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Apple’s Rumored iPhone SE Is Subject Of ‘Modest’ Expectations

Apple ( AAPL ) is expected to unveil a new 4-inch iPhone on Monday, but analysts have only “modest” expectations for the handset. In a research report Wednesday, RBC Capital Markets analyst Amit Daryanani said the new iPhone SE will be “an incremental positive” for Apple. He reiterated his outperform rating on Apple stock with a price target of 130. Apple stock was up 1.4%, above 106, in late-afternoon trading on the stock market today . The new small-screen phone will provide an upgrade opportunity for iPhone users who prefer a 4-inch display over the 4.7- and 5.5-inch displays on Apple’s flagship phones, Daryanani said. It will also give Apple a refreshed product at the low-end of the premium smartphone segment, he said. “The numbers (for iPhone SE unit sales) will be modest at about 10 million to 15 million annually, but importantly this should provide a buffer in the June and September quarters — the quieter period ahead of the iPhone 7 refresh,” Daryanani said. The iPhone SE will replace the iPhone 5S, which was released in September 2013. The new model is expected to sport an A9 chip, NFC technology to enable Apple Pay and a 12-megapixel, rear-facing camera. But it will not have a press-sensitive touchscreen like the flagship models, according to media reports. In a report Tuesday , S&P Capital IQ analyst Angelo Zino likewise estimated that Apple could sell an additional 10 million to 15 million iPhones, or around 5% of total unit volume, thanks to the new handset. In a research report Monday, Nomura analyst Jeffrey Kvaal said he too had “modest” expectations for the iPhone SE. “We do not expect huge unit volumes from iPhone SE — only in the range of 10 million to 20 million over the first year,” Kvaal said. “We believe this smaller and more affordable iPhone is designed to target emerging markets, as Apple looks to ensure a quality experience among the fast-growing emerging market users.” RELATED: Better Times For Apple Could Start With Spring Product Launch .

Google Update Boosts Ranking Signal For Mobile-Friendly Web Pages

Alphabet ( GOOGL ) unit Google said Wednesday that it is launching an update to mobile search results to help users find more mobile-friendly Web pages. “Getting good, relevant answers when you search shouldn’t depend on what device you’re using. You should get the best answer possible, whether you’re on a phone, desktop or tablet,” the company said in a blog post . Last year, the company said it would use “mobile-friendliness as a ranking signal on mobile searches.” Beginning in May, Google said, “we’ll start rolling out an update to mobile search results that increases the effect of the ranking signal to help our users find even more pages that are relevant and mobile-friendly.” The company said the goal of the upgrade was to “help our users find even more pages that are relevant and mobile-friendly,” although Google didn’t specify how much of an impact it expects the change to have. Sites that area already deemed mobile-friendly will not be impacted by the update. In November 2014, Google started labeling sites as “mobile friendly” to indicate which pages were size optimized to be read on smaller screens. Then, in February 2015, Google announced plans to roll out mobile ranking changes on April 21. A Web page is eligible to wear the “mobile-friendly” label if it avoids software such as Flash that is not common on mobile devices and uses text that is readable without zooming. Mobile-friendly sites also place links far enough apart so a user’s finger can easily tap the correct one. Google started using the label as a ranking factor worldwide in April. Google’s Mobilegeddon — its rollout of major changes to its search algorithm last April 2015 giving priority to mobile-friendly websites that adjust the look of a Web page on smaller screens — likely had a modest impact on advertising, analysts said. Google offers a Webmaster Mobile Guide with more details for web developers. Look for Google’s mobile-friendly test tool here . The search leader faces tougher competition from U.S.-based rivals led by Facebook ( FB )  and foreign stalwarts such as China search leader Baidu ( BIDU ) .  

IRobot Hopes To Clean Up In Floor-Mopping Business

Home-cleaning robot maker iRobot ( IRBT ) has introduced a new, lower-cost floor-mopping robot that it hopes will help it expand in an underpenetrated market. The Bedford, Mass.-based company on Tuesday debuted the Braava Jet mopping robot. The $199.99 robot is designed to mop hard floor surfaces in high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. It features a vibrating cleaning head, water jet spray and replaceable cleaning pads. The compact robot promises to lift dirt and stains in even hard-to-reach places like under kitchen cabinets and around toilets. IRobot is a leader in the carpet vacuuming market with its Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners, which cost $374.99 to $899.99. It has targeted hard-surface floors as a market ripe for expansion. It previously approached that market with premium Scooba floor-scrubbing robots, which cost up to $599.99, as well as cheaper Braava floor-mopping robots. IRobot has discontinued its Scooba line in favor of Braava. It will sell two types of Braava robots: the new Braava Jet 240 and the Braava 380T, which costs $299.99. The Braava 380T is designed to clean larger floor areas than the Braava Jet. The Braava Jet uses special disposable cleaning pads for wet mopping, damp sweeping and dry sweeping. IRobot also is selling reusable, washable cleaning pads. “IRobot is focused on significant growth opportunities in the consumer robotic technology market,” iRobot CEO Colin Angle said in a statement . “To capitalize, we will continue to diversify our home robot offerings, identifying new product categories ripe for growth and exploring other opportunities within the connected home.” IRobot stock was up 2% in afternoon trading on the stock market today , near 34. RELATED: Roomba Maker iRobot Short-Circuits On 2016 Guidance