the thing is, no,Apple does not need to pander to share holders
incorrect. Steve Jobs avoided doing a full television set because quote: "TV is a terrible business. They don't turn over and the margins suck", however the user experience could be so much better if Apple did make one.
and Apple releases an iPhone every year, even if the upgrades aren't big.
and how do you explain that time where they released new MacBook Pros, and then 3 months later, announced new graphics options? why not wait 3 months until you can get all options available? it's obvious they needed to sell MacBooks at a particular timetable while they wait for their suppliers to get it together.