Credit Suisse analyst Bill Shope says Apple tablet might be coming
 According to Silicon Alley Insider, Credit Suisse analyst Bill Shope has been doing some research on Apple. His conclusions seem pretty reasonable...with some caveats. Here are his findings and our thoughts below:
- New iPods: "More likely." Apple refreshes its iPod line in the fall, and there's no reason it won't this year. To compete better with the cheaper iPhone, Apple could offer higher-capacity iPods at lower prices, one possible explanation for its warning about low gross margins.
- Refreshed MacBooks: "More likely." No major shape/size changes, but faster laptops at lower prices.
- Apple Tablet: "More likely." Shope wouldn't be shocked if Apple released a tablet soon to take advantage of its exclusive, multi-touch technology on a product with a bigger screen.
- iPhone nano: "Less likely." It makes sense that Apple would extend the iPhone family the way it's done with its computers, iPods, etc. And a cheaper, slimmed-down iPhone could reach a broader audience than today's. Just not so soon after it launched the iPhone 3G, which has strong demand.
- Super-cheap laptop: "Less likely." Eventually, Apple will need to come out with a laptop under $800 to tap into new markets. But Shope's conversations with Apple "suggest that the company may not be ready for such a drastic change in product strategy in the near-term."
- Super-cheap desktop: "Less likely." An all-in-one, not the Mac mini, which would expose Apple to the "sweet spot of the desktop market fairly quickly." Just not convinced Apple is ready to play in the "discount PC market" yet.
- Mac TV: "Even less likely," a "long shot." Apple could skip the set-top box by building its Apple TV software into a flat-panel TV. While Shope (and we) would probably be buyers, he thinks "this seems a bit outside of Apple’s normal sphere of business for now."
Our Take:
- New iPods: Yes, of course, a lock for September. Nanos in colorful arrays we know. More interestingly, maybe we'll see some more iPhone features in the Touch. Bluetooth, GPS, speaker, and camera are all contenders. Maybe even a long range wireless capability - 3G, WiMAX? What can you do with the shuffle?...Making it the size of a Bluetooth headset is the only way to make it smaller - a combo would be cool but unlikely - Also look for a big announcement next month with 24 Hour Fitness and Nike (with a backend designed with RG/A) to include bringing "exercise-gaming" to the iPod.
- Refreshed MacBooks: 99% certain. More than just a processor and specs update like Shope postulates, however. Glass trackpads and total laptop redesign. Cut from one piece of Aluminum. Thinner. Late September. Bet.
- Tablet: Disagree, won't happen until 2009 unless you count enhanced iPod Touches. We would like to see something like the Nokia N810 specs but hopes are low.
- iPhone Nano: No, no, no - never. Is $200 really too much to spend on an iPhone? In some places it is already free with an expensive plan. Is the iPhone too big? Not really. If anything, Apple will go more upscale in the coming year and the current devices will be the low end.
- Super cheap laptop? This is Apple. No. But somewhat smaller and less expensive are realistic longer term possibilities.
- Super cheap desktop? As much as we'd like to see one, nope. Psystar-like specs, mass produced in a nice enclosure for $400 would be nice, however significant specs updates to the Mini without price movement would cover this market and are much more likely.
- AppleTV? Actually, unlike Shope, we think a game change is very likely. If Apple could cut deals with HD screen manufacturers across the board (like it did with movies studios) and at the same time beef up the hardware to do 1080p, Apple could turn its hobby into a serious business. We know Apple wants into this field so badly that it is willing to subsidize the cost. Components are costing less and less and at some point it will cost about as much 20 movies or a few seasons of a TV series. The opportunity to entirely subsidize the cost of the device will arrive at some point soon. The biggest obstacle? The state of US broadband. Bottom line, look for movement - there are many opportunities ahead. ----Also, adding a gaming component to the AppleTV would be cool but a long way off - a deal with Nintendo to bundle the AppleTV with the Wii might be cool.
We would also like to see some more work on Apple's Pro Hardware. Most of this equipment hasn't beeen significantly upgraded since PowerPC days. What do you think?
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Fall lineup
There are four places where I can see Apple spending money (and cutting margins) on new products this fall.
