Apple Design Studio's Big Upgrade, Music Streaming Is Bad Business, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Design Studio's Big Upgrade
- Music Streaming Is Bad Business
- Thursday Q&A
We kick off today's email with a discussion on how Apple's new design studio at Apple Park has undergone a massive upgrade. We turn to Jony Ive's recent talk with Rick Tetzeli to see why the upgrade was needed and possible implications from the significant change. The discussion then turns to Jimmy Iovine, Apple's chief music thinker, becoming increasingly unsatisfied with the current state of music streaming. We go over my thoughts on the topic and a recent observation I had regarding change in the music streaming space. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- What do I think of Apple's decision of not selling an Apple TV below $100 given that rivals like Roku and Amazon are eroding its market share?
- How do you think the iPad lineup will evolve heading into 2018 and beyond? Do I think there should be an iPad priced at $500?
- How do I view Apple's strategy with home automation and HomeKit?
- What do I think of Apple News?
- Why did Apple announce the cellular version of Apple Watch in a select number of countries?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Mac Vision vs. Mac Strategy, Apple's Obligation to Mac Users, Apple Potentially Testing Self-Driving Cars in Arizona
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Mac Vision vs. Mac Strategy
- Apple's Obligation to Mac Users
- Apple Potentially Testing Self-Driving Cars in Arizona
We begin today's email by going over Apple's Mac vision and Mac strategy. The two are not the same. The discussion then shifts to some issues Apple has run into when it comes to its MacBook strategy. We then go over the obligation Apple has to meet when it comes to Mac users. The email concludes with my thoughts on Apple reportedly leasing car testing grounds in Arizona. We go over whether the idea passes the smell test and why Apple would pick this particular testing site.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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iPhone X Supply Rapidly Improving, A Big Apple Manufacturing Win, Fixing the MacBook Pro
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- iPhone X Supply Rapidly Improving
- A Big Apple Manufacturing Win
- Fixing the MacBook Pro
We begin today's email with my thoughts on the growing number of signs pointing to rapidly improving iPhone X availability. This has inevitably led people to question whether the situation reflects better iPhone X supply, weaker demand, or a combination of the two. We go over why I think better iPhone X supply is the driver. The discussion then turns to why we can't look at the HomePod delay in a vacuum when it comes to assessing Apple's manufacturing expertise. The email ends with my thoughts and observations on Marco Arment's recent article about fixing the MacBook Pro.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple's Growing Finance Arm, More Smoke for New iPhone SE, Apple Acquires Vrvana
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple's Growing Finance Arm
- More Smoke for New iPhone SE
- Apple Acquires Vrvana
We begin today's email with The Economist raising a number of concerns about Apple's growing finance arm (debt issuance, investment portfolio, hedging activity). The email then turns to another report indicating a new iPhone SE is the pipeline. We go over my thoughts on the prospects of a refreshed iPhone SE. Our discussion concludes with news of Apple's latest acquisition. We go over Vrvana and why Apple is interested in an AR/VR headset company.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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The New iPad Pro Ad, iMac Pro Rumored to Include A10 Fusion Chip, iPhone X Named Best Invention of Year
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- The New iPad Pro Ad
- iMac Pro Rumored to Include A10 Fusion Chip
- iPhone X Named Best Invention of Year
We begin today's email with my thoughts on Apple's latest iPad Pro commercial. The discussion then turns to reports of iMac Pro potentially including an A10 Fusion chip. We go over the major long-term implication from the news. The email concludes with my thoughts on TIME's interview with Jony Ive and Dan Riccio, Apple SVP hardware engineering, regarding iPhone X. TIME included iPhone X on its "25 Best Inventions of the Year" list. The interview includes one of the more powerful Jony quotes in recent memory.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Delays HomePod Launch, Apple's Growing Problem with Product Delays, Tesla Unveils Semi Truck and Roadster 2.0
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Delays HomePod Launch
- Apple's Growing Problem with Product Delays
- Tesla Unveils Semi Truck and Roadster 2.0
We begin today's email with my thoughts on Apple delaying the HomePod launch until early 2018. The discussion then turns to the broader topic of Apple's growing problem with product delays (hardware and software). We go over my theory on what may be at the root of the issue. The email concludes with my thoughts on Tesla announcing Semi and Roadster 2.0.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Retail's Top Priorities, Apple Retail Pushed to Breaking Point, Jony Ive Talks with Wallpaper Magazine
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Retail's Top Priorities
- Apple Retail Pushed to Breaking Point
- Jony Ive Talks with Wallpaper Magazine
We begin today's email with my thoughts on BuzzFeed's big profile on Angela Ahrendts. In particular, we look at Apple's retail strategy and the Apple retail team's top priorities. The discussion then turns to the weakest link in Apple's retail strategy. The email concludes with my thoughts on Jony Ive's interview with Wallpaper, the influential design magazine.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Disclosing Apple Watch Sales, Analyzing Apple's Watch Sales Clues, A Monster Apple Watch Holiday Quarter
