iPad Rumors
There were more rumors about Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) product releases. One is that Apple will introduce a tablet PC with a screen smaller than the one on the current iPad. Presumably, this would let the large consumer electronics company better compete with products like Amazon’s (NASDAQ: AMZN) Kindle Fire. The other widely published rumor is that AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon Wireless will soon offer iPads that run on their ultrafast 4G networks. Since Apple does not have a 4G-enabled iPad, it would have to set a major product release to market one.
Apple at $500
The biggest financial news from yesterday was that Apple’s stock price rose above $500 for the first time. The fact was meaningless. It is no more important than if the stock was at $499 or $501. But the fascination indicates that Apple news can still push other, more important financial news out of the headlines. The Greek debt settlement and deficit aspects of the new budget were pushed down the page at many business websites.
A Google “Ecosystem”
The U.S. and Europe approved the Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) buyout of Motorola Mobility (NYSE: MMI). Now, Google will be able to answer the question of whether it can run a hardware company as well as it does its search business. Many analysts believe that Google wants to build a product “ecosystem” like Apple’s. This system is one from which the consumer can get content, operating software and hardware bundled together. Google already has a foothold in the mobile operating system industry with its extraordinarily popular Android OS. However, in Motorola it will own an also-ran in the smartphone business — one which may find it impossible to catch market leaders Apple and Samsung.
Douglas A. McIntyre
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