Apple Scales Back Project Titan, What Happened to Project Titan?, Apple's New Car Strategy
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Scales Back Project Titan
- What Happened to Project Titan?
- Apple's New Car Strategy
Today's update is dedicated to discussing Project Titan. We begin with a closer look at Bloomberg's report that Apple has scaled back Project Titan. After going over my Project Titan timeline, we take a deep dive into my theory on what happened to Titan. The discussion includes both a look at the changing auto industry and specific issues Apple likely experienced. The email then turns to Apple's new car strategy. We go over my two theories on where Apple is headed with Project Titan over the next few years. We conclude with my thoughts on why it is critical for Apple to get involved in cars and how Apple can still achieve a "wow" moment in transportation.
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Apple Partners with Macy's, Apple Hiring GPU Talent from Imagination, Tim Cook and AR/VR Waves
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Partners with Macy's
- Apple Hiring GPU Talent from Imagination
- Tim Cook and AR/VR Waves
We begin today's update by going over Apple's newest retail partnership with Macy's, the largest department store in the U.S. We go over why this partnership is intriguing for Apple on a number of levels. The email then turns to news of Apple hiring GPU talent from Imagination Technologies. I share my thoughts and observations on what may be going on with Apple's growing desire for GPU talent. We conclude with a look at Tim Cook's newest AR/VR comments. We discuss how the best way to put all of these recent Cook comments about AR/VR in perspective is to think of catching a wave.
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Deep Dive into 3Q16 PC and Mac Shipments, Amazon Adds Twist to Music Streaming Wars, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Deep Dive into 3Q16 PC and Mac Shipments
- Amazon Adds Twist to Music Streaming Wars
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's update with a closer look at Gartner and IDC 3Q16 shipment data for PCs and Macs. Along with discussing Chromebook sales data, we go over my thoughts about the very weak Mac results during the back-to-school shopping season. There is much more to this situation besides outdated Macs. The email then turns to Amazon's new music streaming service. I had a number of observations about Amazon's strategy, including how the service represents a new twist to the music streaming wars. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Would it make sense for Apple to acquire Fitbit?
- What is Apple's greatest vulnerability over the next five to 10 years?
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Estimating Samsung Note 7 Recall Impact on Apple, Improving iPhone Growth Prospects for FY17, Samsung Can't Find Note 7 Problem
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Estimating Samsung Note 7 Recall Impact on Apple
- Improving iPhone Growth Prospects for FY17
- Samsung Can't Find Note 7 Problem
We begin today's update with a closer look at how the Samsung Note 7 recall will impact Apple. We discuss my methodology for estimating the potential impact on iPhone unit sales as a result of Samsung's Note 7 problems. The email then turns to the topic of how iPhone growth prospects are improving for FY2017. We go over my current iPhone estimates and the recent developments that make unit sales growth much more likely in the coming quarters. We conclude with a closer look at Samsung's ongoing struggle to find the problem plaguing Note 7 devices. Warning signs are appearing regarding Samsung leadership and culture.
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Samsung Discontinues Galaxy Note 7, Questionable Samsung Actions, Samsung's Missing Leadership
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Samsung Discontinues Galaxy Note 7
- Questionable Samsung Actions
- Samsung's Missing Leadership
Today's update is dedicated to discussing Samsung and the company's growing Galaxy Note 7 crisis. We begin by going over news of Samsung discontinuing the Note 7. The email then turns to my thoughts and observations on Samsung's questionable actions over the past three weeks as well as the company's lack of leadership.
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Apple Watch's Fitness Detour, Apple Watch and Fitbit Quarterly Sales, Where Things Go from Here
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple Watch's Fitness Detour
- Apple Watch and Fitbit Quarterly Sales
- Where Things Go from Here
Today's update is dedicated to discussing Apple Watch. Building off of my "Apple Is Going After Fitbit" article from last week, we begin by looking at how Apple's recent Watch changes are done with Fitbit in mind. Next, we take a deep dive into the sales data, comparing Apple Watch and Fitbit quarterly unit sales. I share my observations about the sales trends and why they are tied to Apple's changing Watch strategy. We conclude with my thoughts on the variables for determining Apple Watch success that are worth monitoring going forward.
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Samsung Buys Viv, Apple Is Not Bidding for Twitter, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Samsung Buys Viv
- Apple Is Not Bidding for Twitter
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's update with a closer look at news that Samsung bought Viv, the artificial intelligence company founded by two of Siri's creators. We go over Viv and my thoughts and observations about the deal, including implications from Apple not buying Viv. The email then turns to news that the Twitter bidding war may not actually be much of a war after all. We discuss why the Apple/Twitter acquisition rumors don't make much sense, in addition to going over the most likely outcome for Twitter. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Could Tim Cook have been using misdirection when downplaying AR and VR headsets?
- Do you think Google wanted Tony Fadell to have a leadership role in its hardware efforts?
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The Google Pixel Smartphone, Google Doesn't Want to Be Like Apple, Google Is in Trouble
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- The Google Pixel Smartphone
- Google Doesn't Want to Be Like Apple
- Google Is in Trouble
Today's update is dedicated to discussing Google's latest push into hardware, with a focus on the Pixel smartphone. We take a deep dive into Google's strategy, including my thoughts on the Pixel. The email then turns to why Google does not want to be like Apple. The two companies are not only approaching hardware from a different starting point, but also using hardware very differently in terms of meeting long-term goals. We conclude with my thoughts on why the Pixel smartphone is a sign that Google is in trouble.
