Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Spotify 4Q24 Earnings, The Streaming 2.0 Era, Spotify Signs Deals With Universal and Warner

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Spotify 4Q24 Earnings

  • The Streaming 2.0 Era

  • Spotify Signs Deals With Universal and Warner

Following yesterday's discussion regarding the Super Bowl halftime show, we will remain in music streaming land for today's update. A few days ago, Spotify reported 4Q24 earnings, surprising to the upside on most metrics. We will discuss a few things from the earnings release and conference call that jumped out at me. Our focus will then turn to some broader developments in the music streaming space.

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An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


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  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple Music’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, My Thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s Performance, Why Sponsor the Halftime Show?

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Apple Music’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

  • My Thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s Performance

  • Why Sponsor the Halftime Show?

There is some follow-up worth pursuing when it comes to Apple Invites and broader competition implications, but today’s update will be focused on the Super Bowl. Apple is invested in the Super Bowl as Apple Music sponsors the halftime show. We go over my thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s performance and some of the business rationale behind Apple sponsoring the performance.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


Above Avalon Membership

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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

  • Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

  • Email Access. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries. 

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple Launches Apple Invites App, Initial Impressions, Partiful Cries Foul

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Apple Launches Apple Invites App

  • Initial Impressions

  • Partiful Cries Foul

For today's special Friday edition of the Above Avalon Daily, we look at Apple's newest app: Apple Invites. We go over my initial impressions and why online RSVP start-up Partiful is so upset.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


Above Avalon Membership

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Member Privileges and Benefits

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  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Meta 4Q24 Earnings, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Sales, Bosworth’s Leaked Reality Labs Memo

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Meta 4Q24 Earnings

  • Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses Sales

  • Bosworth’s Leaked Reality Labs Memo

We kick off today’s update with a look at Meta's 4Q24 earnings. Within Big Tech, Meta is likely to hold the most competitive stance against Apple. There is a fascinating story found with Meta. The discussion then turns to Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Reality Labs.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


Above Avalon Membership

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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple 1Q25 Earnings Review Wrap-Up (Management Remarks, 10-Q Notes, Buyback Tidbits, Paid Subscription Tally)

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following story:

  • Apple 1Q25 Earnings Review Wrap-Up (Management Remarks, 10-Q Notes, Buyback Tidbits, Paid Subscription Tally)

We wrap up our Apple 1Q25 earnings review. In yesterday’s update, our focus was on Apple’s 1Q25 earnings call Q&A exchanges. There were a few remaining comments worth going over regarding management’s prepared remarks prior to the Q&A. We then turn to Apple’s 1Q25 10-Q. Published at the end of FY1Q, 2Q, and 3Q, 10-Q filings provide additional commentary and disclosures regarding a company's business and financial results. For the 1Q25 10-Q, my focus was on qualitative descriptions for Apple's financial performance. The update concludes with examinations into Apple’s latest share buyback activity and the number of paid subscriptions.

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An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


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Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Reading Between the Lines of Apple’s 1Q25 Earnings Q&A With Analysts

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following story:

  • Reading Between the Lines of Apple’s 1Q25 Earnings Q&A With Analysts

We will continue reviewing Apple’s 1Q25 earnings. Here’s a recap of where things stand:

  • Last Friday’s update : Go over my big picture thoughts / compare Apple’s results to my expectations.

  • Today’s update: Examine Apple’s earnings call with analysts. Instead of just recapping the question and answer exchanges that occurred on Apple’s 1Q25 earnings call, we will go over my thoughts / response to each exchange.

  • Wednesday’s update: Cover various Apple earnings topics. Given the length of today’s email, a few discussion topics that could have been put into today’s email have been pushed to Wednesday's update.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple 1Q25 Earnings Review

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following story:

  • Apple 1Q25 Earnings Review

Welcome to a special Friday edition of the Above Avalon Daily. Here is our game plan for tackling Apple’s 1Q25 earnings:

  • Today: Discuss big picture takeaways.

  • Monday: Discuss takeaways from Apple’s earnings conference call. 

  • Tuesday: Catch basin edition where we cover leftover items / dive into a few follow-ups.

