Apple Stock

[Lunchy]

Originally Posted by MyPal

Will there be an Apple without Jobs?

At the risk of losing all credibility I agree with Larry Ellison on this one. We've seen Apple with and without Steve, you do the math. I've been an Apple fan for some time. All of my personal computing devices are Apple devices. But Apple used to excite me with their tech, but I haven't been excited by them in years. For the most part, they just seem to be repackaging existing tech in different form factors with some new features here and there. Am I looking forward to the fingerprint scanner, sure (the NSA probably already has my fingerprints), but it doesn't having me wringing my hands for the new device. The iPhone 5 was the first iPhone I didn't buy; I didn't see a reason to upgrade. You can argue that the tech is maturing, but this seems more of a cop-out for a company that "thinks different". Phil mentioned during the WWDC that the new Mac Pro is proof they can still innovate. As an owner of a previous generation Mac Pro, I wouldn't want to touch that new model with a 10 foot poll. Hopefully they have to some cool stuff coming around the corner, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Freestone]

Originally Posted by Lunchy

At the risk of losing all credibility I agree with Larry Ellison on this one. We've seen Apple with and without Steve, you do the math. I've been an Apple fan for some time. All of my personal computing devices are Apple devices. But Apple used to excite me with their tech, but I haven't been excited by them in years. For the most part, they just seem to be repackaging existing tech in different form factors with some new features here and there. Am I looking forward to the fingerprint scanner, sure (the NSA probably already has my fingerprints), but it doesn't having me wringing my hands for the new device. The iPhone 5 was the first iPhone I didn't buy; I didn't see a reason to upgrade. You can argue that the tech is maturing, but this seems more of a cop-out for a company that "thinks different". Phil mentioned during the WWDC that the new Mac Pro is proof they can still innovate. As an owner of a previous generation Mac Pro, I wouldn't want to touch that new model with a 10 foot poll. Hopefully they have to some cool stuff coming around the corner, but I'm not holding my breath.

I think the iPhone 5s is more important than most think. Yes, from a consumer perspective looking at it there is no additional sizzle. But that new chip is quite important to what apps can do - and the fingerprint security is also highly useful. The additional value and usefulness will come. But to someone now going into the store - especially without ios7 - it's not compelling.

Overtime it will be viewed as important.

There won't be that much more around the external hardware (different size? That's not really innovation)

[Kingsrule]

The next 6 months will determine Cook's fate.

Time to f--k or walk for him and his vision......

The HUGE issue, assuming he doesn't deliver anything revolutionary soon is who will the board get to be Apple's new leader.

I still have faith in Jobs that Cook is the right guy..............

[JBT]

What if you had bought Apple stock in 1997?

What if you had bought Apple stock in 1997?- MSN Money

Aug. 6, 1997: Apple Rescued — by Microsoft

Aug. 6, 1997: Apple Rescued

[cmalak]

Casey...I agree with a lot of what you said. I think the innovation story in terms of form factor and functionality on a phone is topping out. Where Apple can show leadership adn innovation is with build out of services from phone functionality. The thumb scan sensor is being rolled out initially without much fanfare right now but if it proves to be a reliable security feature, then Apple should really push forward with the digital wallet concept. It takes time to put together a payments ecosystem but my guess is Apple has behind the scenes plans/agreements with the likes of Visa and MC on that front.

Wearable computing (iWatch, Google glass, etc...) is also coming but Cook's public statements have been very cautious on this front and I would not expect a major rollout before 2014.

iTV I also think is early stages and will probably be back half of 2014 story. I think the next majopr catalyst(s) for the stock will be:

1) Initial iPhone 5S and 5C launch sales
2) Potential uptick in share repo program (see Icahn's tweet from last few weeks)
3) Potential announcement of China Mobile deal announcement in November
4) Upcoming Q3 and Q4 results (tug of war between margin compression story and ability to grow topline again and stabilize margins and show earnings growth momentum again)

I personally think, the stock will be range bound in the $450-$500 range in the coming weeks but any of the above can get the stock above $500 in the not too distant future. But I agree, it will take something extraordinary like iWatch or iTV (i.e., new category altogether) to get growth momentum investors back in the stock. This one now is kind of a boring value play (cheap on earnings and cash flow, tons of cash on b/s being returned to shareholders, ...).

[Kingsrule]

Actually where Apple should focus is performance, becoming the undisputed best:
The best antenna technology for the strongest call performance
New battery technology for LONG life
Airports that have the best range and speed

I want my network to rock. I never want to drop a call. I want to talk forever on a single charge. If I drop my phone it won't crack.

This is where there can be significant distinction between phones. No manufacturer talks performance. Its all "features".
Show the customer some meaningful performance reasons to buy and that will be the next separator for market share.
Innovate with performance, that's where the future's at.....

And, offer a model with a bigger screen...like tomorrow!

[Still-One]

I just read this the other day. I am doing okay with my Apple but I guess I should have jumped in much earlier.

After overcoming a tough '90s, Apple became the growth story throughout the 2000s. If you would have bought shares on Jan. 2, 2001 -- and held them -- you'd be sitting on a nice capital gain of around 9000%, or enough to turn $10,000 into almost a million.

[audio bill]

As the expression goes, hindsight is always 20/20. That really applies to investments once the returns are a known entity! The problem is that there was no certainty of this back in time, and as most experts will admit you cannot time the market.

[audioguy3107]

I started a topic on this book a couple of weeks ago, but if you want the story of how Jobs and Apple were founded, fell, and rebounded, get the Steve Jobs biography.....it's an incredibly interesting read.

- Buck

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

I started a topic on this book a couple of weeks ago, but if you want the story of how Jobs and Apple were founded, fell, and rebounded, get the Steve Jobs biography.....it's an incredibly interesting read. - Buck

I read it when it first came out. I agree an interesting read. I must say he was not always a nice guy.