Swift Creator Leaves Apple for Tesla, Apple and Employee Retention, Fitbit Acquires Luxury Smartwatch Maker

Today's Above Avalon stories: 

  • Swift Creator Leaves Apple for Tesla
  • Apple and Employee Retention
  • Fitbit Acquires Luxury Smartwatch Maker

We begin today's email with my thoughts and observations on Chris Lattner, Apple Director of Developer Tools, leaving Apple to become VP of Autopilot Software at Tesla. The discussion then turns to the broader question of whether Apple has a growing problem with employee retention. We go over a few examples that help separate myth from reality. The email concludes with news of Fitbit acquiring Vector, a luxury smartwatch start-up. We discuss my thoughts on where Fitbit is headed. 

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Phil Schiller Talks iPhone at Ten Years, Apple Releases App Store Financials for 2016

Today's Above Avalon stories: 

  • Phil Schiller Talks iPhone at Ten Years
  • Apple Releases App Store Financials for 2016

We begin today's email with a closer look at Apple SVP Phil Schiller's comments about the iPhone on the 10th anniversary of its unveiling. There were a number of takeaways from his comments, including the clearest signal yet regarding Apple's views on a stand-alone Siri speaker. The email then turns to the latest App Store financials. We take a deep dive into the new numbers. We also go over my thoughts and observations regarding App Store revenue growth and its relationship to Apple's overall Services revenue. 

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CES 2017, iPhone at Ten, Apple Misses Performance Benchmarks for 2016

Today's Above Avalon stories: 

  • CES 2017
  • iPhone at Ten
  • Apple Misses Performance Benchmarks for 2016

We begin today's email with my thoughts and observations on CES 2017. While there were a few major themes from the trade show, there was also quite a bit of noise. The email then turns to the iPhone as Apple celebrates the tenth anniversary of unveiling the iPhone. We discuss how some people have developed a different recollection of that January 2007 product unveiling, as well as the iPhone's biggest revelation to date. The email ends with a closer look at Apple management missing its performance benchmarks in 2016. A number of questions are raised from this development, including how this could impact management's approach to Apple's product line in 2017. 

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China's "iPhone City," Apple's Most Important Partner in China, Thursday Q&A

Today's Above Avalon stories: 

  • China's "iPhone City"
  • Apple's Most Important Partner in China
  • Thursday Q&A

We begin today's email with my thoughts and observations on China's "iPhone City." The New York Times took a closer look at how China helped Foxconn establish the facility where nearly half of Apple's iPhones are assembled. We go over two big takeaways from the piece. We then discuss who I view is Apple's most important partner in China. There are issues with the Apple versus China narrative as it doesn't tell the entire story. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members: 

  • What is the probability of Apple including AirPods in every iPhone box?
  • Will Project Titan be impacted by the Trump administration's stance on U.S. manufacturing?

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iPhone Production Cut, Amazon to Sell Fire Televisions, Google Passes on Pixel Smartwatches

Today's Above Avalon stories: 

  • iPhone Production Cut
  • Amazon to Sell Fire Televisions
  • Google Passes on Pixel Smartwatches

We begin today's email with a closer look at a report from The Nikkei indicating Apple cut iPhone 7 production by 10 percent. We go over my thoughts and observations about the topic. The email then shifts to news of Amazon partnering with a few low-end TV manufacturers to sell Amazon Fire televisions. With Apple in mind, we discuss the various implications from this development. We conclude with a look at Google's strategy for its flagship Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches in 2017. Google is passing on selling its own smartwatches in favor of third-party partnerships. We go over my thoughts on this news in regards to Google's ability to position Android Wear as a formidable Apple Watch competitor in 2017.

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AirPods Unit Sales and Revenue Estimates, Apple Music's Productive 2016

Today's Above Avalon stories: 

  • AirPods Unit Sales and Revenue Estimates
  • Apple Music's Productive 2016

We begin today's email by continuing the discussion kicked off in my article, "AirPods Kick off Apple's Battle for Our Ears." Specifically, we look at the financial implications regarding AirPods. We go over my initial AirPods unit sales estimates and the variables guiding the numbers. We also go over some of my thoughts regarding Apple's overall wearables revenue trends (Apple Watch and AirPods). The email then turns to Apple Music. After a somewhat shaky start, 2016 turned out to be a relatively strong year for Apple Music. We go over how Apple Music had a productive year and why much of the analyses focused on Apple Music is off the mark. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.  

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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. 

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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.

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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?

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