Tim Cook Confirms Autonomous Systems Interest, WSJ Goes After Siri, Siri Usage Numbers
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Tim Cook Confirms Autonomous Systems Interest
- WSJ Goes After Siri
- Siri Usage Numbers
We kick off today's email by discussing Tim Cook's latest comments about autonomous systems to Bloomberg. Cook provided the clearest commentary to date regarding Apple's interest in self-driving cars. The email then turns to the WSJ's deep dive into Siri. The publication did not hold anything back in dismantling much of Apple's Siri strategy. We go over my thoughts on the WSJ article. The discussion concludes with a closer look at Siri usage numbers and why usage tells a completely different story about the digital voice assistant compared to how Siri is depicted in the press.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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WWDC's Tech Focus, Apple Addresses Tipping in App Store, OLED iPhone Supply Fears Subsiding
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- WWDC's Tech Focus
- Apple Addresses Tipping in App Store
- OLED iPhone Supply Fears Subsiding
We kick off today's email by discussing how this year's WWDC keynote had a more tech-oriented feel compared to previous years. Does this change imply some kind of priority shift within Apple? We address the question and the broader topic of Apple's unique approach to machine learning, augmented reality, and other core technologies. The discussion then turns to the growing controversy regarding tipping within iOS apps. Apple unveiled its official response to the issue. We take a closer look at the topic and related implications resulting from Apple's stance that tipping is an in-app purchase. The email concludes with a look at the latest reports from the iPhone supply chain signaling decent OLED display supply for the new iPhone later this year. We go over the impact this may have on iPhone unit sales.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple Executives Talk to Developers, Apple Music Subscriber Count Update
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Executives Talk to Developers
- Apple Music Subscriber Count Update
We kick off today's email with a closer look at Apple SVPs Phil Schiller and Craig Federighi's chat with John Gruber on his "The Talk Show" podcast at WWDC. We discuss my observations about the interview. The discussion then turns to the latest Apple Music subscriber count total. We take a deep dive into the number to see how Apple Music is performing. We also go over a few takeaways regarding the broader music streaming space.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Tim Cook Talks HomePod, The iPad as a Crossover Vehicle, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Tim Cook Talks HomePod
- The iPad as a Crossover Vehicle
- Thursday Q&A
We kick off today's email with a closer look at Tim Cook's commentary regarding HomePod. He sat down for an interview with Bloomberg following the WWDC keynote. The discussion then turns to Apple SVPs Phil Schiller and Craig Federighi talking with BuzzFeed about the new iPad Pros. We go over their comments, as well as revisiting the car analogy used by Steve Jobs to describe the post-PC era. We look at why Apple thinks the iPad is more like a crossover vehicle. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- What are some examples of AR features that will be part of the iPhone's evolution?
- If I were an Apple executive, what would I be most concerned about?
- Will Apple allow custom Apple Watch faces?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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WWDC 2017 Review: Full Notes
Today's Above Avalon email is focused on reviewing Apple's WWDC 2017 keynote. The email covers my full notes from Apple's presentation. This is the second half of my keynote review. The first half (major themes from the keynote) is available here.
This email covers 36 different topics pertaining to Apple's WWDC 2017 keynote.
My full WWDC review is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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WWDC 2017 Review: Major Themes
Today's Above Avalon email is focused on reviewing Apple's WWDC 2017 keynote. The email covers five major themes from Apple's presentation:
Attending the Keynote
A New Kind of Apple Watch
A Mac Event
Apple's AR Push Has Begun
iPad's Big Day
HomePod Intrigue
The second half of my earnings review (available here) includes my full notes from attending the WWDC keynote.
This daily update is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Above Avalon Membership
Above Avalon members receive the full Above Avalon experience throughout the week.
The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Daily updates are 2,000 words and sent via email Monday through Thursday. Updates revolve around the following topics:
Apple business and strategy analysis.
Neil’s perspective and observations on current news and Apple competitors.
Neil’s Apple financial estimates.
Full coverage of Apple earnings, product events, and keynotes.
If it is of interest to Apple, it is something I pay attention to.
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Receive Exclusive Daily Updates. The cornerstone of Above Avalon membership is access to Neil’s exclusive daily updates about Apple. Each email is 2,000 words and includes Neil’s analysis and perspective on the most important stories and news impacting Apple. Unlike other paid emails that may sporadically talk about Apple, every Above Avalon daily update is focused on Apple. New updates are sent Monday through Thursday. Approximately 200 daily updates published throughout the year. Sample daily updates can be viewed here, here, and here. Members have the option of receiving a consolidated weekly version of the daily updates. In addition, an RSS feed is available for members.
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Apple WWDC 2017 Preview (Growing Anticipation, My Expectations, Wildcards)
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
Apple WWDC 2017 Preview
- Growing Anticipation
- My Expectations
- Wildcards
Today's email will be dedicated to previewing Apple's upcoming developers' conference. We first go over why anticipation is much higher for this year's WWDC compared to previous years. We then go through all of my expectations regarding new hardware and software announcements. The email concludes with a few possible wildcard announcements for Monday's WWDC keynote.
