Apple Reports Record Financial Results: Best Non-Holiday Quarter Ever

 

Apple announced its financial results for the second fiscal quarter of 2011. Apple posted a $24.67 Billion revenue and a net quarterly profit of $5.99 billion. Comparatively, last second fiscal quarter had a net quarterly profit of $3.07 billion.

 During the quarter, Apple shipped 3.76 million Macs, 18.65 million iPhones, 9.02 million iPods, and 4.69 million iPads.  

Also mentioned by Apple is the improving condition of Steve Jobs, noting that his appearances at the office have become more frequent recently. 

New MacBook Pro Line Up To Come Out This Week? Sandy Bridge Processor?

 

Apple is known for its 1 year refresh cycle of its MacBook Pro lineup. Apple last updated the MacBook Pro almost 1 year ago with brand new  Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. This year, Apple has been rumored to be updating the MacBook Pros with the latest Intel Sandy Bridge processors which are said to be a significant improvement over last years upgrade. 

It has been reported (and confirmed) that the new MacBook Pros will be released this week on Thursday, February 24^th. So if you’ve been wanting to buy a new MacBook Pro, I recommend waiting a week.

Verizon Offering Unlimited Data for iPhone 4. For a Limited Time (Updated)

Verizon announced Tuesday morning that they would be offering the iPhone 4 with unlimited data plans. This seems to be a ploy to make more AT&T iPhone users, who are not offered an unlimited data plan, switch over to Verizon. "I'm not going to shoot myself in the foot," he said. Not offering an unlimited plan would put up a barrier for customers who might otherwise switch from AT&T, says Verizon's chief operating officer Lowell McAdam.

Unfortunately, the unlimited data plan will not last for long says McAdam. This philosophy points to the fact that Verizon wants even more people to switch from AT&T as quickly as possible. According to analysts, approximately 2 million AT&T users are expected to switch to Verizon, according to analysts.

Update: The Associated Press reports that AT&T has quietly told their iPhone 4 carriers that they will be offered unlimited data plans. According to the report, AT&T's offer is being made to customers who previously had unlimited data plans but then switched to cheaper capped plans after AT&T announced its new data plans last summer. 

Steve Jobs Taking a Leave of Absence

Apple has recently reported that its CEO Steve Jobs is taking another leave of absence due to medical reasons. In 2009, Jobs took a medical leave of absence that was later revealed as time off to receive a liver transplant. It is unknown for how long Jobs will be gone. Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook plans to take care of day to day operations while Jobs is gone.

CDMA iPhone To Be International?

According to DigiTimes, the CDMA iPhone 4 is being prepared to be distributed in China, Japan, South Korea, and other countries. China’s third largest carrier, China Telecom, has been rumored to be in discussions with Apple to carry the CDMA iPhone. Two Indian companies, Reliance and Tata, have also been in the discussion for offering the CDMA iPhone. Its been said that the supply chain of the CDMA iPhone 4 will produce up to 7 million units this quarter. It is unclear how many of those units will go international. 

iOS 4.3 To Bring Software Option for Rotation Lock or Mute on iPad

Apple drew the ire of many iPad owners when it released its iOS 4.2 software update last fall changing the rotation lock button into a mute button. Apple owners may now rejoice as it seems as if Apple has changed its mind giving us the option to choose between either rotation lock or mute in its newly released iOS 4.3 beta for developers. 

Apple to Offer Verizon Compatible iPad

Apple has announced that it well sell a Verizon compatible iPad. Apple will put an embedded chip in the iPad to use the Verizon network. This differs from the current situation where iPad users need an external device to connect to Verizon’s network. Verizon has not announced when the new iPad will be available.