Ed Sutherland

Apple catching up to iPhone 5 demand at US Apple Stores

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 9, 2012

After Foxconn admitted to falling behind iPhone 5 orders, it seems that supply of Apple's popular handset is finally catching up with demand. That's the word from one veteran Apple watcher who told investors Friday that inventory of the smartphone at Apple's brick-and-mortar stores are at their highest level yet. For the first time, availability of iPhone 5 models for AT&T, Verizon and Sprint customers topped 20 percent.

The iPhone 5 version for Sprint remains the most available, with 84 percent of Apple Stores reporting inventory for that model. The AT&T version followed with 54 percent and Verizon with 24 percent, according to a Wall Street survey conducted by Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster...

Suppliers profit up 29% on new Apple product launches

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 8, 2012

A high tide lifts all ships, especially if it is Apple. That's the word today from one observer who says Apple suppliers are enjoying a 29 percent profit boost due to "blockbuster new products" recently released. Apple's key suppliers saw their profits increase dramatically compared to the usual (and paltry) two percent growth and much higher than September's tepid one percent increase, Wall Street analyst Brian White told investors Thursday. The reason: Apple's line of new products, including the iPad mini, iPhone 5, a thinner iMac lineup and refreshed MacBooks...

Analyst: iPhone 5 availability improving, 46.5M iPhones sales in December

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 8, 2012

The future is looking up for consumers hoping to lay their hands on an iPhone 5. After doubts arose over whether suppliers could meet high demand for Apple's new handset, a Wall Street observer told investors Thursday the situation has "much improved" since September. Stern Agee analyst Shaw Wu believes the Cupertino, California company will sell 46.5 million smartphones in the December quarter, a huge increase from September's 26.9 million iPhones shipped...

Apple patents cooling fans for iPhones, iPads

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Is there a fan in the future for the iPad or iPhone? That question is front-and-center following word Apple has filed to patent a fan to cool its popular mobile devices. The measure is seen as a response to criticisms that the iPad grows hot due to powerful processors and CPU-intensive tasks.

The patent application, entitled "Cooling system for mobile devices", indicates a mechanical system comprised of fan, motor and an alert which potentially would vibrate the device. Because of the tight quarters, the motor would do double duty, driving both the fan and the alert, when required. Air intake and exhaust would likely employ an existing outlet in the devices, such as a headphone jack or the new Lightning connector port...

Apple’s Eddy Cue joins Ferrari’s board

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Apple's SVP of Internet Software & Services, Eddy "The Fixer" Cue, has joined Ferrari's Board of Directors. In one design leader complimenting another, Cue said he has long admired the Italian luxury auto manufacturer. However, does Wednesday's action have any relevance to Apple fans likely owning something a bit less drenched in high-octane? Possibly.

While Ferrari was not among the list of automakers which plan to participate in Apple's 'Eyes Free' initiative launched earlier this summer, integration of the Siri voice-recognition feature is expected to show up in GM's Chevrolet Spark, as well as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar at a later date...

Rumor: the next iPad mini will have Retina display

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated October 5, 2016

Moving to blunt criticism over the iPad mini display, a rumor out of China asserts that AU Optronics (AUO) is working on building a crisper Retina screen for the next iPad mini with the same 326ppi pixel density as the iPhone 4/4S/5. AUO is one of the suppliers Apple sources display panels for the iPad mini from. The need to offer a Retina iPad mini was allegedly pressing enough to bypass the usual waiting period before providing sharper display...

Did Apple bail out Sharp to the tune of $2 billion?

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

A detective story of sorts is unfolding in Silicon Valley. Did Apple spend $2 billion to prevent Japan's Sharp going under and putting the iPhone 5 in jeopardy? That's the belief of one analyst who did what all good investigators do: follow the money. Sharp was in financial trouble. It lost $1.3 billion in early 2012, was facing another $2.3 billion due in 2013 and lost a potential lifeline from Foxconn.

In late August came word that Sharp's production of touchscreens for the then unreleased iPhone 5 had slowed. A delay could crimp the Cupertino, California company's ability to meet the expected high demand for its new product. But just weeks after that dire warning, news broke in September that Sharp was producing "mass quantities" of the displays. What caused the sudden turn-around? Apple, some say...

Apple has caught up with fourth-gen iPad demand

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 6, 2012

It appears Apple's supply of fourth-generation iPads has caught up with demand. After listing the new full-size tablet with a one-week waiting period, then 3-5 days, the iPad now is listed "in stock" at Apple's online stores. Perhaps this is because 90 percent of the iPads the Cupertino, California company sold over the past weekend were iPad mini units. Monday, analysts released reports on initial sales of the smaller iPad. A common thread: worries that Apple cannot meet consumer demand, a particularly unwanted situation given the fast-approaching all-important holiday buying period...

The iPad mini could comprise half of all iPads sold in December

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Apple will sell 20.2 million iPads during the December financial quarter - half of them iPad minis, one Wall Street analyst predicts. The forecast comes as experts attempt to divine the meaning of Apple's record three million tablets sold over the past weekend.

Despite a Northeast US battered and bruised by Hurricane Sandy, Apple announced it sold three million new iPads this weekend, breaking a record of 1.5 million Wi-Fi-only units moved during the iPad 3 opening weekend in March. Analysts believe a large portion of new iPads sold this weekend were various iPad mini models...

Tablets now comprise 1 out of every 4 PCs sold

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Should tablets be considered computers? While experts debate the tech equivalent of how many angels dance on the head of a pin, consumers are voting with their wallets. Tablets sales increased nearly 50 percent during the third quarter while computer purchases are on life support.

Today's numbers from IDC reflect a continuing trend away from PCs and toward mobile devices. Globally, 27.7 million tablets were sold during the third-quarter. This follows last month's numbers which showed PC sales declined 8.6 percent to 87.7 million during the same period...

IDC: Android gained tablet market share in Q3, while Apple slowed

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

In the race to win the tablet market, all it takes to gain an edge is for the leader to take its foot off the accelerator. Enough potential iPad buyers "sat out" the third-quarter waiting to learn more about the iPad mini, that the brief pause cut into Apple's lead, allowing Android tablet companies to gain share.

According to data by market research firm IDC, Apple's leadership in the third quarter - ahead of the iPad mini's release - shrank to 50.4 percent, down from 59.7 percent a year ago. By contrast, Samsung lead a pack of Android rivals with a triple-digit growth...

IDC: Android owns 75% of smartphone shipments

Ed Sutherland ∙ November 2, 2012

We've long known smartphone owners live in a largely bifurcated world of Android and iOS. However, new research paints a dramatic picture where three out of every four smartphones shipped are powered by Google's mobile operating system. Apple's mobile OS is the only other to have double-digit market share: a hair under 15 percent.

In the third quarter of 2012, Android accounted for 136 million of the 181 million smartphones shipped, according to IDC. By comparison, 26 million iOS-powered smartphones shipped during the same period, giving Apple 14.9 percent of the market. While both OS makers grew faster than the industry's 46.4 percent, Android's 91.5 percent year-over-year growth handily overcame the 57.3 percent growth of Apple's iOS...