Tag Archives: iPad

What to Expect from Today’s Event

Posted on by

Today, in just a mere few hours, Apple CEO Tim Cook with take the stage at the Flint center, the auditorium where 30 years ago, legendary co-founder Steve Jobs unveiled the original Mac. What will we see?

First off, Apple is widely rumored to be developing a wearable device, the I watch. Apple hopes its watch is the answer to its innovation question. Does the company still have it’s magic? We’ll find out today.

Second, we anticipate to see Apple’s latest and greatest iPhone, the iPhone 6. The device will come in two flavors – a 4.7 and 5.5 inch screen. The new device is reported to boast a faster A8 processor, new sapphire screen, improved Touch ID, iOS 8, among other features. That’s to name a few.

Third, the iPad Air 2 is expected to make a debut this year.although we don’t know much about it yet, we’re eagerly anticipating it. It is expected to sport Touch ID 2. The next gen iPad Mini has not made much news.

Ok, that’s a quick recap of the soon-to-be event. Check back throughout the day for more news and announcements. We’ll be bringing you information as we learn them.

Update: the apple online store is down in anticipation for the event.

Advertisement

Apple Reports Quarterly Earnings

Posted on by

Apple today announced its quarterly earnings.   The conference call officially begins at 5:00 EST/2:00 PST.  Listen live here.  We will bring you updated news as time progresses.  The company had a record breaking quarter.

AppleYearIn Review

Quarter 1 accounts for the holiday season, the most important quarter of the year.  Apple also reached a multi year deal with China Mobile in late 2013.

Apple’s Quarterly Earnings

iPhone and iPad Sales Drive Record Revenue and Operating Profit

CUPERTINO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2014 first quarter ended December 28, 2013. The Company posted record quarterly revenue of $57.6 billion and quarterly net profit of $13.1 billion, or $14.50 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $54.5 billion and net profit of $13.1 billion, or $13.81 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 37.9 percent compared to 38.6 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 63 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

“We love having the most satisfied, loyal and engaged customers, and are continuing to invest heavily in our future to make their experiences with our products and services even better.”

The Company sold 51 million iPhones, an all-time quarterly record, compared to 47.8 million in the year-ago quarter. Apple also sold 26 million iPads during the quarter, also an all-time quarterly record, compared to 22.9 million in the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 4.8 million Macs, compared to 4.1 million in the year-ago quarter.

Apple’s Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $3.05 per share of the Company’s common stock. The dividend is payable on February 13, 2014, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 10, 2014.

“We are really happy with our record iPhone and iPad sales, the strong performance of our Mac products and the continued growth of iTunes, Software and Services,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We love having the most satisfied, loyal and engaged customers, and are continuing to invest heavily in our future to make their experiences with our products and services even better.”

“We generated $22.7 billion in cash flow from operations and returned an additional $7.7 billion in cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the December quarter, bringing cumulative payments under our capital return program to over $43 billion,” said Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s CFO.

Apple is providing the following guidance for its fiscal 2014 second quarter:

• revenue between $42 billion and $44 billion

• gross margin between 37 percent and 38 percent

• operating expenses between $4.3 billion and $4.4 billion

• other income/(expense) of $200 million

• tax rate of 26.2 percent

Apple will provide live streaming of its Q1 2014 financial results conference call beginning at 2:00 p.m. PST on January 27, 2014 at www.apple.com/quicktime/qtv/earningsq114. This webcast will also be available for replay for approximately two weeks thereafter.

Apple: Year in Review

Posted on by

Here at AppleRumors.NET, we’re remembering the amazing year of 2013.  Apple certainly had an incredible year and to do so, rather than write a full fledged article, we’ve prepared a timeline photo to visualize what Apple’s been up to.

AppleYearIn Review

© 2013-2014 AppleRumors.NET

The year started with the introduction of the iPad (4) with 128 GB, then iTunes U hit 1 Billion downloads, WWDC 2013 sold out in less than two minutes (71 seconds), iTunes has 25 Millions songs and turned 10 this year, the App Store hit 50 Billion downloads, and WWDC 2013 began on June 10.  At WWDC, the new Mac Pro, iTunes Radio was unveiled along with OS X Mavericks and the radical iOS 7.  The MacBook Airs as well as new Airport Extremes and time Capsules were also released.  Apple updated Logic pro to Logic Pro X, a major upgrade, in July and new iMacs launched in late September.  September was also the month of the iPhone: the iPhone 5s with Touch ID and iPhone 5c.  In October, the new iPads were released (iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display) along with new MacBook Pros (Retina); Apple also updated it’s iWork and iLife Suites (also, it included iWork for iCloud).  In December, Apple pushed iBeacons an signed a major deal with China Mobile, the world’s largest carrier.

