Apple is playing the role of plumber in the overseas supply chain, eager to patch up any leaks to an entirely new extent. That's according to a new report that says Apple is displeased with the flurry of iPhone 5 rumors that have surfaced in recent weeks, not the least of which is speculation that the iPhone 5 may not be released until fall of 2011.
As we all know, Apple is certainly no stranger to embracing secrecy. But if analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities is accurate in his claims released to investors Friday, Apple is putting a higher premium than ever on secrecy in the overseas supply chain.
"Apple is keeping its iPhone 5 cards extra close to the vest on this launch to avoid a falloff in iPhone 4 demand ahead of a refresh, especially given the February launch of the CDMA iPhone 4 with Verizon," writes White, who still believes that it's in the realm of possibility that the iPhone 5 will still launch this summer - most likely late June or early July.
"Although we do not have a smoking gun that definitively rules out a delayed autumn unveiling or one that supports a launch this summer, there is a pattern of activity in motion with the supply chain that makes us question a delayed launch," White revealed, suggesting that the anticipated production slowdown related to the Japanese earthquake may ultimately help Apple. Specifically, White suggests, overseas suppliers will "rush to support Apple at the expense of competitors," a likely outcome, particularly in the wake of Apple's ramped up spending with major overseas component suppliers.
For now, Apple has given no clues whatsoever indicating the company's plans for the iPhone 5. Apple's recent press release formally announcing June's Worldwide Developers' Conference (WWDC), a place known for past iPhone model introductions, makes no mention of anything but software and operating systems. "At this year's conference we are going to unveil the future of iOS and Mac OS," the release stated.
Source:
The Street
