Apple Pushes Out Jimmy Iovine, Is Apple Moving Past Beats?
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Apple Pushes Out Jimmy Iovine
- Is Apple Moving Past Beats?
Today's email kicks off with a closer look at the WSJ's article about Jimmy Iovine's planned exit from Apple. We go over why I think Iovine is being pushed out. The discussion then takes a broader look at whether Apple finds itself moving past Beats in terms of product, talent, and vision.
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Inside Apple's 3D Sensor Head Start, The Growing Online Publishing War, Apple Partners with John Lewis for HomeKit Demo
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Inside Apple's 3D Sensor Head Start
- The Growing Online Publishing War
- Apple Partners with John Lewis for HomeKit Demo
Today's email kicks off with a closer look at how Face ID found with iPhone X was one of the riskier product bets Apple placed in recent years. Apple looks to have placed the right bet. The discussion then turns to my thoughts on what is becoming a war over the way we consume news online. The email concludes with UK retailer John Lewis partnering with Apple for some HomeKit demo experimentation.
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The Facebook Privacy Fallout, First Pedestrian Fatality Tied to Self-Driving Car, Spotify Hardware?
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- The Facebook Privacy Fallout
- First Pedestrian Fatality Tied to Self-Driving Car
- Spotify Hardware?
Today's email kicks off with my thoughts on Facebook's largest crisis to date, which involves Cambridge Analytica. The discussion then turns to news of a self-driving car in autonomous mode hitting and killing a pedestrian. We look at the development with Apple's Project Titan in mind. The email concludes with the increasing amount of smoke found with Spotify looking to develop and sell its own hardware.
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My Apple R&D Grand Theory, Apple Developing Its Own Displays, Irony Behind Apple's Bet on Screens
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- My Apple R&D Grand Theory
- Apple Developing Its Own Displays
- Irony Behind Apple's Bet on Screens
Today's email kicks off with additional comments on Apple's R&D. In particular, we look at my grand theory regarding the dramatic rise in Apple's R&D expenditures over the years. The discussion then turns to a new report from Bloomberg regarding Apple developing microLED displays. The email concludes with my thoughts on the irony found with Apple's growing bet on screens.
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Apple's Key Advantage with Wearables, Lyft Partners with Magna, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Apple's Key Advantage with Wearables
- Lyft Partners with Magna
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email with my thoughts on whether there is something about the wearables market that predisposes it to Apple's business model over others. The discussion then turns to news of Lyft partnering with Mega, the Foxconn of cars. We go over my thoughts on the news from the perspective of Apple and Project Titan. The email concludes with the latest installment of Thursday Q&A. I answer the following questions from Above Avalon subscribers:
- What is my opinion on Apple and podcasts? How big do I think podcasting will be? What is the role of podcasts in my vision of Apple strategy's for controlling sound?
- Was iTunes Radio a distraction for Apple management in regard to coming up with an alternative to iTunes?
- Who is going to buy Fitbit?
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U.S. Tariffs on Apple Products?, Fitbit Unveils Versa Smartwatch, Apple Watch vs. Everyone Else
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- U.S. Tariffs on Apple Products?
- Fitbit Unveils Versa Smartwatch
- Apple Watch vs. Everyone Else
Today's email begins with my thoughts on whether U.S. tariffs will be placed on Apple products assembled in China. The discussion then turns to Fitbit's new Versa smartwatch. The email concludes with my view on why Apple Watch has such a lead over everyone else in the smartwatch market.
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Apple to Acquire Texture, Apple Doubling Down as a Content Distributor, Eddy Cue Speaks at SXSW
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Apple to Acquire Texture
- Apple Doubling Down as a Content Distributor
- Eddy Cue Speaks at SXSW
Today's email begins with my thoughts on Apple signing an agreement to acquire Texture, a digital magazine subscription service. We go over Apple's motivation in acquiring Texture. The discussion then turns to how we are starting to see the blueprint for Apple's content strategy. We go over Apple's master plan for content in greater detail. The email concludes with highlights from Apple SVP Eddy Cue's talk at SXSW.