That’s not all…see the picture for a full description.  Happy New Year!  We can’t wait for 2014!

Black Friday Deals Announced!

Posted on by

Apple today announced its Black Friday deals – the one time per year the Company offers discounts.  This year, however, Apple is taking a more unusual path.  With the purchase of an iPad, iPod, Mac, or other accessory/device, you’ll receive an Apple Store gift card towards your next purchase.  Apple’s gift cards vary in price – up to $200 depending on what product you purchase.

macbook-pro-bf-hero-l-2013

Images Credit: Apple

If this doesn’t sound overly appealing to you, then fear not!  Retailers like Best Buy and B&H are offering great discounts.  Let’s take the base MacBook Air for example.  If you were to buy an 11 inch MacBook Air with 128GB of SSD storage from Apple, then you’d get a gift card worth $150.  Now if you were to purchase the same laptop from Amazon.com, you’ll pay $874.00.  B&H is currently sold out of the 11 inch model but Best Buy is offering $150 off the laptop —  you won’t receive a gift card.  Additionally, Best Buy does offer $200 off the base iMac while Apple is offering a $150 gift card.  If you’ve been meaning to grab a gorgeous MacBook Pro with Retina Display, then this is the day.  B&H is offering the laptop for $1649 —  a $450 discount.  They are also offering up to $300 off the 27 inch iMac.

Apple is giving $50-$75 gift cards with the purchase of an iPad. Best Buy, however, is offering $50-$70 off iPads.  The old iPad 2, released in 2011 but still sold by Apple, can be purchased for $299.99 from Best Buy — a $100 discount. Nearly all models, either brought from the Apple Online Store or Best Buy’s website include free shipping.

Apple_Black_Friday_610x514

So what’s the best deal?  Well, you’ll have to make that decision for yourself.  However, know this: Apple never offers deals – with the exception of Black Friday (Apple offers education discounts, but those discounts are much less than the deals offered today).   So if you wait, don’t expect another discount until Black Friday 2014.

 

Apple Updates Remote

Posted on by

20131105-104547.jpg

Apple yesterday updated Remote (AppStore.com/Remote), it’s remote app for controlling an iTunes library or Apple TV. Remote has been updated with iOS 7 features, making the new version 4.0 update a major uverhaul.

Remote is the latest Apple app to receive a major update (Apple updated podcasts, Find my Friends, iTunes Trailers, and other apps in the past few weeks.

Most notably, Apple has not updated iBooks and iTunes U with iOS 7 designs. This leads us to ask, Will Apple update them in the coming weeks or hold an education event similar to it’s January 2012 event?

Breaking: Apple Announces Quarterly Earnings

Posted on by

Apple today announced earnings of $7.5 Billion on 33.8 Million iphones, 14.1 Million iPads, and 4.6 Million Macs.

According to Apple, the sale of 33.8 million iPhones was record breaking for the September three-month quarter. Apple sold 0.1Million more iPads this year than it did last year. However, Mac sales are down, at 4.6 Million units sold compared to 4.9 Million a year ago. Apple’s official conference call begins at 2:00 PST at investor.apple.com.

20131028-164648.jpg

Editorial: Is the iPad Enough?

Posted on by

Apple on Tuesday released the latest iteration of its popular iPads, dubbed the iPad ‘Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display’.  While the iPad Air sports a super slim and lightweight design, new processors, and more, some have asked if that’s enough for the iPad to stay afloat as the top tablet.  The iPad Mini with Retina Display brings a new Retina display, A7 chip, and advanced wireless to the table (among other features).

Credit: AppleApple’s iPad, nicknamed the “Jesus Tablet” by early adopters, was a radically innovative product when it debuted in 2010.  No other company had anything close to it; it ushered countless of Android copycats and what Steve Jobs declared “the Post-PC Era.”  But are those copycats more innovative than Apple and do they have the ability to usurp Apple’s dominance?