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Tim Cook's Increasingly Aggressive Comments Regarding AR, Why AR Instead of VR?, New iPad Rumors
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Tim Cook's Increasingly Aggressive Comments Regarding AR
- Why AR Instead of VR?
- New iPad Rumors
We begin today's update with a closer look at Tim Cook's recent comments regarding augmented reality (AR). Cook has become increasingly vocal about Apple's interest in AR. We discuss Cook's comments and what they suggest regarding Apple and the company's product line going forward. The email then shifts to my thoughts on why Apple is much more interested in AR compared to virtual reality (VR). We then discuss the first in-depth report focused on upcoming changes to the iPad line. I share my observations on the report, including where the iPad business is headed and how that matches with the rumored changes to the iPad line in 2017.
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Apple in Talks to Acquire Lit Motors, Lit Motors 101, Why Acquire Lit Motors?
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple in Talks to Acquire Lit Motors
- Lit Motors 101
- Why Acquire Lit Motors?
Today's update is dedicated to discussing Lit Motors, the transportation startup that Apple is reportedly interested in acquiring. We take a deep dive into Lit Motors, including the company's history and self-balancing two-wheeled prototype. The email then turns to why Apple would be interested in acquiring Lit Motors. Would Apple be looking to rethink transportation by skipping the traditional car altogether? We go over my thoughts as to where transportation is headed, how Lit Motors would fit in such a future, and the reasons Apple would want to acquire Lit Motors.
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Spotify In Talks to Buy SoundCloud, The DJI Drone/Apple Partnership, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Spotify In Talks to Buy SoundCloud
- The DJI Drone/Apple Partnership
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's update with a closer look at news that Spotify is in talks to buy SoundCloud. We go over why SoundCloud would sell to Spotify, why Spotify would buy SoundCloud, implications for the broader music streaming industry, and my overall take on the acquisition idea. The email then turns to DJI unveiling its newest drone, the Mavic Pro. A couple of things in DJI's presentation caught my attention, including the company's growing relationship with Apple. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- If iPhone demand is coming in stronger-than-expected, why did Apple decide to stop giving opening weekend iPhone sales?
- With AAPL shares up 10% this month, is AAPL still a value stock or has it become a growth stock?
- Is it possible that Apple will sell more AirPods than Apple Watches in 2017?
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Aetna to Subsidize Apple Watch, Apple Is Increasing iPhone 7 Orders
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Aetna to Subsidize Apple Watch
- Apple Is Increasing iPhone 7 Orders
We begin today's update by going over Apple's new partnership with Aetna. The third-largest health insurer in the U.S. plans to subsidize Apple Watches. After discussing the three major parts of the announcement, we go through my thoughts and observations about a health insurer subsidizing Apple Watch. The email then turns to a new report from the iPhone supply chain indicating Apple just increased part and component orders for iPhone 7. We go over the new numbers and how they would impact my iPhone unit sales estimates for FY1Q17 and FY2Q17.
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Pegatron Optimistic About Phone 7, Early Estimates for iPhone Sales Growth, Apple Music Strategy Heading Into Year Two
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Pegatron Optimistic About Phone 7
- Early Estimates for iPhone Sales Growth
- Apple Music Strategy Heading Into Year Two
We begin today's update by going over the recent upbeat comments from Pegatron, one of Apple's iPhone assemblers, regarding early iPhone 7 sales. The email then takes a deep dive into the iPhone supply chain's current expectations for iPhone 7. We then take this data to arrive at estimates for how overall iPhone sales growth is trending. We then turn to Jimmy Iovine's interview with BuzzFeed which went over Apple Music strategy heading into the service's second year.
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Snapchat Spectacles, Apple vs. Snap Inc., Spectacles Makes Google Look Bad
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Snapchat Spectacles
- Apple vs. Snap Inc.
- Spectacles Makes Google Look Bad
We begin today's update by going over Spectacles, Snapchat's first hardware product. After discussing the specifics, we go over my broader observations about the product and Snapchat's strategy. We also discuss why I suspect Snapchat changed its name to Snap Inc. and chose the Wall Street Journal to unveil Spectacles. The email then turns to how Snap's new pair of smart sunglasses will impact Apple. The Snapchat versus Apple relationship is going to change. We then discuss how I think Spectacles makes Google look bad.
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Apple In Talks to Invest in McLaren, Where Things Stand with Project Titan, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon stories:
- Apple In Talks to Invest in McLaren
- Where Things Stand with Project Titan
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's update with a deep dive into the topic of Apple looking to invest in McLaren, the British car company. After going over McLaren in detail, I share my perspective on why Apple would be interested in partnering with McLaren for Project Titan. The email then turns to an overview of where Project Titan stands today. There have been a number of developments including management changes, internal reorganization, and layoffs. We go over my five key takeaways about Project Titan, including where I think Apple's strategy is changing. We end the email with this week's installment of member Q&A where I answer the following question from an Above Avalon member: Is something amiss in Apple Retail considering the botched Apple Watch launch and iPhone Upgrade Program issues?
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