The world certainly seems to revolve around Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone, even if it represents a small slice of the wireless market.
Let's go over a few of the third-party developments tied to the iPhone's success that were announced this week:
- RealNetworks (NASDAQ:RNWK) submitted its Rhapsody program into Apple's App Store. When approved, it will allow Rhapsody subscribers to stream music through their iPhones at no additional charge.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill's (NYSE:CMG) mobile-ordering app -- unceremoniously pulled shortly after its launch earlier this year -- is back. The side of guacamole is still extra.
- Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) introduced the XM SkyDock, a car-based satellite receiver stalk that transforms the iPhone handset into a slick touchscreen controller for the radio.
Developing for the iPhone is sexy and reasonably cheap. Now the market will have to see whether any companies can legitimately hitch their models to the crowded iPhone post.
The only clear winner -- for now -- is Apple.
Briefly in the news
Let's take a quick look at some of the other stories that shaped our week.
- If you're looking for encouraging signs in tech, a Citi analyst upgraded shares of AMD (NYSE:AMD). Upgrades happen all the time, but AMD has been mired in red ink and shrinking margins, and it hasn't traded in the double digits for nearly two years. If Mr. Market believes the country's second-largest computer chipmaker is bouncing back, that rising tide should lift many other ships as well.
- Sony (NYSE:SNE) is ready to be taken seriously in the growing e-book market. It is introducing a refreshed line of its readers, this time matching the Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) Kindle on 3G wireless features, but also raising the bar in some cases. The e-book battle suddenly became more of a page-turner.
Until next week, I remain,
Rick Munarriz
