Apple’s Next Launch
By now you’ve all seen the rumors of Apple’s October 4th media event. Historically Apple’s newest gizmos would be available 3-4 weeks after the media launch. However, the iPad2 began shipping about two weeks after the media launch and it was my belief that Apple is shortening the window between announcement and availability. Today, AppleInsider is reporting Apple is denying […]
An Apple Effect Worth Watching
Most technology companies are cognizant of how network effects influence adoption, but fail to adequately stimulate these network effects. However, a few recent service launches by Apple recognize the influence network effects can have on the uptake of Apple devices. AirPlay and AirPrint both illustrate Apple’s understanding that the greater the sphere of influence iOS devices can have, the stronger the network effects and therefore the […]
Amazon’s (Eventual) Tablet
I’ve written in the past about Amazon’s (eventual) entry into the tablet world. Some interesting research from Retrevo consistent with points I’ve made in the past. First, consumers have grown quickly comfortable with Amazon as an OEM. You’ll recall that the original Kindle was panned heavily by critics, but consumers have warmed quickly to Amazon devices. As you can […]
The Value of Freemium
Some facinating findings in some recently released data from Furry: Games drive 75% of revenue among the top 100 grossing iOS apps and 65% of this revenue were generated from freemium games. The average purchase from within free-to-play mobile game is $14 As the chart shows, 71% of all in-app transactions happing within freemium games are for amounts under $10, 16% are […]
Bullish on Apple? Bullish on China
One can’t help but be bullish – at least a tinge – on both Apple and China. From a recent NYT article: Last week, Apple reported blockbuster sales and profits in its third quarter, including $3.8 billion in revenue in greater China, which includes Taiwan and Hong Kong. For the first three quarters of Apple’s fiscal […]
How Might Apple iPad Shipments Change Over the Next Year
Much has been written about the relationship between iPad supply and demand. I’ve added to that discussion here. What I haven’t seen discussed much is how iPad sales might change now that supply and demand are finding equilibrium. As I wrote, I don’t believe supply constraints have defined aggregate unit volume. But I do think it might have influenced […]
Are Apple’s Strong iPad Numbers Just a Supply-Chain Story….
Last week Apple blew away (nearly) all expectations for fiscal Q3 iPad sales. I hate saying, “Apple always exceeds expectations” because that just suggests estimates are consistently and systemically biased downward but they did far exceed fiscal Q3 iPad estimates after not accomplishing that feat in fiscal Q2. Analysts estimates for fiscal Q3 iPad sales ranged from 6 million to 9.5 million with […]
When eReaders grow-up to be Tablets
What happens when eReaders grow up to be tablets? This morphing is already well underway. Barnes & Noble has always referred to the Color Nook as a tablet eReader – with tablet being the operative word. At their event this week. B&N claimed the Color Nook is the top selling android tablet in the market. […]
Evolutionary Currents: Adding Context to the Nook Color Upgrade
This week Barnes & Noble upgraded the software running on their Nook Color e-reader tablets. Users can now access apps, have email pushed to the device and watch flash videos. There are a variety of reviews on the web (see: here, here, and here) discussing the anticipated update so here I’ll take a differ tack […]
Retail Trends to Watch
The following was published in Dealerscope Magazine in December 2010: The last three years have been a volatile period in the history of consumer electronics. While a recovery is slowly taking shape, I believe the next few years will offer as much change as the in the last year or so. Here are a few […]
