
U.S. Justice Department Turned to European Commission for Help in Apple Battle, Apple Will Seek U.S. Antitrust Complaint Dismissal, The Big Picture
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
U.S. Justice Department Turned to European Commission for Help in Apple Battle
Apple Will Seek U.S. Antitrust Complaint Dismissal
The Big Picture
In today’s update, we will tackle a few tangential topics related to the Justice Department’s antitrust complaint against Apple.
As for the complaint itself, the past two updates covered most of what needed to be said. There were additional examples of completely absurd statements and tales told by the Justice Department that we won't go over. In the grand scheme of things, our time and attention are better spent elsewhere.
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U.S. Justice Department Sues Apple on iPhone Monopoly Allegation (My Thoughts and Reactions – Part 2)
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topic:
U.S. Justice Department Sues Apple on iPhone Monopoly Allegation (My Thoughts and Reactions – Part 2)
In today’s update, we will continue our discussion from yesterday regarding the U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust complaint against Apple. We will focus on the specific allegations included in the complaint (available here).
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U.S. Justice Department Sues Apple on iPhone Monopoly Allegation (My Thoughts and Reactions – Part 1)
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topic:
U.S. Justice Department Sues Apple on iPhone Monopoly Allegation (My Thoughts and Reactions – Part 1)
Hello everyone. We will begin to discuss and analyze the U.S. Justice Department's antitrust complaint against Apple. The full 88-page document is available here. For today’s update, we will keep the discussion focused on my overall thoughts and reactions. We will take a deeper look at some of the specific arguments put forth in the complaint tomorrow.
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Thoughts on CNBC’s ESPN Documentary, Bob Chapek Breaks Silence, Big Tech’s True Interest in Live Sports
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Thoughts on CNBC’s ESPN Documentary
Bob Chapek Breaks Silence
Big Tech’s True Interest in Live Sports
Hello everyone.
Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Justice's long-awaited antitrust complaint against Apple, which has been re-worked numerous times over the years, was released. Apple is accused of possessing an iPhone monopoly in the U.S. smartphone market. I will go through the document in the coming days so that we can begin talking about things on Monday. The full 88-page document can be found here.
For today's update, we cover a news item that jumped out at me earlier today involving ESPN, Big Tech, and live sports.
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Sonos Earnings, Sonos Dropping More Hints of Headphones, Sonos vs. Apple Competition
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Sonos Earnings
Sonos Dropping More Hints of Headphones
Sonos vs. Apple Competition
The update begins with Neil’s thoughts on Sonos’ FY1Q24 earnings. The discussion then turns to Sonos dropping some of the clearest hints to date that it will soon unveil headphones. We look at the somewhat complicated competitive dynamic between Sonos and Apple.
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Walmart Begins Selling $699 M1 MacBook Air, Apple Becomes Aggressive with MacBook Air, Revisiting Mac Sales
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Walmart Begins Selling $699 M1 MacBook Air
Apple Becomes Aggressive with MacBook Air
Revisiting Mac Sales
Hello everyone. Today’s update will be dedicated to Walmart beginning to sell the Mac for the first time. The announcement is tied to Apple running with new entry-level pricing for the MacBook Air. There are a few angles to the news worth discussing.
Let’s jump right in.
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My Thoughts Regarding the Apple / Gemini AI Licensing Rumor
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topic:
My Thoughts Regarding the Apple / Gemini AI Licensing Rumor
Hello everyone. Welcome to a new week. For today’s update, we will discuss Bloomberg’s article about Apple and Gemini. There is quite a bit of speculation and nonsense flying around.
Let’s jump right in.
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Project Titan Follow-Up, Apple vs. EU Follow-Up
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Project Titan Follow-Up
Apple vs. EU Follow-Up
We close out the week with a few follow-ups to topics that continue to generate buzz among Above Avalon members. We will begin with Project Titan and then turn to the suggestion that Apple should leave the EU.
