Apple Reveals More iCloud Details

August 8th, 2011 · 14 notes · #MobileMe #Apple #iCloud #iTunes #Match #iOS #Mac #OS #X #Lion #iPhone #iPad #Mac

Apple has been releasing more information to developers about iCloud, it’s upcoming service that will store email, calendars, documents, and media in Apple’s cloud and sync it across users’ Apple devices. The Cupertino-based computing company plans to open iCloud to the public in the Fall. 

Developers have exclusively learned through their paid accounts that Apple will be providing former subscribers of MobileMe, Apple’s older and current version of iCloud, an extra 20GB of free space in their cloud. The free space will last until June 30, 2012 unless iCloud users choose to subscribe to the service and pay for the additional storage. 

The news comes as a friendly gesture from Apple, whose stock fell more than 20 points Monday morning amid the S&P downgrading crisis. Analysts have suggested buying AAPL, along with other technology stocks, as recent economic activity does not reflect the performance of the technology sector. “Apple could buy Bank of America,” CNBC reporters said.

iCloud is currently in beta and only available to registered developers of Apple’s program. However, Apple has announced the service will launch in the Fall along with iOS 5, Apple’s new operating system for iPhones and iPads. News outlets are also reporting an iPhone 5 release during the same time period, suggesting that Apple wants to get the three products out in time for the holiday season. 

Comments Apple’s Second Quarter Results

April 20th, 2011 · 6 notes · #apple #q2 #quarter #second #results #earnings #revenue #iphone #mac #ipad #itunes #ipod

Apple PR:

CUPERTINO, California—April 20, 2011—Apple® today announced financial results for its fiscal 2011 second quarter ended March 26, 2011. The Company posted record second quarter revenue of $24.67 billion and record second quarter net profit of $5.99 billion, or $6.40 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $13.50 billion and net quarterly profit of $3.07 billion, or $3.33 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

Apple’s subtitle for the earnings report highlights a strong March, so surely a nice chunk of these earnings are from Verizon iPhone 4 sales.

Gross margin was 41.4 percent compared to 41.7 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 59 percent of the quarter’s revenue.

The international sales figure really puts Apple’s reach into perspective. I can’t think of any other consumer technology or business technology company that is as popular as Apple is world wide. It’s also worth noting that the United States is no longer responsible for more than half of Apple’s revenue.

Apple sold 3.76 million Macs during the quarter, a 28 percent unit increase over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 18.65 million iPhones in the quarter, representing 113 percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter.

Suddenly, these ground breaking increases in sales are no longer that shocking to us. We expect incredible growth from Apple no matter what and they’ve been delivering solidly for a decade.

Apple sold 9.02 million iPods during the quarter, representing a 17 percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter.

See my post on the future of iPod.

The Company also sold 4.69 million iPads during the quarter.

This brings the total amount of iPads sold to 19.48 million iPads.

“With quarterly revenue growth of 83 percent and profit growth of 95 percent, we’re firing on all cylinders,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We will continue to innovate on all fronts throughout the remainder of the year.”

It appears that Steve Jobs was on the call. This is fantastic news. When the audio goes live on iTunes, it will be interesting to hear his voice. Hopefully he is healthy.