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Apple's "Sound on the Go" Strategy, Android vs. iOS Loyalty, Bird Raises $100M
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Apple's "Sound on the Go" Strategy
- Android vs. iOS Loyalty
- Bird Raises $100M
Today's email kicks off with additional comments on Apple's strategy for controlling sound. In particular, we look at Apple's "sound on the go" strategy involving headphones. The discussion then turns to a new report regarding Android and iOS loyalty. We go over the relevant takeaways regarding retention, churn, and Android/iOS switching rates. The email concludes with my thoughts on Bird, the electric scooter ridesharing company that just raised $100M. We look at the company and the space from the perspective of Apple's interest in transportation.
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Samsung Galaxy S9 Orders Underperforming, Misplaced Demand Fears for High-End Smartphones, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Samsung Galaxy S9 Orders Underperforming
- Misplaced Demand Fears for High-End Smartphones
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email with my thoughts on Samsung Galaxy S9 orders reportedly coming in very weak. The discussion then turns to the developing narrative around smartphone manufacturers making a mistake running up market with higher-priced and more feature-packed smartphones. There is good reason to doubt such a narrative. The email concludes with the latest installment of Thursday Q&A. I answer the following questions from Above Avalon subscribers:
- Do I consider Apple TV to be a successful Apple product?
- How do we gauge an Apple product's success when it's likely that no future product will be like the iPhone?
- Do I think there will come a time when Apple will develop Pad OS and Phone OS to differentiate?
- Where are the Macs running ARM-based Apple-designed CPUs?
- How much does Jony Ive and the design team think about voice interfaces when they are making a product?
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Garmin 4Q17 Wearables Sales, A Shrinking Fitness Tracker Market, Deep Dive into 4Q17 Wearables Market
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Garmin 4Q17 Wearables Sales
- A Shrinking Fitness Tracker Market
- Deep Dive into 4Q17 Wearables Market
Today's email has a wearables theme. We begin with a look at Garmin's 4Q17 earnings and my estimate for the company's wearables sales. The discussion then turns to two takeaways from dedicated fitness trackers hitting a sales ceiling in the marketplace. The email concludes with my thoughts on the overall wearables market this past holiday season. We go over my unit sales and revenue estimates for the major wearables players in order to derive Apple Watch market share and revenue share.
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The WSJ's Refurbished iPhone Theory, Nokia Health (Withings) In Trouble, Thoughts on Nokia Health as an Apple Acquisition
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- The WSJ's Refurbished iPhone Theory
- Nokia Health (Withings) In Trouble
- Thoughts on Nokia Health as an Apple Acquisition
We kick off today's email by discussing the WSJ's claim that the growing popularity of refurbished iPhones represents a a problem for Apple. The discussion then turns to Nokia putting its health division into "strategic review." We look at the business (formed from Nokia's Withings acquisition) and then discuss whether or not it makes sense for Apple to acquire Nokia Health.
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Cannibalizing the iPad Even Further, Tim Cook Talks to Fast Company, Odd MacBook Air Rumors
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Cannibalizing the iPad Even Further
- Tim Cook Talks to Fast Company
- Odd MacBook Air Rumors
We begin today's email by continuing the discussion kicked off in my article, "The iPhone's Turning Point." We go over how Apple's initial iPad sales pitch in 2010 ended up being about more than just iPad and how Apple is now facing those consequences. The discussion then turns to Tim Cook talking about Apple philosophy with Fast Company. We conclude with my thoughts on new reports/rumors indicating Apple will unveil a cheaper MacBook Air. There are a number of things found in the reports that don't sit well with me.
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Spotify Files to Go Public, Takeaways from Spotify User Data, Spotify's Path to Profitability
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following topics:
- Spotify Files to Go Public
- Takeaways from Spotify User Data
- Spotify's Path to Profitability
Today's email is dedicated to discussing Spotify's Form F-1 filing and the company's intention to go public. After going over the big picture and why I think Spotify is pursuing a direct listing, we take a closer look at Spotify's user data. The discussion then goes to my thoughts on Spotify's likely game plan and strategy to reach profitability.
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