The Apple iPod Hype Poll

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
I am a potential short investor that wants to get sentiment on the iPod. Their stock has just been on a tear, and their earnings are due to be released next month. I'm looking to short/put the stock, and I would like the opinions of avid technology users.

So is the iPod train still strong or is the hype over? Thanks guys.

EDIT:
I was planning on buying put options a day before they release earnings, with the options expiring the same week. Hmmm...I thought the iPod hype was slowing down but apparently not. My rationale was that everyone who would ever purchase an mp3 device already bought one of the 5 iPods that have already come out. The PE ratio is still 48 and their core business unit which was thought to be the Macintosh is non-existant. They seem vulnerable however because of their lack of diversification; once iPod sales slow down their stock will no doubt be punished hard.
 

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,695
117
106
all of my friends who know nothing about the other mp3 players from other companies all want ipods. But when i had my iriver before the ipod video everyone was amazed and wanted that because it played video
 

boggsie

Platinum Member
Mar 31, 2000
2,326
1
81
Originally posted by: JS80
I am a potential short investor that wants to get sentiment on the iPod. Their stock has just been on a tear, and their earnings are due to be released next month. I'm looking to short/put the stock, and I would like the opinions of avid technology users.

So is the iPod train still strong or is the hype over? Thanks guys.

The iPod is going to get hotter and hotter based upon:
1) Availability of small, high resolution color LCD's
2) Continued miniturization (sp?) of affordable solid state memory
3) Increased density of 2.5" HDD's

The iPod UI is undeniably the #1 method for accessing tunes on a mobile device.
 

Pliablemoose

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
25,195
0
56
Consumers aren't sophisticated enough to switch to other MP3 players yet, I wouldn't short Apple.

I've done some options trading & if you're playing options, you've got bigger balls than me.
 

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,695
117
106
Originally posted by: boggsie
Originally posted by: JS80
I am a potential short investor that wants to get sentiment on the iPod. Their stock has just been on a tear, and their earnings are due to be released next month. I'm looking to short/put the stock, and I would like the opinions of avid technology users.

So is the iPod train still strong or is the hype over? Thanks guys.

The iPod is going to get hotter and hotter based upon:
1) Availability of small, high resolution color LCD's
2) Continued miniturization (sp?) of affordable solid state memory
3) Increased density of 2.5" HDD's

The iPod UI is undeniably the #1 method for accessing tunes on a mobile device.

i really dont like their UI. im the type of person to like using folders
 

everman

Lifer
Nov 5, 2002
11,288
1
0
I like Apple right now and definitly see the stock going up. It's up 60% now since I put it in my "hobby portfolio" which isn't real money, damn I wish it was though :D That's not good enough reason to buy now though. I think they have good future earnings potential and have some good products lined up.
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
I really wish that Microsoft would release their OWN media player to compete with Apple. Companies like Creative and iRiver have put out some decent products that are compatible with Windows Media Player, but nothing that can truly compete with the either the marketing hype or ease of use of an iPod. Hell, it seems that even Sony can't pull off a decent iPod competitor, and they used to dominate the portable music player industry!

Until someone releases an "iPod killer", I think that Apple is a safe stock to buy. Question is, who's going to be the first company to one-up Apple?
 

Martin

Lifer
Jan 15, 2000
29,178
1
81
Originally posted by: ultimatebob
I really wish that Microsoft would release their OWN media player to compete with Apple. Companies like Creative and iRiver have put out some decent products that are compatible with Windows Media Player, but nothing that can truly compete with the either the marketing hype or ease of use of an iPod. Hell, it seems that even Sony can't pull off a decent iPod competitor, and they used to dominate the portable music player industry!

Until someone releases an "iPod killer", I think that Apple is a safe stock to buy. Question is, who's going to be the first company to one-up Apple?

plenty of companies have one-upped Apple, however the iPod is a fashion item, and thus out or the realm tech companies.
 

CKent

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
9,020
0
0
It has definitely slowed a little, if only because a lot of competition has sprung up.
 

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
17
81
Still selling like crazy. Expect to see shortage in the coming 2 weeks.
 

yhelothar

Lifer
Dec 11, 2002
18,409
39
91
Full speed.
And the female teens around the world are still getting it as fashion accessories.
"Oh this blue ipod doesn't match with my pink shirt!"
Go figure. :roll:
 

Xyclone

Lifer
Aug 24, 2004
10,312
0
76
It's actually getting even hotter now, so I would recommend holding the phone for a sec. ;)
 

Pathogen03

Golden Member
May 16, 2004
1,056
0
0
I sell Ipods/mp3 players at Circuit City


we get them every few days and quickly sell out within hours. I spend most of my day answering the phone saying we are out of stock.

only competition is the Creative Zen Micro/Microphoto...

same pricing as the Nano, but double the capacity.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
so you're going to short it and hedge with a put option?
 

JS80

Lifer
Oct 24, 2005
26,271
7
81
Originally posted by: ElFenix
so you're going to short it and hedge with a put option?

I was planning on buying put options a day before they release earnings, with the options expiring the same week. Hmmm...I thought the iPod hype was slowing down but apparently not. My rationale was that everyone who would ever purchase an mp3 device already bought one of the 5 iPods that have already come out. The PE ratio is still 48 and their core business unit which was thought to be the Macintosh is non-existant. They seem vulnerable however because of their lack of diversification; once iPod sales slow down their stock will no doubt be punished hard.
 

five40

Golden Member
Oct 4, 2004
1,875
0
0
I would buy an ipod in 2 seconds if they make an 80GB+ video version. So I guess I don't fit into the "My rationale was that everyone who would ever purchase an mp3 device already bought one of the 5 iPods that have already come out.".
 

alien42

Lifer
Nov 28, 2004
12,869
3,299
136
shorting apple is about as stupid an investment as you could make. there stock has been on a tear for several years and there is no reason for it to stop anytime soon.