Apple's Mac Keynote: Major Themes
Today's daily update is focused on reviewing Apple's Mac keynote. Along with a summary overview, the email covers five major themes from management's presentation and my time with the new MacBook Pro:
- Observations Attending the Event
- A MacBook Pro Event
- Rethinking the Keyboard
- Apple's (Confusing) Mac Line
- Apple's TV Problem
Tomorrow's daily update will include additional thoughts and observations from Apple's event.
The full update is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple 4Q16 Earnings Review: Details
Today's daily update is the second part of my Apple 4Q16 earnings review. Yesterday's update was focused on the major themes (available here). The email covers my perspective on the details from Apple's earnings release and conference call. Eighteen topics are covered, including iPhone channel inventory, iPhone pricing, App Store trends, and China weakness.
The full earnings review is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple 4Q16 Earnings Review: Major Themes
Today's daily update is focused on reviewing Apple's 4Q16 earnings. Along with a big picture overall of the quarter, the email covers five major themes from the report and conference call:
- Apple 4Q16: Apple Met Elevated Expectations
- iPhone Growth Will Return
- iPad Improvement Continues
- Apple Watch Sales Look Light
- Apple Studios Gets the Green Light
- Apple Product Pipeline Doubt
Tomorrow's daily update will include additional thoughts and observations on Apple's quarter.
The full earnings review is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Previewing Apple's Mac Event, Mac Expectations, The Grand Unified Theory of Apple Products
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Previewing Apple's Mac Event
- Mac Expectations
- The Grand Unified Theory of Apple Products
Today's update is dedicated to previewing Apple's upcoming keynote. We begin by setting the stage for this week's event, including the items I will be paying attention to on Thursday. The email then goes through my expectations for changes to the Mac line. We break apart the Mac line to discuss the six categories (11 total models). We also go over my thoughts on new Mac pricing. The email concludes with a revisit to The Grand Unified Theory of Apple Products as we go over Apple management's goal for new Macs.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple's Changing Tune on Original Content, Eddy Cue Talks Content at Vanity Fair, AT&T to Acquire Time Warner
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple's Changing Tune on Original Content
- Eddy Cue Talks Content at Vanity Fair
- AT&T to Acquire Time Warner
We begin today's email by discussing Apple management's changing tone towards original content. In the span of three years, Apple has become much more open to the idea of doing its own original video programming. We go over my thoughts and observations on the subject, including taking a closer look at management's commentary on the topic. The email then turns to Eddy Cue's recent talk at the Vanity Fair's New Establishment Summit. Cue had some interesting things to say about Apple's current philosophy on original video content and how he looks at Netflix in terms of competition. We conclude with my thoughts on AT&T/Time Warner acquisition news. The deal is about one thing and Apple won't be able to escape the fallout.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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AAPL 4Q16 Earnings Preview (iPhone and Guidance), Tesla's Autonomous/Ridesharing Strategy
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- AAPL 4Q16 Earnings Preview (Part 3 - iPhone)
- AAPL 4Q16 Earnings Preview (Part 4 - Guidance)
- Tesla's Autonomous/Ridesharing Strategy
We begin today's email with the second half of my AAPL 4Q16 earnings preview. (The first half is available here.) We discuss my thoughts on iPhone sales expectations heading into next week's earnings report. The email then turns to mangement's 1Q17 guidance. We discuss the most likely revenue guidance ranges, as well as how Wall Street will react to each range. The email concludes with a deep dive into Tesla's new product announcement related to autonomous driving. There is a lot to discuss, including a very interesting clue about how Tesla plans to launch its own ridesharing network. We also bring Apple's Project Titan into the discussion to see where Apple's best opportunity to add something new to the mix can be found.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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AAPL 4Q16 Earnings Preview (Part 1 and Part 2), Additional Thoughts on Project Titan
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- AAPL 4Q16 Earnings Preview (Part 1 - Methodology)
- AAPL 4Q16 Earnings Preview (Part 2 - Services, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch)
- Additional Thoughts on Project Titan
We begin today's email with the first half of my AAPL 4Q16 earnings preview. We discuss my thoughts on expectations heading into next week's earnings report. The email then turns to a closer look at Services, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. We go over my unit sales and revenue estimates, as well as an overview of each product line heading into earnings. The email concludes with a continuation of the discussion found in yesterday's update about Project Titan. There were three additional points worth going into more detail, including an interesting theory about Bob Mansfield's role with Project Titan.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Scales Back Project Titan, What Happened to Project Titan?, Apple's New Car Strategy
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Scales Back Project Titan
- What Happened to Project Titan?