(I will be attending the WWDC keynote next week. The daily member emails from next Tuesday and Wednesday will be dedicated to reviewing the keynote.)
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Andy Rubin's Essential Phone, Rubin at Code Conference, Everyone Is Trying to Beat iPhone
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Andy Rubin's Essential Phone
- Rubin at Code Conference
- Everyone Is Trying to Beat iPhone
We kick off today's email by taking a deep dive into Andy Rubin's new company, Essential, and new smartphone, Phone. We go over my thoughts on the motivation underpinning the smartphone. The discussion then turns to Rubin's interview at Recode's Code Conference last night. I was left very disappointed. The email concludes with a look at why the iPhone represents such a headache to so many companies, and the various strategies companies are utilizing in an attempt to beat iPhone.
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 Working on AI Chip, Apple Poaches Qualcomm VP, Marc Newson's $12,000 Hourglass
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Working on AI Chip
- Apple Poaches Qualcomm VP
- Marc Newson's $12,000 Hourglass
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on Apple developing its own chip dedicated to handling artificial intelligence processing. The email then turns to Apple poaching a Qualcomm VP with experience in baseband processors. Smoke continues to accumulate around the idea of Apple bringing modem design in-house. We go over a few of the recent developments that give me increasing confidence in Apple's motivation. The email concludes with a look at Marc Newson's $12,000 Hourglass. The Apple industrial designer has received some pushback regarding the product. We discuss the product, the pushback, and the genius behind Marc Newson when it comes to materials and manufacturing. We also go over why the Hourglass reminds me of the Apple Watch Edition (first generation).
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 Beddit, Apple and Nokia End Patent Battle
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Acquires Beddit
- Apple and Nokia End Patent Battle
We kick off today's email with my thoughts on Apple acquiring Beddit, a hardware and software company focused on sleep monitoring. We go over Beddit's history and product. In addition, we look at Apple's motivation for acquiring the company. The discussion then turns to news of Apple and Nokia settling all litigation between each other. We take a deep dive into why this particular Nokia settlement seems different than previous Apple/Nokia settlements. There are implications related to Apple's growing war with Qualcomm.
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.
New 2017 and 2018 Apple EPS Estimates, Thoughts on Apple's Current Valuation, Number of Apple Devices in Wild
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- New 2017 and 2018 Apple EPS Estimates
- Thoughts on Apple's Current Valuation
- Number of Apple Devices in Wild
We kick off today's email with a look at my revised Apple EPS estimates for 2017 and 2018. The discussion then takes a step back to focus on Apple's current valuation. We go over my preferred valuation metric and then begin addressing Apple's valuation compared to the overall market. The email concludes with a look at the number of Apple devices in the wild. We break the total out according to product (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, iPod touch, and Apple Watch). We then discuss a number of key takeaways from Apple's product mix.
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.
Raising My Apple Watch Sales Estimates, Valuing the Apple Watch Business, Revised iPad Sales Estimates
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Raising My Apple Watch Sales Estimates
- Valuing the Apple Watch Business
- Revised iPad Sales Estimates
We begin today's email with a deep dive into my revised Apple Watch sales estimates. My confidence level in Apple selling a significantly higher number of Apple Watches has increased. The email then turns to valuing the Apple Watch business in order to remove the product from the iPhone spotlight. This exercise helps show just how large of a business the Apple Watch has become after just two years. The email concludes with my thoughts on iPad sales for the rest of FY2017 and FY2018.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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2Q17 iPhone Installed Base Estimate, 2Q17 iPhone User Base Estimate, Revised 2017 and 2018 iPhone Sales Estimates
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- 2Q17 iPhone Installed Base Estimate
- 2Q17 iPhone User Base Estimate
- Revised 2017 and 2018 iPhone Sales Estimates
Today's email is focused on iPhone financials. We begin by discussing the iPhone installed base. I share my revised estimate for the size of the iPhone installed base at the end of 2Q17. The discussion then turns to discussing the iPhone user base. We go over the difference between the iPhone installed base and user base, including my revised estimate for the size of the iPhone user base at the end of 2Q17. We conclude by discussing my revised iPhone unit sales estimates for FY2017 and FY2018.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Google I/O 2017, Google Home, YouTube
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Google I/O 2017
- Google Home
- YouTube
Today's email will be dedicated to discussing Google I/O 2017. We first go over my thoughts on the Google I/O keynote, including the strongest and weakest points. We look at the keynote from Apple's perspective. We then take a deep dive into the new Google Home features and discuss implications related to Apple's interest in the smart speaker space. The email concludes with a closer look at why YouTube received such a prominent spot in yesterday's keynote.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Inside Apple Park, Apple Park Is an Apple Product, Jony's Focus
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Inside Apple Park
- Apple Park Is an Apple Product
- Jony's Focus
Today's email will be dedicated to Steven Levy's big profile on Apple's new headquarters, Apple Park. There was a lot to unpack. We will begin with some of my overall thoughts about the piece, and then we will focus on a few major takeaways regarding Apple Park and Jony Ive.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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