Volkswagen and Customer Trust, This Year's iPhone Reviews Felt Weird, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Volkswagen and Customer Trust
- This Year's iPhone Reviews Felt Weird
- Thursday Q&A: Trying the iPhone Upgrade Program
We begin today's email with a look at the developing Volkswagen crisis involving years of lies and fraud related to its diesel engines. It's important not to miss the obvious themes at play in the auto industry, especially with technology companies running headfirst into the industry. We then shift over to iPhone 6s / 6s Plus reviews. Something felt off with this year's round of reviews. We conclude with Thursday Q&A about my plans for the iPhone Upgrade Program.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Financial Observations from Apple's 'Hey Siri' Keynote
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Financial Observations from Apple's 'Hey Siri' Keynote
iPhone 6s / 6s Plus reviews were released yesterday. I have a few observations about them that we will go over tomorrow. Today, the topic is all about my financial observations from Apple's 'Hey Siri' event. We take apart each major product category and discuss various topics including sales estimates, average selling price (ASP) trends, and margins. Basically, we are taking a look at Apple's event with a financial eye. The email is broken up according to new product:
- iPhone 6s / 6s Plus
- Apple Watch Sport Bands / Apple Watch Hermès Collection
- iPad Pro
- Apple TV
This story is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's story and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple Car Given the Green Light, Auto Executive Predicts Apple Car Will Fail Miserably, Rethinking the iPhone "S" Cycle
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Car Given the Green Light
- Auto Executive Predicts Apple Car Will Fail Miserably
- Rethinking the iPhone "S" Cycle
We kick off today's email with the big scoop from the WSJ about Apple giving the Apple Car the green light. I continue to think we have been on the right track when thinking about Apple's ambitions in the car market and want to take this opportunity to break apart the WSJ story and discuss the major implications from the piece. Soon after the WSJ published its Apple Car story, auto executive Bob Lutz went on CNBC to throw cold water on the idea of Apple doing a car. We take a closer look at his argument. We conclude with a few reasons why I think differently about the iPhone "S" cycle.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Jony Ive's New Role at Apple, Angela Ahrendts's Impact on Apple
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Jony Ive's New Role at Apple
- Angela Ahrendts's Impact on Apple
Welcome to a new week. We take a break from some of the product discussion to focus on Apple management, specifically Jony Ive and Angela Ahrendts. Long-time readers will know that one of the best ways to understand what Apple is trying to do is to understand those in a leadership position. We are getting a clearer view of Jony's new role at Apple since being promoted to Chief Design Officer. Next, we discuss Fortune's recent article on Angela Ahrendts which went over her major accomplishments at Apple as well as how Tim Cook thinks of her performance. The article goes a long way in clearing up much confusion over what Ahrendts is actually doing at Apple.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple Acquires Mapsense, Kardashian/Jenner Sisters Take on the App Store, Thursday Q&A (iPhone Grey Market)
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Making Sense Out of Apple's Mapsense Acquisition
- Kardashian/Jenner Sisters Take on the App Store
- Thursday Q&A: Why Would the iPhone Upgrade Program Lead to a Larger Grey Market for iPhones?
We kick things off by going over news that Apple acquired mapping company, Mapsense. While everyone is saying this acquisition is just to boost Apple Maps, I think there may be a different motive behind the deal. We next switch over to the new Kardashian/Jenner apps, which have taken the App Store by storm this week. There are a number of intriguing aspects to these apps that deserve mentioning. We conclude with Thursday Q&A which goes over some of the math behind the iPhone Upgrade Program and why the iPhone grey market would see a boost from the program.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Thoughts on the iPhone Upgrade Program
Today's Above Avalon story:
- Thoughts on the iPhone Upgrade Program
Today's email is dedicated to the iPhone Upgrade Program. I have been getting an increasing number of questions about the program and what it means for Apple. We begin by going over all of the details, including some of the information not widely known in the press. Next, we address the short- and long-term implications from the program on Apple and the mobile carriers. We conclude by discussing a number of general observations about the iPhone Upgrade Program and if it's actually a good deal for consumers.
I divided today's email into a few sections:
- The Details
- History
- Dollars and Cents
- Short-Term Impacts
- Long-Term Impacts
- Overall Observations
- Is It a Good Deal?
