News Round-Up 1/12/13: The 9.7" iPad Gets an Enterprise Boost, A Cheaper iPhone?, and 40 Billion Downloads in the App Store

Apple's 9.7-inch iPad to get boost from increased enterprise tablet adoption in 2013
In a note to investors on Monday, Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said a recent survey of 59 chief information officers over 12 different industries points to continued growth for Apple's 9.7-inch iPad, which is reportedly better suited for business operations than the iPad mini. 

Is Apple Coming Out With a Cheaper iPhone? The Answer Is Unclear
Recent rumors about a cheaper iPhone have recently been all but debunked by Apple's SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller, who told Chinese newspaper Shanghai Evening News that "cheap smartphones will never be the future of Apple products". Based on Schiller's comment, Reuters and several other news outlets have reported that Apple has probably dismissed the idea of a cheap iPhone. The story doesn't end there, though.

Apple App Store Tops 40 Billion Downloads
Apple marks another highlight and first for the global tech company, announcing that iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch users have downloaded over 40 billion apps, with almost 20 billion in 2012 alone. In March, Apple reported that it had seen 25 billion downloads.

NetSuite's CEO: Apple Will Change Enterprise Software
Last year, the cloud continued to be red hot. But keep in mind that the industry is far from young. The roots actually go back to 1998, with the founding of NetSuite. The company made a big bet that enterprises would eventually access software via the Web.

Is the iPad Ready for Business?
And is business ready for the iPad? After all the breathless talk about the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend, this is the year it may really start to happen on a big scale. Midsize businesses, along with other firms, are taking a closer look at Apple's popular flagship device, and at tablets in general.

Also in the News:

• When employees bring personal apps to work
• 49.5 million iPhones sold during December quarter, say analysts
• Apple still casts a long shadow over CES

Comments

[IT Rentals]

The 9.7 inch iPad will most likely be more beneficial for business and their employees because it is smaller and so more practical whilst they are 'on-the-go'.

I can't see Apple making a cheaper iPhone purely because I think it will slightly tarnish their reputation and people will question its quality and capability; two things which we are use to Apple being reliable for. The price of their products is almost a guarantee that they are top quality products.