Above Avalon Episode 29: Let's Talk Apple Music
Episode 29 is dedicated to talking about Apple Music strategy. The discussion begins by going over how Apple got to be in a position where a $3 billion acquisition of Beats contained the most upside potential for rethinking the music industry. There are quite a few interesting parts to Apple Music, including Beats 1 being positioned as the new iPod, but the service isn't operating in a vacuum. Outside factors such as free music streaming present risks that Apple will need to overcome.
Show Notes:
Beats 1 is the New iPod and Apple's Latest Bet - Above Avalon
The Great Apple Music Pivot - Above Avalon
Trent Reznor Talks Apple Music - Above Avalon
Apple May Be Producing Exclusive Apple Music Content In-House - MacRumors
Above Avalon Memberships (access to my exclusive stories about Apple) - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 28: The iPhone is Taking Over Apple
In this episode, I discuss why Apple will be the iPhone company for the foreseeable future. While it is obvious that the iPhone is important to Apple, it is crucial to analyzing the ramifications of iPhone taking over not just Apple's financials, but also Apple's business. While such power presents Apple with a few benefits, it also includes risks, many of which have ruined other companies. We conclude with a few words on how focusing too much on disruption theory is not a good thing.
Show Notes:
The iPhone is Taking Over Apple - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 27: Thinking About Cars
Episode 27 is the official beginning of my journey into talking about the future of the automobile. It is now time to begin moving the discussion beyond whether Apple will enter the automobile industry and toward how Apple will get involved with personal transport. Additional talking points include the iPhone's success and how it gives us clues as to how Apple thinks about the car market and the changing value proposition in the automobile industry. We will also discuss why Uber and Apple will increasingly compete with each other and how Tesla may stay a pioneer in the electric car market.
Show Notes:
Uber, Not Tesla, Will Be Apple's Competition in the Automobile Industry - Above Avalon
Apple Wants to Design a Car as Ambition Knows No Bounds - Above Avalon
The Inside Story of How the iPhone Crippled Blackberry - WSJ
Carnegie Mellon Reels After Uber Lures Away Researchers - WSJ
Uber Joins the Bidding for Here, Nokia's Digital Mapping Service - The New York Times
For Some Teenagers, 16 Candles Mean It's Time to Join Uber - The New York Times
Above Avalon Episode 26: WWDC Strategy Session
I discuss some of the major strategic takeaways from Apple's WWDC keynote presentation. I analyze why Apple Music, News app, and Spotlight and Siri improvements are indicative of Apple being on the offense, and not defense, in its battle vs. Google and others. Additional topics include the "why" behind these new apps and services, and how they fit with Apple's mission of having technology become more personal.
Show Notes:
Apple is Playing Offense at WWDC - Above Avalon
The Apple vs. Google Battle Has Changed - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 25: Sustainability is Important
In this episode, I take a closer look at the Jony Ive promotion and then shift over to explain some of the background and motivation behind why I founded Above Avalon and my goals around a new premium email for members.
Show Notes:
The Shape of Things to Come (Jony Ive profile) - The New Yorker
When Stephen Fry met Jony Ive - The Telegraph
Jony Ive Named Chief Design Officer at Apple (Tim Cook memo) - MacRumors
The Jony Ive Promotion - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Premium Membership Information - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 24: I'm Back and Wearing a Watch
The Above Avalon podcast is back and this episode is all about Apple Watch. The discussion begins with how the Watch is truly unique compared to other watches and the iPhone, followed by observations on the sports band, Marc Newson, durability and battery life. Additional topics include the Watch's three primary value propositions, third-party apps and the user interface.
Show Notes:
Apple Watch: What Did Apple Just Roll out Here? - Above Avalon
Apple Watch's stunning straps look just like Marc Newson's old ones - Cult of Mac
Talking Watches With Tony Fadell - Hodinkee
Dark Sky (weather app) - Dark Sky
The Evolving Notification - Above Avalon
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Above Avalon Episode 23: The Amazing iPhone in China
Episode 23 is focused on reviewing Apple's 2Q15 earnings, including strong iPhone trends in China. The discussion begins with a line-by-line discussion of my Apple earnings model, including revenue, gross margins, EPS, product unit sales, and average selling price (ASP). Additional topics include Apple Watch margins, the capital return program, R&D implications, Apple Pay updates, and China Mobile's significance to Apple financials.
