Thoughts and Observations on Apple's 2016, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Thoughts and Observations on Apple's 2016
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email with my thoughts and observations on Apple's 2016. After looking at the major themes impacting Apple this year, we assess where the company had pockets of success and trouble. The email also includes some early thoughts on what's on my radar for Apple in 2017. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- What clues suggest Apple will build laptops & desktops powered by ARM / iOS?
- Why would Macs powered by ARM / iOS boost the number of Mac users?
- What are the largest potential sales catalysts for the smartwatch market?
- Is Garmin an acquisition target?
- Why wouldn't we want to own self-driving cars in the future?
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Apple Alienating Mac Loyalists, Apple Designers Making People Uneasy, The Mac's Problem Isn't a Lack of Focus
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Alienating Mac Loyalists
- Apple Designers Making People Uneasy
- The Mac's Problem Isn't a Lack of Focus
We begin today's email with a closer look at Bloomberg's article about Apple alienating some of its Mac users. The discussion shifts to how Apple's Industrial Design group is increasingly making some people uneasy. In addition, we also go over why I don't think the Mac is suffering from a lack of focus within Apple. Instead, the issue relates to Apple prioritizing its attention.
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Tim Cook Confirms New Mac Desktops Coming, Michigan Playing Defense Against Silicon Valley, The AirPods Launch
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Tim Cook Confirms New Mac Desktops Coming
- Michigan Playing Defense Against Silicon Valley
- The AirPods Launch
We begin today's email with Tim Cook reassuring the world that Apple hasn't turned its back on Mac desktops. We discuss Apple's current Mac desktop strategy and where changes are likely to be found in the future. The email then turns to Michigan becoming the leading state in the U.S. in terms of autonomous driving regulations. However, there is a major catch with the rules, with a direct impact on Apple and other technology companies. Michigan appears to be playing defense against new auto players. The email concludes with my thoughts and observations on this week's AirPods launch, including demand/supply and Apple Retail implications.
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There Isn't a Smartwatch Industry, Smartwatch Trends Worth Monitoring, Apple Hired Porsche Hardware Expert
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- There Isn't a Smartwatch Industry
- Smartwatch Trends Worth Monitoring
- Apple Hired Porsche Hardware Expert
We begin today's email by continuing the discussion kicked off in my article, "The Elephant in the Smartwatch Room." Specifically, we look at why there is so much importance placed on this holiday quarter when it comes to smartwatch shipments. We also go discuss in greater detail the two trends to watch in the smartwatch space as Apple continues to consolidate power. The email then turns to news of Apple hiring Alexander Hitzinger, a Porsche technical director responsible for the Porsche 919 hybrid. This was an interesting hire on a number of fronts, including implications related to Apple's automobile plans.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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The Tech Summit at Trump Tower, Criticism Regarding the October Mac Event, Something Is Up with the Mac
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- The Tech Summit at Trump Tower
- Criticism Regarding the October Mac Event
- Something Is Up with the Mac
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on yesterday's tech summit at Trump Tower. We discuss the dramatically different stances Silicon Valley and Wall Street are taking on the topic and why Tim Cook is not being given enough credit. The discussion then turns to the Mac. We go over Ken Segall's assertion that Apple fumbled its Mac story with the October keynote. When considering the full picture, my suspicion is growing that Apple is up to something with the Mac. We go over what that something may be and why it is such a big deal for Apple.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Google Struggling with Cars, Google and Fiat to Start Ridesharing Service, Tony Fadell Makes the Case for Apple Car
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Google Struggling with Cars
- Google and Fiat to Start Ridesharing Service
- Tony Fadell Makes the Case for Apple Car
We begin today's email with news of Google turning its car project into a stand-alone business unit. We go over my thoughts and observations on the move, including why Google's struggles with cars are only getting worse. The email then turns to Google and Fiat aiming to start a ridesharing service. We go over why I'm skeptical about the idea. We conclude with a look at former Apple executive Tony Fadell urging Detroit to change its way in order to remain relevant. We look at how Fadell actually ends up making the case for Project Titan and an Apple Car.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Weighing Investment in SoftBank Fund, Apple Music Passes 20M Users, Microsoft Is Going After Apple
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Weighing Investment in SoftBank Fund
- Apple Music Passes 20M Users
- Microsoft Is Going After Apple
