Amazon's Peculiar Hardware Event, Gauging Amazon and Apple Competition, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Amazon's Peculiar Hardware Event
- Gauging Amazon and Apple Competition
- Thursday Q&A
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on Amazon's Echo hardware event yesterday in Seattle. The discussion then turns to the competitive dynamic between Amazon and Apple. We also go over who I think Amazon has in their crosshairs. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Does Apple care about competing with the Swiss watch industry?
- Why are you so negative regarding mechanical watches?
- Where do Dyson's automotive plans fit in the evolving transportation marketplace?
- What do I think about the iPhone Upgrade Program?
- When would it make sense to unveil the second version of iPhone X?
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Grading Apple Watch on a Curve, Swiss Watch Makers Still in Denial, Thoughts on iPhone X Production
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Grading Apple Watch on a Curve
- Swiss Watch Makers Still in Denial
- Thoughts on iPhone X Production
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on why the Apple Watch is such a polarizing product. We look at how the Apple Watch is being graded on a curve. The discussion then turns to why I think the Swiss watch industry is still in denial about Apple Watch's long-term impact on their business. The email then turns to my thoughts on three iPhone X production rumors and what they mean regarding the iPhone X launch and Apple's quarterly earnings.
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iPhone Sales in China Continue to Stabilize, Apple Replaces Bing with Google for Siri Search
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- iPhone Sales in China Continue to Stabilize
- Apple Replaces Bing with Google for Siri Search
We kick off today's email by discussing the latest Kantar data regarding iPhone sales share. There are an increasing number of signs pointing to iPhone sales stabilizing in China. We go over my thoughts on the numbers. The discussion then turns to Apple making a big change when it comes to the default web search provider for Siri and Spotlight. We go over the news and Apple's motivation behind the change.
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Long Lines Outside Apple Stores Are History, Early iPhone 8 Sales Trends, Google Buys HTC Assets
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Long Lines Outside Apple Stores Are History
- Early iPhone 8 Sales Trends
- Google Buys HTC Assets
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on the lack of lines outside Apple Retail stores for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus launch. The discussion turns to Apple giving BuzzFeed unprecedented access into its product launch war room. We go over Apple's motivation in giving BuzzFeed such access and what it tells us about future Apple product launches. The email then turns to early iPhone 8 and 8 Plus sales trends as measured by iPhone user share. We derive an estimate for how iPhone 8 demand is trending relative to iPhone 7 during the same time period last year. We then go over my thoughts on Google acquiring hardware assets from HTC for $1.1 billion.
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A Cellular Apple Watch Black Eye, My Cellular Apple Watch Connectivity Issue Theory, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- A Cellular Apple Watch Black Eye
- My Cellular Apple Watch Connectivity Issue Theory
- Thursday Q&A
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on cellular Apple Watch Series 3 reviews. We go over the reviews and focus on reports of cellular Apple Watches experiencing severe LTE connectivity issues. Upon closer examination, there is something about these connectivity issues and Apple's official response to the issues that doesn't sit well with me. The email then turns to my theory on what may be going on with the cellular Apple Watch. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Why is Apple still pushing sizable price increases in non-US markets?
Will Face ID be integrated into iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac? What about other initiatives? - When will Apple disclose Apple Watch sales? Would the Watch be shown as a separate product category?
- Do you think Apple missed the opportunity to "revolutionize" TV?
- Why didn't Apple extend the dual-camera system to iPhone 8?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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The iPhone 8 Review Dilemma, iPhone User Base Breakdown by Model, Amazon Working on Alexa Glasses
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- The iPhone 8 Review Dilemma
- iPhone User Base Breakdown by Model
- Amazon Working on Alexa Glasses
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on iPhone 8 reviews. Two reviews stood out to me for two very different reasons. The discussion then turns to the iPhone user base breakdown by model. We look at the percentage of iPhone users owning each iPhone model. The numbers are used to assess Apple's target market for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. The email then turns to the Financial Times report indicating Amazon is working on a pair of smart glasses powered by Alexa. We go over my thoughts on the idea and the broader trend of how companies are approaching wearables.
