Here’s some interesting Apple news for today. First off – Apple squashed any notion that new product announcements would be coming out before the end of the year. Rumors were floating around the net that Apple was readying updates to the iMac and/or Mac mini product line (of course rumors had also been floating around the Apple would kill off the Mac mini too). However, an Apple representative told Macworld that “our holiday lineup is set” which when you think about it makes a great deal of sense. Most computer companies release their holiday products lineups no later than October. A November product launch is just too close to the holiday/Christmas shopping season Now that 2008 is set, all eyes turn to January’s Macworld event…

In other news, Tony Fadell, Apple’s iPod chief, is leaving the company after spending seven years within the division that changed the company’s fortunes. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Fadell is leaving for personal reasons and will be replaced by former IBM executiveMark Papermaster,

Finally, a research note by Craig Berger of FBR Capital Markets indicates that Apple might be cutting back iPhone 3G production by as much as 40 percent during the fourth quarter of this year. There are of course many reasons why Apple might be cutting back production. Apple could have already built up enough stock to last the remainder of the year for the iPhone 3G. The company could also be anticipating slowing demand for the smartphone given the current economic conditions. Finally, the company could simply be making seasonal adjustments as we end the fourth quarter and head into the new year.

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