Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Apple Questions for 2026 (Part 1 – Big Picture and iPhone)

Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following story:

Apple Questions for 2026 (Part 1 – Big Picture and iPhone)

Similar to how we tried something new to wrap up 2025, the first update of the new year will be a bit different from what was published in prior years.

Above Avalon launched in 2014. For the first six years, I began each new calendar year by publishing a list of questions facing Apple. This was my answer to New Year’s prediction posts, links, and tweets. Predictions are nothing more than attempts at manufacturing clarity for what is inherently a sea of unknown. New Year’s predictions are even more problematic as the person issuing the prediction needs to come up with what may happen, and the predicted event must occur within an arbitrary time.

Instead of coming up with predictions for Apple at the start of 2026, there is value found in embracing the unknown and looking at questions facing the company in the new year. The irony is that embracing the unknown found with asking questions will aid navigating the sea of unknown.

For today’s update, we will focus on questions related to several big picture topics along with the iPhone. The discussion will continue in tomorrow’s update (available here).

An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.

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

Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. 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 subscription status at any time.

Subscribe $20/month
Subscribe $200/year


Subscriber 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 updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.

  • Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.

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

  • Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Above Avalon Models.

  • Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.

Read More
Neil Cybart Neil Cybart

Amazon Unveils New Echo Shows, The Smart Home, Apple Stationary Display Rumors

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

  • Amazon Unveils New Echo Shows

  • The Smart Home

  • Apple Stationary Display Rumors

Happy Thursday. Today’s update will contain some good old-fashioned product strategy talk. We will begin with Amazon, then shift more broadly to the smart home, concluding with my thoughts on some Apple product rumors.

Let’s jump right in.

Above Avalon membership is required to read this update. Members can read the 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. 

Subscribe $20/month
Subscribe $200/year

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

Member Privileges and Benefits

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

  • Exclusive Analysis. Receive my daily newsletter and reports containing analysis and perspective, 100% related to Apple. 

  • Member Archive. Access all previous analysis sent to members.

  • Member Forums. Interact with other members in the Above Avalon team in Slack.

  • Priority Email Access. Receive timely responses to all 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