Apple’s last Macworld: A real yawner?
When Phil Schiller takes the stage at the Moscone Center, analysts say we shouldn’t expect much. iPhone nano or the yearned for Apple-branded netbook at the big show? Nope. iMac and Mac mini? A fairly definite maybe. But little else seems likely.
Whether Gene Munster (via StreetInsider) has got your ear or MG Siegler at VentureBeat the prospects for an exciting Macworld aren’t looking good.
For example, although Munster advises investors that they should buy AAPL and has maintained his $235 target price, he doesn’t expect Apple to release revised iMac and Mac mini computers in San Francisco. Yes, they should be arriving soon, just not during the show.
“With Phil Schiller delivering the keynote, we believe it suggests there will not be any revolutionary products at this year’s event,” says the Piper Jaffray analyst, adding that he believes Apple will announce “a new form factor iPhone in the March quarter.”
For his part VentureBeat’s Siegler thinks that new iMacs and Mac minis will “very likely” appear at the show. Moreover, he’s fairly confident a 32GB iPhone will also strut the stage at the Moscone Center and there’s a possibility iTunes could go 100 percent DRM-free.
☞ See also A new home server from Apple?
☞ Apple tablet iPod Touch scheduled for ‘09 release?
Yes, Siegler thinks Schiller will give a thorough going Snow Leopard demo. Yet, neither he nor any other reputable pundit thinks Apple’s next generation operating system will actually ship at the show.
Further, if you reflect a bit on the “new” products that are likely to go on sale during or shortly after the show, there really aren’t any that are actually new. That is, the desktops should have shipped in November and what’s inside (nVidia graphics, faster bus + CPUs) likely won’t surprise. And, a 32GB iPhone? Completely derivative, unexciting.
What of DRM-free iTunes? Again, this is something that should have happened months, if not years, ago.
So, Apple’s last Macworld ever will be a dull, boring Macworld after all? Yes, that sadly appears to be what we are facing. Still, regardless of how leaky Apple has become, they still have the power to surprise. Unfortunately, Phil Schiller will probably have few if any surprises for us next Tuesday…
What’s your take?
Related Posts:
January 1st, 2009
What a load of @@@. We are sincerely very tired of having to read the same @@@ from people who call themselves “Analyst”. Analyst of what? Analyst of the already told/written stories/rumours? You don’t need to be a guru or analyst to talk/write about yesterday’s online gossip. I wish these guys would give us some real intake on what Apple is planning rather than speculate or argument pure gossip. Are you guys paid to write this stuff online because I can do that for free any given day. If you don’t have a clue don’t comment. It would take me too long to go on every details of what i just read above but in short to “moan” about Apple not delivering enough “mouth watering” “Exciting” products is a joke. What do you guys except every January? Come on! Apple release much more products that it’s competition. And people wonder why they are pulling out events like Mac World? Ermm, simply not to have to “deliver” to some idiots stupid expectancies. If you think Apple is behind in terms of technology, you have been living in a cave.