patrick.net

The criterion of a person buying an Apple product might be how fast it loads a web page, but I doubt it.
Since you say your particular laptop downloads pages or your phone downloads pages faster it must be true, but I doubt the consumer notices.
One guy on youtube was comparing the samsung whatever v iphone and one or two "races" the iPhone won.
I only used the iPad once but it was the iPad 1, and I can't remember the experience.
I hope they improve the iPad so it's fast enough for the customer. If they think it's too slow, I bet they're working on this problem now.

clambo,

My geek friend bought a Samsung Android, reason is it is more advanced and have more features than iPhone. His wife and three children bought iPhone because it is easy to use and their friends have iPhones.

I bought iPhone because I'm an AAPL investor. My wife and kids bought iPhones for the same reasons as my friend's wife and children.

Btw, my geek friend didn't own any AAPL because he felt that it is too expensive like since 2002 when it is trading for less than $20.

I bought my Android because I wanted the *cheapest plan* on earth, and so I am using an LG Optimus V. I think it's nice.
I met a girl at the beach a while ago who had a cool Samsung with a big screen and it was a really nice phone.
My feeling is that some Androids are awesome gadgets, yet I also know most people aren't into the fun geek factor.
I invest the money I am not paying to Verizon or ATT in more AAPL shares and shares of mutual funds. I'd love to stop buying AAPL but in my mind every buy I make I am prepaying some other whim or desire I will have in 20 years. Boat, pickup truck, trip, etc.
With my luck my shares will split, go up to $1000 and I'll be murdered by an angry girl or struck by lightning in the parking lot of the strip club on my 100th birthday.

clambo says

With my luck my shares will split, go up to $1000 and I'll be murdered by an angry girl or struck by lightning in the parking lot of the strip club on my 100th birthday.

Could my kids be the beneficiaries of your life insurance policy or will?

clambo says

I'll be murdered by an angry girl or struck by lightning in the parking lot of the strip club on my 100th birthday.

Man you really have some kind of issue with women.

Apple May Pay Billions To Samsung For New iPad

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2012/03/15/apple-may-pay-billions-to-samsung-for-new-ipad/

Lost in the litigation is the fact that Apple and Samsung are “frenemies.” Apple has long been dependent on Samsung for lots of technology. The new iPad is no exception.

iSuppli reports that Samsung is the sole supplier of screens for the new iPad. The new iPad is the first tablet with super high resolution of 2048 by 1536 pixels. According to iSuppli, LG and Sharp could not meet Apple’s requirements...In any case, if Apple sells 50 million iPads and Samsung ends up supplying screens for only 25 million, it is still quite lucrative for Samsung...Further, it is widely believed that Samsung is the foundry for the new quad core Apple A5X processor in the new iPad.

Apple Paid Samsung $5.7 Billion For Parts Last Year And Is Now Suing Them

http://pulse2.com/2011/04/19/apple-paid-samsung-5-7-billion-for-parts-last-year-and-is-now-suing-them/

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) spent close to $5.7 billion for parts manufactured by Samsung Electronics last year.

Samsung sold more smartphones than Apple in Q1? If not vy Q2 it will be pretty clear, especially when Galaxy III comes out. The 4S is an inferior product. Google took away their most important competitive edge.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericsavitz/2012/04/20/samsung-outsold-apple-in-smartphones-in-q1-analyst-says/?partner=yahootix

Seen it around the office, Young people who bought Blackberry converted to Apple are now converting to Galaxy II Rocket./ Razr Apple desparately needs the Iphone 5.

Samsung is one hell of a consumer product company. Plasma/LED, phone/pads, Computers/electronic devices, household appliances. They are all good products. Notwithstanding they are the biggest semi in memory, displays, chips, prodcessors, etc and/or leader in all their business. They are like Sony of the 1990 but even more vertically intergrated with patent portfolio as thick as the bible.

It's hard to keep a competitive edge in this industry as brand loyalty does not last that long, Sony and RIMM is just a fair warning that Apple may not stay on top forever.

Google overtakes them in OS
Samsumg overtakes them in design, key patents and cost.

Apple is not a short, but it is not a buy either. Chances are if you are in some S&P type index fund, 10% of it is Apple anyway.

Ipad3 sell through was not that impressive after the first week. It will be an interesting conference call as I can see Apple may have to be conservative in Q2.

Put options?

SFace says

Samsung is one hell of a consumer product company. Plasma/LED, phone/pads, Computers/electronic devices, household appliances. They are all good products. Notwithstanding they are the biggest semi in memory, displays, chips, prodcessors, etc and/or leader in all their business. They are like Sony of the 1990 but even more vertically intergrated with patent portfolio as thick as the bible.