- Apple's New Car Strategy
Today's update is dedicated to discussing Project Titan. We begin with a closer look at Bloomberg's report that Apple has scaled back Project Titan. After going over my Project Titan timeline, we take a deep dive into my theory on what happened to Titan. The discussion includes both a look at the changing auto industry and specific issues Apple likely experienced. The email then turns to Apple's new car strategy. We go over my two theories on where Apple is headed with Project Titan over the next few years. We conclude with my thoughts on why it is critical for Apple to get involved in cars and how Apple can still achieve a "wow" moment in transportation.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Partners with Macy's, Apple Hiring GPU Talent from Imagination, Tim Cook and AR/VR Waves
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Partners with Macy's
- Apple Hiring GPU Talent from Imagination
- Tim Cook and AR/VR Waves
We begin today's update by going over Apple's newest retail partnership with Macy's, the largest department store in the U.S. We go over why this partnership is intriguing for Apple on a number of levels. The email then turns to news of Apple hiring GPU talent from Imagination Technologies. I share my thoughts and observations on what may be going on with Apple's growing desire for GPU talent. We conclude with a look at Tim Cook's newest AR/VR comments. We discuss how the best way to put all of these recent Cook comments about AR/VR in perspective is to think of catching a wave.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Deep Dive into 3Q16 PC and Mac Shipments, Amazon Adds Twist to Music Streaming Wars, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Deep Dive into 3Q16 PC and Mac Shipments
- Amazon Adds Twist to Music Streaming Wars
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's update with a closer look at Gartner and IDC 3Q16 shipment data for PCs and Macs. Along with discussing Chromebook sales data, we go over my thoughts about the very weak Mac results during the back-to-school shopping season. There is much more to this situation besides outdated Macs. The email then turns to Amazon's new music streaming service. I had a number of observations about Amazon's strategy, including how the service represents a new twist to the music streaming wars. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Would it make sense for Apple to acquire Fitbit?
- What is Apple's greatest vulnerability over the next five to 10 years?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Estimating Samsung Note 7 Recall Impact on Apple, Improving iPhone Growth Prospects for FY17, Samsung Can't Find Note 7 Problem
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Estimating Samsung Note 7 Recall Impact on Apple
- Improving iPhone Growth Prospects for FY17
- Samsung Can't Find Note 7 Problem
We begin today's update with a closer look at how the Samsung Note 7 recall will impact Apple. We discuss my methodology for estimating the potential impact on iPhone unit sales as a result of Samsung's Note 7 problems. The email then turns to the topic of how iPhone growth prospects are improving for FY2017. We go over my current iPhone estimates and the recent developments that make unit sales growth much more likely in the coming quarters. We conclude with a closer look at Samsung's ongoing struggle to find the problem plaguing Note 7 devices. Warning signs are appearing regarding Samsung leadership and culture.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Samsung Discontinues Galaxy Note 7, Questionable Samsung Actions, Samsung's Missing Leadership
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Samsung Discontinues Galaxy Note 7
- Questionable Samsung Actions
- Samsung's Missing Leadership
Today's update is dedicated to discussing Samsung and the company's growing Galaxy Note 7 crisis. We begin by going over news of Samsung discontinuing the Note 7. The email then turns to my thoughts and observations on Samsung's questionable actions over the past three weeks as well as the company's lack of leadership.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Watch's Fitness Detour, Apple Watch and Fitbit Quarterly Sales, Where Things Go from Here
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Watch's Fitness Detour
- Apple Watch and Fitbit Quarterly Sales
- Where Things Go from Here
Today's update is dedicated to discussing Apple Watch. Building off of my "Apple Is Going After Fitbit" article from last week, we begin by looking at how Apple's recent Watch changes are done with Fitbit in mind. Next, we take a deep dive into the sales data, comparing Apple Watch and Fitbit quarterly unit sales. I share my observations about the sales trends and why they are tied to Apple's changing Watch strategy. We conclude with my thoughts on the variables for determining Apple Watch success that are worth monitoring going forward.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Samsung Buys Viv, Apple Is Not Bidding for Twitter, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Samsung Buys Viv
- Apple Is Not Bidding for Twitter
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's update with a closer look at news that Samsung bought Viv, the artificial intelligence company founded by two of Siri's creators. We go over Viv and my thoughts and observations about the deal, including implications from Apple not buying Viv. The email then turns to news that the Twitter bidding war may not actually be much of a war after all. We discuss why the Apple/Twitter acquisition rumors don't make much sense, in addition to going over the most likely outcome for Twitter. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Could Tim Cook have been using misdirection when downplaying AR and VR headsets?
- Do you think Google wanted Tony Fadell to have a leadership role in its hardware efforts?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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The Google Pixel Smartphone, Google Doesn't Want to Be Like Apple, Google Is in Trouble
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- The Google Pixel Smartphone
- Google Doesn't Want to Be Like Apple
- Google Is in Trouble
Today's update is dedicated to discussing Google's latest push into hardware, with a focus on the Pixel smartphone. We take a deep dive into Google's strategy, including my thoughts on the Pixel. The email then turns to why Google does not want to be like Apple. The two companies are not only approaching hardware from a different starting point, but also using hardware very differently in terms of meeting long-term goals. We conclude with my thoughts on why the Pixel smartphone is a sign that Google is in trouble.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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