A recent study found that within the next year, Apple’s iPad will hold a mere 49% of all tablet marketshare in comparison with Android, anther dominant competitor.  But why and isn’t that a large number?  Well, Apple’s iPad at one point dominated nearly 100% of all tablets and that number has been decreasing substantially over the last few years.  Additionally, Android is a free software, so any manufacturer can essentially “borrow” Android from Google, use it as their OS, and then ship a tablet, phone, or even an Android PC (gosh!).  We’ve seen some super cheap Android tablets – ones you could buy for $39, but they’re never really caught on.  However, Google’s new Nexus 7 is certainly a hit – an a hit right at Apple.

Image Credit: Google

The Nexus 7 features a super sharp display, slim and lightweight design, a fast Snapdragon processor, the latest Android OS, etc.  In fact, CNN rated it the best Android Tablet one can buy – that says something, especially for a tablet so affordable  With all these are incredible features, the most remarkable is the price.  The new Nexus 7 comes in at $229, one hundred dollars cheaper than Apple priced the iPad Mini when it was released last year.  Shocking?  Well, yes it is.  Consumers know that when they purchase an Apple product, they’re given an incredible device, amazing support, and a world full of hundred of thousands of apps. Google doesn’t offer amazing support – believe me, I’ve tried reaching out to them – and they don’t have a world of hundreds of thousands of tablet-designed apps.  However, these factors are developing.  Google’s support does indeed get better, while developers are designing tablet optimized apps. So what does this mean for Apple?  It needs to lower the price of its iPads to stay king among some intense competition.

Image Credit: AppleApple’s first generation iPad Mini (which is still around, fyi), is now being sold for $299 – only $30 cheaper than when it was released.  The current iPad Mini with Retina Display is being sold for $399 –  $170 more than the Nexus 7.  This brings a new question to mind, “Is the iPad Mini with Retina Display better than the Nexus 7?”  Well, that’s a decision you have to make, but it’s an important one.

I still feel that Apple has the dominance over Android and that iOS 7 is a robust mobile OS – much more than Adnroid.  But one never knows what could happen, and with Android developing at a steady pace, the future is uncertain…

 

Roundup: Apple’s October 2013 Event

Posted on by

Apple today announced a slew of new products including OS X Mavericks (available for free today from the Mac App Store), the new Mac Pro, updated MacBook Pros with Retina Displays the iPad Air, and the iPad Mini with Retina Display.

Apple Executive Craig Fedaragi took the stage today to announce the release of OS X Mavericks, the next iteration of the “world’s most advanced desktop operating system.” Fedaragi pleasantly surprised us explaining that Mavericks will be available for free via the mac App Store.
20131022-162209.jpg
Additionally, the redesigned Mac Pro and new MacBook Pro with Retina display were announced by Phil Schiller, touting new and improved processors, graphics, and more. The new MacBook Pros will be available for purchase today in any Apple retail store. Apple’s latest pro beast, the Mac Pro is substantially smaller and more powerful than it’s predecessor, the 2010 tower. It will be available for sale in December.

While these updates were warmly welcomed, the real star of the show was the iPad. Apple released the iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display to succeed the Fourth Generation iPad and iPad Mini (first gen).

Apple touts the iPad Air as weighing only 1 pound, featuring an all new design, faster A7 Chip, M7 coprocessor, new smart covers, and more. Apple’s design is in line with the first gen and second gen iPad Mini.
20131022-162027.jpg
The new iPad Mini with Retina Display sports an incredible Retina Display with over 3.1 million pixels. Better contrast and saturation make this a truly incredibly display.

Eddy Cue, SVP of iCloud and internet services demoes the latest update to iLife and iWork claiming it is the most substantial update ever. Both suites are available for either update or purchase on the Mac App Store.
20131022-193724.jpg
We’ll gave more information and reviews of the new iPads, Macs, and Mavericks coming soon – so stay tuned.

What do you think of the announcement?

Update October 22 at 4:35 PST: Addition of iWork and iLife info.

Breaking: Apple Announces October 22 Event

Posted on by

20131015-124250.jpgApple today sent our invitations for the press to attend a October 22 event in San Francisco.

The rumor mill correctly predicted this event and the exact sate about a week ago. Expected to debut on October 22 is a new MacBook Pro lineup, the new Mac Pro, two new iPads (a refresh to the iPad 4 and iPad Mini), as well as a new Apple TV, OS X Mavericks, and an updated iWork Suite.

Apple’s invitation is colorful (as with the last) and shows many small “stems” throughout the picture.

AppleRumors.NET will have coverage on October 22.