Stan's List

Apple announced a record fiscal second quarter results. Revenue of $7.51 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.05 billion, or $1.16 per diluted share, compared to revenue of $5.26 billion and net quarterly profit of $770 million, or $.87 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. This generated $4 billion in cash for the first half of fiscal 2008, yielding cash balance of $19.4 billion. Gross margin was 32.9 percent, down from 35.1 percent in the year-ago quarter causing a dip in the stock. The revenue was generated by 2,289,000 Macs sold during the quarter, representing 51 percent unit growth and 54 percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter. 10,644,000 iPods were sold, represented only one percent growth and eight percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter. iPhone sales were 1,703,000.

Echoing a growing confidence in Apple’s future, Seeking Alpha details how Apple will continue its success. Mac sales have been stellar and there no end in sight, growing four times the market average. With the 3G iPhone predicted to be 6 to 8 weeks away, Apple will stay ahead of competition and is predicted to sell 45 million 3G iPhones in 2009. While iPods sales may slow, 150 million iTunes users motivate Apple to add new media, possibly including video games. More …

Using as much of the original 16-bit Apple IIgs as possible, Ben Heckendorn demonstrates his talents by fitting in the innards of the IIgs with a few addition niceties

As many of you know I grew up during the 80’s and spent a lot of time with the fun 8-bit computers of those days. One of my favorites was the Apple IIgs, and when someone requested I build a portable version of it I jumped at the chance.

Some features:

• Large 15″ color screen
• Uses an original Apple IIgs motherboard ww RAM expansion.
• Custom acrylic keyboard based on the original keyboard PCB
• CompactFlash adapter inside unit functions as an OEM hard drive.
• Glowing backlit “][” logo (Blue for on w/ a bit of yellow during disk access)
• Built-in stereo speakers
• Side port access for floppy drive, joystick and mouse

Bloomberg reports on comments made by Steve Jobs at a shareholder meeting at Apple’s headquarters.

“We’ve got great talent, and I think the board would have really great choices,” said Jobs, when asked about potential successors.

While DVD’s made in Taiwan are recommended, most are made in China. Well, that may change. The SF Chronicle reports that inflation has driven up prices so that iPods may even cost more. Will plant investment be driven to Indonesia?

China must also be worried about the possibility of a recession here, as they have considerable invested.

October, 2006 Gartner made the suggestion that:

Apple should leverage its close relationship with Intel and team up with Intel’s closest ally, Dell.

Today, Barrons reports Gartner predicts the Mac to double its share of the US and European markets by 2011.

Apple’s gains in computer market share reflect as much on the failures of the rest of the industry as on Apple’s success.

Apple’s quarterly report exceeded predictions and demonstrated year over year performance. In spite other reports, Apple’s stock did not fall due to present quarter reporting, but predictions for the next quarter.

Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2008 first quarter ended December 29, 2007. The Company posted revenue of $9.6 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.58 billion, or $1.76 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $7.1 billion and net quarterly profit of $1 billion, or $1.14 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 34.7 percent, up from 31.2 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 45 percent of the quarters revenue.
Apple shipped 2,319,000 Macintosh computers, representing 44 percent unit growth and 47 percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter. The Company sold 22,121,000 iPods during the quarter, representing five percent unit growth and 17 percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter. Quarterly iPhone sales were 2,315,000.

This KB article addresses a concern that if your hard drive fails when does your Mac warranty kick in? Upon failure, not caused by “normal use”, Apple will coordinate with DriveSavers and OnTrack, data recovery companies. More …
Is this in reaction to the Intuit date deletion problem wherein numerous recommendations were made about data recovery?

If put your Mac into sleep mode, why would it sleep when you are playing a movie? This KB article ecplains why your Mac might not go to sleep when you expect it to, or why it might not stay in sleep mode. More …

PRESS RELEASE: Apple and Think Secret have settled their lawsuit, reaching an agreement that results in a positive solution for both sides. As part of the confidential settlement, no sources were revealed and Think Secret will no longer be published. Nick Ciarelli, Think Secret’s publisher, said “I’m pleased to have reached this amicable settlement, and will now be able to move forward with my college studies and broader journalistic pursuits.

It is well known that Nick Ciarelli (aka Nick DePlume), a loyal supporter of Apple, wanted to pursue his continued education.