The HomePod Manifesto, Reception to HomePod Is Shifting, iPhone Sales Share Hits Record High in China
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- The HomePod Manifesto
- Reception to HomePod Is Shifting
- iPhone Sales Share Hits Record High in China
We discuss my thoughts on Apple's HomePod manifesto. Apple SVP Phil Schiller explained Apple's vision for stationary speakers in the home. The discussion then turns to why I think the reception facing HomePod has begun to shift. The email concludes with new data suggesting massive changes are unfolding in China's smartphone market.
This daily update is available for Above Avalon subscribers. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon subscriber to read today's email and receive future daily updates. You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on subscriptions, click here.
Nikkei Throws Cold Water on iPhone X, iPhone X Demand Worries Overblown, Apple Supplier Refutes Nikkei's iPhone X Claim
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Nikkei Throws Cold Water on iPhone X
- iPhone X Demand Worries Overblown
- Apple Supplier Refutes Nikkei's iPhone X Claim
We discuss my thoughts on Nikkei's report about Apple slashing iPhone X production on weaker-than-expected demand. The discussion then turns to why I think growing concerns over iPhone X demand are overblown. The email concludes with one Apple supplier pushing back against Nikkei's iPhone X production cut claim.
This daily update is available for Above Avalon subscribers. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon subscriber to read today's email and receive future daily updates. You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on subscriptions, click here.
HomePod's Actual Competition, Apple Watch's Competition, The Sonos Sales Pitch
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- HomePod's Actual Competition
- Apple Watch's Competition
- The Sonos Sales Pitch
We discuss my thoughts on HomePod's position in the marketplace and the product's most genuine competitor. The discuss then turns to Apple Watch's most genuine competitor. The email ends with Sonos and the company's sales pitch for how it will compete against HomePod and the growing number of stationary smart speakers.
This daily update is available for Above Avalon subscribers. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon subscriber to read today's email and receive future daily updates. You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on subscriptions, click here.
Apple 1Q18 Earnings Preview (Revenue, EPS, 2Q18 Guidance, Big Picture)
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
Apple 1Q18 Earnings Preview (Part 4 - Revenue, EPS, 2Q18 Guidance, Big Picture)
Today's email concludes my Apple 1Q18 earnings preview. We look at the more important financial line items, 2Q18 guidance, and the big picture heading into next week's earnings. We go over the methodology and data behind all of my estimates and why my revenue and EPS estimates are high compared to consensus. The first three parts of the preview are available here (setting the stage), here (iPhone sales estimate), and here (iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Services estimates).
My full Apple 1Q18 earnings preview is available for Above Avalon subscribers. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon subscriber to read my full Apple 1Q18 earnings preview and receive future daily updates. You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on subscriptions, click here.
Apple 1Q18 Earnings Preview (iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Services Estimates), Apple Watch Is a Bridge to the Future, Netflix 4Q17 Earnings
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Apple 1Q18 Earnings Preview (Part 3 - iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Services Estimates)
- Apple Watch Is a Bridge to the Future
- Netflix 4Q17 Earnings
Today's email continues my Apple 1Q18 earnings preview. We discuss my iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Services estimates. We go over the methodology and data behind all of my estimates. The first two parts of the preview are available here (setting the stage) and here (iPhone sales estimate). Tomorrow's email will conclude my earnings preview with a big picture view heading into next week's earnings, as well as my revenue, EPS, margin, and 2Q18 guidance estimates. Today's email also goes over my latest AboveAvalon.com article about Apple Watch. We conclude our discussion with my key takeaway from Netflix's 4Q17 earnings.
My full Apple 1Q18 earnings preview is available for Above Avalon subscribers. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon subscriber to read my full Apple 1Q18 earnings preview and receive future daily updates. You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on subscriptions, click here.
Apple 1Q18 Earnings Preview (iPhone Sales Estimate)
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
Apple 1Q18 Earnings Preview (Part 2 - iPhone Sales Estimate)
Today's email continues my Apple 1Q18 earnings preview. (The first part of the preview is available here.) We go over my iPhone unit sales, ASP, and revenue estimates. In addition, we go over the methodology and data behind my iPhone estimates. Tomorrow's email will go over my iPad, Mac, Services, and Apple Watch estimates.
My full Apple 1Q18 earnings preview is available for Above Avalon subscribers. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon subscriber to read my full Apple 1Q18 earnings preview and receive future daily updates. You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on subscriptions, click here.
Apple 1Q18 Earnings Preview (Setting the Stage), iOS 11 Adoption, BMW and CarPlay Pricing
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Apple 1Q18 Earnings Preview (Setting the Stage)
- iOS 11 Adoption
- BMW and CarPlay Pricing
The email includes the first part of my Apple 1Q18 earnings preview. We discuss my thoughts on the overall environment heading into next week's earnings report. The discussion then turns to the latest iOS adoption figures from Apple. We conclude with a closer look at BMW's decision to charge for CarPlay as an annual subscription.
This daily update is available for Above Avalon subscribers. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon subscriber to read today's email and receive future daily updates. You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on subscriptions, click here.
