Comment by mmanfrin | Hacker News Reader

Comment by mmanfrin | Hacker News Reader

In most previous Apple iterations, when they release a cheaper/multi-colored version of a flagship product, they also release a new (more premium) product line. This time they didn't. This is disappointing to Americans (hence the drop in share price) but also shows Tim's direction: China. His expertise in the company under Jobs was in supply chains and Asia, and now he is orienting (pun not intended) the company towards Eastern markets.

Disappointing shortsighted shareholders, but in my opinion an absolutely perfect time to buy AAPL: they have huge cash reserves and pushing in to the massive Eastern market with the Gold iPhone will only pad further those cash reserves that that low P/E.

"Gold" has much more of an appeal to many Asian populations than the US given that Asia has been the cause of exploding actual gold demand. In the US I know few people with garish gold widgets. However, in Asia where the Apple product is a status symbol, the gold iPhone 5S (not the lump of coal 5C) will certainly bolster the image of the premium version.

As much as Asia loves gold they HATE fake gold.

Which one is the iphone? It would certainly be easy to have some real gold on it.

Speaking as an Indian, "real gold" is the kind you can take to a jewelry shop and sell if things get rough... or exchange for other "real gold".

ie: 22 Karat.

Oh, so it has to be solid, not plated? Well what a shame that it's too soft for a phone.

In general, adverse stock market reaction to an Apple announcement is slightly negatively correlated with Apple's success following said announcement.

Oh this is true for any announcement. Buy the rumour, sell the news.

It may show Tim's direction toward China, but it also shows Apple's lack of full understanding of the Chinese market in that the iPhone 5C is priced at US$733 at launch in China. I'm sure they'll get some sales with the fake gold on the 5S Tacky Edition, though.

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