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iPhone Isn't a Veblen Good, The Intriguing Gold iPhone 8, Thoughts on Early iPhone and Watch Orders
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- iPhone Isn't a Veblen Good
- The Intriguing Gold iPhone 8
- Thoughts on Early iPhone and Watch Orders
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on the WSJ's recent article regarding Apple's iPhone X pricing strategy. Is Apple doubling down on luxury and positioning the iPhone as a Veblen good? We go over Veblen goods and my thoughts on the topic. The discussion then takes a closer look at iPhone 8 and 8 Plus and how Apple is using the all-new gold iPhone finish to shift customer demand. The email turns to four of my observations regarding early iPhone 8 / 8 Plus and Apple Watch Series 3 orders.
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Inside Apple's A11 Bionic Chip, Apple Talks Face ID, The Face ID Rumor Surprise
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Inside Apple's A11 Bionic Chip
- Apple Talks Face ID
- The Face ID Rumor Surprise
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on Apple's chat with Lance Ulanoff over at Mashable regarding the A11 Bionic chip. The discussion then takes a closer look at Face ID. Craig Federighi, SVP of software engineering, did two interviews last week regarding Face ID. The email turns to how the vast majority of iPhone rumors heading into last week ended up being wrong when it came to Apple's intention with facial recognition on iPhone. We then conclude with my thoughts on Face ID's future within the Apple product line.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Event Review: Full Notes
Today's Above Avalon email is focused on reviewing Apple's inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater. The email covers my full notes from Apple's presentation. This is the second half of my event review. The first half (major themes from the event) is available here.
This email covers 34 different topics pertaining to Apple's inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater.
My full Apple event review is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Event Review: Major Themes
Today's Above Avalon email is focused on reviewing Apple's inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater. The email covers five major themes from Apple's presentation:
- Attending the Event
- Apple Product Pricing Shock
- Apple Watch Strength
- iPhone X Impressions
- Doubling Down on Apple TV Strategy
The second half of my event review (published tomorrow) will include my full notes from attending the inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater.
My full Apple event review is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Previewing Apple's Inaugural Event at Steve Jobs Theater
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
Previewing Apple's Inaugural Event at Steve Jobs Theater
- The iOS 11 GM Leak
- iPhone
- Apple Watch
- Apple TV
- HomePod
- Wildcards
Today's email will be dedicated to previewing Apple's inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater. We first go over my thoughts on the huge iOS 11 GM leak that occured late last week. We then go through all of my expectations regarding new hardware announcements with a focus on the more strategic items. The email concludes with a few possible wildcard announcements for tomorrow's event.
(I will be attending the inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater. The daily member emails on Wednesday and Thursday will be dedicated to reviewing the event.)
My full event preview is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Samsung's OLED Monopoly, NYT Goes After Apple Job Inequality, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Samsung's OLED Monopoly
- NYT Goes After Apple Job Inequality
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email by going over reports that Samsung is overcharging Apple for OLED displays to be used in the upcoming OLED iPhone. There is something about that theory that doesn't sit right with me. The discussion then turns to The New York Times' piece on job inequality. Apple was used as an example to demonstrate how the relationship between corporations and workers has changed. We go over my thoughts and observations on the article. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Given news of Siri leadership changing hands, do I think anything has changed with respect to Apple's overall services strategy? Does Apple need to institute changes to its services strategy
- What do I make of Apple possibly bidding for the James Bond franchise?
- Do I think Apple will abandon the AirPort home router product line?
- What are the odds AirPods will see an update next week?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Siri Leadership Changes Hands, Eddy Cue's Role Within Apple, Apple Debt Doubt
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Siri Leadership Changes Hands
- Eddy Cue's Role Within Apple
- Apple Debt Doubt
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on Apple transitioning Siri leadership from Eddy Cue to Craig Federighi. The discussion then takes a closer look at Eddy Cue's evolving role within Apple and my view as to his current role within Tim Cook's inner circle. The email then turns to a Bloomberg article regarding the lack of criticism and doubt facing Apple's debt issuances. We look at the issue in detail as well my latest thinking regarding Apple's balance sheet strategy.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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My iPhone in China Theory, Deep Dive into Roku's IPO Filing, Apple Searching for Apple Studios HQ
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- My iPhone in China Theory
- Deep Dive into Roku's IPO Filing
- Apple Searching for Apple Studios HQ
We kick off today's email by continuing the discussion found in last week's AboveAvalon.com article ("Apple in China"). Specifically, we go over my theory on why iPhone sales turned weak in China. The discussion then turns to Roku filing for an IPO. We take a deep dive into Roku's S-1 IPO filing. The email then turns to the latest scoop from The Financial Times regarding Apple Studios. We go over two observations from news that Apple is thinking about moving to The Culver Studios.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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