Apple execs highlight early iPad success, Apple TV growth
updated 07:15 pm EDT, Tue April 20, 2010
Tim Cook admits bias against netbooks
Following Apple's announcement of its strongest non-holiday quarter ever, company executives answered analysts' questions regarding the iPad, iPhone, and other products. COO Tim Cook claims the company is "thrilled" and "shocked" by how well the iPad has been selling, as it has received an "enormous response" during the short time on the market so far.
Cook suggests there was "nothing obvious in the iPod numbers or the Mac numbers to suggest cannibalization," following the announcement, but any affect after launch is still unclear. "We don't know yet, we will find out."
Before answering a question regarding the iPad's direct competition, the COO admitted his personal bias against netbooks. "I'm the wrong person to ask that because to me its a no-brainer. iPad, netbook -- it's 100 to zero. I can't think of a single thing the netbook does well, and the iPad does so many things very, very well, that I'm already personally addicted to mine and couldn't live without it."
The company is still uncertain how the 3G -enabled iPad will perform compared to the Wi-Fi model. "We really need to be selling both models side-by-side in an unconstrained environment before we can really know," Cook said.
Apple TV has continued to show strong performance, with units up 34 percent year-over-year. Despite the sales numbers, executives reiterated the company's previous stance that the device remains a "hobby." Cook claims that Apple keeps it a hobby to "set expectations for the category."
The company's retail outlets have continued to grow, increasing revenue by 22 percent with over 600,000 Macs. Average revenue per store has increased to $5.9 million, driven by 47 million visitors through the three-month period. The company plans to expand its retail presence by up to 50 stores, with locations ranging from London to Shanghai.
Overall, Apple easily beat the average Wall Street projections for the quarter. The company pushed 8.8 million iPhones and 2.9 million Macs, bringing in total revenue of $13.5 billion for the quarter. Oppenheimer expects the strong performance to continue, as Q3 guidance forecasts revenue to fall between $13 and $13.4 billion.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2007
Apple TV
Picked up my Apple TV about 6 weeks ago. A very nice attachment. I got tired of the family saying they didn't want to watch a show on my MacBook or take the time to dongle the bloody think to the TV. AND since I installed the ATVFlash functionality yesterday I have the USB port for holding movies on and playing from the huge external drive. Now I don't have to waste all that space on my laptop in iTunes just so I can play it on the Apple TV. Apple could make the Mac Mini the Apple TV by adding HDMI port and ATV Flashs' functions and it would be a great media server....with Netflix streaming on the Mac Mini. Don't think I can do that within ATVFlash.