iPhone 3 Rumors Upgraded to Outperform
by John Paczkowski
Posted on March 16, 2009 at 8:07 AM PT
Apple’s (AAPL) plan to preview iPhone OS 3.0 tomorrow is a sure sign that the company is on track to debut the next iteration of the phone on which it will run this summer. That’s the word from Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, who has high expectations for the OS and device both. “In the past two weeks Apple has introduced new Mac hardware and a new iPod shuffle, for which the company simply issued a press release,” Munster wrote in a research note. “The fact that Apple is hosting an event for the iPhone OS 3.0 shows that it will likely involve meaningful changes to the iPhone feature set. Apple may be settling into an annual summer hardware refresh cycle with the iPhone, similar to the iPod’s fall refresh cycle.”
Just what does Munster mean by “meaningful changes”? Like others, he anticipates the addition of universal search, background processing/multitasking and the long pined-for cut and paste.
Incidentally, Munster says he doesn’t expect Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who is on medical leave from the company until June, to attend tomorrow’s event. Tim Cook will be filling the Jobs role for the time being, he says–as much as possible, anyway. Said Munster, “During Jobs’ absence, the pace of innovation at Apple has continued, which we believe will reassure investors. Increasingly, we believe investors are considering the future of Apple under Cook’s leadership as a positive.”
Comments
While I certainly have no idea what Apple will present tomorrow, I will say this.
Analyst prognostications on the “inevitability” of Android and Palm Pre’s pre-ship position as a “compelling alternative” are empty chatter unless and until they can show serious traction on developer ecosystem front.
While they are still very much 1.0 stage (or earlier), Apple is stepping on the gas pedal and pushing 3.0, seemingly learning the lessons taught them oh so painfully by Microsoft in the PC wars; namely, that he would wins the hearts and minds of developers, wins the war.
For more fodder on this one, check out my post:
iPhones, App Stores and Ecosystems
http://thenetworkgarden.com/we.....stems.html
Regards,
Mark
Posted by Mark Sigal at March 16th, 2009 at 11:04 am