Filed under: Macworld, Analysis / Opinion
Munster: New Macs for MWSF, small iPhone by second quarter '09
Our favorite-named analyst, Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster, predicts that Apple will announce new Mac models at Macworld Expo, and a smaller iPhone for the March quarter.
Piper Jaffray expects that Apple will sell 45 million iPhones during 2009, though that estimate is predicated on the fact that Apple will release a lower-cost iPhone model early in the year, priced between $99 and $149.
As for Macworld Expo, the expectation is that there won't be any groundbreaking announcements, since Phil Schiller will be giving the presentation. They do expect new iMac or Mac mini models, however.
Piper Jaffray is maintaining its "buy" rating, and $235 price target, on shares of AAPL. The stock was up slightly during morning trading.
[Via StreetInsider.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Murphy Mac said 2:29PM on 12-30-2008
Munster tries harder than other analysts. But his predictions are frequently no better than the rest of them.
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SpinThis! said 3:00PM on 12-30-2008
You have any history to back up that up?
Actually, Munster is more reliable than most— iirc, he's been right more often than he's been wrong. I've always thought of him as a source Apple leaks info so he can pass it on.
Murphy Mac said 5:39PM on 12-30-2008
If you're suggesting I spend time doing research so I can post a comment on TUAW you'll have to lower your expectations. As an example, I remember specific instances where his iPod unit sales numbers were way off. Despite Munster being the guy who spends time doing wholly unscientific data gathering in malls.
No, I'm not going to Google for the specific instances, I'm going to go eat my dinner. If you want to discount my comments for lack of citation that's fine with me. There wouldn't be many comments on the Internets if you needed a footnote to post an opinion.
Like I said, Munster works hard. I'm not sure he works smart.
SpinThis! said 12:55AM on 12-31-2008
Good grief, I was merely asking... I'm sure your dinner would have tasted a lot better if you hadn't taken this seriously! ;)
Le Big Mac said 2:29PM on 12-30-2008
Yay for analysts reading rumor sites and then announcing their predictions!
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mitch said 2:29PM on 12-30-2008
I just don't see an iPhone Nano coming. There's not enough to take away.
And what about apps - aren't they formatted for the 320x480 screen? How will that work?
An iPhone Nano makes no sense at all - if it wasn't for the iPod Nano, which did make a ton of sense, there would be no basis for predicting a smaller, less featured phone.
I just don't see it.
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ipodrulz said 3:02PM on 12-30-2008
Maybe they're just going to make a slimmed down iPhone, with the same screen size. Removing things like the camera, and A-GPS (just Triangulation)... though I guess that'd be a couple steps backwards.
Le Big Mac said 3:19PM on 12-30-2008
What about an iPod touch nano? That would be more sensible in some ways. not much more sensible, but a bit more.
Rob said 2:58PM on 12-30-2008
Apple _could_ build a phone in the iPod Nano form factor.
Using the click wheel to dial, and select text. Still having the iPod music functionality.
IIRC they had played with this idea prior to coming up with the current iPhone.
With only that functionality, it wouldn't really take away from iPhone 3G sales.
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Michael Black said 3:28PM on 12-30-2008
I'm not convinced about an iPhone Nano either. What are they going to do? Eliminate GPS, 3G, and the Apps? I suppose they could just make it as a phone with iPod capabilities and sell it for $100 with a two year contract and no 3G thereby making the monthly bill more affordable. If you've never owned an iPhone you wouldn't probably miss all of those features.
I can't see them making an exact duplicate of the 3G iPhone in a smaller form factor. You can't make it much smaller before it becomes next to impossible to use. However, if you start to eliminate some of the features, such as web browsing, apps, 3G, GPS, then it will work, I suppose.
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Colin said 4:19PM on 12-30-2008
I'm buying the iPhone nano when it comes out.
And for the App Store, there will just be apps available only for the iPhone nano and other apps that are only available for the iPhone.
I'm excited.
Daveøøø said 6:05PM on 12-30-2008
I'm still waiting to buy my first iPhone -- with 32 gigs of memory.
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Richard said 7:17PM on 12-30-2008
Well guys here it is, its finally been leaked! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwnsQpcNvpE
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Mark said 1:40AM on 12-31-2008
Apple needs to revert back to their original $59.99/month plan with 200 text messages included...not lower the cost of the iPhone. The plan is the ridiculous..the price of the iPhone is not.
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glad said 9:18AM on 12-31-2008
Reading some of the comments on what Apple should bring out next I am glad the posters are not in charge of Apple as the company would go bust in a heartbeat. ipod nano don't be silly no phone is that small and if it was how much would it cost probably more than the original iphone. The thing is just because you want it doesn't mean anyone else does. The product graveyard is filled with items that died at birth, Apple so far have been doing well with their products and long may they do so, sure we don't always get what we want in a product but I am more than happy with the iphone and my non-tech friends think it's the best phone/computer they have ever used, which I think is what Apple is trying to appeal to and they are succeeding.
As for contracts here in the UK we have £35ppm ($51) 600 minutes (cross mobile/landline), 500 SMS and unlimited internet access vis e/3G or wifi as well as nationwide free wifi via cloud and BT openzone. That for me is a good deal as the internet everywhere is the clincher.
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Alex said 2:18PM on 12-31-2008
While the iPhone is slightly large when using it as a phone, I wouldn't want it to be smaller for any of the other uses. Seems silly to shrink it.
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skyline said 5:31PM on 12-31-2008
I think, instead of a smaller iPhone, it'll be a larger iPad or the like.
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Eric Ham said 4:57PM on 1-01-2009
I keep thinking it says, "Phil Spector" will give the address!
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