Apple iPhone a reality

Apple has worked the kinks out of its new cellular handset, according to American Technology Research senior analyst Shaw Wu, and the phone is ready for production. "Handsets are a tricky and competitive business, but an enormous opportunity for Apple," the analyst wrote in a research note obtained by MacNN. "We believe the new Apple handset will be a major player and competitor set to disrupt yet another industry." Wu admits that Apple's "go to market" strategy for the new phone is yet unknown, but is confident the company will time its launch opportunistically and that the new handset is positioned to gain significant traction. "This new market could easily represent an incremental $2 billion annual revenue run-rate revenue opportunity in 2007."

The analyst is encouraging investors to aggressively purchase Apple shares prior to the potential revolution of the handset industry. The firm now estimates $22.2 billion and $2.60 earnings-per-share for fiscal year 2007, up from $22 billion and $2.45.

by MacNN Staff