Thoughts on Tesla, Apple and
The Emergence of Augmented Reality
The Technology Beat article below first appeared in Android Headlines. It's no mistake that Apple and Tesla are featured together in this analyst report because as many technophiles speculate... Tesla Motors could very well become the next Apple product via an acquisition. Indeed, if Tesla Motors had not existed, I have little doubt that Jobs would have invented it. It's certainly not out of the realm of possibilities that Tesla Motors could very well become the next iPhone, iPad, iAR device for Apple.
The report makes some interesting observations on Augmented Reality (AR). However, it's my opinion that analyst Gene Munster's mixed message on the future of the medium is off by 5 years.
"The analyst (Munster) believes Apple is entering the augmented reality space “based on recent acquisitions of augmented reality companies, hiring of a key Microsoft Hololens employee, and conversations with industry contacts within the virtual and augmented reality spaces.” Although the analyst notes that augmented reality is “10 years away from broader consumer adoption,” Munster believes “it has the potential to be as profound a technology platform as the smartphone today.”
Indeed, while it's true that Virtual Reality might achieve broad consumer adoption in 10 years, Augmented and Mixed Reality can be accessed and enjoyed TODAY by anyone with an IOS or Android mobile device. Tomorrow (near term), consumers will also be experiencing Augmented and Mixed reality content via eyewear innovations coming out of Magic Leap and Microsoft's Hololens .
Virtual Reality 'kidnaps' your senses via eyewear which today are generously called goggles and audio headsets to create a total immersive experience. Some stereo VR content like Create Advertising's "The Walk" which anticipates the release of the 3D film of the same name by Bob Zemeckis is simply amazing. But most VR experiences are less than 3 minutes in duration. That's because, unless perhaps you're a gamer, it's difficult for most people to handle the awkward if not claustrophobic VR experience for prolonged periods of time. As a pioneer in 3D conversion since 2007, I experienced the monotonous drone of some movie goers who lamented how distasteful 3D movies are because they had to wear 3D glasses. I can't wait to hear people start saying... "I love VR but do you think we'll be able to experience stereo VR one day without the use of goggles and audio headsets?" The answer of course, is yes... that's called Reality.
Enter Augmented Reality which overlays graphics and CG animation within our real-world field-of-view. It's an immersive experience we can all enjoy together with friends and family at the same time... not as CG avatars like VR but as real people in our real-world field-of-view. I invite you to access the animal series by Octagon Studio. It's a simple but elegant example of AR that teaches the alphabet. It amazes everyone who sees it because people can literally experience an elephant standing or a monkey sitting in their hand just as I did in the picture to the right that I captured on my iPad. Others around me with iPads see the monkey from the side or the back depending on where they are standing.
Consequently I find it difficult to understand why anyone would question that Augmented Reality will become ubiquitous in 3 to 5 years. I do agree with Munster's sentiments that we will wonder how we ever lived without AR, much like GPS, and as Munster states... "the smartphone."
(Mixed Reality is represented by the well known Escapist Games Limited, Star Chart... Mixed Reality is immersive 360 experiences that do not necessarily require eyewear such as goggles but can be accessed via AR devices today including IOS and Android mobile devices)
Technology Beat: Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA), Apple Inc (AAPL)
Stock giants Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) are two of the most talked about stocks on Wall Street. Here are the latest analyst insights on each company:
Tesla Motors Inc
Electric car company Tesla Motors Inc released the highly coveted Model S sedan earlier this year. Tesla estimates that shipments of both the Model S and the Model X combined will total between 50,000 and 55,000 by the end of the year. Consumer Reports recently reviewed Tesla’s new Model S on August 26, rewarding the car a score of 103 out of a possible 100 points.
The Model S’s extremely fast acceleration, breaking and handling abilities, fuel efficiency, and 600 horsepower capabilities are some of the factors that lead to the vehicle’s impressive score.
Consumer Reports said of the car, “its significance as a breakthrough model that is pushing the boundaries of both performance and fuel-efficiency is dramatic (even more so because it is coming from the factory of an American startup company)… It’s a remarkable car that paves a new, unorthodox course, and it’s a powerful statement of American startup ingenuity.”
Shares of Tesla have shot up over 10% since Consumer Reports announced its score of the Model S as investors reacted kindly to the news. With that said, overall opinions of Tesla on Wall Street are rather mixed.
On the bullish side, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas recently maintained an Outperform rating on Tesla on August 17 and increased his price target from $280 to $465 based on his confidence in the company’s future, particularly in the “shared mobility” space.
Adam Jonas has rated Tesla a total of 32 times since 2011, earning a 78% success rate recommending the company and a +41.7% average return per TSLA recommendation when measured over a one-year horizon and no benchmark. Overall, he has a 60% success rate recommending stocks and a +18.6% average return per recommendation.
On the bearish side, UBS analyst Colin Langan currently has a Sell rating on Tesla with a price target of $210, citing that the company is will inevitably shrink out of its current share price. With that said, the analyst’s bearish rating stems from Tesla’s home battery, Powerwall. Langan believes that once the initial orders for Powerwall are filled, demand for the product will fall.
Colin Langan has rated Tesla five times total since 2014 with no success and an average loss of -2.2% per recommendation when measured over a one-year horizon and no benchmark. Overall, he has a 59% success rate recommending stocks and a +20.3% average return per recommendation.
Out of 14 analysts polled by TipRanks, 7 analysts are bullish on Tesla, 3 are neutral, and 4 are bearish. The average 12-month price target for the company is $311.55, marking a 25.38% potential upside from where shares last closed.
