In the same note that Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster wrote of the ultra-portable Mac he also noted on the European iPhone launches, Verizon's plans for an open network and Google's Android mobile platform.
The analyst writes that the three chosen carriers in Europe expect to sell 100,000 iPhones by the end of year.
"Collectively, we were expecting the European iPhone launches to add 250,000 to December iPhone sales, but if Apple sells 100,000+ iPhones in the UK, Germany and France, there would likely be upside to our iPhone estimates," Munster wrote in his report to clients, Friday. "Thus far, it appears as though iPhone units in Europe are not exceeding the carriers' expectations; however, the carriers' estimates are meaningfully higher than our initial estimate of 250,000 in Europe."
Earlier in the week Verizon announced that it will open up its network to "any application on any device" in 2008, the analyst writes that this plan will have "virtually no impact" on Apple's exclusive deal with AT&T on the iPhone given that Verizon operates a CDMA network and the iPhone operates on GSM technologies.
The analyst noted in his report to clients that Verizon's announcement coincided with the announcement of Google's Android platform, as such it may indirectly impact the iPhone.
"The Verizon announcement coincides with Google's Android plans and the formation of the Open Handset Alliance, OHA, of which Verizon is a member," he wrote. "While it is too early to tell, this could be the beginning of a new chapter in the wireless market. Microsoft has taken its traditional software-centric approach offering Windows Mobile to any device maker wishing to partner with Microsoft, [while] Apple has opted for a closed ecosystem in which it controls the entire experience (hardware, software, phone activation, etc.), and Google has invested in an open sourced platform with Verizon as the open carrier."
Gene Munster maintains a buy rating and a target of $250 on Apple shares .