The war between Apple and Research in Motion is heating up as rumours on a new tablet device from RIM is expected to be announced some time tomorrow.
RIM, maker of the Blackberry hand held device, recently purchased the domain name "blackpad.com." The move triggered speculations that RIM plans to name the device the Blackpad or at least has some major interest in the name. It is believed to have been purchased for about $1,500.
RIM's move to enter the tablet device and take major market share from Apple and Amazon will be tough. Based on the information available, many do not expect RIM to penetrate with profitability. It is believed that the Blackpad, to be released in November, will be used as an add-on to Blackberrys (or is it Blackberries) and will not function as a stand-alone device. This limited versatility could prove to be the downfall of the Blackpad because it will be unable to maximize its market.
The name Blackpad, if true, is also being remarked as a terrible name. By using the suffix -pad, it will surely promote the iPad even more so if RIM's device fails in popularity. Many are asking RIM to change it to Padberry or even Blueberry or Raspberry. It seems like loyal BB users prefer the berry aspect of the name, not the black.
Research in Motion has continued to grow quarter after quarter, but that has not improved their share value. The stock is down nearly 60 per cent from its all-time high, reached in the spring of 2008. Meanwhile, its archenemy Apple is trading near its all-time highs. It is clearly a tale of two companies going in opposite directions.
Other notes
Research in Motion still dominates the smartphone market, holding a 33 per cent market share in the United States and is ranked 3rd worldwide. Apple iPhones dropped to number 3 in the US today. Google Android phones have surged to second place and is on pace to sell more phones in one year than the total number of iPhones ever.
Showing posts with label Apple [AAPL]. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple [AAPL]. Show all posts
Apple iPad vs. Amazon Kindle
On May 3, Apple [AAPL:NSD] announced that 1,000,000 iPad units had been sold in just 24 days. To put that feat into perspective, it took the company 78 days to sell 1,000,000 iPhones back in 2007. Not only that, but the price of the iPad is about twice the cost of an iPhone, which mean this accomplishment deserves much more praise.
The launch of the iPad had analysts and industry professionals questioning if this would put a damper on the Amazon [AMZN:NSD] Kindle, the best selling tablet in the world. Apple has a strong foothold in the music player, computer, and smart phone industry, and its attempts to battle Kindle is being followed closely. Some are proclaiming the Kindle will continue to stay atop, with product publicity rising and positive reviews constantly streaming in.
Critics have termed the iPad as no miracle product and is like a giant iPhone, without the phone or camera capabilities. But what about the comparison between the iPad and the Kindle? Which stacks up better as an e-reader?
Head-to-head, the iPad (left photo) is a much better all around product compared to the Kindle (right photo), but as an e-reader, does the iPad compare? I researched the top five characteristics of e-readers that I thought would be most useful for those interested in one of these devices.
Battery Life
Apple products have always had short battery lives, and the iPad does very little to end this stigma. You would be very lucky if your iPad ran for more than 12 hours without a recharge. Compare that to the Kindle, which can last an entire week without being charged. Good for the electricity bill; good if you're on a weekend vacation; good if you forget to turn off the product once in a while. It's no contest, the Kindle wins on battery life.
Measurements
Size, weight, and even 'holdability' comes into play in this category. The 6-inch Kindle is no match for the 9.2-inch iPad, but that size comes with a cost. The weight difference is significant, a factor for those who carry backpacks or luggage. The iPad registers at 1.5 pounds - four times heavier than the Kindle (Note: The Kindle DX is a larger version of the Kindle and is similar to the iPad's measurements).
Users have also complained that the weight and size makes the iPad harder to hold, making it uncomfortable as a reading device. The Kindle is much smaller and avid readers point out they feel no significant difference with the Kindle or a hard-cover book.
The winner seems to be the Kindle, but if weight is not an issue, the iPad could be considered.
