core launches. Nobody is trading on October market data today.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

Technically. A close in the next days/weeks below $495 would be non-optimal. Really important for AAPL to hold this $500 level of support.

Glad I sold half my shares before Christmas even though I took a small loss.

 

[saintfool]

Not sure this is true. I know my daughter did not want an iPhone. The S3 is the most popular phone in her school and my son wants to ditch his when his contract is up. Jr. High and High School kids. You also have to just look at the nature of youth. The iPhone used to be the rebel. It's know the most common phone you can find. Kids just don't like being common and will move on to a different platform.

pricing for product and phone plans have gotten a little out of hand. young consumers are becoming price sensitive for technology.

 

[Tackling Dummies]

Not sure this is true. I know my daughter did not want an iPhone. The S3 is the most popular phone in her school and my son wants to ditch his when his contract is up. Jr. High and High School kids. You also have to just look at the nature of youth. The iPhone used to be the rebel. It's know the most common phone you can find. Kids just don't like being common and will move on to a different platform.

pricing for product and phone plans have gotten a little out of hand. young consumers are becoming price sensitive for technology.

I think that in this case, technology=status symbol.

 

[saintfool]

Not sure this is true.

I know my daughter did not want an iPhone. The S3 is the most popular phone in her school and my son wants to ditch his when his contract is up. Jr. High and High School kids.

You also have to just look at the nature of youth. The iPhone used to be the rebel. It's know the most common phone you can find. Kids just don't like being common and will move on to a different platform.

pricing for product and phone plans have gotten a little out of hand. young consumers are becoming price sensitive for technology.

I think that in this case, technology=status symbol.

of course. Iphone users tend to be more affluent and better educated but they also tend to be older. This might explain why they tend to be more affluent and better educated but whatever. But if youth is driving our culture then demographics are destiny here. Apple is winning battles but might ultimately lose the war.

 

[Mario Kart]

Apple needs to make a phone with HD capability, a 10mp+ camera along with a much bigger screen similar to the Galaxy III. What might set it apart would be to have something similar to the Note or something of that magnitude. Apple is beginning to stale to many users, including myself. Their computers are great but their iPad and iPhone have since been very innovative. They need to jump back in the front or else they may end up behind Samsung.

 

[Todem]

Again I will maintain my price target I posted above.Options expire this Friday. I found it rather curious with this (old) news coming again today on I-phone 5 blah blah blah.Set's up nicely for those huge covered call interests sitting out there. Lot's will expire worthless.Then the earnings and forward guidance come out...and the contrarian play amazingly is to bet it will be really good. POP!!!!!And more covered calls start selling at huge premiums.This company has so much runway left. Long term it is a cheap stock.Can it get cheaper? Yeah of course. I bought this thing in the low 200's in my portfolio and many of my clients. We have been selling puts and just laughing for about a year and half. And the ride continues.But for those who missed the boat on Apple....this is a chance to get in cheap for a long term investment. They will increase their dividend year over year and of course eventual split at some point.They are becoming a growing dividend company with growth as well.If your trading this thing....reading charts.....I am not your guy.Fundamentally speaking this stock is a screaming bargain if you believe in Apple the company and brand long term.It is very in vouge to be an Apple basher. CNBC is loving this. Cramer who pouds the table one day to buy...then turns around and gives another opinion.This from the guy who highly recommended buying Bear Sterns 3 weeks before they filed for chapter 11

 

[Todem]

Apple needs to make a phone with HD capability, a 10mp+ camera along with a much bigger screen similar to the Galaxy III. What might set it apart would be to have something similar to the Note or something of that magnitude. Apple is beginning to stale to many users, including myself. Their computers are great but their iPad and iPhone have since been very innovative. They need to jump back in the front or else they may end up behind Samsung.

When the malware and virus's start rampaging peoples Galaxy phones.....let's see how that shakes out.At least I know with the Apple ecosystem I have a massive firewall against all that PC nonsense.Just a thought.

 

[cstu]

Apple's going to have to get innovative, Samsung has really just stomped them lately. Not sure if Apple can get creative now that Jobs is gone, we shall see. I do know playing commercials over and over of placing your phone in sleep mode and taking a panoramic picture (something virtually every phone does) is going to cut it.

Has Apple's innovation engine stalled?

 

[17seconds]

Apple's going to have to get innovative, Samsung has really just stomped them lately. Not sure if Apple can get creative now that Jobs is gone, we shall see. I do know playing commercials over and over of placing your phone in sleep mode and taking a panoramic picture (something virtually every phone does) is going to cut it.

Has Apple's innovation engine stalled?

They don't necessarily have to continue innovating to maintain a strong market position. The thing they still have over everybody else is the combination of great hardware and a good closed ecosystem.People will pay for new Apple products just to continue living in the Apple bubble.

 

[cstu]

Order estimates are being slashed. The run is over.

Some very troubling signs for sure. While the hard number fundamentals may be there, what does Apple really own? They are a fancy hardware company at this point. The content that drives their user base is now as good elsewhere, or very close to it. Some argue that content and the hardware from other companies has surpassed Apple.They have a little blank box and every else has started to make the same damn thing. What's differentiating Apple at this point?While I've never been a big fan of Apple products, I have enjoyed the iPhone and iPad a lot... but my wife is already chomping at the bit to get a Windows phone (not my choice) or maybe an Android. There is NO reason for me to upgrade from my 4s to a 5 where I can remember in the past being impatiently waiting for the next gen to hit to get key upgrades.From a marketing and consumer preference standpoint, I see a lot of issues here and perhaps the begin of Apple going back to more of a niche player, not the stand in front monolithic behemoth it had become.