We kick off today's email with news of Apple weighing a $1B investment in SoftBank's $100B technology fund. We go over why such an investment would mark a significant change in strategy for Apple. The discussion then turns to news of Apple Music passing 20M paying subscribers. We go over a few of my thoughts and observations on the milestone. The email concludes with a discussion on Microsoft's latest PR tactic focused on going after Apple and the Mac. There are signs of the Microsoft vs. Apple relationship changing as Microsoft becomes increasingly more aggressive in its pursuit for Mac users.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Thoughts on the AirPods Delay, An AirPods Speed Bump, Apple Watch Ads Getting Better
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Thoughts on the AirPods Delay
- An AirPods Speed Bump
- Apple Watch Ads Getting Better
We begin today's email by going over my thoughts and observations regarding the AirPods delay. We discuss how "manufacturing issues" and "connectivity issues" may be related. The email then turns to the question of whether the AirPods delay signals much larger issues within Apple. We conclude with a closer look at Apple's new Apple Watch ads and why they are much more effective than previous Watch ads.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Signs of iPhone Sales Benefiting from Samsung Recall, iPhone Trends in China Remain Weak, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Signs of iPhone Sales Benefiting from Samsung Recall
- iPhone Trends in China Remain Weak
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email with a closer look at smartphone data for the month of October. Specifically, we take a deep dive into U.S. and China results. There is evidence of the iPhone benefiting from fallout related to the Samsung Note 7 recall. We go over my thoughts and observations on the latest data trends. The email also covers the latest iPhone trends in China, which tells a very different story compared to the U.S. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Is there any new data regarding Apple Watch band sales? How about Hermès bands?
- Should Apple sell Spectacles in their stores?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Additional Thoughts on Milking the iPhone, Foxconn to Invest in U.S.
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Additional Thoughts on Milking the iPhone
- Foxconn to Invest in U.S.
We begin today's email by continuing the discussion kicked off in my article, "Milking the iPhone." Specifically, we discuss the article's background and Apple product implications arising from the article's conclusions. The email then turns to reports of Foxconn planning to invest in the U.S. We go over my thoughts and observations on this development and its potential impact on Apple.
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Apple Expects Record Apple Watch Sales, Deep Dive into 3Q16 Wearables Market, Motorola Is Done with Smartwatches
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Expects Record Apple Watch Sales
- Deep Dive into 3Q16 Wearables Market
- Motorola Is Done with Smartwatches
Today's email has a wrist wearables theme. We begin by taking a closer look at Tim Cook's latest comments about Apple Watch sales. We discuss the various implications related to his commentary, including what Cook's strong statement suggests for Apple Watch unit sales during the holiday quarter. We then take a deep dive into the 3Q16 wearables market. We go over my thoughts and observations on all of the moving parts including Apple Watch's place within the industry. The email concludes with a discussion on Motorola exiting the smartwatch industry and what it may mean for Google's smartwatch ambitions.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Deep Dive into NHTSA Guidelines for Autonomous Vehicles, Apple Confirms Project Titan, Apple Building a Drone Team
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Deep Dive into NHTSA Guidelines for Autonomous Vehicles
- Apple Confirms Project Titan
- Apple Building a Drone Team
We begin today's email by taking a deep dive into the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) recently published guidelines for autonomous vehicles. Specifically, my notes on the guidelines are written with Apple in mind. This deep dive allows us to properly analyze Apple's recent letter to NHTSA commenting on the guidelines. Apple's intentions are becoming clear. The email concludes with a closer look at news of Apple building a drone team to "improve mapping." I suspect there is a bit more to this story than just to "improve mapping."
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Amazon Developing New Alexa Tablet, Fitbit Planning to Buy Pebble, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Amazon Developing New Alexa Tablet
- Fitbit Planning to Buy Pebble
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email with a closer look at Amazon planning to unveil a tablet for Alexa. There is a lot of irony found in this story. We go over my thoughts and observations on Amazon Echo, Alexa, voice assistants, and screens. The email then turns to news that Fitbit is planning to buy Pebble. We discuss Fitbit's motivation for acquiring Pebble and what the acquisition would suggest about Fitbit's product strategy and the broader wrist wearables space. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Why doesn't Apple increase its advertising budget in the face of falling unit sales?
- Are there any signs of Tor Myhren contributing to Apple marketing/advertising?
- Would it make sense for Apple to have "CarPlay AR" (ability to have your iPhone work with a head-up display that places data on a car's windshield)?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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