Panic at Apple Ahead of OLED iPhone, Apple Losing Video Market Share, Jawbone to Liquidate
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Panic at Apple Ahead of OLED iPhone
- Apple Losing Video Market Share
- Jawbone to Liquidate
We kick off today's email by going over Fast Company's report of there being "panic" at Apple as they try to finalize the OLED iPhone. We break apart the report to connect the dots. The discussion then turns to the WSJ article on Apple losing its competitive positioning in the movie rental and download space. We take a look at the factors driving the change and why Apple is losing positioning. The email concludes with my thoughts on how Jawbone entering liquidation marks the beginning of the end for dedicated health and fitness trackers.
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Thoughts on New iPhone Pricing and Naming
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Thoughts on New iPhone Pricing and Naming
We kick off today's email by going over my thoughts and observations on how Apple may price its new iPhones in September. Apple is expected to unveil three new iPhones (OLED, 4.7-inch, and 5.5-inch). We discuss John Gruber's piece over at Daring Fireball making the case for a $1,200 to $1,400 new OLED iPhone. The discussion then turns to how I have trouble seeing Apple using such a pricing strategy for the OLED iPhone. We go over my different view of iPhone pricing. We then go over my naming projections for Apple's iPhone line later this year. The current iPhone nomenclature is getting stale.
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App Store 2.0, Apple Betting Big on Editorial Curation, Turning the App Store into Something Bigger
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- App Store 2.0
- Apple Betting Big on Editorial Curation
- Turning the App Store into Something Bigger
We kick off today's email by taking a deep dive into the redesigned App Store. The changes are significant enough to refer to the new App Store as App Store 2.0. In particular, we focus on the motivation and strategy behind the changes. The discussion then turns to Apple's big bet on editorial curation in the App Store and how it may impact users/developers. The email concludes with the broader implications found with the redesigned App Store. We look at growing competition for apps from Facebook, Google, Tencent, and Amazon. In addition, we go over Apple's ultimate goal with the redesigned App Store considering management's broader view on apps and content.
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My Ming-Chi Kuo Theory, Tesla Sales Update
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- My Ming-Chi Kuo Theory
- Tesla Sales Update
We kick off today's email by discussing my theory as to how Ming-Chi Kuo (Apple analyst at KGI Securities) has so much information on unannounced Apple products. We go over Kuo's past and all of my observations resulting from years of watching Kuo publish Apple rumors. We also go over the best way of treating Kuo rumors - by Apple product. The email then turns to Tesla. The company provided a vehicle sales update. We go over the numbers and look at Elon Musk's recent comments about Model 3 production. The discussion concludes with my latest views on Tesla and the Model 3.
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New iPhone Expected to Include Facial Recognition, The Odd Touch ID Story
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- New iPhone Expected to Include Facial Recognition
- The Odd Touch ID Story
We kick off today’s email with a closer look at reports suggesting Apple will include facial recognition in lieu of Touch ID on the new OLED iPhone. We go over my thoughts and observations about the reports and the possibility of iPhone lacking Touch ID. The email then turns to a discussion of the various reasons the Touch ID story is so odd. There are a few moving parts to the Touch ID story, and we attempt to connect the dots regarding Apple’s ultimate plans with the OLED iPhone.
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How the iPhone Changed Apple, Jony Ive Speaks at Norman Foster Forum, Apple Is a Toolmaker
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- How the iPhone Changed Apple
- Jony Ive Speaks at Norman Foster Forum
- Apple Is a Toolmaker
We kick off today's email by continuing the discussion found in my latest weekly article, "iPhone Turns Ten." In particular, we focus on how the iPhone fits within Apple's broader product mission. We look at how the iPhone ends up defining three different product eras at Apple. The email then turns to my thoughts on Jony Ive's latest onstage interview at the Norman Foster Foundation Forum. We go over my notes from his talk and then take a deep dive into one of his answers. Jony considers Apple's existence as being driven by being a toolmaker for people. We look at the similarities and differences between this mission and that of Amazon.
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The iPad Debate Rages On, iPads Don't Replace Laptops, iOS Doesn't Replace macOS
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- The iPad Debate Rages On
- iPads Don't Replace Laptops
- iOS Doesn't Replace macOS
We kick off today's email by discussing the ongoing iPad versus laptop debate. Does an iPad Pro replace a laptop? We look at the discussion from the perspective of what the iPad is designed to do in relation to PCs (laptops and desktops). The discussion then moves beyond form factors to compare iOS to macOS and assess the pros and cons found with each platform. We then discuss Apple's motivation behind iOS 11 refinements for iPad and accessories like the Smart Keyboard. The email concludes with how iOS and macOS will address computing workflows in the future.