Show Notes:
Apple Reports Record Second Quarter - Apple
China Mobile Is a Game Changer for Apple - Above Avalon
Apple's Strategy for Growing iPhone Sales by 50% in Three Years - Above Avalon
Apple's dwindling iPod lineup to see long-awaited refresh this year - AppleInsider
Apple Watch in Short Supply Due to Taptic Engine Bottlenecks - MacRumors
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Above Avalon Episode 22: Apple's 2Q Earnings Preview
This special episode is all about getting prepared for Apple's upcoming earnings (which will be released Monday, April 27th). Topics include iPhone sales estimates, why the iPad and Mac won't matter much to earnings, Apple's capital return program changes, the strong dollar, iPhone ASP, Apple Watch sales, and how to classify Apple's quarter as strong or weak.
Show Notes:
Apple 2Q15 Earnings Preview: Another Strong Quarter Driven by iPhone in China - Above Avalon
Apple's Record Earnings (1Q15 Review from January 2015) - Above Avalon
Chinese New Year brings a new record for iOS sales in China - Kantar
How many iPhones did Apple sell last quarter? - Fortune
Apple's Strategy for Growing iPhone Sales by 50% in Three Years - Above Avalon
Analyzing Apple's Expected Cash Dividend Increase in April - Above Avalon
Setting the Stage for a Larger Apple Share Buyback Program - Above Avalon
Podcast RSS (listen in your favorite podcast player)
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Above Avalon Episode 21: Apple's M&A Strategy
A look into Apple's M&A strategy and why big acquisitions aren't in Apple's DNA. Additional topics include Apple's LinX acquisition, Lisa Jackson's post about partnering with The Conservation Fund to buy forests, and why Apple doesn't need $178 billion of cash to change the world. The episode concludes with a theory about how to tell if Apple's culture is changing.
Show Notes:
Large M&A Is Not in Apple's DNA: Case Study of Why Apple Won't Buy Tesla - Above Avalon
Apple Buys Israeli Camera-Technology Company LinX - WSJ
Betting Big on the Camera - Above Avalon
Why Apple Is Permanently Protecting Working Forests - Medium
Apple Grows Its Own Solar Farms in China - WSJ
Apple doesn't need $178 billion of cash to change the world - iMore
Above Avalon Episode 20: My Apple Watch Try-On Experience
Neil discusses his trip to the Apple Store this past Friday to observe the Apple Watch try-on process including time with the Apple Watch demos. This episode includes various observations and thoughts on Apple Watch, Apple retail, and the larger wearable market.
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Show Notes:
My Apple Watch Try-On Experience - Above Avalon
Selling Apple Watch - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 19: Selling the iPhone Killer
In this episode, Neil discusses David Pierce's Apple Watch article published in Wired as well as Apple's broader Apple Watch marketing strategy. Additional topics include the strategy behind a new 4-inch screen iPhone, and how Chanel's move to embrace e-commerce reflects the continued changing luxury retail landscape.
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Show Notes:
iPhone Killer: The Secret History of the Apple Watch - Wired
Tim Cook at D10 conference - YouTube
Tim Cook at D11 conference - YouTube
Apple Watch video ad (Apple Watch - The Watch Reimagined) - YouTube
iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus and 4-Inch iPhone 6c Rumored for 2015 Release - MacRumors
Apple Questions for 2015 - Above Avalon
Chanel finally admits that its future includes e-commerce - Quartz
Luxury Brands Can't Avoid the Internet Any Longer - Bloomberg
Angela Ahrendts and 'a significant change in mindset' - Business Insider
Above Avalon Episode 18: Thinking About Design
Neil discusses three topics from last week's AAPL Orchard daily emails that helped describe Apple's design and product culture. Topics include Tim Cook's interview with Fortune about leadership and Apple's new HQ, rethinking design with electric and self-driving cars, and the Spoon Project, which involves carving 365 spoons out of wood by hand in a year.
Show Notes:
Apple's Tim Cook leads different - Fortune
The car industry is on the verge of the biggest design opportunity ever - Dezeen
Apple Wants to Design a Car as Ambition Knows No Bounds - Above Avalon
Daily Spoon - Stian Korntved Ruud
Stian's Instagram (347 spoons and counting) - Instagram
"Top 20 things I learnt by making a spoon a day" - A Spoon a Day
Subcribe to the AAPL Orchard daily email. - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 17: My Perfect TV
With new reports that Apple is looking to push ahead with its television plans, Neil discusses his perfect television: a streaming video content service. With vast amounts of content and software that supports proper curation, discoverability, and search, this seemingly utopian service may actually not be a far stretch after all.
