Editor’s Note: Related tickers: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)
Today at about 4:30 p.m. ET, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will report its earnings for the June quarter, three months about which the best thing that can be said, as far as Wall Street and much of the business press are concerned, is that things weren’t quite as bad as they seemed. According to both Thomson Finance and Fortune’s analyst survey, the Street is expecting Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to report earnings of about $7.30 per share on sales of $35 billion — the first time in a decade that earnings have fallen year over year for two quarters in a row. At 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT), Tim Cook is scheduled to take questions from sell-side analysts in an hour-long conference call that everyone is invited to audit (click the image above for a link to the webcast).
Apple Tests Larger Screens for iPhones, iPads (WSJ)
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) -1.04% is testing larger screens for its smartphones and tablets as it attempts to answer increasing concerns about its product lineup and competition from Samsung Electronics Co. 005930.SE +2.28% People at Apple’s suppliers said it asked for prototype smartphone screens larger than its current iPhone in recent months, and has asked for screen designs for a new tablet measuring slightly less than 13 inches. Whether the designs will make their way to market is unclear, but they could lead to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) phones and tablets that are larger than the current 4-inch iPhone 5 and 9.7-inch iPad. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment. Reuters earlier reported Apple was investigating larger screen sizes for its iPhone.
Apple Inc. Will Regret Throwing Its Suppliers Under the Bus (Nasdaq)
Eighteen months ago, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) joined the Fair Labor Association and released the names of its suppliers. It was an unexpected move by new CEO Tim Cook. Under Steve Jobs, the company had cultivated close and often monogamous relationships with its Asian suppliers and had kept quiet about them. When Foxconn (TPE:2354) suffered a rash of suicides in 2010 and iPhone 4 supply problems later that year, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stood by its manufacturer but said little. Their partnership was based on trust – a prized quality in China, and better protection than any contract – which required that neither company do anything that might jeopardize the other’s business.
Apple Maps Update: Apple Inc. Said to Buy HopStop Inc., After Locationary Purchase Report (LatinosPost)
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is set to acquire another navigation service, according to a new report. The Cupertino-based organization agreed to purchase HopStop. Inc., an online transit-navigation service, reported Bloomberg. The acquisition is said to be part of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s efforts to improve its maps app. According to HopStop, the service provides door-to-door navigation, from transit, biking, walking, and taxi directions for more than 300 cities worldwide. HopStop, a New York City-based company, touted itself as the No. 1 ranked transit app on Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Play and iTunes with more than 3 million downloads made.
