Apple Music Isn't about Music Streaming, Apple Keynotes Are Losing Their Value
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Music Isn't about Music Streaming
- Apple Keynotes are Losing Their Value
There are many topics that I have lined up to discuss over the coming days related to WWDC announcements and their impact on Apple, the company's financials, and Wall Street's view of Apple. Today, I wanted to start by going over why Apple is releasing Apple Music and what is the company's overall strategy with the service. Next, I go into more detail on why I think the Apple keynote is losing some of its value due to Apple's much bigger size and new public relations strategy, not to mention how we consume news and content differently these days.
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WWDC
Today's Above Avalon stories:
All about the WWDC keynote. The discussion is divided into three parts:
- OS X and iOS 9
- watchOS 2
- Apple Music
At the end, I've included my more granular notes from the event. There is a lot to go over, and there are other subtopics that I hope to cover in subsequent days.
WWDC Summary. Apple continues to play to its strengths, which is not surprising given that both OS X and iOS are currently at their strongest in terms of user numbers and vitality. With a WWDC keynote titled "The epicenter of change," Apple is positioning iOS as a clear alternative to Android, emphasizing a new and different way of thinking about what makes a great user experience in mobile. Apple is not just doubling down on apps, but also looking to diminish its dependence on Google. Siri was given additional capabilities as a personal assistant in order to move us past traditional web search and begin to use data found on our iPhone in more creative ways. Apple Music is Apple's answer to get back in the streaming music game and while the product looks right, the pricing strategy for paid streaming does not guarantee an instant home run just yet against free alternatives. Overall, it was a strong WWDC, and Apple is well-positioned for new hardware announcements this fall.
(the entire note is 3,500 words)
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Key Power Brokers at Apple, Marc Newson's Role at Apple, WWDC "Preview"
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Key Power Brokers at Apple
- Marc Newson's Role at Apple
- WWDC "Preview"
We kick WWDC week off by discussing the current power structure within Apple and who holds the most power both internally and externally. We then shift over to Marc Newson's recently discovered interview that he gave last month, going over what I think the industrial designer is up to at Apple. Lastly, we conclude with my WWDC "preview," and the one thing I am most excited to see today and why.
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iPhone Sales Share Update, Odds of Apple Replacing Google for Search Going Up, Tim Cook's Stance on Privacy Isn't About Data
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- iPhone Sales Share Update
- Odds of Apple Replacing Google for Search Going Up
- Tim Cook's Stance on Privacy Isn't About Data
We kick things off today by going over the latest iPhone sales share from Kantar including some interesting observations about U.S. trends and the Android switcher rate. Next, we move over to why I think the odds of Apple replacing Google as the default search provider in Safari have gone up, concluding with a bit of different perspective on Tim Cook's discussion about data and privacy. I think many people are thinking about the topic in the wrong way.
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A Closer Look at Apple's Services Segment, The Chess Game Heading into WWDC, Shot on iPhone 6 Video Ads
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- A Closer Look at Apple's Services Business Segment
- The Chess Game Heading into WWDC
- New iPhone Ads
Happy Wednesday. I consider today's email as a type of WWDC preview. I wanted to start laying some of the framework for where iOS and Apple are positioned, heading into this year's developer conference. The first topic takes a closer look at Apple's Services business segment, which helps explain why Apple is rushing into music and video streaming. Next, we have an Apple strategy session for how I think Apple is thinking of the current environment in which one can argue iOS is at its strongest point since its inception. We conclude with a few words on Apple's latest "Shot on iPhone 6" marketing campaign.
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Apple Music Sounds More Interesting, Apple's Health Strategy, Apple Watch's Next Retail Phase
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Music Sounds More Interesting
- Apple's Health Strategy
- Apple Watch's Next Retail Phase
The WSJ is out with news on Apple's upcoming music streaming service and it is sounding quite a bit more interesting than previous reports have suggested. We then shift over to Jay Balnick visiting a few Apple Retail stores to talk health and fitness, which may shed some clues as to Apple's strategy towards health and wearables. Finally, we conclude with news on Apple Retail preparing for Apple Watch launch 2.0, when Apple Watch units will be available for sale in Apple Retail stores.