You forgot to mention Harddrives and SSD storage...

And we just gave it away as if it wasnt any important... but hey we still have facebook and google to cheer about.. but what does that matter anyway ?

sface says

Google overtakes them in OS
Samsumg overtakes them in design, key patents and cost.
...
If any company should get to 1K, I believe it is GOOG.

You own GOOG and Samsung stocks?

Disclosure: Long AAPL since 2003.

No, If you just wake up from a coma and you see the rocket and 4S for the first time, who wins the taste test?

I just see some of their untouchable moat is starting to erode and those 50% year over year and margins will come down as comps will get that much tougher and competition more brutal. It use to be Apple outsell all smartphones in the world, but 2012, they may not outsell Samsung alone. Google now owns Moto so within a couple year, the landscape may be entirely different.

Apple is the most valuable company in the world outside of Saudi Aramco, so no doubt it is amazing, not $1000 amazing. The S&P isbascially 10% apple so most have a material stake in Apple already without direct ownership.

My comment about being murdered by a female is just a fantasy of the insanely jealous girlfriend theme taken to the extreme. I should go back and edit it to be "jealous girlfriend with a reasonable grudge".
I am therefore just fantasizing I am so desireable and rich because my AAPL went way up. It's all a wish not a real expectation.
The reason Apple is going to continue to squash everything else for a while is that the whole Apple "ecosystem" is getting more consolidated and unified, not less.
I have an Android phone, use Dropbox, have a mac laptop and mac mini desktop, and have Roku for my TV.
People who have the iPhone may tend to buy the iPad and later macbook air and later AppleTV as they all integrate and reinforce each other with iCloud and iTunes and the Apple TV comes out.
I like the gadgets Samsung makes, they are a cool company. Google is cool too.
I think all of these will have success, but nothing is going to stop Apple from making a ton of money.

SFace says

They are like Sony of the 1990 but even more vertically intergrated with patent portfolio as thick as the bible.

It's hard to keep a competitive edge in this industry as brand loyalty does not last that long, Sony and RIMM is just a fair warning that Apple may not stay on top forever.

Interesting comparison, thanks.

clambo says

My comment about being murdered by a female is just a fantasy of the insanely jealous girlfriend theme taken to the extreme. I should go back and edit it to be "jealous girlfriend with a reasonable grudge".

http://www.CuRA86MJ0ro&feature=related

clambo says

My comment about being murdered by a female is just a fantasy of the insanely jealous girlfriend theme taken to the extreme. I should go back and edit it to be "jealous girlfriend with a reasonable grudge".

Perhaps you should consider why you have jealous girlfriends on the brain. It's a disturbing theme we've seen before.

Vicente says

Perhaps you should consider why you have jealous girlfriends on the brain. It's a disturbing theme we've seen before.

Thats such bullshit! Women are extremly Obsessive, Possessive, and Jealous when it comes to men. Its not a guy thing.. its a womens problem.

SFace says

The S&P isbascially 10% apple so most have a material stake in Apple already without direct ownership.

does this mean that if Apple goes down by half, my SPDR will lose 5% of its value? In that case maybe a dow-30 index is less risky?

The jealous girlfriend theme is just the wish that a young impulsive woman would want me so much she'd be jealous. It's like I wish I were rich, I wish I were so cool and rich they can't resist my stare.
I do not aspire to be like most older men who are *invisible* to most hot women here and there.
I want to step out of my McLaren as I saunder down to my Bertram to go out fishing. The chicks have to help carry the cooler and my diving equipment.
I wanna boat like Tom Vu in those bad ads.
Seriously though, I think it's the sincerest form of love for a woman to express jealousy. I've experienced it a few times. Wow.
Of course it burns out and what is left is anger that you are the jerk who made her feel jealous, it's your fault.
BACAH has a point. I'm guessing that AAPL would not move so much as to affect the index much, but I don't know. I think AAPL wlll have a little rise after Tuesday when they say how many iPhones Verizon sold.

B.A.C.A.H. says

does this mean that if Apple goes down by half, my SPDR will lose 5% of its value? In that case maybe a dow-30 index is less risky?

Could be.. as you recall, a few tech stock back in 1997-2000 carried the Nasdq to bubble levels. Since Apple has a 15% impact alone, it may have an impact on others which may create a bigger impact. When the Computer Box makers sneeze, chips and harddrive makers catch a cold.... true then true today.

B.A.C.A.H. says

does this mean that if Apple goes down by half, my SPDR will lose 5% of its value? In that case maybe a dow-30 index is less risky?