1. Nano touch. Shrink the ipod touch to current nano size. no wifi or safari. Now it's just a small ipod (like the nano) but it's all screen, so you can actually use it to watch Steve's movie rentals. Same price as the old nano.
2. That "glass trackpad" on the macbook. As someone else said, it really only makes sense if there's a screen beneath it. Therefore, one can only conclude that we'll see Macbooks with an iphone-sized multitouch-screen trackpad. You'll be able to use it as a traditional mouse-substitute (with a blank screen if desired) or toggle it into touchscreen mode, zoom in and out, rotate, etc, all to control the active window on the laptop's main screen. Same price as the old models, but it'll cost Apple about $150 in profit. This would really tie in with "using technology to go where our competitors can't".
3. I think the time is right for a tablet, but it should be a bigtouch, rather than a Mac. ie iphone OS, not Mac OS. Actually, now that I think about it, there are probably some software issues they need to work out first, like cut and paste, but the hardware end seems ready to roll out a $1000 tablet with a 9.2" screen (8" x 4.5") High volume, low margin.
4. The Apple TV needs more functionality, yet Apple doesn't want that device to cut into it's low-end sales (mac mini). Can Apple make money selling Apple TV at the same price but adding an HD tuner/DVR function? Must also build-in Safari. Blue-ray? Maybe the answer is to leave Apple TV as-is for the low end, but beef up mac mini to include all the above features at its current price. It'll be your media hub. And, of course, I want FULL remote control from my iphone or touch, so I can run the whole thing from my couch, and ultimately from my office in Tahiti over the internet.
Apple isn't going to release
Apple isn't going to release a TV unless they can change the game of TV. Perhaps they can. But the big deal won't be that Apple is now selling a TV - instead, they'll be selling a lifestyle-changing product.
So, in conclusion, Apple will sell a TV.
I really think major flat
I really think major flat panels retailers wouldn't enjoy having apple tv build in, since they would preffer to have their own digital destribution channels
MacTV Vs AppleTV
Errmm...
Shope talks about a Mac TV, why the hell 9to5 gives his hints about Apple TV? He wasn't talking about the set-top box (Apple TV), but instead, of an Apple-branded TV (which would, of course, include an AppleTV on its specs).
its the same...nah
its the same...nah
I say the MacBooks and MBPs
I say the MacBooks and MBPs are going to look more like the Air only with more ports. Air-like upper lid for lower profile, thicker bottom for the ports. Would not be surprised if Apple starts dropping the optical drive (a la Air) on some models.
All this talk about a tablet is wasted effort. Fancy hand gestures aren't enough to make a tablet worthwhile. You gotta be able to write, print, draw, sketch, paint, etc. Apple ain't there yet. Maybe one day, but not yet.
AppleTV? Or you want an Apple television? Apple can have both. Just build the AppleTV into the iMac. Oh, and give it a 32" screen.
Here's the way I see it: Nano
Here's the way I see it:
Nano touch: might make sense, but the one thing that bothers me is the App Store and all the currently available app might not work. Unless the nano will remain a dumbed down version of it's big brother with no 3rd party apps. And a keyboard on such a small screen might not be easy to implement. An iPhone nano is just stupid. This wouldn't be a "smartphone", but just a fancy Phone/iPod.
MacTouch: Yeah... I love the idea! But... I believe it will appear when Snow Leopard is ready to ship. As far as I remember el Jobso mentioned something about integrating lots of tech from the iPhone OS into OS X (10.6?). That would perfectly fit a MacTouch. And I don't think it will be a 2 screen device. The way I see it, it will be something like a 13.3" or 15" iPhone and about as think as the MBAir. And I hope it will have more connectors than the Air, or at least an optical drive.
AppleTV: I just have no idea... I've never used one. Maybe integrate the App Store, use the iPhone/iPod/MacTouch as an input device, BT KB/Mouse, but I dont't think it will be a gaming platform this time around, maybe a DVD (Blu-Ray?) drive.
MacBook/MBP: Yeah, they definatly need a refresh! Better hardware (especially graphics). The current MacBooks are pretty lame for the price.
Besides that, I hope they will relaunch MobileMe. A budget to mid-range tower would be nice too. The MacPro is just too expensive and iMacs (great devices) are based on laptop components which are more expensive. A Mac tower at the price of a Mac Mini??
Ok I think that's it.
Greetz 2 all!