Readability
Both the Kindle and the iPad have had complaints about readability. The Kindle seems to struggle at night, because it uses a reflective screen with no back lighting, like a book, but works well in sun light. On the other side, the iPad's weakness is in the light, but works well in the dark, because it uses an LED backlighting.
Some people also experience problems with backlit screens (iPad), but this is quite rare. The belief is the pixel density is lower in the iPad, giving some people sore eyes and headaches. This problem is less prevalent with the Kindle.
Users and testers have already given the advantage to the Kindle in this category.
Downloading Content
When it comes to purchasing e-books, you can order iPad products from iTunes, and Kindle books from Amazon.com. In a form of irony, you can directly purchase books sold only in iTunes on the Kindle, but this is not reciprocal. The iPad requires you to log on to the Safari browser and purchase it online, even though the iPad has a Kindle app.
The prices of e-books are similar so no distinct differences will be remarked.
The Kindle however, uses AT&T's 3G network which allows users to download content all over the world, where the 3G network reaches. The iPad uses its Wi-Fi system, allowing it to be used in basements and areas with poor coverage. You can also tap into the AT&T 3G network with the iPad, but expect a service charge.
It is a toss up, but I believe the Kindle wins here because of its free worldwide network, universal reading, and ease of purchase.
Price
It's a little unfair to judge the price of the iPad with the Kindle because it is marketed as a multi-media tablet, not just a reading tablet. The Kindle DX, a larger version of the Kindle is $10 less than the iPad's $499 base price and offers much less. The iPad can come fully loaded at a cost of $829 too. The regular Kindle has a price tag of $259.
The Kindle wins on price easily, as it is only half the price, but for those who want to buy a larger screen, do not get the Kindle DX, get the iPad.
Overall, the Kindle has seemed to win all five main components for an e-reader. Many users and testers enjoyed the compact and compatibility of the Kindle. The iPad was deemed a larger iPhone with fewer services and did not justify the cost. If you already have an iPhone and wanted an e-reader, the Kindle is sufficient and an iPad would be redundant.
I've provided a link to both the basic iPad and regular Kindle from the Amazon store below, so that you can take a look at each product and make your own conclusion. I would love to see comments later if you do make these purchases and let me know your experiences.
The launch of the iPad had analysts and industry professionals questioning if this would put a damper on the Amazon [AMZN:NSD] Kindle, the best selling tablet in the world. Apple has a strong foothold in the music player, computer, and smart phone industry, and its attempts to battle Kindle is being followed closely. Some are proclaiming the Kindle will continue to stay atop, with product publicity rising and positive reviews constantly streaming in.
Critics have termed the iPad as no miracle product and is like a giant iPhone, without the phone or camera capabilities. But what about the comparison between the iPad and the Kindle? Which stacks up better as an e-reader?
Head-to-head, the iPad (left photo) is a much better all around product compared to the Kindle (right photo), but as an e-reader, does the iPad compare? I researched the top five characteristics of e-readers that I thought would be most useful for those interested in one of these devices.
Battery Life
Apple products have always had short battery lives, and the iPad does very little to end this stigma. You would be very lucky if your iPad ran for more than 12 hours without a recharge. Compare that to the Kindle, which can last an entire week without being charged. Good for the electricity bill; good if you're on a weekend vacation; good if you forget to turn off the product once in a while. It's no contest, the Kindle wins on battery life.
Measurements
Size, weight, and even 'holdability' comes into play in this category. The 6-inch Kindle is no match for the 9.2-inch iPad, but that size comes with a cost. The weight difference is significant, a factor for those who carry backpacks or luggage. The iPad registers at 1.5 pounds - four times heavier than the Kindle (Note: The Kindle DX is a larger version of the Kindle and is similar to the iPad's measurements).
Users have also complained that the weight and size makes the iPad harder to hold, making it uncomfortable as a reading device. The Kindle is much smaller and avid readers point out they feel no significant difference with the Kindle or a hard-cover book.
The winner seems to be the Kindle, but if weight is not an issue, the iPad could be considered.