Show Notes:
Apple Plans Web TV Service in Fall - WSJ
Comcast May Yet Switch On Apple TV - WSJ
Here Comes The Long Awaited New Apple TV - BuzzFeed
Apple's Plan to Rethink Television - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 16: The Apple Watch Is Almost Here
Neil goes over his notes from Apple's "Spring forward" keynote including thoughts on Apple TV, Jeff Williams, ResearchKit, the new MacBook, and everything Apple Watch. Towards the end of the episode, Neil addresses some of the debate that seems to be occurring over the watch and Apple's move into luxury.
Show Notes:
The New Apple: Embracing Personalized Technology with a Luxury Twist - Above Avalon
Marketing Implications from BuzzFeed's Apple Watch Demo Video - Above Avalon
Keep calm and Apple Watch on - iMore
The Apple Watch Battery Is Replaceable - TechCrunch
AAPL Orchard Daily Email - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 15: Previewing the Apple Watch Keynote
In this special episode, Neil takes a look at what to expect at Apple's upcoming Apple Watch keynote. The discussion includes how important an Apple keynote is to conveying a specific message to the public, Apple's goals for the keynote, and a few questions to keep in mind.
Show Notes:
Apple Won't Look the Same after Monday's Apple Watch Keynote - Above Avalon
Build Your Own BMW - BMW
Apple Watch's retail sales pitch revealed - 9to5Mac
Don't Focus on Apple Watch Edition Pricing - Above Avalon
Selling Apple Watch - Above Avalon
AAPL Orchard daily email about Apple. - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 14: Priorities
In this episode, Neil focuses on Apple's top priorities over the next five years. From the iPhone and Apple Watch in the near-term (2-3 years), to Apple's "automobile" secret project in the long-term (3-5 years), Neil describes why these products and projects are so important to Apple. Neil also discusses his current thoughts on an Apple television set and what a cheap iPhone would suggest about Apple's future.
Show Notes:
Apple's Strategy for Growing iPhone Sales by 50% in Three Years - Link
Apple's Initial Watch Ad in Vogue is Nearly Perfect - Link
Apple Wants to Design a Car as Ambition Knows No Bounds - Link
AAPL Orchard daily email - Link
Above Avalon Episode 13: Apple Wants to Design a Car
With nearly every major business news publication reporting Apple is looking to design its own car, Neil takes a look at the polarizing issue and why there seems to be so much disagreement among industry observers. The episode also includes discussion on what Apple's goal would be by entering the automobile industry, concluding with a few minutes of speculation as to what Apple R&D may be focused on.
Show Notes:
Apple Hiring Automative Experts to Work in Secret Research Lab - Financial Times
Apple Gears Up to Challenge Tesla in Electric Cars - WSJ
Apple Wants to Start Producing Cars as Soon as 2020 - Bloomberg
Apple Hiring Big Brains in Car Battery Space - Reuters
Apple Is Forming an Auto Team - The New York Times
Jan Dawson - The Evolution of CarPlay - Techpinions
AAPL Orchard daily email - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 12: The Trick of Downplaying Hardware
In this episode, Neil focuses on Tim Cook's recent presentation at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference and his comments on Apple software and hardware. Additional topics include a brief background on investor conferences and why Apple attends such events, Wall Street's behavior towards tech hardware and software, and how hardware is positioned to play a factor with Apple's plans in the home, car, health, and finance industries.
Show Notes:
Transcript of Tim Cook's presentation. - iMore
The Trick of Downplaying Hardware - Above Avalon
AAPL Orchard daily email - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 11: Setting the Stage for Beats
Episode 11 is all about Apple's new music strategy. With music streaming continuing to gain popularity, Neil discusses how Apple will navigate the current music landscape with Beats. Additional topics include how Apple can obtain value from content without directly owning it and how a Beats for Android app can actually benefit the iOS ecosystem.
Show Notes:
The Next Episode: Apple's plans for Beats-based music service revealed - 9to5Mac
Apple's New Music Strategy - Above Avalon
Apple's $3 Billion Bet on Reinventing the Music Industry - Above Avalon
AAPL Orchard daily email (interesting links, thoughts, analyses and musings) - Above Avalon
Above Avalon Episode 10: The Amazing iPhone
After a quick review of Apple's strong earnings report, Neil discusses why most of the post-earnings reaction was off the mark. The episode concludes with a few big picture views about iPhone and why the product is so misunderstood.
Show Notes:
Apple's Record Earnings - Above Avalon
Reviewing Apple's 1Q15 Earnings (Video) - YouTube
Apple Will Save $3 Billion in 2015 by Selling the 16GB iPhone 6/6 Plus - Above Avalon
Luck or Vision - Above Avalon
Apple Doesn't Sell iPhones - Above Avalon
AAPL Orchard Daily Email (interesting links, thoughts, analyses and musings) - Above Avalon