Apple Announces Massive U.S. Investment Plan, Green Light for Apple Ramping Share Buyback, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following topics:
- Apple Announces Massive U.S. Investment Plan
- Green Light for Apple Ramping Share Buyback
- Thursday Q&A
Today's email begins with an in-depth look into Apple's big announcement regarding its commitment to the U.S. economy. We sift through the press release to analyze the most important numbers. The discussion then turns to why I think Apple's press release hints at a big ramp to Apple share buyback once foreign cash is brought back to the U.S. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- How does the lack of a non-Apple wearable ecosystem work with my view that wearables are a better alternative to smart speakers for most use cases?
- Is there any possibility that the HomePod delay wasn’t due to any actual issues, but is rather a reaction to the rapidly increasing influence of Alexa?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Breaking Down Stationary Smart Speaker Hype, NYT Goes Off on Apple Watch, Fashion and Luxury Executives Depart Apple
Today's Above Avalon email covers the following topics:
- Breaking Down Stationary Smart Speaker Hype
- NYT Goes Off on Apple Watch
- Fashion and Luxury Executives Depart Apple
Today's email begins with my thoughts on The New York Times' recent article on the current state of voice assistants and stationary smart speakers. We go over why there is good reason to be skeptical of the stationary smart speaker hype. The discussion then turns to The New York Times fashion director going off on Apple Watch and its impact, or lack thereof, on the fashion industry. This leads us to taking a closer look at recent fashion/luxury executive departures from Apple and what they may signal for the company.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Fading CES Presence, 4Q17 PC and Mac Sales, AT&T/Huawei
Today's Above Avalon email covers the following topics:
- Fading CES Presence
- 4Q17 PC and Mac Sales
- AT&T/Huawei
The email begins by addressing claims that CES 2018 contained worrying signs for Apple. We then take a deep dive into Gartner and IDC sales estimates for PC/Mac shipments in 4Q17. The email concludes with my thoughts on the growing saga between U.S. lawmakers, AT&T, and Huawei.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Stellar iPhone X Sales Trends in China, Thoughts on a Mega iPhone Upgrade Cycle, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following topics:
- Stellar iPhone X Sales Trends in China
- Thoughts on a Mega iPhone Upgrade Cycle
- Thursday Q&A
Today's email begins with a deep dive into the latest iPhone sales share data. The discussion then turns to my thoughts on whether iPhone X is driving some kind of mega iPhone upgrade cycle. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- What are my thoughts on the continued harmonization between iOS and macOS and what is my perspective on OS convergence?
- How seriously do 70 million Spotify users and the proliferation of Echo Dots threaten Apple in voice and audio?
- What's your overall impression of Eddy Cue?
- How does Apple manage long-term vs. short-term threats to the iPhone business?
- Will the class-action lawsuits due to iPhone throttling have on Apple's reputation and brand?
- What are the key factors for Apple Watch's success?
- Is there anything that is preventing Apple from immediately increasing the pace of stock buyback?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple Urged to Address iPhone Addiction Among Kids, CES 2018, Iovine Downplays Departure Rumors
Today's Above Avalon email covers the following topics:
- Apple Urged to Address iPhone Addiction Among Kids
- CES 2018
- Iovine Downplays Departure Rumors
Today's email begins with my thoughts on Apple being reprimanded by two of its investors for not doing enough to combat iPhone addiction in kids. The discussion then shifts to CES 2018 and my big picture view of the largest consumer electronics trade show of the year. The email concludes with Jimmy Iovine downplaying recent reports that he plans on leaving Apple later this year.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
GoPro Puts Itself Up for Sale, Revisiting GoPro as Apple Acquisition Target, Stationary Speakers Impacting Smartphone Usage
Today's Above Avalon email covers the following topics:
- GoPro Puts Itself Up for Sale
- Revisiting GoPro as Apple Acquisition Target
- Stationary Speakers Impacting Smartphone Usage
Today's email begins with a closer look at GoPro's bad 4Q17 preannouncement. The company is exiting the drone market and has put itself up for sale. The discussion then turns to weighing whether GoPro has positioned itself to be an acquisition target for Apple. We conclude the email with my thoughts on a large Accenture survey that points to stationary smart speakers reducing smartphone usage.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple Releases App Store Financials for 2017, Jimmy Iovine to Leave Apple, Apple's Performance in 2017
Today's Above Avalon email covers the following topics:
- Apple Releases App Store Financials for 2017
- Jimmy Iovine to Leave Apple
- Apple's Performance in 2017
Today's email begins with a closer look at new App Store financial figures released by Apple. The discussion then turns to my thoughts on Jimmy Iovine reportedly planning to leave Apple in August. We conclude the email with a follow-up to last week's Above Avalon article, "Grading Apple's 2017," and additional commentary on Apple's performance in 2017.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Irresponsible Apple M&A Chatter, Business Models for Stationary Smart Speakers, Tepid ARKit Developer Adoption
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Irresponsible Apple M&A Chatter
- Business Models for Stationary Smart Speakers
- Tepid ARKit Developer Adoption
We kick off today's email by going over the latest example of irresponsible Apple M&A chatter involving Netflix. Things are getting out of control. The discussion then turns to the various business models for stationary smart speaker. We look at how Amazon, Google, and Apple can make money from stationary smart speakers. The email concludes with my thoughts on lackluster ARKit developer adoption.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.