If the reports are true, Apple ($AAPL) will be testing out a new strategy for its all-important fall hardware event. Traditionally, this year would be what's come to be known in Apple parlance as a "mid-cycle" upgrade year: some feature and processor refreshing, but no major overhauls of its core iPhone, iPad, and MacBook lines.
But reading the tea leaves from a Bloomberg report published Thursday, Apple's plans this year go further than what would be typical of a mid-cycle refresh.
In addition to iPad and MacBook refreshes, Apple plans to unveil three new iPhones, according to Bloomberg, including a "Pro" line to replace the XS. The upgraded iPhone Pro will reportedly include a major overhaul to the camera to include a third, wide-angle sensor that will essentially take three photos and use A.I. to stitch them together into one image. Samsung has made huge strides in its phone camera tech, and the Galaxy S10's ultrawide camera is increasingly seen as the smartphone camera to beat.
The new line of iPhones are said to also include reverse wireless charging, enhanced Face ID, increased water-resistance, faster chips for A.R. ー though no 5G capability.
Dan Ives, managing director of equity research for Wedbush Securities and a full-time Apple watcher, told Cheddar that Apple is leaning into the mid-upgrade cycle in a bid to offer just enough new features to convince customers who may be on the fence about upgrading to pull the trigger.
"Apple realizes there's 350 million iPhones in upgrade opportunity," Ives said. "That's what the focus is going to be."
After a disastrous holiday quarter last year, a successful fall hardware launch needs to show investors that Apple is still capable of driving demand for iPhone even in off years, especially overseas. Ives said he expects Apple could sell 75 million to 80 million new iPhones in the first few months, but it will be dependent on China, which accounts for 20 percent of the iPhone upgrade market.
"This will not be successful if iPhone demand in China has not shown growth," he said.
Apple is taking a calculated risk by not waiting until 2020, when it has said it expects to be able to provide 5G technology in new devices. The hope, according to Ives, is that the average iPhone user, who hasn't purchased a new device in three years, will be swayed by the camera technology and faster processor that are expected to be revealed in the next month. "I do not believe many can wait until 5G," Ives said.
It will be a busy fall for the Cupertino-based company. Apple's subscription streaming service TV+, rumored to be priced at $10/month, is also expected to launch before the holidays. Ives is more bullish than some on the success of TV+, predicting it could reach 100 million consumers in three to four years. "But they're going to need more content," he said. "They significantly have to step up their game." Ives predicts Apple will ink major acquisition deals with big studios in the coming years when it becomes apparent it can't possibly produce enough high-end content on its own to catch up to Disney, HBO, or Netflix.
Apparel e-commerce platform Rent the Runway posted a beat estimated revenue, and Barbara Doran, the CEO and CIO at BD8 Capital, joined Cheddar News to discuss the earnings report along with other topics affecting the market. "This is also a secular growth story because they do occupy a unique niche," she said of Rent the Runway. "They did identify an important need." Doran was impressed by the company's numbers in terms of subscription growth.
"New Collar" is a recent term coined for tech jobs that don’t necessarily require a degree but do need a specified technological skillset. Matt Calkins, CEO at cloud-computing and software company Appian, joined Cheddar News to discuss the latest. "This new collar movement is about switching the track you’re on and getting out to a higher value track, making the most of your skills," he said.
Ron Carson, CEO and Founder of Carson Wealth, sits down with Cheddar's Hena Doba to share how he keeps a strong connection to nature and prioritizes mental health in his formula for success.
Ice Cube's 3-on-3 basketball league, the Big3, is introducing decentralized team ownership to fans with the chance to own a minority stake in the 12 teams through blockchain technology, a first for professional sports. The rapper, actor, and filmmaker joined Cheddar News to talk about the new ownership model using NFTs. "This is a perfect time to offer it to fans and not just wait for fat cats to come and want to buy the teams but for fans to be able to be a part of it,” he said.
John Petrides, portfolio manager at Tocqueville Asset Management, breaks down the factors that led to narrowing margins for the banking giant JP Morgan Chase and the concerns for an overall economic slowdown. "The miss was really driven by an accounting feature called CECIL, current expected credit losses, which is something that was rolled out a couple of years ago and is now in full play," he said. "Basically what that means is every loan a bank makes, now they have to assign some probability of a loss to the loan at the moment that they issued a loan."
This March 19, 2018, file photo shows the Yelp app on an iPad in Baltimore. Yelp reports financial results Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. The online review service will cover the travel expenses of employees who have to travel out of state for abortions, joining the ranks of major employers trying to help workers affected by restrictions being placed on the procedure in Texas and other states. The benefit announced Tuesday, April 12, 2022 covers Yelp's entire workforce of 4,000 employees, but seems most likely to have its biggest immediate impact on its 200 workers in Texas, which has passed a law banning abortions within the state after six weeks of pregnancy. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Lululemon is rolling out a trade-in and resale program for its shoppers to sell gently-used items in exchange for a Lululemon gift card. The company states the aim is to help ease the burden of inflation.
Lululemon is rolling out a trade-in and resale program for its shoppers to sell gently-used items in exchange for a Lululemon gift card. The company states the aim is to help ease the burden of inflation.