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Google I/O, Apple Acquires Metaio, IBM and MacBooks
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Google I/O
- Apple Acquires Metaio
- IBM and MacBooks
We kick things off with a recap of Google I/O, particularly from Apple's perspective. Next, we move over to Apple's acquisition of Metaio, which I think could be a game changer, indicating Apple's inevitable entry into augmented reality. Finally, we conclude with news of IBM's new policy towards Macs.
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Jeff Williams at the Re/code Conference, Additional Thoughts on Jony's Promotion, Snapchat and Apple's Video Streaming Plans
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Jeff Williams at the Re/code Conference
- Additional Thoughts on Jony's Promotion
- Snapchat and Apple's Video Streaming Plans
Jeff Williams spoke at the Re/code conference yesterday. After going over my takeaways from his talk, we shift over to a few additional thoughts I had on the Jony Ive promotion. Lastly, we go over some new Snapchat video viewing data and what it may mean for Apple's interest in video content.
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Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Sales and Samsung's Turnaround, Calculating Apple Watch Adoption Rate in the U.S.
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Not Showing Turnaround
- Calculating Apple Watch Adoption Rate in the U.S.
Today, we kick things off by taking a closer look at early Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge sales and what it may mean for the premium smartphone market. I then will shift over to calculating my first pass at Apple Watch adoption in the U.S. over the past month and then compare that to iPad adoption back during its first month on the market in 2010.
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Jony Ive Promoted to Chief Design Officer, The Simple Reason Blackberry Failed, iOS 9 and Legacy Support
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Jony Ive Promoted to Chief Design Officer
- The Simple Reason Blackberry Failed
- iOS 9 and Legacy Support
A busy Tuesday morning for Apple news. In today's premium email, we discuss the Jony Ive announcement, the biggest management change since 2012 (major takeaways and what I think it means for Apple). We will then go over the simple reason Blackberry failed as a phone manufacturer (and why Palm should be discussed as well), concluding with what iOS 9 legacy support may suggest for Apple.
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Selling an iPad Plus, Apple Watch Is Making Luxury Watchmakers Uncomfortable
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Selling an iPad Plus
- Apple Watch Is Making Luxury Watchmakers Uncomfortable
In today's premium email, we kick off a new week by taking a closer look at why Apple would sell a larger "iPad Plus," including how such a device would impact iPad sales and the overall iOS platform and ecosystem. The discussion then turns to Apple Watch and how Apple continues to make luxury watchmakers uncomfortable. Companies such as Montblanc are struggling to understand why people would buy tech gadgets that will be replaced within a few years.
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Spotify Wants Your Time, Weak Apple Watch Demand?, Apple and Auto Industry M&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Spotify Wants Your Time
- Weak Apple Watch Demand?
- Apple and Auto Industry M&A
In today's premium email, we'll kick things off with a few comments on Spotify's media event yesterday. I then want to go over my Apple Watch estimates and address this "weak demand" talk from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that circulated the web yesterday. Finally, I have a few ideas about Apple and automobile industry M&A.
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Apple & Uber to Lead Auto Industry, Android Switchers, Apple Television Put On Ice
Today's Above Avalon Premium stories:
- Apple & Uber to Lead Auto Industry
- Android Switchers
- Apple Television Put On Ice
In today's premium email, I derive the percentage of iPhone sales that are coming from Android users and explain why I am not surprised by the WSJ's report about Apple shelving its television set plans.
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Analyzing the iPhone User Base, Carl Icahn is Still on Tim Cook's Side
Today's Above Avalon Premium stories:
- Analyzing the iPhone User Base
- Carl Icahn is Still on Tim Cook's Side
We take a deep-dive into the iPhone user base, including calculating the number of active iPhone users and a breakout by iPhone model. The second story takes a closer look at Carl Icahn's letter to Tim Cook with additional analysis on the factors driving his significantly higher target price.
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