Another strong quarter for Apple; credit von strong Mac sales

Apple said Monday that Mac computers and the iPhone saw the strong over the years, sales jumped in the fourth quarter, allowing the company to beat Wall Street expectations again in the fourth quarter and sent the stock higher in after hours.

Apple today announced fourth quarter revenue of 1.67 billion U.S. dollars, or $ 1.82 per share, on sales of 9.87 billion U.S. dollars, up from 7.9 billion U.S. dollars in the quarter a year ago. Wall Street analysts were expecting earnings per share of $ $ 1.42 on revenue of $ 9.2 billion dollars. (Data, Techmeme)

For the fiscal year, the company recorded revenues of U.S. $ 5.7 billion, or $ 6.29 per share, on sales of 36.5 billion dollars to 32.5 billion U.S. dollars last year. In a statement, said Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer, Apple:

We are delighted with our partners in the September 2009 quarter financial results. For a full year, we grew revenue by 12 percent and net income by 18% in some cases very difficult.

Looking to the future, Oppenheimer said it expects revenue for Q1 2010 to between 11.3 billion U.S. dollars for up to $ 11.6 billion and earnings per share of $ 1.70 to $ 1.78.

The fourth quarter was a busy one for Apple. Steve Jobs made his first public appearance since undergoing a liver transplant during the sick leave of absence earlier this year. Aa job hosting this event in September in San Francisco, where he was an update for the iPod and iTunes on the Internet. During the quarter the company also plans to release Snow Leopard and the iPhone in China was provided by China Unicom said it reached a three-year contract for the sale of 3G and 3Gs in the country. It is also regulators in Washington to the current issues in voting for the application suites iPhone / iPod Touch.

Highlights of the quarter:

MAC sales: The company shipped 3.05 million Mac computers, up 17 percent from last year in the quarter-finals. In the report of the third quarter, IDC Gartner show market share gains for Apple in the United States to 9.4 percent per year, over the years to get nearly 12 per cent.

IPod: The company sold 10.2 million in the quarter iPods, a decline of eight percent from a year ago. Lord of the capital markets, analyst Mike Abramsky said in a note to investors that he sees iPods shrinking the market - in spite of adding video recording capabilities - it is replaced by an interest in the iPhone and other smart phones. Analysts expected sales of $ 9.9 million iPods.

IPod Touch: The company does not go iPod Touch sales, but said that sales were 100% and the company expects that the growth of a new $ 199 entry price point.

IPhone: The company sold 7.4 million phones in the quarter, and seven percent jump in more than a year. During the quarter, China Unicom announced a three-year contract to sell the iPhone in the most populous country in the world.

Companies: Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt to leave the Board of Directors of Apple's fears that competition between the companies (in particular, iPhone and Android smartphone against Macintosh, operating system chrome to come.)

Accounting: During a call with analysts and executives said that changes in accounting rules that are likely to benefit Apple, since it allows the proceeds of the iPhone and Apple must be recognized immediately, instead of 24 months. Adopted earlier this year, the companies have so far in the next year for adoption of new accounting processes. Apple said it believes that the new rules will allow a better reflection of the outcome - and analysts believe that number will increase revenue from Apple - but still looking for ways in which it will pass. It did not set a timetable for changover and prospects in the next quarter to reflect the deferred income method.

Apple shares were less than one percent in regular trading, closing at $ 189.86. The shares are up after hours, and more than eight percent.

Monster refreshes in-car iPod accessories

I bet companies such as the monster is breathing a sigh of relief now that the claim of an integrated transmitter and Foreign Minister 3GS proved iPhone. Otherwise, it is not just a sample may be warranted, and recently announced at $ 99 iCarPlay Wireless car between 1000 and Minister of Foreign Ai transmitters iPod / iPhone shipment.

The truth is that I still do not know how to rise to 99 dollars to send Foreign Minister, or even 79 dollars to send Foreign Minister, as claimed, monster iCarPlay Wireless 800 (figure). Federal Communications Commission rules for the very limited powers of these things in recent years, it is difficult to argue that a more effective means of models over the past years. Monster of the credit facilities seem as smooth and refreshed twice last year the government formation, and this time the iPhone 3G officially.

Although all ready to back down from 100 dollars to send Foreign Minister: Does the benefit of yourself only, please update your car stereo. As we all recall iPhone iPod Touch, and now users can use a Bluetooth stereo (Hint reference).

All emotions aside, has shown that some of the beast in today's audio and accessories, including iCarCharger 1000 iPod / iPhone Power Adapter ($ 49) in the amount of 19 cartridges iCarPlay 800 (yes, still), taking the bag in the amount of 15 to 30 dollars for the cable (iSplitters, iCables - get the idea).

FCC reacts, starts looking into carrier-exclusive deal

It was only a few days ago that four U.S. senators sent a letter to the FCC, asking the agency to investigate whether these carrier-exclusive deals - such as the Apple-AT&T deal for the iPhone - limit consumer choice.

Now, Michael Copps, acting chairman of the FCC, said he has instructed the commission’s staff to start examining these deals. And Julius Genachowski, President Obama’s choice to be the commission’s new chairman, seems to be on-board with a review of these deals, as well, according to a Reuters report.

Consumer rights group such as Washington-based Free Press, applauded the scrutiny, telling Reuters that “the path to innovation is paved by openness, and unlocking devices is a good start.”

But the committee was also reminded by Barbara Esbin, senior fellow at the Progress & Freedom Foundation, that these sort of deals can be necessary to offset the costs of bringing new devices to market faster, according to an Associated Press report. Exclusive deals, such as Verizon’s launch of the Blackberry Storm earlier this year, have largely been recognized as competitors to the iPhone.

Granted, no one has been able to duplicate the iPhone’s success. But there is competition out there. And as much as I hate to say it, once the FCC recognizes that consumers continue to have choices, despite exclusive deals, the less likely they’ll be to intervene.