Posts Tagged ‘APPL’

Apple’s iTunes: Competitors Are Sniffing

Thursday, July 3rd, 2008

I had written a couple of months ago (Still Time to Buy Apple) that only another large well-know brand could really ride Apple’s significant wave. But I failed to take into account the inherent nature of the Web’s current nature, to splinter off and attack randomly — lets call it “Guerrilla Corp Fair.”

Nokia is the latest to announce a potential iTunes killer concept. What Nokia is proposing is unlimited music downloads for a year with a purchase of one of their phones bungled with their “Comes With Music” service — an extra $20.  If the service takes off, this could potentially match or exceed the music industry’s business according to Tero Ojanpera, head of entertainment and communities business at Nokia. This is an interesting and potentially huge win for the music industry and Nokia.

This is one of the best swings at Apples venerable iTunes service and the consumer only wins. So sit back and enjoy the music.

Still Time to Buy Apple?

Wednesday, December 12th, 2007

Apple has had an amazing ride this last year and a half – from a 52-week low of $76.00 to a 52-week high of $194. 30. Since July 2006, the stock has consistently been on an upward trend. The question you should be wondering is how long the upward trend can continue? Within the next year, Apple (AAPL) should see $215 or more.

Why, because the fundamentals are strong. Even as the competition is chasing after their jewels – namely the iPhone and the iPod, they still haven’t been able to capture the current magic of the Apple brand. The combination of great design, more than competent products, and the crown jewel (the Brand itself) leaves the company with a significant lead. Will the competitors one day catch up? Possibly, but it will take time and a combination of the cachet that Apple has been able to garner.

One brand that comes to mind is Sony’s Walkman. If Sony could start firing on all cylanders they could make a run at Apple, but that would take a gargantuan revamp of the company – possible an American style breakup.

*Note:  The  author does own  stock in Apple.