Wednesday Apple Rumors: Apple Execs Predict ‘a Busy Fall’

by Christopher Freeburn | July 24, 2013 10:07 am

[1]Here are your Apple rumors[2] and AAPL news items for today:

Launch Forecast: During a conference call discussing the company’s fiscal third-quarter results on Tuesday, Apple (AAPL[3]) CFO Peter Oppenheimer and CEO Tim Cook hinted that a wave of new product debuts is looming[4], Forbes noted. Oppenheimer said the iPhone-maker was “on track to have a very busy fall,” presumably a reference to the much-anticipated launch of new iPhones and iPads. Typcially cryptic, Oppenheimer declined to provide specifics, but said he would have more to say on the matter in October, when Apple releases its fiscal fourth-quarter results. That remark suggests that at least some of the new product launches will occur in September, in time to be included in Q4 results.  Cook added that “We are laser-focused and working hard on some amazing new products that we will introduce in the fall and across 2014.” Apple is widely expected to launch both a new flagship iPhone and a cheaper iPhone model in September of October, as well as updates to its iPad and Mac lines. Rumors suggest that it may also launch a smartwatch, though recent reports suggest that may not debut until next year. And, of course, there remain perennial rumors of an Apple-branded TV or new set-top box. Responding to a question, Cook said that Apple will show innovation with new products and services “both in existing categories we’re in and in new categories.”

New Frontier: Integrating Apple devices into automotive infotainment systems appears to be a major element of the company’s future strategy[5], Mac Rumors notes. During a yesterday’s conference call, CEO Tim Cook called iOS in the Car an important “part of the ecosystem” that the company is developing. Cook noted that consumers were looking for mobile device features in the cars and that Apple can “do it in a unique way better than anyone else.” Apple unveiled the concept for iOS in the Car at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. The system allows seamless communication between Apple devices — like the iPhone — and dashboard entertainment systems. A number of automakers, including General Motors (GM[6]), Honda (HMC[7]), Nissan (NSANY[8]) and Mercedes-Benz are expected to add iOS in the Car to their vehicles next year.

Friendly: Users of Apple’s iPhone are much more likely to share content than users of other device[9]s, AppleInsider notes. A report from ShareThis, which provides a platform for sharing content embedded on websites, says that iPhone users share links 1.5 times more often than the users of other mobile devices and three times more often than users of desktop computers. The results were drawn from a study of 4.9 million sharing signals from desktop computers and 1.2 billion signals from smartphones and tablets. Devices running Google‘s (GOOG[10]) Android OS came in second, followed by BlackBerry (BBRY[11]) devices. Macs also led PCs among desktop computer users.

For more about the company, check out our previous Apple Rumors[12] stories.

Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2013/07/wednesday-apple-rumors-apple-execs-predict-a-busy-fall/

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