Readability
Both the Kindle and the iPad have had complaints about readability. The Kindle seems to struggle at night, because it uses a reflective screen with no back lighting, like a book, but works well in sun light. On the other side, the iPad's weakness is in the light, but works well in the dark, because it uses an LED backlighting.
Some people also experience problems with backlit screens (iPad), but this is quite rare. The belief is the pixel density is lower in the iPad, giving some people sore eyes and headaches. This problem is less prevalent with the Kindle.
Users and testers have already given the advantage to the Kindle in this category.
Downloading Content
When it comes to purchasing e-books, you can order iPad products from iTunes, and Kindle books from Amazon.com. In a form of irony, you can directly purchase books sold only in iTunes on the Kindle, but this is not reciprocal. The iPad requires you to log on to the Safari browser and purchase it online, even though the iPad has a Kindle app.
The prices of e-books are similar so no distinct differences will be remarked.
The Kindle however, uses AT&T's 3G network which allows users to download content all over the world, where the 3G network reaches. The iPad uses its Wi-Fi system, allowing it to be used in basements and areas with poor coverage. You can also tap into the AT&T 3G network with the iPad, but expect a service charge.
It is a toss up, but I believe the Kindle wins here because of its free worldwide network, universal reading, and ease of purchase.
Price
It's a little unfair to judge the price of the iPad with the Kindle because it is marketed as a multi-media tablet, not just a reading tablet. The Kindle DX, a larger version of the Kindle is $10 less than the iPad's $499 base price and offers much less. The iPad can come fully loaded at a cost of $829 too. The regular Kindle has a price tag of $259.
The Kindle wins on price easily, as it is only half the price, but for those who want to buy a larger screen, do not get the Kindle DX, get the iPad.
Overall, the Kindle has seemed to win all five main components for an e-reader. Many users and testers enjoyed the compact and compatibility of the Kindle. The iPad was deemed a larger iPhone with fewer services and did not justify the cost. If you already have an iPhone and wanted an e-reader, the Kindle is sufficient and an iPad would be redundant.
I've provided a link to both the basic iPad and regular Kindle from the Amazon store below, so that you can take a look at each product and make your own conclusion. I would love to see comments later if you do make these purchases and let me know your experiences.
The Forbidden Fruit
When I was growing up, Apple [AAPL:NASD] was the not-so-great computer system that nobody ever had. Microsoft [MSFT:NASD] was basically the only player in the computer programming and technology industry. However, over the last decade, Apple has emerged with popular and profitable products, which have allowed Apple's shares to hit all-time highs, again.
Since the first days of March, Apple's stock has continued to break all-time highs week after week. On Tuesday, the stock announced earnings and the stock soared to new heights. Apple's products have built a loyal fan base, and that has been the key to their success.
It all started in 1998 with the iMac, a revamped Macintosh computer better than earlier versions. In the years following, iMacs or "Macbooks" became popular for their superior video and music editing, obtained through buyouts and unique technology.
But their brand name became mainstream when they invented some small mp3 player called the iPod. A decade later, it seems everyone wears those famous white headphones. They created many versions of the iPod which gave consumers choices in price range and services offered, such as the Touch and the Mini.
During the days of Napster and Limewire, many questioned why anybody would pay for music when it can be obtained so freely and iTunes was not universal. Many did not expect Apple to succeed at all, but those people were wrong, and although free music can be downloaded, people still like their iTunes because of its many services beyond just downloading music.
In 2007, they would enter the phone industry and change everything. The iPhone was in high demand, and eventually allowed creative and imaginative entrepreneurs to develop applications that allowed people to play games, measure sleeping patterns, or find local restaurants.
And lastly, in 2010, they released the iPad, a multi-media tablet. Early sales have shown considerable strength, but whether the novelty effect wears off or not remains to be seen.
