Facebook F8 2017 Falls Flat, Netflix 1Q17 Earnings, Netflix Nears 100M Members
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Facebook F8 2017 Falls Flat
- Netflix 1Q17 Earnings
- Netflix Nears 100M Members
We begin today's email with my thoughts on Mark Zuckerberg's keynote at Facebook's F8 developer conference. We go over his pitch for where Facebook is headed and why the whole thing felt off to me. The email then shifts to Netflix 1Q17 earnings. We go over the takeaways from management's earnings call. The discussion then turns to implications arising from Netflix reaching 100M members. We go over my thoughts as to what it means for Apple's fledgling original video plans and the broader topic of competition in the video streaming space.
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iPhone Sales Trends in February, iPhone Trends in China, Losing Apple Content Creators
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- iPhone Sales Trends in February
- iPhone Trends in China
- Losing Apple Content Creators
We kick off today's email with a closer look at iPhone sales trends in February. The discussion is focused on three regions: U.S., China, and Europe. The email then shifts to my thoughts on why iPhone sales shares has deteriorated so much in China. The discussion concludes by addressing the topic of Apple trying to satisfy a rapidly changing user base. Does it matter if people creating content for Apple's platforms are using Apple machines to do the creating?
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Apple Granted Autonomous Vehicle Permit in CA, Assessing Apple's Automobile Ambition, Apple Researching Diabetes Treatment
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Granted Autonomous Vehicle Permit in CA
- Assessing Apple's Automobile Ambition
- Apple Researching Diabetes Treatment
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on Apple being granted a permit to test autonomous driving technology on public roads in California. After going over some of the details, we discuss why this development wasn't a surprise and what it means for Apple's product secrecy going forward. The discussion then turns to Apple's overall automobile ambition. We go over the three schools of thoughts regarding Apple's transportation ambitions and why I continue to stand apart from consensus when it comes to Apple's long-term goal in transportation. The email concludes with my thoughts on CNBC's report regarding Apple researching a breakthrough when it comes to blood sugar monitoring and diabetes treatment.
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The Mac Is Becoming a Vulnerability for Apple, Apple Sales Mix by Screen Size, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- The Mac Is Becoming a Vulnerability for Apple
- Apple Sales Mix by Screen Size
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email by continuing the discussion kicked off in my article, "The Mac Is Turning into Apple's Achilles' Heel." In particular, we look at how red flags have been appearing in the Mac business for years. The discussion then turns to one of the exhibits from the article. We go over the math and calculations used to derive Apple product sales in 2016 according to screen size. I share my unit sales estimates for every iPhone, iPad, and Mac screen size. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- If Apple wants to define iPad as the computing device of the future that can be a reliable competitor to laptops, how is it that there is no decent programming environment on it?
- If Apple is betting on people buying multiple Apple Watch bands, how likely is it that Apple will change the Apple Watch design so it does not work with older bands?
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Deep Dive into 1Q17 Mac and PC Sales, Huawei Not Buying Apple Watch Phenomenon, Fitbit Smartwatch Details Leak
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Deep Dive into 1Q17 Mac and PC Sales
- Huawei Not Buying Apple Watch Phenomenon
- Fitbit Smartwatch Details Leak
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on IDC's and Gartner's 1Q17 PC shipment data. After putting the numbers in context, we take a closer look at their Mac sales estimates. There are some clues regarding how the new MacBook Pro is selling and broader implications for the Mac business. The discussion then turns to surprising comments from Huawei's CEO regarding smartwatches and wearables. The email concludes with a closer look at leaked details for Fitbit's new smartwatch. We go over my thoughts on the topic, including the major implications resulting from the product launching in the fall instead of spring.
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Apple Continues GPU Talent Hiring Spree, Apple's Path Forward Without Imagination, Touch Bar Getting Bad Rap
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Continues GPU Talent Hiring Spree
- Apple's Path Forward Without Imagination
- Touch Bar Getting Bad Rap
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on Apple looking to hire additional GPU talent in London. The topic adds a new chapter to the Apple/Imagination Technologies story regarding Apple's GPU ambitions. The discussion then turns to how Apple may be able to come up with its own GPU without using Imagination's intellectual property. This would certainly change the current debate in the marketplace over Apple's long-term relationship with Imagination. The email concludes with my thoughts on Touch Bar criticism. This Mac feature continues to get a bad rap from some Mac users. Touch Bar backlash is now being positioned by some as a reason for Apple to change its Mac strategy. We take a closer look at the claim and why Apple introduced Touch Bar.
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Apple's Improving Wall Street Narrative, Tesla Passes Ford and GM on Wall Street, The iPad's Deteriorating Narrative
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple's Improving Wall Street Narrative
- Tesla Passes Ford and GM on Wall Street
- The iPad's Deteriorating Narrative
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on AAPL shares continuing to outperform the overall market. With 2Q17 earnings right around the corner, discussion around AAPL's stock price and valuation is picking up. The email then turns to news of Tesla becoming the largest automaker in the U.S. according to market cap. Tesla provides a great example of how a powerful narrative can drive stock valuation. We go over what I think is Tesla's current narrative on Wall Street and the key difference between Tesla's and Apple's narratives. The discussion concludes with a closer look at J.D. Power's tablet satisfaction study. Microsoft Surface beat iPad for the first time. We go over the study and implications for both Microsoft and Apple.
