Project Titan’s Leadership Change, Apple Car Rumors Persist, Thursday Q&A

Today's Above Avalon daily update includes the following stories:

  • Project Titan’s Leadership Change

  • Apple Car Rumors Persist

  • Thursday Q&A

We begin today’s update with a discussion of Project Titan, Apple’s R&D group focused on the transportation industry. After going over Project Titan’s change in leadership, we discuss where Apple’s transportation efforts currently stand and why I think Apple continues to move forward with developing its own autonomous car. The email concludes with a new installment of Thursday Q&A. I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:

  • Do ongoing supply constraints found with high-end iPhones point to demand coming in better than Apple’s expectations?

  • What do gross margins look like for the iPhone business by model? If high-end iPhones face supply constraints, will Apple’s gross margins take a hit?

  • What are your thoughts on key features for an Apple Glasses Version 1.0?

  • Do you see Apple eventually including 5G / LTE in AirPods Max so that they can be taken on a run and work without an iPhone and Apple Watch?

  • With Apple embracing color for the AirPods Max, what is the rationale in Apple continuing to avoid offering different color options for AirPods and AirPods Pro?

  • Why is Apple Fitness+ rollout limited to so few countries at launch?

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