14 DAY TRIAL // Here’s a perfect example of just how reliable Wall Street analysts are when it comes to predicting Apple’s upcoming hardware / software products.
Gene Munster of Piper Jaffray is out with a new research note for investors, claiming he too believes all the rumors are true (as if you need a degree to spot the obvious), adding a tidbit of his own.
His thoughts on the rumored low-cost iPhone 5C include the plastic casing (which is all but confirmed at this point), a 4-inch display, “and slightly lower end internal components than the iPhone 5S,” according to an AppleInsider report citing his research note.
As noted above this is Captain-Obvious material, but I guess analysts need to throw in these facts for the sake of consistency.
What’s downright upsetting about Munster’s investor note is that he believes “Apple will exclude software features when the handset launches, specifically the Siri voice recognizing virtual assistant.”
Utter nonsense! Perhaps Mr. Munster isn’t aware that plucking out software doesn’t exactly cut production costs.
Nor would it create more incentive to go after the more expensive version of the phone, because the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 both have Siri, and both will still be around for years, selling for hundreds less.
Heck even the iPad mini offers the personal assistant. Basically, all you need is an A5 chip, and I wouldn’t dare assume the iPhone 5C will go anywhere below that spec. If anything, it’ll probably be as fast as the iPhone 5 (which uses the A6).
Excluding Siri – a flagship Apple service touted all over the company’s site and in various TV spots – from the iPhone 5C would create a PR nightmare for the Cupertino company, whose stock valuation has been taking a year-long tumble on non-innovation rumors.
I can see the headlines now.
“Apple Rolls Out Siri-less iPhone 5C to Make 5S Upgrade Seem Hot”
It’s about as far-fetched as a 5th-generation iPad with a non-Retina display. Whoever bets their money on such predictions might as well take financial advice from their pet.
Disclaimer
This is a Personal Thoughts piece reflecting the author’s “personal” opinion on matters relating to Apple and / or the products associated with the Apple brand. This article should not be taken as the official stance of Softpedia on Apple-related matters.