Apple has changed the face of many industries in the last decade and many are excited to see what they have in store. It seems like they have touched every corner of the technology world: computer, telephone, televisions, and music. It seems like there isn't any where else they can expand to, but that's the great thing about this company. Although I don't own any Apple products myself, the company's revival has been magnificent to follow. They are the perfect example of how investing in a company that produces great products can pay off for you.
Since the first days of March, Apple's stock has continued to break all-time highs week after week. On Tuesday, the stock announced earnings and the stock soared to new heights. Apple's products have built a loyal fan base, and that has been the key to their success.
It all started in 1998 with the iMac, a revamped Macintosh computer better than earlier versions. In the years following, iMacs or "Macbooks" became popular for their superior video and music editing, obtained through buyouts and unique technology.
But their brand name became mainstream when they invented some small mp3 player called the iPod. A decade later, it seems everyone wears those famous white headphones. They created many versions of the iPod which gave consumers choices in price range and services offered, such as the Touch and the Mini.
During the days of Napster and Limewire, many questioned why anybody would pay for music when it can be obtained so freely and iTunes was not universal. Many did not expect Apple to succeed at all, but those people were wrong, and although free music can be downloaded, people still like their iTunes because of its many services beyond just downloading music.
In 2007, they would enter the phone industry and change everything. The iPhone was in high demand, and eventually allowed creative and imaginative entrepreneurs to develop applications that allowed people to play games, measure sleeping patterns, or find local restaurants.
And lastly, in 2010, they released the iPad, a multi-media tablet. Early sales have shown considerable strength, but whether the novelty effect wears off or not remains to be seen.
Apple has changed the face of many industries in the last decade and many are excited to see what they have in store. It seems like they have touched every corner of the technology world: computer, telephone, televisions, and music. It seems like there isn't any where else they can expand to, but that's the great thing about this company. Although I don't own any Apple products myself, the company's revival has been magnificent to follow. They are the perfect example of how investing in a company that produces great products can pay off for you.
Jan 25, 2010: Apple, TI
I do want to apologize to my friends and any readers who were expecting a Friday post, especially after a very tough week in the markets. I had a family emergency and was unable to write or even go on line as often.
Apple [AAPL:NASD] and Texas Instruments [TXN:NYSE] kicked off the week with quarterly earnings and both stocks beat expectations. Apple beat the estimates easily, netting $3.38B or $3.67 a share against estimates of only $2.07. Texas Instruments, well-known for its TI-83 Graphing Calculators we all endured in high school, posted positive numbers as well. TI made a profit of $655M or 52 cents a share. Both companies saw revenues climb during the holiday season, but both stocks remained tame after hours.
According to many writers, new accounting rules allowed Apple to recognize all sales of iPhones and Apple TVs into their revenue at the time they are sold.
The news should come as a relief to investors with housing data released earlier in the day showing negative signs. 2009 proved to be the first year in four where sales of houses previously owned were up, but prices were down 12 per cent, the largest year-over-year drop since The Great Depression.
Home sales were boosted by low prices and government tax credits, pulling buyers to purchase homes earlier in the year. Expectations for housing sales for the remainder of 2010 look sour.
For traders, this week could prove critical. Last week, there was a steep sell-off in the last few days, with the Dow Jones losing over 500 points and the TSX losing just as much. The earnings of key consumer staples and discretionary will be released.
Following Apple and TI today, Yahoo! [YHOO:NASD] and Microsoft [MSFT:NASD] will post earnings Tuesday and Thursday respectively. Tomorrow, Johnson & Johnson [JNJ:NYSE], famous for Band-Aid, Neutrogena, and Listerine, will post earnings, as well as Pfizer [PFE:NYSE].
The reason I find this week so critical is because we have some of the largest companies from the needs and the wants posting earnings. If both the needs, like toilet paper, soap, and medication, and the wants, like laptops, music players, and smart phones both show rises, we could see signs that consumers are spending again, which accounts for two-thirds of most economies. Rising consumer spending equates to a rising economy.
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