This story is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's story and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Thinking About the Big Picture for Apple, iPhone Launch Weekends are Getting Silly
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Thinking About the Big Picture for Apple
- iPhone Launch Weekends are Getting Silly
We kick off today's email by discussing the big picture for Apple. With Apple's 2015 event calendar winding down, it's a good time to take a step back and see where things stand and where the company is likely headed. We then shift over to iPhone launch weekend sales. Apple released a short statement regarding how iPhone pre-orders were trending. The practice of releasing pre-order and opening weekend sales is getting old and is actually a bit silly. We take a closer look at why opening weekend numbers are historically pretty useless from a financial modeling perspective.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple Watch Hermès Collection is Intriguing, 3D Touch is a Game Changer
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Watch Hermès Collection is Intriguing
- 3D Touch is a Game Changer
Today's email is focused on two subjects from last week's keynote that Apple felt most compelled to comment on publicly: the Apple/Hermès partnership and 3D Touch. Although Apple Watch did not get too much post-keynote analysis, Apple's decision to partner with Hermès is quite intriguing and helpful when looking at how Apple thinks about the wearable category. We then shift over to the Bloomberg article on 3D Touch, which turned into an entire profile on how Apple is guided by design. 3D touch was the most important product feature announced last week with many long-term implications on Apple's product line.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple's September Event: Thoughts and Observations
Today's Above Avalon story:
- Apple's September Event: Thoughts and Observations
Apple’s keynote certainly lived up to expectations with a great deal of information packed into a roughly two-hour presentation. Many of the themes presented yesterday matched very closely with what we have been discussing over the past few months. At the same time, I do think there were plenty of new insights that will help cultivate new perspectives on a number of topics.
I consider today’s email to be the start of a discussion that will transpire over a number of weeks and months. There really is that much to talk about. I wanted to focus today’s email on my list of notes and initial observations from the event as they are still fresh in my mind. We will continue this discussion next week.
Sections:
- Summary
- The Venue
- Attending the Keynote In-Person
- The Presentation
- iPhone
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- Apple TV
- Full Notes
This story is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's story and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Periscope on Your TV, The $50 Amazon Tablet
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Periscope on Your TV
- The $50 Amazon Tablet
Today's email is focused on two news stories that have a connection to Apple's keynote and help to provide some perspective on Apple TV and iPad. The first story has to do with TechCrunch hearing that Periscope is developing an app for Apple TV. We discuss how such news can be a big deal for the idea of a video-consuming platform. We then focus on news that Amazon will ship a $50 tablet. After giving up at the high-end, Amazon wants to try again at the even more difficult low-end of the tablet market. The story goes to show why Apple feels much more comfortable selling premium experiences, rather than just low-priced gadgets, to consumers.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple Keynote Preview
Today's Above Avalon story:
Apple Keynote Preview
- WWDC vs. September Keynote
- New iPhones
- New Apple TV
- New iPads (Maybe)
- Wall Street's Perspective
- Wildcards
- Big Picture
Today's email is all about setting the stage for tomorrow's keynote. It is important to take a step back and recognize Apple's goal for this September event. After discussing some observations and thoughts about the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, we take a closer look at several parts of the keynote that may impact AAPL on Wall Street. We conclude with a few wildcards to look out for and some overall themes.
This story is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's story and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Global Smartphone Trends for July, Apple Event "Leaks," Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Global Smartphone Trends for July
- Apple Event "Leaks"
- Thursday Q&A (How is the premium email going? Spoiler: It's going great.)
We kick off today's email by discussing Kantar's latest report on smartphone trends for the three months ending in July, including new data comparing iPhone 6 and 6 Plus popularity to previous iPhone models. Next, we discuss a theory of mine concerning all of these leaks leading up to the Apple event next week. We conclude with this week's Q&A which is actually about Above Avalon Premium and how the premium email is doing after four months.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
The Apple/Cisco Partnership, Apple Watch's Biggest Competitor
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- The Apple/Cisco Partnership
- Apple Watch's Biggest Competitor
Today we begin by taking a closer look at the Apple/Cisco partnership. It is obvious Apple looks at this new relationship as a key factor to its success in enterprise. We then shift over to the topic of Apple Watch competition. After a few months on the market, it does seem like Apple may have its first genuine Apple Watch competitor.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Apple's Original Programming Temptation, The Android Smartwatch Army
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple's Original Programming Temptation
- The Android Smartwatch Army
We begin today's email by discussing the Variety report on Apple considering producing its own original video programming. While the temptation is likely real, I hold long-standing doubt that owning content is the right strategy for Apple in this environment. We then turn to Android Wear and why the smartwatch platform reminds me of Android's early attempts at competing with the iPad. There are a few things to think about when competing with Apple Watch and I'm not convinced Android Wear has the answers.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Intrigue, Apple in Washington
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Intrigue
- Apple Takes Washington
Apple sent out invites to its September 9th keynote. I will be attending the event. Accordingly, we kick things off by taking a closer look at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the venue for Apple's keynote. The building stands out from the type of buildings Apple has traditionally relied on to host Apple keynotes. We discuss a few things that may point to what kind of event is planned for the large venue. Next, we discuss the Politico Magazine article about Tim Cook and Apple once again embracing Washington and politics. There is much to keep in mind when thinking about Apple and Washington in the future.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read today's stories and receive future stories in a daily email containing 2-3 stories (10-12 stories/week). You can use the payment forms/links below to sign up ($20/month or $200/year). For more information on membership, click here.