Editor’s Note: Related Tickers: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)
Apple to sell 75 million low-cost iPhones next year, says analyst (CNET)
A low-cost iPhone could see unit sales of 75 million in 2014, projects Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster. In an investors note released today, Munster said he expects Apple to sell a $300 non-subsidized iPhone starting in September. Such a device is likely to trigger a 30 percent cannibalization rate, which means that for every three low-cost iPhones sold, one full-price iPhone is cannibalized. As such, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s share of the high-end smartphone market may dip to 37 percent next year from 43 percent last year.
BlackBerry 7 device sales are on the decline. There’s no denying that. Those devices are being cannibalized by BlackBerry 10. However, with launching new devices comes higher operating costs. According to Elephant Analytics on Seeking Alpha, they claim Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY)’s SG&A is expected to increase by 50%, from $523 million to $784.5 million. They’re also speculating that amortization and R&D expenses will stay relatively the same as Q4 FY13 levels. This would put BlackBerry’s total operating expenses at $1.348 Billion.
Image: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone
Nokia’s patent application for Surface-like tablet cover pops up (Tech2)
A patent application by the company (Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)) suggests it could be readying a tablet for launch. Unwired View reports that the patent application is called ‘Apparatus Cover with Keyboard’ and it sounds awfully similar to the Surface cover. The application details a mechanical keyboard/cover integrated into a tablet device and one which can fold in multiple ways, based on the user’s different needs. The Surface tablet, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s slate for Windows 8 and RT, also has a similar cover, which folds in a couple of ways to present users with a keyboard and a kickstand.
How and When Apple May Return More Cash to Shareholders (Wall Street Journal)
It’s been more than two months since Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) disclosed its management and executive teams were in active discussions about returning more cash to shareholders. So, where’s the dough? Toni Sacconaghi, a technology analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, predicts a bigger cash payout from Apple is coming, but not until “weeks” after the iPhone and iPad maker’s April 23 earnings announcement. Such a proclamation may come as a bit of a disappointment. Some investors anticipated Apple would’ve disclosed its cash plans last month, largely because Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) unveiled its existing dividend and buyback plans in mid-March one year ago.
RIM Seeks Probe Into BlackBerry Returns Report (Manufacturing Business Technology)
The maker of the BlackBerry said Friday that it wants U.S. and Canadian regulators to investigate a “false and misleading” report by a financial analyst that claims the company’s new smartphone is being returned in unusually high numbers. Thorsten Heins, the CEO of Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY), said returns of the new BlackBerry Z10 are in line with industry norms. In a statement Friday, Heins said Thursday’s report from research and investment firm Detwiler Fenton has to be challenged because it is either a complete misreading of the data or a willful manipulation. “The data we have collected from our retail and carrier partners demonstrates that customers are satisfied with their devices,” Heins said.
Nokia working on Lumia phone with 41MP camera: Report (Times of India)
The company soon began focusing its energies on Windows Phone-powered Lumia series and Symbian was retired. Now, word on the street is that the company is working on a Lumia phone that will have a 41MP camera sensor. Previously, there had been some speculation about an upcoming Lumia phone with 41MP camera, codenamed EOS, but the rumour mill went silent after Mobile World Congress in February. Now, MyNokiaBlog has said that a source with access to the company’s plans has said Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) is currently testing EOS on quad-core as well as dual-core chipsets.
Apple’s iPad leads mobile shift among financial pros as Bloomberg debuts new app (Apple Insider)
The Bloomberg Anywhere app for iPad saw a version update on Monday, bringing a completely revamped user interface tailored to subscriber feedback. Version 2.4 of the app also gives users access to Instant Bloomberg (IB), improved Charts and People sections, and Bloomberg Industries. Discussing the app in a blog post, Bloomberg Anywhere Mobile chief John Waanders noted that mobile devices are becoming more and more the standard for how financial professionals that depend on Bloomberg are accessing their information.
A New App For Research In Motion Ltd (BBRY) Devices: An Emerging Market Favorite? (Insider Monkey)
There has been a lot of talk lately about new music services reaching the public in the near future, including those from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Twitter. Now, it is being reported that there is a new music service app available for Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) devices. Here is an excerpt from a News24.com piece, explaining the basics of the app: “The new BlackBerry Simfy Africa app is part of a roll-out of entirely fresh apps for the three major platforms in South Africa’s smartphone market: iOS, Android, and BlackBerry.”
Nokia seen curbing sales decline with Lumia’s China push (The Star Online)
Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)’s push to expand sales of its Lumia smartphones in new markets such as…
…China should help shrink an overall revenue decline and reduce its first-quarter loss, easing some of the pressure on CEO Stephen Elop. Quarterly results on Thursday are also expected to show a turnaround at communications equipment venture Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), bolstering Nokia’s bottom line and supporting the shares’ recovery from last year’s record low. While analysts say Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) has yet to prove it can survive in an industry increasingly dominated by Samsung and Apple, a slow but steady improvement in finances may buy more time for Canadian chief executive Elop as he attempts to implement his turnaround strategy.
Apple Partner Foxconn Reportedly Ramps Up Hiring To Prep For Next iPhone Launch This Summer (TechCrunch)
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s primary manufacturing partner Foxconn is said to be increasing its staff, shortly after a freeze on new hires following the holiday season, in order to get ready for a big push come summer when Apple debuts its next iPhone. That’s the latest from the Wall Street Journal, which reported today that Foxconn is adding around 10,000 new assembly line workers a week to its iPhone production facility, with unnamed executives at the company confirming that it’s in preparation for a new iPhone launch. We’ve heard previously that manufacturers are preparing for a June 2013 launch, which suggests that we’ll see the device introduced at or around WWDC 2013.
Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) Launches Z10 in Taiwan (Crazy Joys)
The Canadian smartphone maker Research In Motion Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) announced in collaboration with Taiwan Mobile to unveil its recently launched smartphone Z10 in the Taiwanese market. Taiwan Mobile is among the largest mobile telecom companies in the country and offers subsidized pricing along with a 2 year contract for the device. The Z10 smartphone is based on BlackBerry 10 operating system. The company lacks in certain areas and first among them is less competitiveness in brand image in order to compete with devices like Samsung’s Galaxy phones and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iPhone.
Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NOK): In India, It’s Go Big(flix) or Go Home (Insider Monkey)
Bigflix is an India version of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) – a movie streaming application that has enjoyed some popularity in the India market, showing native India movies through various devices like desktops, laptops and mobile devices. Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) announced this week that it will have the Bigflix app for Windows Phone pre-installed on every Lumia 520, 620 and 720 handset in India – a clear sign that Nokia understands the competitiveness of the India market and especially the market that favors the majority of the poulation. These handsets are meant for the majority low-0 and middle-inclome consumer in the region.
Trader admits fraud in $1 billion Apple stock scheme (Yahoo! News)
A former Rochdale Securities trader whose unauthorized purchase of about $1 billion of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) stock caused the demise of the financial services company pleaded guilty on Monday to wire fraud and conspiracy. David Miller, 40, entered his guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Martinez in Hartford, Connecticut. Miller faces a maximum 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 8, but under a plea agreement he could receive a term of five to eight years. The Rockville Centre, New York resident is free on bond.