Apple Inc
Analysts and investors alike have been gearing up for technology giant Apple Inc’s “special event” on September 9, where the company is expected to reveal the new iPhone 6S. Additionally, rumors have been circulating that the company will announce a new product involving augmented reality.
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster weighed in on Apple on August 31, maintaining an Overweight rating on the stock with a price target of $172 after speaking with industry contacts within the virtual and augmented reality spaces.
The analyst believes Apple is entering the augmented reality space “based on recent acquisitions of augmented reality companies, hiring of a key Microsoft Hololens employee, and conversations with industry contacts within the virtual and augmented reality spaces.” Although the analyst notes that augmented reality is “10 years away from broader consumer adoption,” Munster believes “it has the potential to be as profound a technology platform as the smartphone today.”
Munster acknowledges that “it is difficult to size the opportunity” augmented reality will have in the market since the theme is so new, but “Apple’s early involvement in the space suggests the company is preparing for the next evolution of computing.” Furthermore, the analyst believes “Apple’s evolving fashion advantage means that they can uniquely develop products that consumers will actually want vs prototype style offerings today.”
Gene Munster has rated Apple 148 times total since 2009, earning a 69% success rate recommending the company and a +27.1% average return per recommendation when measured over a one-year horizon and no benchmark. Overall, he has a 62% success rate recommending stocks and a +21.5% average return per recommendation.
Out of 34 analysts polled by TipRanks within the past three months, 25 analysts are bullish on Apple, 8 are neutral, and 1 is bearish. The average 12-month price target for on the company is $148.86, marking a 31.4% potential upside from where the stock last closed.
Stock giants Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) are two of the most talked about stocks on Wall Street. Here are the latest analyst insights on each company:
Tesla Motors Inc
Electric car company Tesla Motors Inc released the highly coveted Model S sedan earlier this year. Tesla estimates that shipments of both the Model S and the Model X combined will total between 50,000 and 55,000 by the end of the year. Consumer Reports recently reviewed Tesla’s new Model S on August 26, rewarding the car a score of 103 out of a possible 100 points.
The Model S’s extremely fast acceleration, breaking and handling abilities, fuel efficiency, and 600 horsepower capabilities are some of the factors that lead to the vehicle’s impressive score.
Consumer Reports said of the car, “its significance as a breakthrough model that is pushing the boundaries of both performance and fuel-efficiency is dramatic (even more so because it is coming from the factory of an American startup company)… It’s a remarkable car that paves a new, unorthodox course, and it’s a powerful statement of American startup ingenuity.”
Shares of Tesla have shot up over 10% since Consumer Reports announced its score of the Model S as investors reacted kindly to the news. With that said, overall opinions of Tesla on Wall Street are rather mixed.
On the bullish side, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas recently maintained an Outperform rating on Tesla on August 17 and increased his price target from $280 to $465 based on his confidence in the company’s future, particularly in the “shared mobility” space.
Adam Jonas has rated Tesla a total of 32 times since 2011, earning a 78% success rate recommending the company and a +41.7% average return per TSLA recommendation when measured over a one-year horizon and no benchmark. Overall, he has a 60% success rate recommending stocks and a +18.6% average return per recommendation.
On the bearish side, UBS analyst Colin Langan currently has a Sell rating on Tesla with a price target of $210, citing that the company is will inevitably shrink out of its current share price. With that said, the analyst’s bearish rating stems from Tesla’s home battery, Powerwall. Langan believes that once the initial orders for Powerwall are filled, demand for the product will fall.
Colin Langan has rated Tesla five times total since 2014 with no success and an average loss of -2.2% per recommendation when measured over a one-year horizon and no benchmark. Overall, he has a 59% success rate recommending stocks and a +20.3% average return per recommendation.
Out of 14 analysts polled by TipRanks, 7 analysts are bullish on Tesla, 3 are neutral, and 4 are bearish. The average 12-month price target for the company is $311.55, marking a 25.38% potential upside from where shares last closed.
Apple Inc
Analysts and investors alike have been gearing up for technology giant Apple Inc’s “special event” on September 9, where the company is expected to reveal the new iPhone 6S. Additionally, rumors have been circulating that the company will announce a new product involving augmented reality.
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster weighed in on Apple on August 31, maintaining an Overweight rating on the stock with a price target of $172 after speaking with industry contacts within the virtual and augmented reality spaces.
The analyst believes Apple is entering the augmented reality space “based on recent acquisitions of augmented reality companies, hiring of a key Microsoft Hololens employee, and conversations with industry contacts within the virtual and augmented reality spaces.” Although the analyst notes that augmented reality is “10 years away from broader consumer adoption,” Munster believes “it has the potential to be as profound a technology platform as the smartphone today.”
Munster acknowledges that “it is difficult to size the opportunity” augmented reality will have in the market since the theme is so new, but “Apple’s early involvement in the space suggests the company is preparing for the next evolution of computing.” Furthermore, the analyst believes “Apple’s evolving fashion advantage means that they can uniquely develop products that consumers will actually want vs prototype style offerings today.”
Gene Munster has rated Apple 148 times total since 2009, earning a 69% success rate recommending the company and a +27.1% average return per recommendation when measured over a one-year horizon and no benchmark. Overall, he has a 62% success rate recommending stocks and a +21.5% average return per recommendation.
Out of 34 analysts polled by TipRanks within the past three months, 25 analysts are bullish on Apple, 8 are neutral, and 1 is bearish. The average 12-month price target for on the company is $148.86, marking a 31.4% potential upside from where the stock last closed.
