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Wired: New Mac mini to be announced at MWSF
Wired's Brian X. Chen writes that Apple will release a new version of the Mac mini at Macworld Expo early next month. Chen's unnamed source didn't disclose any details about the Mac mini, but Chen offered plenty of specification speculation. Based on "trends seen in Apple's latest products," Chen expects the new Mac mini to feature a unibody enclosure with speeds and video specs that closely match the new unibody MacBooks. This follows another rumor of a budget-priced, small-form-factor iPhone that could be announced at the same time. Nilay Patel, of our sister blog Engadget, notes that this may be a reaction to slowing sales numbers, and an overall reticence by consumers to drop large amounts of money on a new computer system. We'll see next month: The keynote presentation is scheduled for January 6. Macworld Expo typically announces by now if Steve Jobs will give the presentation, but they've been keeping mum about his involvement so far.
Analyst: Activision a better investment than EA
Deutsche Bank analyst Jeetil Patel believes that although the merger of Activision and Vivendi Games has received proper attention from investors, he feels they still haven't fully appreciated the power Activision wields all by its lonesome. He states that in a direct comparison with EA,Activision continues to hold a lead over its rival (thanks to Guitar Hero and Call of Duty) despite no major recent releases.Patel points out that Activsion has been steadily growing over time, while EA "seems to have lost its superiority to the likes of Activision" in terms of profit margins and profit scale. He gives a "Buy" rating to Activision and a "Sell" to EA. It's worth noting that Patel is certainly one of EA's harshest critics.
Wii could surpass US Xbox 360 install base this month
It's a good thing that Microsoft got its gloating in about selling 10 million units in the US, because the Wii will not only hit that number, but probably surpass it this month. Deutsche Bank analyst Jeetil Patel did the math and found that the Wii currently sits at about 9.5 million units in the US. If Nintendo's console sells another 700k units (like it has been) this month and the Xbox 360 sticks to its 200k level, the Wii will blow right past its competition's US install base.It'll also be interesting to see the impact Wii Fit has on the numbers when it launches next week. Microsoft can take solace in knowing that it can always fall back on saying the Xbox 360 still has the "largest global install base of any current gen, high definition gaming console" ... right?
Analyst: Timing of EA CFO departure is 'unnerving'
UBS analyst Ben Schachter wishes the sudden departure of EA CFO Warren Jenson had been a more "smooth, well-telegraphed transition." GameDaily reports on Schachter's note to investors where he believes the news wasn't a "complete surprise" and Jenson's exit from the company was a "mutual decision;" however, given EA's financials of late it may raise some eyebrows.EA already has a new CFO in the pipe after Jenson closes the books this fiscal year and Schachter maintains a "Neutral" rating for EA's stock. A far cry from Deutsche Bank's Jeetil Patel, who has a "Sell" rating for the company and believes EA has lost its luster.
Analyst: EA's lost its luster
Deutsche Bank analyst Jeetil Patel isn't a fan of Electronic Arts. On numerous occasions the analyst has questioned EA Sports' direction and the financial situation at the company. In his latest report, Patel keeps the tom-toms of war going against EA by suggestion that the company continues to artificially boost its market share through distribution partnerships with games like MTV's Rock Band or Valve's Orange Box.Patel points out that without the Rock Band distribution deal, EA would have had a decline in market share this past year. He believes that EA's titles lack diverse quality and that its current catalog will continue to underperform and lose market share for at least another year. In Patel's world, it looks like EA needs to acquire Take-Two with the quickness.