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Disclosing Apple Watch Sales
- Analyzing Apple's Watch Sales Clues
- A Monster Apple Watch Holiday Quarter
We kick off today's email with additional thoughts on the topic of Apple disclosing Apple Watch sales. The discussion includes a broader overview of how Apple decides to disclose financial data. We then turn to the various clues Apple has provided over the years regarding Apple Watch sales. We go over what each clue implies about Apple Watch sales to see how I derive my quarterly Apple Watch unit sales estimates. The email concludes with my 1Q18 (holiday quarter) Apple Watch sales estimate and the three factors driving my optimism.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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A Spectacular Disney vs. Netflix Battle, Thoughts on a 6.1-Inch LCD iPhone, Apple's 2018 iPhone Line
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- A Spectacular Disney vs. Netflix Battle
- Thoughts on a 6.1-Inch LCD iPhone
- Apple's 2018 iPhone Line
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on Disney becoming a viable competitor to Netflix. We go over the CNBC report of Disney potentially buying most of 21st Century Fox. The discussion turns to how a genuine Disney vs. Netflix battle impacts Apple. The email then shifts to KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo's latest report on Apple's iPhone plans for 2018. We go over my thoughts on Apple selling a 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. The discussion concludes with my initial thinking on Apple's 2018 iPhone line (including the various screen sizes and prices).
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Disney 3Q17 Earnings, Roku 3Q17 Earnings, Apple Unveils First Scripted Drama
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Disney 3Q17 Earnings
- Roku 3Q17 Earnings
- Apple Unveils First Scripted Drama
We kick off today's media-focused email with my thoughts on Disney's 3Q17 earnings. The discussion then moves to Roku's 3Q17 earnings. We analyze Disney and Roku earnings from the perspective of Apple. The email then concludes with a few high-level thoughts on Apple outbidding Netflix and others for what some considered to be most sought-after project in TV (the Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon morning show drama).
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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More Smoke for Apple Glasses, Fitting Apple Glasses in Apple's Product Line, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- More Smoke for Apple Glasses
- Fitting Apple Glasses in Apple's Product Line
- Thursday Q&A
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on Bloomberg's latest article regarding Apple working on a pair of augmented reality glasses. The discussion then turns to my thinking on where a pair of Apple Glasses would fit in Apple's product line. We also go over how Apple Glasses may impact sales of existing products like Apple Watch, AirPods, and iPhone. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Will HomePod emerge as an important product for Apple like Apple Watch or will it soon be relegated as a "hobby"?
- Is there any news as to when HomePod will become available?
- What is the goal and benefit in making technology more personal?
- Why is Apple continuing to sell the MacBook Air and Mac mini?
- Apple has made a big push into inductive wireless charging with iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. Do I think future iPads and Macs will support inductive charging?
- What questions would I have asked on Apple's earnings call?
- What did I make of the limited iPhone X preview test period?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Talks iPhone X Development, Early Read on iPhone X Sales, 3Q17 Wrist Wearables Market Deep Dive
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Talks iPhone X Development
- Early Read on iPhone X Sales
- 3Q17 Wrist Wearables Market Deep Dive
We begin today's email with my thoughts on Apple's narrative surrounding iPhone X development. Apple executives sat down for on-the-record interviews with three tech publications. We go over the most interesting takeaways from the interviews. The discussion then turns to iPhone X sales. We go over my estimate for the number of iPhone X units sold over opening weekend. The email concludes with a closer look at how the leading wrist wearables companies performed in 3Q17. We discuss sales numbers (revenue and unit sales) and the broader trends unfolding in the wrist wearables market.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple 2017 10-K Takeaways
Today's daily email includes my key takeaways from Apple's annual 10-K filing for 2017. We cover 16 financial topics.
My 10-K review is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple 4Q17 Earnings Review: Details
Today's daily email includes the second half of my Apple 4Q17 earnings review. This past Friday's email was focused on the major themes (available here). Today's email goes over my full notes from Apple's earnings and conference call. We cover 30 different topics.
The full earnings review is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple 4Q17 Earnings Review: Major Themes
Today's Above Avalon email is focused on reviewing Apple's 4Q17 earnings. Along with a big picture overview of the quarter, the email covers five major themes from the report and conference call:
- Upcoming iPhone ASP Surge
- China Rebound
- The iPad Is Back
- Apple Ecosystem Strength
- Apple Watch Momentum Builds
The second half of the earnings review (sent on Monday) will go over my full notes from Apple's earnings and conference call.
The full earnings review is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read my full 4Q17 earnings review 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.