Apple came out with some revolutionary new products - iPod, iPhone and iPad - in a very short amount of time and it took others a long time to catch up. However, now it's pretty close to a level playing field and unless they come up with another great new product they will mainly be a marking company. Nothing wrong with that and they will still produce mountains of profits but they won't have growth like we've seen.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Order estimates are being slashed. The run is over.

Some very troubling signs for sure. While the hard number fundamentals may be there, what does Apple really own? They are a fancy hardware company at this point. The content that drives their user base is now as good elsewhere, or very close to it. Some argue that content and the hardware from other companies has surpassed Apple.They have a little blank box and every else has started to make the same damn thing. What's differentiating Apple at this point?While I've never been a big fan of Apple products, I have enjoyed the iPhone and iPad a lot... but my wife is already chomping at the bit to get a Windows phone (not my choice) or maybe an Android. There is NO reason for me to upgrade from my 4s to a 5 where I can remember in the past being impatiently waiting for the next gen to hit to get key upgrades.From a marketing and consumer preference standpoint, I see a lot of issues here and perhaps the begin of Apple going back to more of a niche player, not the stand in front monolithic behemoth it had become.

Apple came out with some revolutionary new products - iPod, iPhone and iPad - in a very short amount of time and it took others a long time to catch up. However, now it's pretty close to a level playing field and unless they come up with another great new product they will mainly be a marking company. Nothing wrong with that and they will still produce mountains of profits but they won't have growth like we've seen.

I think the Galaxy 3 is the closest thing to an iPhone, but still not quite there. And no one is even close on the tablet front.

 

[The Commish]

Apple needs to make a phone with HD capability, a 10mp+ camera along with a much bigger screen similar to the Galaxy III. What might set it apart would be to have something similar to the Note or something of that magnitude. Apple is beginning to stale to many users, including myself. Their computers are great but their iPad and iPhone have since been very innovative. They need to jump back in the front or else they may end up behind Samsung.

When the malware and virus's start rampaging peoples Galaxy phones.....let's see how that shakes out.At least I know with the Apple ecosystem I have a massive firewall against all that PC nonsense.Just a thought.

Lack of interest/benefit of hacking a system isn't what I'd call a "firewall".

 

[The Commish]

Apple's going to have to get innovative, Samsung has really just stomped them lately. Not sure if Apple can get creative now that Jobs is gone, we shall see. I do know playing commercials over and over of placing your phone in sleep mode and taking a panoramic picture (something virtually every phone does) is going to cut it.

Has Apple's innovation engine stalled?

They don't necessarily have to continue innovating to maintain a strong market position. The thing they still have over everybody else is the combination of great hardware and a good closed ecosystem.People will pay for new Apple products just to continue living in the Apple bubble.

I agree on the hardware point, but not the system as a whole. As exhibit A, I'll point to their internet facing internet app (web browser). It continues to be one of the easiest things to hack and gain control of a system....worse than firefox, even worse than IE. That folks don't care enough to hack it doesn't mean it's very good.

 

[Card Trader]

Apple needs to make a phone with HD capability, a 10mp+ camera along with a much bigger screen similar to the Galaxy III. What might set it apart would be to have something similar to the Note or something of that magnitude. Apple is beginning to stale to many users, including myself. Their computers are great but their iPad and iPhone have since been very innovative. They need to jump back in the front or else they may end up behind Samsung.

When the malware and virus's start rampaging peoples Galaxy phones.....let's see how that shakes out.At least I know with the Apple ecosystem I have a massive firewall against all that PC nonsense.Just a thought.

This has been the Apple fans mantra since the first Android phone came out, yet they are STILL exploding. I guess we'll keep waiting to see how it all "shakes out".

 

[Card Trader]

They need to jump back in the front or else they may end up FURTHER behind Samsung.

Fixed

 

[humpback]

Again I will maintain my price target I posted above.

Options expire this Friday. I found it rather curious with this (old) news coming again today on I-phone 5 blah blah blah.

Set's up nicely for those huge covered call interests sitting out there. Lot's will expire worthless.

Then the earnings and forward guidance come out...and the contrarian play amazingly is to bet it will be really good. POP!!!!!

And more covered calls start selling at huge premiums.

This company has so much runway left. Long term it is a cheap stock.

Can it get cheaper? Yeah of course. I bought this thing in the low 200's in my portfolio and many of my clients. We have been selling puts and just laughing for about a year and half. And the ride continues.

But for those who missed the boat on Apple....this is a chance to get in cheap for a long term investment. They will increase their dividend year over year and of course eventual split at some point.

They are becoming a growing dividend company with growth as well.

If your trading this thing....reading charts.....I am not your guy.

Fundamentally speaking this stock is a screaming bargain if you believe in Apple the company and brand long term.

It is very in vouge to be an Apple basher. CNBC is loving this. Cramer who pouds the table one day to buy...then turns around and gives another opinion.

This from the guy who highly recommended buying Bear Sterns 3 weeks before they filed for chapter 11

Isn't this the whole debate? Sure, if Apple remains a leader in innovation and new products (not just new models), it's cheap. If it doesn't, and growth slows, it isn't.

 

[culdeus]

500 has been breached. So now what?