Apple: ‘A6′ Chip Will Merge iOS With OS X In 2012?

[Dangelus]

Interesting, from Tech Trader Daily:



By Tiernan Ray

Is Apple (AAPL) looking to combine its computer operating systems — "OS X" — and its gadget operating system — "iOS"?

That's the theory offered today 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 forthcoming iPhone to be the "iPhone 4S."

Misek thinks MacBook "Pro" models and Mac desktops will stick with the current software and Intel (INTC) processors in order to maximize 64-bit application compatibility, but that they, too, 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.

Misek maintains a Buy rating on Apple shares and a $500 price target.

Apple shares this morning are up $2.77, or 0.7%, at $391.69.

[Bryancd]

Makes sense.

[billybob476]

Interesting, not sure if it will happen on that short a schedule. Also there are agreements with Intel that would have to be taken into account.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Interesting and possible, but this quickly?  ehhh.....not so sure.

King

[X]

It would have to be quick since Win 8 is being designed for exactly this sort of unity. When they were talking about Win 8 a few months back, they were billing it as a cross platform OS. Apple will need to do the same if they don't want MS pulling ahead.