
Google’s Search Remedies Verdict, A Big Win for Apple, What Was Wall Street Expecting?
Hello everyone. Today’s update will be dedicated to discussing the U.S. v. Google search remedies verdict. Let’s jump right in.
Google’s Search Remedies Verdict
Overall, this verdict was a major win for Google. The Court didn’t even take a middle-of-the-road path with a judgement tailored in such a way so that both sides could claim themselves as winners.
Google does not need to divest Chrome / Android.
Google can continue to pay for default (search) placement.
Based on Google’s response to the verdict, they will continue with their appeal of the initial antitrust ruling. As we will discuss shortly, that stance makes sense. If given the choice, Google would not want to follow a few of the remedies that the Court ruled on. However, looking at the Court’s ruling in its entirety, this verdict represents a huge sigh of relief for Google.
AI mania played a major role in how the Court’s remedies were crafted.
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.
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 AVALON, Podcasts, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.
Eddy Cue Talks up AI Search, Google’s Response to Cue’s Testimony, Future of Search
Happy Monday. Yet again, we begin a new week with a lot of news.
Late last week, Apple filed its motion to stay related to the anti-steering rule. The filing is on my “will discuss” list for this week.
There is news regarding the U.S. and China reaching some sort of trade de-escalation in which U.S. tariffs on goods from China have been reduced from 145% to 30% for three months.
The WSJ is out with a report saying Apple is thinking about raising prices for new iPhones that will be unveiled later this year.
One quick note regarding Apple earnings: Our 2Q25 earnings review is pretty much complete. There may be time this week to quickly circle back to the 10-Q and a few buyback observations.
Today’s update will be focused on Eddy Cue’s testimony at the Google trial making waves. The Court is hearing testimony as part of the remedies phase for Google’s antitrust trial. 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.
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.
Thoughts on the U.S. v. Google Verdict (Part 2)
Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following story:
Thoughts on the U.S. v. Google Verdict (Part 2)
We will continue to focus on the U.S. v. Google verdict. After reading through the 286-page ruling, my notes came out to about three updates worth of material. After a significant amount of reduction and editing, we used two updates to talk about the ruling and its potential fallout (with Apple in mind). Yesterday’s update went over all of the interesting details / tidbits from the ruling. Today’s update is focused on my thoughts on the ruling and how Apple may be impacted.
Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the update here.
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 AVALON, Podcasts, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models add-ons.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource.
Should Microsoft Go After Google and Try to Win Apple’s iPhone Search Deal?
Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following story:
Should Microsoft Go After Google and Try to Win Apple’s iPhone Search Deal?
We are going to do something different today. A few days ago, a Business Insider article about Microsoft Bing caught Neil’s attention. A former Google executive who used to run the company’s advertising business thinks now is the time for Microsoft to wage war against Google search. We are going to take a closer look at the topic and address the question: Should Microsoft go after Google and try to win Apple’s iPhone search deal?
Above Avalon membership is required to read this daily update. Members can read the update here.
Above Avalon Membership
Payment is processed and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members.
Above Avalon members receive the full Above Avalon experience throughout the week.
The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Daily updates are 2,000 words and sent via email Monday through Thursday. Updates revolve around the following topics:
Apple business and strategy analysis.
Neil’s perspective and observations on current news and Apple competitors.
Neil’s Apple financial estimates.
Full coverage of Apple earnings, product events, and keynotes.
If it is of interest to Apple, it is something I pay attention to.
Member Privileges and Benefits
Receive Exclusive Daily Updates. The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Updates are sent via email and go over current news and developments impacting Apple, its competitors, and the industries Apple plays in (or will play in). Approximately 200 daily updates are published throughout the year. Sample daily updates can be viewed here, here, and here.
Receive Exclusive Reports. Members have access to Neil’s reports, which are in-depth examinations of Apple's business, product, and financial strategy.
Access Private Podcasts. Members have the option of attaching the podcast add-on to their membership in order to receive the daily updates and reports in audio form.
Access Neil’s Earnings Model. Members have access to Neil’s working Apple earnings model (an Excel file that also works in Numbers). The model is fully functional and adjustable and provides the ability to alter earnings drivers.
Email Priority. Receive priority when it comes to having email questions and inquiries answered. Neil personally answers all inquiries, including customer service matters related to your membership.
Archive Access. Read 1,200+ daily updates and reports that have been previously sent to members. The Above Avalon member archive is unmatched in the marketplace in terms of the sheer amount of Apple analysis found in one location. The daily updates archive can be viewed here while the reports archive is available here.
Member Forum Access. Join other Above Avalon members in an active forum containing in-depth discussion and debate. Neil moderates and participates in the forum. The forum is run through Slack and can be accessed here.
Virtual Meet-ups. Talk with Neil about Apple and other related items in virtual meet-ups held via Slack throughout the year.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent source of Apple analysis. Above Avalon is fully sustained by its members.