Apple continues to innovate, creating new products are helping the stock price gain traction. Apple has new service bundles and recently introduced Apple TV plus. In December, Apple announced that it was introducing new apple AirPods are over-the-ear high fidelity earphones. The price is $549, and they target people who have had issues with their AirPods that are earbuds. These products can be uncomfortable when you are using them for an extended period. The earbuds also can get wet during workouts and fall out of your ears.
New AirPod Max
The new AirPod Max sits over your ears, which may be comfortable for more extended periods, but offer similar support features. For example, you can use the “Hey Siri,” quick pairing and noise cancellation. They also include transparency mode, which lets you hear noises around you, such as cars while walking on a busy street. The AirPod Max is also more expensive than many of the headphones that are in the same category. Most products in this category from competitors such as Bose and Sony, or even Apple’s Beats brand, cost around $350. The AirPods Max is now the most premium tier offered by Apple and could be particularly appealing to business travelers who need noise-canceling headphones on places like airplanes.
iPhone 12, 12 Max, and 12 Mini
The news that Apple was releasing its AirPod Max line came after the report released in October that the company plans to release a new phone set. In October, Apple unveiled its iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 12 Max that will use 5G technology. Some of the new iPhone 12 models have features such as expansive edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR and a new Ceramic Shield front cover, providing durability ever on iPhone. Apple also introduced these phones with its new chip. The Apple-designed A14 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone, coupled with an advanced dual-camera system. iPhone 12 models also introduce MagSafe, offering high-powered wireless charging and an all-new ecosystem of accessories that easily attach to the iPhone. The 5G component of the iPhone 12 series is the crucial element to the new phones. 5G technology is established across the United States, but few carriers have 5G technology available in every location.
New Services Bundles
Apple in September announced that it would provide consumers with a bund of its services. Apple One is a bundled service that makes it easy for consumers to comingle its Apple subscription services in one plan. Apple’s services in its bund include Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and iCloud. The most popular services, including Apple Music and iCloud, are generally purchased as a stand-alone service. By bundling these services, Apple allows consumers to experience Apple TV+ and Apple News+ on all of their product lines, including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Apple is offering several different plans, including an Individual $14.95 per month. The cost structure changes when you are looking for greater storage capacity. The Individual program only provides 50GB of storage space. A family plan offers a similar product with 200GB of iCloud storage for $19.95 per month and can be shared among up to six family members. The final plan is the premier plan with 2TB of iCloud storage for $29.95 per month and can be shared among six family members.
What Has Happened to the Stock Price
Apple’s new product offerings have helped the online trading of Apple shares, which have gained traction and test the all-time highs made in 2020. The share price has crawled along with the 20-week moving average, seen as support near 116.5. Resistance is seen near the all-time highs at $138. Short-term momentum has turned positive as the fast stochastic recently generated a crossover buy signal. Medium-term momentum is neutral as the MACD (moving average convergence divergence) index is printing in negative territory with a rising trajectory, which points to consolidation. The weekly chart forms the last leg of a bull flag pattern, which is a pause that refreshes higher. A break above the all-time highs would confirm the breakout.
The Bottom Line
Apple continues to innovate. In the last 4-months of 2020, the company has announced a new services bundle, a group of new iPhones, and a new AirPod. The headphones’ 5G capabilities will have created a new product cycle that is likely to lift the stock price to higher levels. The new AirPods are high-cost headphones and are likely to generate robust revenue as higher-end users look for more comfortable products during the holiday season.
Photo by Julian O’hayon on Unsplash
