Apple is looking to merge its iOS and Mac OS X operating systems into one unified platform for applications and cloud services as soon as next year starting with the MacBook Air. Apple will take up this step with the launch of its next MacBookAir with next generation A6 processor and if Apple has to move on to a unified platform and wants to merge the iOS and OS X then it is essential for the Apple to move on to the ARM-based processors………………
Apple looking to combine its computer operating system, OS X and its gadget operating system iOS. That’s the theory offered by Peter Misek, who follows the shares for Jefferies & Co. In a note to clients he writes that merging the two would lead to synergies, including better gross margins and an ease in licensing of content. In particular, Apple customers would be able to then experience TV shows and movies and such, stored in the company’s iCloud, across phone, tablet, or eventually, Apple television and get the same licensed content. “Users want to be able to pick up any iPhone, iPad, or Mac (or turn on their iTV) and have content move seamlessly between them and be optimized for the user and the device currently being used,” writes Pisek. “We believe this will be difficult to implement if iOS and OS X are kept separate.” Hence, “We believe Apple is looking to merge iOS (iPhones/iPads) with OS X (Macs) into a single platform for apps and cloud services starting in 2012-13.” Specifically, Misek sees the Macbook Air gaining Apple’s next processor, the A6, as he calls it, in the second half of 2012 or some time in 2013, following the debut of the chip in the iPad 3 in the first quarter of 2012 and in the iPhone 5 next summer. Misek considers the upcoming iPhone to be the iPhone 4S. Misek thinks MacBook Pro models and Mac desktops will stick with the current software and Intel processors in order to maximize 64-bit application compatibility and they will switch over to an iOS platform by 2016. “We believe Apple is ready to start sampling the A6 quad-core app processor and will be the first such multi-device platform capable of PC-like strength.” Misek thinks the merger of the platforms could boost unit sales across the product line and he models a 50-cent-per-share-per-year boost to EPS for every 1% increase in unit volumes as a result. He also thinks a final merger into one 64-bit platform could boost Apple’s margins by 25 to 125 basis points.
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