Apple results: Don't neglect iPhone 5, iPad nano, iMac, 13" MacBook plans

July 24, 2012 11:33 AM EDT

While Apple [AAPL] is expected to return good if not great results for the current quarter, the scene is set for future growth as it prepares to unleash a slew of new products across the final months of 2012: iPhone 5, a 13-inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, a 7-inch tablet (the iBook?), a new iMac and new breed iPod nano all seem set to break cover.

[ABOVE: The latest Siri ad. Let's be honest, though, it may be going places but it ain't there yet...]

Time to flick the switch

These hardware plans should be understood in conjunction with iCloud, Siri and iOS 6 improvements on the software side, which also sees this week's anticipated introduction of Mountain Lion.

Naysayers may say nay, but it seems to me that the company's kicking down doors across its business segments as it lays the ground for growth in 2013, when its push into developing markets should begin to reap big dividends.

Economic uncertainty and the impact of the iPhone 5 on iPhone 4S sales are likely to affect company performance in its just gone quarter, announced today, but it may prove wise to ignore the customary Apple stock sell off which will likely follow tonight's news, as the latest batch of rumors seemingly confirm the firms hardware-driven plan.

iPhone 5 - September?

The latest slew of never ending iPhone 5 rumors now propose a September 21 intro for the next edition Apple smartphone. Only time will tell if these claims are the real deal or just so much wishful thinking, but an introduction around then matches common expectation of an October date for the device to ship internationally in quantity.

The iPhone remains the biggest selling single smartphone, despite intense competition from the Android space, where manufacturers aren't just fighting Apple and each other, but feeling the heat from Korean giant, Samsung. AT&T claims to have activated 3.7 million iPhones in its just gone quarter, leaving 1.4 million smartphone activations for devices from other manufacturers.

While Android has a well-placed and vocal following, iPhone remains the consumer's favourite device.

MacBook with Retina Display (13-inch)

Be prepared for the next release in Apple's Retina Display laptop range with reports the company intends introducing a model of this kind in September. Likely set for introduction beside a heavily upgraded version of iTunes (including TV show streaming and subscription style packages and, potentially, Spotify-style music streaming services) and new iPods, including the 7.85-inch iBook tablet, these introductions could take place early September.

"It's pretty clear that as some of the technology in the MacBook Pro with Retina becomes more available and at a lower cost, they will drive those technologies down through the rest of the line," said Ezra Gottheil of Technology Business Research, speaking last month.

There's a lot of expectation of a new iMac model to come, also equipped with a high-resolution (non-MultiTouch) display.

New iPods

The new iPod nano is expected to field support for some iOS 6 features and to be a connected device suitable for use beside iTunes Match and new streaming services. Some reports suggest the device will look like a "tiny iPhone" and boast built-in iTunes services.

The iPod touch will allegedly gain a whole new design, keeping the product closely aligned with the iPhone 5. That decision suggests the iPod touch could be introduced in conjunction with the iPhone 5 and the new iBook 7-inch tablet.

Given Apple likes to introduce new products and services within maximum batches of three items so as not to dilute media reporting of the new iThings, there surely should be some credibility attached to the notion of two separate media events, one focused on the new iPod range (bar the new touch) and iTunes product with the 7-inch iBook leading the exchange, the other on new iPhones. Some expect the iPad mini/iBook launch to take place subsequent to the introduction of the iPhone.

The iPad mini/iBook

Amazon might be cooking up to six new models of Kindle device to compete with Apple, but the latter firm's fight back will consist of one 7.85-inch iPad nano.

This will be equipped with an iPad 2 display and limited on board memory to keep the price low, but will offer up full access to all iOS features and is likely to ship in conjunction with a radically-improved version of iTunes.

In previous episodes we've heard claims the new iPad will be offered up as a media playback device with a particular focus on books. Given the existence of the iBookstore and the previous retirement of Apple's iBook laptop range, could this iPad be christened the 'iBook' in order to differentiate it from the main iPad range?

iCloud, Siri, iOS 6, Mountain Lion

On the software side, this week's introduction of Mountain Lion should further bridge the gap between Apple's computing and mobile device ranges. iCloud in particular is expected to see signal improvements, not least introduction of third-party developer APIs in order that they can deploy save once read anywhere features within their apps.

Siri will doubtless see some improvements, not least introduction of new data sources and further internationalization of the product, now one year old. Introduction of support on the Mac also seems possible in future.

Summing up, as Apple prepares to face the second half of 2012 the company seems to have its plans set down to promote future growth, even in a tricky market. All these products should be followed early next year by a US-focused (initially) Apple Television, which should capitalize on any new features introduced within next-gen iTunes.

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