My Apple earnings model has been updated for both 1Q25 and 2Q25 guidance. My estimates for FY25 and FY26 have also been revised. The updated model has already been uploaded to the "Digital Package" tab within the Above Avalon Payer Portal (accessible to members who have attached the Financial Models add-on to their membership). This is the quickest turnaround in my earnings model being made accessible to others following earnings. The plan is to spend some time updating my iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch installed base models over the weekend. We received a number of new data points that need to be incorporated into the models.

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An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Previewing Apple’s 1Q25 Earnings, Apple 1Q25 Earnings Expectation Meters

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Previewing Apple’s 1Q25 Earnings

  • Apple 1Q25 Earnings Expectation Meters

My 1Q25 earnings preview looks slightly different as we bring back my expectation meters and a “cheat sheet” that can be utilized with Apple’s earnings release. In addition to my 1Q25 estimates, the email includes commentary regarding expectations heading into Apple’s earnings release.

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An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


Above Avalon Membership

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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

  • Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

  • Email Access. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries. 

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple’s AI Strategy, My Vision for Siri, Hardware’s Importance

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Apple’s AI Strategy

  • My Vision for Siri

  • Hardware’s Importance

Today’s discussion will begin with how the DeepSeek news impacts Apple. Our focus will then turn to Apple’s AI strategy. It’s been surprising how few observers have connected the dots. Next, we discuss my vision for Siri. The update concludes with why hardware is gaining importance.

Let’s jump in.

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An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

  • Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

DeepSeek Alarm Bells, Wall Street’s Freak-Out, Revisiting Huawei vs. Apple

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • DeepSeek Alarm Bells

  • Wall Street’s Freak-Out

  • Revisiting Huawei vs. Apple

Happy Monday.

This is going to be a busy week. Apple reports earnings on Thursday. That positions Wednesday as our earnings preview day.

For today’s update, we will talk about DeepSeek. There are two storylines found with the Chinese AI start-up that are being intertwined with each other. We have a LLM model efficiency story wrapped in a geopolitical blanket. The discussion will roll into Tuesday when we talk about Apple’s AI strategy.

Let’s jump right in. 

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An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


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Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

  • Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Netflix 4Q24 Earnings, Netflix and the NFL, More Netflix Price Hikes

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Netflix 4Q24 Earnings

  • Netflix and the NFL

  • More Netflix Price Hikes

I have been receiving questions about the latest with AAPL and various reports out of China regarding iPhone demand. While my preference is to stay away from commenting on daily stock price fluctuations, we have now seen about three weeks of a certain trend. Accordingly, we can visit the topic on Thursday.

Today’s update will be focused on Netflix’s 4Q24 earnings. It’s hard to believe, but the next earnings cycle is upon us. There were two takeaways that stood out to me about Netflix’s numbers. We will go into each takeaway in greater detail.

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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

What’s Driving AAPL’s Underperformance?, iPhone Demand in China, Apple Jitters

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • What’s Driving AAPL’s Underperformance?

  • iPhone Demand in China

  • Apple Jitters

I have been receiving questions regarding what may be going on with AAPL and reports suggesting there are iPhone demand issues in China. Let’s discuss both items.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


Above Avalon Membership

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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

My Thoughts About Tim Cook at Trump’s Inauguration, Apple’s Top (Political) Issues, A Larger Reset

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • My Thoughts About Tim Cook at Trump’s Inauguration

  • Apple’s Top (Political) Issues

  • A Larger Reset

Yesterday wasn’t quiet on the news front. Today’s update will go over my thoughts about what took place at the Trump inauguration from an Apple / tech perspective. Tim Cook was in attendance for most of the day’s events. This is not a politics newsletter. We are not going to break down President Trump’s inauguration speech. Instead, there is plenty to say about how the day transpired, including broader takeaways regarding the role tech leaders are playing in U.S. politics.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

“Severance” Pop-Up at Grand Central, Apple’s Genius Marketing, Apple Finally Punches Back

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • “Severance” Pop-Up at Grand Central

  • Apple’s Genius Marketing

  • Apple Finally Punches Back

This is a big weekend for Apple TV+ as both the Season 2 premiere of “Severance” and the Season 2 finale of “Silo” are now live. There will be a lot of watch time materializing this weekend. There are several observations worth sharing, including takeaways from some of the best guerrilla marketing Apple has done in a very long time.