Just wait until Facebook IPO.
The index fund was good in theory.

clambo says

The jealous girlfriend theme is just the wish that a young impulsive woman would want me so much she'd be jealous. It's like I wish I were rich, I wish I were so cool and rich they can't resist my stare.

So you DESIRE an immature and inappropriate stalker.

Yet you're afraid of it.

Got it.

I'm not actually afraid of being stabbed to death by a jealous female, it's a fantasy.
I'm actually very pleased when a woman acts jealous, i.e. dresses a little bit sexier, acts more affectionate, cooks something, does more to keep me focused on her.
If not the McLaren and Bertram might help at least keep someone in my company long enough. Fingers crossed.

This thread is definitely getting off topic. I hope everyone is enjoying a beautiful weekend.

New Apple features and products will continue. Some may be gimmicks and some may be useful.
Apple is going to make a new iPhone and it's gonna be slick, and they'll sell milllions of them.
Apple TV may be next. Apple is gaining momemtum, not losing it.

clambo,

Apple as the Cool and Hippest thing going on, in Silicon Valley, in California, in the world, last time Steven Jobs was forced out of the company. Together with gov't officials, Jobs had even endorsed Big Plans for a new campus in Coyote Valley before his departure. The sky was the limit. Only thing that was missing when he left was visionary leadership.

We all know what happened next.

Since (I think) Jobs was human and not Jesus Christ, it means that Jobs will not be returning this time. Time will tell but I don't think for this case, "It's different this time." (unlike coveted Fortress SFH market which is "different this time").

clambo says

Apple TV may be next.

Lol! Samsung TV dressed in Drag!

B.A.C.A.H. says

Apple as the Cool and Hippest thing going on, in Silicon Valley, in California, in the world, last time Steven Jobs was forced out of the company.

So amazing so many are so easily brainwashed.

John Bailo says

"Where is sushi"

Nothing is for free! such "tools" are designed as an extention of Advertising and your the target...

do you own the tool or does it own you...

"Think different" is "We think for you"... We are the Borg and you will be assimulated...

thomas.wong1986 says

Lol! Samsung TV dressed in Drag!

Word. It's the Apple version of SmartTV.
http://www.samsung.com/us/2012-smart-tv/

I'll be curious to see if the AppleTV has all the bells and whistles the SmartTV has at the same price point. I wouldn't be surprised if it has less features but is more expensive, while made from more or less the same components that the competition uses. Marketing, Marketing, Marketing.

There has already been two generations of AppleTV, as a TV peripheral, for 5-6 years now. When they failed to take living rooms by storm (dedicated peripherals are used by only a tiny minority - 1%, most use an HDMI'd laptop or use the Xbox), I think it was Cook who distanced the company from the product by calling it a "hobby". What does that say to the customers? "We don't take the product we sold you seriously."

Only 1% of US households have a dedicated peripheral for digital content:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/04/16/BUQ81O21JA.DTL&ao=all

You guys have made my argument, not disputed it.
The fact that Samsung has already an Apple TV type device and hasn't sold a gazillion of them means that Appletv will kick serious ass and sell lots of them.
I just had lunch with a friend who invited me. She has the iPhone and I have my android. I can understand my phone more than she hers, but her phone is beautiful and feels substantial while mine is a bit plasticy, rubbery, and not nearly as slick.
Can she actually use all of the features of her iPhone? No way.
She works in high tech manufacturing by the way.
Apple products are going to be in every household on earth someday. The questions is how soon.
Already most Americans own at least ONE Apple product.
Apple sales keep growing and their profit margin is so insane that even if the entire GDP of the entire earth grows at just 5% overall, Apple will grow profits by 15%+ every year into the future. How can they NOT???
Leave the provinicialism and judgement of whether Jobs was a genius behind, the stuff Apple mades is in such high demand, people who have no idea who he was want that stuff.
i gave a girl in Mexico an iPod nano with video a couple years ago for her Christmas present. She was so happy and proud with that little thing she saved every paper, wrapping, the box, the case, she even was loathe to peel off the clear plastic screen protector.
Oh and it was well spent since she showed her appreciation for Senor Papa Azucar :)
I have an android, roku, sansa mp3 player, and apple computers. But, I am not the worldwide consumer. The consumer wants Apple.
The next iPhone will be made of an incredible material that is a glass-like alloy and should blow the other phones all away (again).
AAPL is gonna be $1000, the question is how soon.

Yep. Heard all that kinda stuff before.

