Five new Apple products that may be launched this year
Analysts Gene Munster and Douglas Clinton of Piper Jaffray took a stab at predicting what used to be unpredictable: Apple’s product calendar. Their report includes a number of not-so-prominent product upgrades, which lead Piper’s analysts to the conclusion that 2013 will set the stage for bigger changes in the product lineup in 2014 and beyond.
Apple Radio in March
Media discussion surrounding Apple Radio has been ongoing since October, so an expected release in early 2013 would come as no surprise. The free radio service — which would make money through ad revenues — will most likely be part of iTunes and offer major competition to the likes of Pandora. Piper analysts believe that Apple Radio will be unveiled alongside another product launch in March.
iPad mini with Retina Display in March
Apple sold more than three million iPads with retina display over a single weekend in March, and between eight to 10 million iPad mini devices are reported to have shipped by the end of 2012, according to Digitimes. By combining the best of both products, Apple is hoping to maintain its place atop of the growing tablet market. The timing would make sense — Apple launched new iPads in March of 2011 (iPad 2) and 2012 (iPad with retina display).
iOS 7 in June
Apple users were outraged with the iOS 6 upgrade that eliminated YouTube and Google Maps apps. Apple’s maps app was so bad, in fact, that CEO Tim Cook issued an apology to customer in September and even encouraged them to try competitor’s apps until the problem could be resolved. Factor in the management shakeup that resulted in the firing of Mobile Software Chief, Scott Forstall, and the pressure is on Apple to come back strong with iOS 7. Look for Passbook, the mobile wallet feature of Apple’s operating system, to play a more prominent role in the upgrade.
iPhone 5S in June
Munster and Clinton believe a new iPhone 5S will come out in September, although some reports have pegged a launch date as June. The iPhone 5 was a September release; so was the iPhone 4S in 2011. Regardless of the date, users can expect an updated camera and better battery life. The 5S will took the same as the iPhone 5 — same size and width but the new stuff will all be inside.
Apple Television in November
Not just the digital receiver box already available as Apple TV — an actual Apple Television. Munster and Clinton predict an predict an Apple TV will measure 42 to 55 inches and cost between USD 1,500 and USD 2,000. Similarly sized plasma and LCD TVs from Vizio, Samsung and Panasonic all clock in at under USD 1,000 but Apple has never shied away from offering high quality at high cost.