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An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


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Member Privileges and Benefits

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  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Sonos CEO Fired, Where Sonos Went Wrong, Smart Speaker Intrigue

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Sonos CEO Fired

  • Where Sonos Went Wrong

  • Smart Speaker Intrigue

We will shift gears by talking about Sonos. Obviously, we can point to Sonos’ problematic app as a major factor behind the company’s current predicament. We can’t underestimate just how damaging the app fiasco has been on Sonos business results. However, the app saga is a symptom of much larger and deeper issues within Sonos. Today’s discussion also goes over why the premium smart speaker space remains fascinating to me.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


Above Avalon Membership

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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

  • Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple Goes Public With Meta Interoperability Requests, Apple and Interoperability Risk, Zuckerberg’s Master Plan

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Apple Goes Public With Meta Interoperability Requests

  • Apple and Interoperability Risk

  • Zuckerberg’s Master Plan

There is backstory to Mark Zuckerberg’s complaints about not having better access to Apple’s ecosystem to help sell products like Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Today’s update goes over the Digital Markets Act’s interoperability requirements and Apple’s corresponding white paper on the topic. We also go over my view on Zuckerberg’s master plan in going after Apple on interoperability grounds.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.

Above Avalon Membership

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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

  • Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

  • Email Access. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries. 

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Meta Pivots on Content Moderation, Zuckerberg Talks Apple on Joe Rogan, Zuckerberg Continues to Gaslight

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Meta Pivots on Content Moderation

  • Zuckerberg Talks Apple on Joe Rogan

  • Zuckerberg Continues to Gaslight

Last week, Mark Zuckerberg announced that major changes were coming to Meta properties on censorship and content moderation fronts. Today’s discussion begins with my broader stance on the changes. We then shift to Mark Zuckerberg’s three-hour interview with Joe Rogan. There is a lot to say about Zuckerberg’s comments about the iPhone and Apple innovation (or lack thereof).

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

  • Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

What Happened to CarPlay 2.0?, Eddy Cue Talks Down Apple Search Engine, Apple Uses Shazam for Predictive Analysis

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • What Happened to CarPlay 2.0?

  • Eddy Cue Talks Down Apple Search Engine

  • Apple Uses Shazam for Predictive Analysis

We are going to jump right into today’s update with CarPlay talk. The update will then shift to the latest in the U.S. v. Google search case, concluding with an intriguing new feature from Apple’s Shazam.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the Podcast add-on attached to their membership.


Above Avalon Membership

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Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

  • Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

  • Email Access. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

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Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Dell Renames PC Line, Apple News Expansion Planned, Apple Intelligence Notification Summaries Need Work

Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:

  • Dell Renames PC Line

  • Apple News Expansion Planned

  • Apple Intelligence Notification Summaries Need Work

For those of you in the LA area, my hope is that things are going OK as it pertains to the wildfires.

My list of news topics worth covering this week has been created. As usual, we are not going to get to most of the stories. For today, we will start with Dell renaming its PC line. The discussion will then shift over to Apple News, concluding with Apple Intelligence Notification Summaries.

Let's jump right in.

Become a member to continue reading today’s update. Already a member? Read the full update here.

An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time.

Member Privileges and Benefits

Become an Above Avalon member and receive the following privileges and benefits:

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.

  • Archive Access. Access previous newsletters sent to members.

  • Member Forum Access. Access all channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

  • Email Access. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries. 

  • Access to Add-ons. Customize a membership with the Podcast, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.

Read More
Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Looking Ahead at Apple in 2025 (A Financial Perspective)

Happy Tuesday. We will continue yesterday’s discussion by looking at Apple’s 2025 from a financial perspective. We will begin to cover some news items tomorrow.

An Above Avalon membership is required to continue reading this update. Members can read the full update here.


Above Avalon Membership

Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.

An audio version of the newsletter is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership. More information about the podcast add-on is found here. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members. Additional membership customization is available via the Financial Models add-ons.

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