Best Buy has begun sprucing up its Apple electronics section and has redesigned the Apple corner, now dubbing it the new Apple Shop. The cool Apple store redesign was done not only for aesthetic purposes but in an effort to boost sales. Morgan Stanley said that a full expansion to all Best Buy stores can produce about US$ 400 million more in Mac sales each year.

In the center of the computing section of a Best Buy store stands a two-foot thick black wall, with speakers and LCD display embedded in it. The black wall serves as the center of attraction for the whole set-up.

Some of Apple's offerings are laid out on the table in front of the LCD display to let people have a first-hand look at the products. iMacs and MacBook Pros are on display, with the Mac Mini conspicuously out of the action. Apple also did something to Best Buy's tired-looking tags by hiding them in black Apple plastic folder jackets which can be flipped to reveal the prices.

The Apple corner renovation is done in part in an effort to expand Apple's presence in Best Buy stores and widen its market base. They initially started with doing the renovations for 7 Best Buy stores, then eventually spread out to about 50 locations. Apple plans to expand the new Apple Shop corners to 200 Best Buy stores by fall this year.

Check out the rest of the photos by following the Via link.

Even if a "real" survey hinted that the price range for the iPhone is just a tad too much, Morgan Stanley is still unfazed about their iPhone predictions. According to one of their analysts, Kathryn Huberty, the market is underestimating the likely success of the iPhone.

So confident in the iPhone she is that she raised her iPhone sales forecast by 33% to 8 million units from 6 million. Aside from that, she also believes that Apple's ability to leverage strong iPhone demand is being underestimated. According to her:

While we see positive leverage drivers across Apple's product segment, the iPhone alone increases scale (better pricing from suppliers), strengthens retail store leverage (increased velocity on fixed-cost base) and takes advantage of lower NAND [memory] pricing in the market.

Well, they are the experts, they should know more things than us mere mortals.

We don't know if it is just us, but have you notice how things get loud for a product whenever they're about to get launched or something? Rumors, for all we know, could be a marketing strategy employed by companies to keep people talking about their upcoming product.

Take the iPhone for example. Wasn't it just yesterday when we reported a rumor about its launch date? Today, we found another rumor and we hope you are all ears. For this could be a preview after all. According to Rebecca F. Runkle, analyst from Morgan Stanley, she's banking that the iPhone will be released soon. She mentioned, "We expect Steve Jobs to announce the iPhone at MacWorld or early next year."

Runkle then got bolder when she mentioned specifics about iPhone. Without citing any sources, these are the numbers provided by the analyst:

• iPhone will cost US$ 599 for a 4GB model and US$ 649 for an 8GB model
• iPhone will be wider than iPod Nano and thinner than the Video
• iPhone comes with 3.5 inch LCD screen
• iPhone will be made out of metal and will be available in multiple colors (black, white, silver, etc.)
• Cingular Wireless will be its carrier in the U.S.

What do you think of Runkle's "analysis?" Sounds good enough? Oh well, we're pretty much banking we will all know about the iPhone if and when Steve Jobs make the official announcement this coming expo. Until then, we'll just post this one under rumors...

Well, Morgan Stanley has released their Apple report, and it is, of course, full of "potential" products that we might be seeing before too long. Without actually confirming or denying anything, the report says that we "might" be seeing some future iPod's including (but not confirmed) a 2nd generation video iPod. The report also went on to "not confirm" that apple is possibly back on the warpath with their iPhone and possible VMO model that could be available later this year. So, basically, we have a bunch more speculation and unconfirmed statements that lead to nothing that we didn't already know! Thanks Morgan Stanley!

Apple with its iPod line continues impressing all those money counters out there. With Apple's fantastic holiday period driven mostly by two new iPod newcomers, the Video iPod and the Nano, Apple posts outrageous sales figures.

Morgan Stanley research analyst Rebecca Runkle maintained an "overweight" rating and $90 price target on Apple Computer and raised earnings estimates, dubbing Apple her "top pick" coming out of the MacWorld 2006 keynote yesterday. "iPod momentum is stronger now than it?s ever been," wrote the analyst in a research note Wednesday.

"Apple?s system lineup is also stronger than it?s ever been ? these two factors alone give us plenty of reason to stay long the stock despite the run it?s enjoyed over the last 15 plus months."

2006 is getting off to a very good start for Apple. Let's hope it continues that way.

[Via, Forbes]