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Smartwatch Obsession Hits Switzerland, Apple Wants to Sell Premium Cable Bundle, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Smartwatch Obsession Hits Switzerland
- Apple Wants to Sell Premium Cable Bundle
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email with my thoughts and observations on David Pierce's (Wired) report from Baselworld, the watch industry's CES. Smartwatches and connected watches were everywhere. We go over why I think Apple Watch momentum is building. We also go over why legacy watchmakers continue to be in such trouble. The email then turns to the report of Apple looking to do something with bundling premium cable channels. I share my thoughts regarding video content and why premium scripted TV content shouldn't be Apple's only focus. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Do you really think Apple will sell a pair of AR glasses? What are the odds such a product is a head fake?
- Why did Apple wait so long before becoming aggressive selling iPad?
- Why doesn't Apple include mouse support in iOS?
- Could you see Apple selling Apple Watch cases separate from bands at some point?
- Is there any publicly available information regarding what percent of Product Red Apple products is donated to The Global Fund?
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Apple Convenes Emergency Mac Meeting, Apple's Revised Mac Strategy, Playing Defense with Mac Pro
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Convenes Emergency Mac Meeting
- Apple's Revised Mac Strategy
- Playing Defense with Mac Pro
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on Apple convening five outside journalists for an on-the-record 90-minute briefing to talk about the Mac. We go over Apple's goals for the meeting, as well as the upcoming Mac products in the pipeline. The discussion then turns Apple's revised Mac strategy. There does look to be some rather significant changes. We go over what I think the original strategy was and how a new Mac Pro alters that strategy. I also share my theory on how Apple gave a new Mac Pro the green light. The email concludes with my view that Apple is playing defense with the Mac Pro. The company is afraid of losing one key attribute needed for its mobile strategy.
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Christopher Stringer Leaving Apple, Apple Industrial Design Group Changes, Apple Goes Public with GPU Ambition
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Christopher Stringer Leaving Apple
- Apple Industrial Design Group Changes
- Apple Goes Public with GPU Ambition
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on Christopher Stringer, a long-time Apple industrial designer, leaving Apple. This is a big loss for the company. The discussion then turns to implications resulting from Apple losing two key members of its industrial design group within 12 months of each other. The email concludes with a closer look at Apple notifying Imagination Technologies, supplier of intellectual property and technology for Apple GPUs, that it has been developing its own graphics design for controlling its products. We go over some of the implications found with Apple's growing GPU ambition and things to look for going forward.
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Finding iPad's Future Role, iPad's Crutch, The Smartphone Design Leader
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Finding iPad's Future Role
- iPad's Crutch
- The Smartphone Design Leader
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on the iPad's future role. We go over my definition of iPad and what the device actually represents. We look at which Apple product best serves as inspiration for iPad. The discussion then turns to the iPad having a crutch, an item that is elevated in importance to ease the transition for PC users but ultimately serves as a long-term hinderance. The email concludes with a closer look at the argument that Samsung is leading the smartphone industry when it comes to design. We go over my thoughts and observations on the idea and why the definition of design plays a big role in how we view today's smartphone design leaders.
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Doubling Down on iPad, The Samsung Galaxy S8 Keynote, Samsung's Apple Envy
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Doubling Down on iPad
- The Samsung Galaxy S8 Keynote
- Samsung's Apple Envy
We begin today's email by continuing the discussion kicked off in my article, "Apple Is Pushing iPad Like Never Before." We discuss why Apple management thinks so highly of the current iPad line. We also look at the most likely path forward for the Mac given recent iPad strategy shifts. The email then turns to Samsung's Galaxy S8 keynote yesterday in New York City. We go over my thoughts and observations on the keynote. The discussion concludes with why I think Samsung is infatuated with Apple.
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Facebook Launches Stories, Controlling the Camera, Apple's Identity Network
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Facebook Launches Stories
- Controlling the Camera
- Apple's Identity Network
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on Facebook launching Stories. We discuss the symbolism behind Facebook now embracing Stories across its properties. The discussion then turns to how Facebook, Snap, and their competitors want to control the cameras in our lives. We look at the topic from the perspective of Apple. The email concludes with Apple's approach to social. Upon closer examination, Apple looks at social in a different way compared to other companies. We discuss my thoughts on Apple building a new kind of identity network using the company's new Clips app as an example of how this identity network functions.
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Apple Ramping AR Glasses Effort, AR Glasses vs. Project Titan, Elon Musk Launches Neuralink
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Ramping AR Glasses Effort
- AR Glasses vs. Project Titan
- Elon Musk Launches Neuralink
We begin today's email with my thoughts and observations on the Financial Times article detailing Apple's efforts to develop a pair of augmented reality glasses. The discussion then addresses whether AR glasses have pushed Project Titan and Apple's car ambitions to the back burner. The email concludes with a closer look at Neuralink, Elon Musk's latest start-up focused on fusing AI with the brain. Do technology implants position wearables as merely a quick detour to something much more important?
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Apple Building AR Platform, Amazon Continuing to Explore Stores, Apple Retail Genius Changes
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Building AR Platform
- Amazon Continuing to Explore Stores
- Apple Retail Genius Changes
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on Bloomberg's recent article detailing aspects of Apple's augmented reality (AR) initiative. There's more to the story than Apple working on a pair of AR glasses. The discussion then turns to The New York Times' big profile on Amazon's retail ambitions. We look at the news from the perspective of Apple Retail. The email concludes with a closer look at recent Apple Retail Genius changes pertaining to how training is conducted. There is evidence of the change signaling a much larger shift in strategy regarding Apple Geniuses.
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