Its not a zero sum game for US citizens/corporations as long as overall its the US companies which are selling phones to the world. US as a country makes money selling technology to the world.
We benefit directly or indirectly from the increasing wealth made by US companies whether its apple, MSFT, INTEL,Nvidia,google, motorola.
If Samsung takes over and build everything from scratch in korea. All US companies in phone business will lose.
Whatever money samsung makes will all be staying in korea.

I never heard of a kid selling a kidney or a girl selling her ass to buy a Samsung product, have you?

clambo says

I never heard of a kid selling a kidney or a girl selling her ass to buy a Samsung product, have you?

Please don't make investment decisions based on stuff like this.
You may be right about apple but buying a stock because the company's products are selling like hot cakes or because people are willing to sell kidney to buy the products is not a good stratergy. company moat, future roadmap..etc are important too.

Apple, which reports on Tuesday, is expected to record a 57% jump in net income to $9.4 billion, according to Thomson Reuters.
I make my investment decisions based on what I see when I go around here and there about the world, and based on other published information.
For example, you can go to Mexico, Canada, China and see Caterpillar equipment all around. I predict therefore that Cat was a good stock to buy. The same goes for Apple, Nestle, BMW, and LVMH (they make the Luis Vuitton bags.)
The Luis Vuitton stuff is loved by women everywhere for some reason unknown to me.
But, Apple is the only stock that I own individually, because this is today a unique company. It may not stay unique for long, but today it is kicking ass in sales growth and profits and that is the reason to buy the stock.
You can hang out in the Air France lounge in SFO on your way to Paris and see the iMacs for use, the iPhones the passengers have, and their other stuff like macbook airs and iPads. In airports and starbucks in the various cities you see the same thing regardless of which country.
I saw tons of Apple stuff in a Mexico Starbucks, and they had a popular Apple dept. in the walmart there. They had sold out the $200 iPod nano video gadgets and this was in *Mexico*.
The brand is so powerful and the company is so profitable.
If they didn't make profits, I would not buy the stock.
Products and profits, not bullshit like linkedin, or webvan, or groupon or whatever bullshit is out there.

So, Apple is making dough at the rate of about $40 billion/year and there are about 1 billion shares out there. Will Apple profits continue to Grow? Will Apple profits Fall?
For the next few years, I say they will grow.

B.A.C.A.H. says

Jobs had even endorsed Big Plans for a new campus in Coyote Valley before his departure.

I had not heard that one before, but Cisco made exactly the same plans in 1999, right before the dot.com bubble imploded. And Coyote Valley is still there, untouched.

Right now, Apple is also planning that Spaceship building on, where is it, Tantau Ave in Cupertino? Be very afraid.

The thing that worries me is the overweight influence of AAPL on the NASDAQ. What happens the day they finally don't meet Wall Street expectations? Tech stocks will drop like a rock even if they have nothing to do with Apple. One reason I stopped investing in any other tech stocks, this one stock has become like a surrogate for owning QQQ.

Vicente says

The thing that worries me is the overweight influence of AAPL on the NASDAQ. What happens the day they finally don't meet Wall Street expectations? Tech stocks will drop like a rock even if they have nothing to do with Apple. One reason I stopped investing in any other tech stocks, this one stock has become like a surrogate for owning QQQ.

This concern had already built into the price. P/E(fwd) is only 11.97, PEG is only 0.65 despite its earnings is growing at 90+%. Secondly, you don't know when AAPL would finally don't meet Wall Street expectations. Many of friends are worried about this for like almost 10 years and still are worried.

justme - Tech stocks such as cisco has ridiculously high P/E (>60) and PEG much greater than 1 aka excessive overvalued during the dotcom boom. Current P/E and PEG of AAPL are much lower, in fact, is in the undervalued space.

Vicente says

The thing that worries me is the overweight influence of AAPL on the NASDAQ. What happens the day they finally don't meet Wall Street expectations? Tech stocks will drop like a rock even if they have nothing to do with Apple. One reason I stopped investing in any other tech stocks, this one stock has become like a surrogate for owning QQQ.

Great point.

One other worry is Facebook. They generated less income this quarter than a year ago. Troubling, because this was the last quarterly earnings prior to the IPO. A disappointing Facebook launch could also send the NASDAQ down.

http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-04-24/industries/31385531_1_first-quarter-revenue-jumps-zynga-social-network

hanera says

Secondly, you don't know when AAPL would finally don't meet Wall Street expectations.

This is true. APPL is really good about managing expectations and then exceeding them. However, there is criticism of the analysts in that, given how often it's happened, they should take that into account going forward.

Analysts never want to look like they guessed wrong, so they tend to underestimate. This way they later say "Apple beat our expectations! Wow!"
If the random analyst predicted something that did not happen, it would look like he made a "mistake".