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Porsche Teases Race App for Vision Pro, Apple’s Growing Interest With Motorsports, The Apple and Formula 1 Rumor
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Porsche Teases Race App for Vision Pro
Apple’s Growing Interest With Motorsports
The Apple and Formula 1 Rumor
Happy Wednesday.
One quick follow-up to yesterday’s discussion regarding Apple’s blockbusters. The stated box office figures for “Napoleon,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and “Argylle” do not flow completely to Apple. Accordingly, Apple needed more than $250M ($700M+ production and marketing budget - $470M box office) in movie rentals, sales, and Apple TV+ to financially breakeven on the films. As we discussed, some of the lofty spending can be attributed to Apple wanting good looks at awards.
For today’s update, we turn to the auto space where Tim Cook had a surprise role to play in Porsche’s newest electric car unveiling.
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Apple and Netflix Come up Short at Oscars, Apple’s Blockbusters Gamble, The Theatrical Release Question Lingers
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Apple and Netflix Come up Short at Oscars
Apple’s Blockbusters Gamble
The Theatrical Release Question Lingers
Following the Oscars this past Sunday, today’s update will have a movie theme. We discuss Apple and Netflix coming up short at this year’s Oscars. The discussion then turns to Apple’s gamble with blockbusters at the movie theater ("Killers of the Flower Moon," "Napoleon," and "Argylle"). We also look at a lingering industry question found with theatrical releases.
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Apple Reinstates Epic Games’ EU Developer Account, The European Commission’s Dilemma, Why Apple Should Remain in the EU
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Apple Reinstates Epic Games’ EU Developer Account
The European Commission’s Dilemma
Why Apple Should Remain in the EU
Hello everyone. Welcome to a new week.
Approximately 13 hours after publishing last Thursday’s update, which came out late at night ET, we received news that Apple had reinstated Epic Games Sweden’s Apple Developer Account in the EU. This created another fiasco on social media, including Epic Games co-founder and CEO Tim Sweeney going after me on X (Twitter) for last Thursday's update.
In today’s update, we will take a closer look at the situation. The discussion will address a few points that appear to be circulating on social media.
Let’s jump in.
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Apple Terminates Epic Games’ New EU Developer Account, Apple's Calculations, Apple’s Correct Decision
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Apple Terminates Epic Games’ New EU Developer Account
Apple's Calculations
Apple’s Correct Decision
Hello everyone. We didn’t get too far from our European Commission discussion before being pulled back in with yet another controversy involving Apple and Epic Games.
Let’s jump right in.
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Apple Unveils Updated MacBook Air, Apple Positions MacBook Air as AI Laptop, MacBook Air and Productivity
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Apple Unveils Updated MacBook Air
Apple Positions MacBook Air as AI Laptop
MacBook Air and Productivity
Hello everyone. We continue to tackle Apple news items. Next up: The updated MacBook Air. Apple unveiled the new computers on Monday. There were a few things in the press release that jumped out at me. Let's jump right in.
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Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple.
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EU Fines Apple $2B for Not Giving Spotify a Free Pass, The European Commission’s Missing Logic, Apple’s Response
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
EU Fines Apple $2B for Not Giving Spotify a Free Pass
The European Commission’s Missing Logic
Apple’s Response
Hello everyone. Today’s update will be focused on the European Commission fining Apple $2B for its App Store anti-steering provision. There’s quite a bit to discuss. Let’s jump right in.
Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.
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Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple.
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Apple Adds Dozens of Licensed Movies to Apple TV+, More Signs of Apple TV+ Momentum, Apple Video Revenue Drivers
Today's Above Avalon Daily email covers the following topics:
Apple Adds Dozens of Licensed Movies to Apple TV+
More Signs of Apple TV+ Momentum
Apple Video Revenue Drivers
Hello everyone. Happy Monday. It's already turning into a busy week for Apple. Today's update will be focused on several Apple TV+ developments and Apple’s broader video play.
Let’s jump right in.
Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.
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Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple.
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