Apple Computer Company (AAPL) reports earnings later today. The stock has taken a beating over the last few days due to iphone4 antenna issues. A 23 point dive since July 8th? C’mon! Analysts pound the stock down with bad news and the brokerage houses buy it on the cheap. They game is up. The driver is not iphone4, it’s the ipad. Even with the ‘fix’ presented by Steve Jobs last week, the overall affect on share price is less than $.50.
I submit that AAPL’s price drop is completely over-stated. Furthermore, I believe it is being over-stated ahead of earnings to allow the houses to buy at a discount.
Let's cut through the media hype and see this for what it is, shall we? YOU make the call.
I should be receiving my new iphone 4 in the next few days. Let’s be realistic, these are not phones. These devices are super-computers with phone capabilities. Just 6-7 years ago, I was not alone in thinking; “Phone’s with built-in camera, how stupid!” I was wrong. Today, I am intrigued by the video capabilities of the new generation smart phones. I can more easily and effectively communicate using video chat and over the web using video in conjunction with my keyboard. Personally, I don’t think we’ve scratched the surface on the creative ways we’ll be communicating using these devices or the new platforms that will emerge to support them.
Currently, I’m preparing to shift the way I communicate with my team, clients, prospects and future talent away from heavy email to video laden communications. Sure, email will remain a major communication form. However, if a client asks me a question about life insurance, I can reply with a short video rather than reply to their email (and possible blog the answer using traditional means). Within a few minutes I can answer an important client question, upload it to youtube, my blog, and broadcast it to the world. There by serving others who may have similar questions. Now, imagine when I post my answer 5 other people post new questions/comments using video. Suddenly, the conversation on the web becomes more ‘human’. Maybe I could host a video webinar meeting with just a phone?
Are these devices going to change the way you communicate? (Before you answer that, remember my comments about “camera phones being stupid”)
What ways are you going to take advantage of this technology?
I'm thinking ipads are pretty cool. I also think the ipad gives us a glimpse into the future of personal computing. Once voice recognition applications take a bigger chunk of the market. Keyboards will be a thing of the past (no more carpel tunnel). You'll need a touchscreen and that will be it. Sweet.
I'm thinking I'll wait for the 2nd generation iPad. I got a 1st generation iphone and it still works like a charm but I wished I had a later model. However, I'm ole skool with my beat up two tone 8 gig iphone.
Maybe Apple's evil genius marketing has not really dug its claws into the materialistic, techy side of my American psyche.
Maybe the price tag is a little tough to swallow. Wait, the ipad commercials have not really begun running yet... nor have I been on a plane sitting next to someone with an ipad. (I know how you people work... and I like it)
Ok, I'm just another victim of Apple's evil genius... How long can I last? The Self-control tank eventually runs out of gas. Maybe Apple will send me one due to the fact I have had Apple computers since 1993... I've gone through 4 Macs (impressive b/c that 4 macs equals 8 Dells... and one of my MacBooks was stolen from me). I'm a AAPL stockholder...