Am Tech Analyst: Apple and RIM Both Good Solutions for Enterprise

      Shaw Wu of American Technology Research voiced his confidence in the enterprise solutions offered by both Apple and Research In Motion ( RIM ). In a note released to investors today, Wu says that while ActiveSync, recently licensed by Apple from Microsoft, features simplicity and cost efficiency, RIM’s email implementation has better network security and bandwidth efficiency. Wu also believes iPhone’s OS robustness and efficiency plus support for Exchange may give it an edge over RIM devices.

     It should be noted that while both technologies offer a simple interface for users, they differ a great deal in key areas. RIM’s technology has better security through use of dedicated servers and encryption and ActiveSync offers simpler data routes and hence greater cost efficiency. As Wu also mentions, greater potential software development on iPhone is another area that may help Apple gain an edge.

D.S.

Piper: Apple’s SDK Unveiling Inspires Confidence

      Piper Jaffray research group analysts, in a note out to clients, say that they’re excited by the prospects of Apple’s touch platform SDK, which was unveiled yesterday. Piper analysts say that the iPhone is now a “full-fledged mobile computing platform” and that Apple will release a “full family” of internet devices which will make use of the capable platform. The analysts also mention that Apple’s licensing of ActiveSync, enabling enterprise email, puts iPhone in direct competition with RIM’s Blackberry devices and that will lead to more unit sales for Apple.

     So far, Apple iPhone SDK details have received stellar reviews from analysts and the press in general with most commenting that it’s all more than they had hoped for. Here are some of the highlights of the features revealed yesterday:

- optimized OS-X kernel on iPhone allows Core Animation and OpenGL for graphics and Core Audio and OpenAL for audio plus access to accelerometer sensor and camera

- a new version of XCode to write and manage code with an iPhone Simulator to test code

- $99 to get listed on iTunes and Apple will split profits 30/70 with developers

- EA and Sega and others developing games, AOL and ePOCRATES and others developing apps for the platform

- Beta version released immediately, full iPhone firmware 2.0 and SDK to be released in June

D.S.

Possible Announcements at Today’s Apple iPhone SDK Event

     Philip Elmer-DeWitt of Fortune.CNN blogs reports on 7 likely announcements at today’s Apple event:

- Today’s SDK release will be a beta; final version will be released at the Apple World Wide Developers Conference in June

- Apple will regulate commercial apps, distribute them on iTunes, and take a portion of profits

- Apple will not regulate free apps

- The SDK is Mac only ( running OS X Leopard, and XCode )

- Apps can use both both EDGE and WiFi for data

- No iPhone dock connector access allowed

- There will be business app demos from IBM, Microsoft, and SAP

Read more from Fortune.CNN blogs here

D.S.

Citigroup: 3G iPhone Coming within 4 Months

     AlleyInsider reports that Rich Gardner, a Citigroup analyst, “comes back from Taiwan with some good news”. Gardner had meetings with key consumer electronics supply manufacturers in Taiwan and now believes Apple plans to introduce a 3G iPhone model in the second calendar quarter of this year. In a research note to clients, Gardner also reports that “iPhone and iPod units may disappoint again” for the current quarter, but Apple’s desktop and notebooks continue to show solid momentum.

Read more from AlleyInsider

D.S. 

Apple Falls on BAC Analyst Projection of 8 Million iPhones Sold

     The hot debate on whether Apple can meet its own projection of 10 million iPhones sold in ‘08 continued on Monday when Banc of America ( BAC ) analyst Scott D. Craig reported his estimate of 7.96 million units for calendar ‘08. In a research note to clients, Craig cited softer than expected short term demand for both iPhones and iPods, following checks on Asian suppliers. Craig added that iPhone “demand in the U.S. may have been impacted by the anticipation of a new 3G phone and that European demand for a non 3G iPhone remains lackluster.” Craig cut his price target on Apple ( AAPL ) stock from $180 to $160.

     In a separate downgrade on Monday, Mike Abramsky of RBC Capital Markets also lowered his price target on Apple stock from from $200 to $175 based on “economic and growth concerns”. Abramsky nonetheless believes that the 3G version of the iPhone, expected by mid ‘08, will sell briskly with wide overseas adoption of its high end video features on fast 3G networks. Abramsky estimates Apple will beat its projection of 10 million iPhone units sold by a wide margin of 1 million.

     The downgrades by the two had a combined negative effect on Apple resulting in the stock closing at 121.73, down by more than $3 on the day.

D.S.

Apple to Tightly Control iPhone App Distribution

     Several Apple fan sites have reported variations to a common theme regarding the Apple touch platform SDK which is due out on March 6th. Apple is rumored to announce a beta version only on Thursday with the full stable platform release postponed until sometime in June. Furthermore, Apple likely will exercise tight control over release and distribution of third party software by requiring individual program approval before release and tying its distribution to iTunes. Such tactics can potentially backfire by bogging down the process of regularly released third party program updates and by reducing interest in developing for the Apple touch platform in the first place. Some sites are reporting that freeware programs may be excluded from the extra scrutiny.

D.S.