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Apple ARKit Ahead of Curve, Apple Shipping iPhones Made in India, Pearl Automation Shuts Down
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple ARKit Ahead of Curve
- Apple Shipping iPhones Made in India
- Pearl Automation Shuts Down
We kick off today's email by discussing how Apple's ARKit is ahead of the curve when it comes to bringing AR to the masses. The discussion includes a look at how the major debate in the smartphone industry is moving away from being about market share versus profit share. The email then turns to news of Apple shipping iPhones assembled in India. We go over four observations regarding Apple's prospects in India. The email concludes with my thoughts on Pearl Automation shutting down. Pearl was a three-year-old start-up in the auto industry founded by former Apple employees. The company was intriguing due to its goal of recreating the Apple Way outside of Apple. We look at Pearl's strategy to be like Apple and the company's fundamental problems.
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Apple Has Not Partnered with Hertz, Alphabet Partners with Avis, Apple Acquires SensoMotoric Instruments
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Has Not Partnered with Hertz
- Alphabet Partners with Avis
- Apple Acquires SensoMotoric Instruments
We kick off today's email by discussing Bloomberg's latest report of Apple working with Hertz to manage a self-driving car fleet. There are conflicting accounts as to the Apple/Hertz relationship. The discussion then turns to Alphabet's Waymo subsidiary partnering with Avis. After quickly discussing the business model behind a car rental company, we look at how the Alphabet/Avis partnership may begin to show the possibility of a new kind of business model emerging in the self-driving car space. We then look at why Apple is likely leasing rather than buying cars for testing autonomous systems in California. The email concludes with my thoughts on Apple acquiring SensoMotoric Instruments, a specialist in eye-tracking technology.
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The Niche Mac, A Tesla Music Streaming Service, Imagination Tech Looking to Sell Itself
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- The Niche Mac
- A Tesla Music Streaming Service
- Imagination Tech Looking to Sell Itself
We kick off today's email by continuing the discussion kicked off in my latest weekly article, "WWDC Clues Hint at Mac's Future." In particular, we focus on the Mac's bright future at Apple and the product's evolving role over time. The email then turns to news of Tesla thinking about launching its own music streaming service. We go over my thoughts about the news and why it isn't too surprising given where the auto industry is headed. The discussion concludes with Imagination Technologies looking to sell itself. We go over whether Apple would be interested in acquiring the firm.
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Microsoft's iPad Pro Frustration, Virgin Mobile Becomes First iPhone Exclusive Carrier, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Microsoft's iPad Pro Frustration
- Virgin Mobile Becomes First iPhone Exclusive Carrier
- Thursday Q&A
We kick off today's email with a closer look at why I think Microsoft is becoming increasingly frustrated by the iPad Pro. Microsoft Surface executives continue to publicly comment on how Apple is copying Surface. We go over why this line of thinking makes little sense and why Microsoft keeps saying it. The discussion then turns to news of Virgin Mobile becoming the first carrier to sell just iPhones. We go over my thoughts on the development and what it may mean for Apple. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Would Apple ever adopt a bundled service model combining Apple Music, streaming TV/movies, iBooks, iCloud Storage, and the iPhone Upgrade Program into a monthly or annual subscription?
- What do I make of Apple Pencil in light of Scott Forstall's commentary regarding tablet styli?
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The Scott Forstall Interview, An Apple with Scott Forstall, Apple's War on Leakers
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- The Scott Forstall Interview
- An Apple with Scott Forstall
- Apple's War on Leakers
We kick off today's email by discussing Scott Forstall's first public comments about his time at Apple since being fired by Tim Cook in 2012. Forstall, former SVP of iOS Software, had a few things to say about iPhone development during an interview with John Markoff at the Computer History Museum. The discussion then turns to my view on what would happen if Scott Forstall ever returned to Apple in a position of significant power. We look at Apple's culture, Forstall's motivation, and his relationships with other Apple executives. The email concludes with a closer look at The Outline's report detailing Apple's war on product leakers. There were a number of interesting tidbits regarding Apple product leaks discussed in the piece.
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iPhone Sales Share Bottoming in China, PayPal Downplays Apple Pay Cash Threat, Apple Working on Medical Data Depository
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- iPhone Sales Share Bottoming in China
- PayPal Downplays Apple Pay Cash Threat
- Apple Working on Medical Data Depository
We kick off today's email by discussing the latest Kantar data regarding iPhone sales share. There are signs of iPhone sales share bottoming in China. We go over my thoughts on the numbers. The email then turns to recent comments from PayPal CEO Dan Schulman downplaying Apple Pay Cash as an upcoming headache for Venmo. We go over why Schulman is in a tough position and the primary reason Apple Pay Cash is an issue for Venmo. The discussion concludes by going over CNBC's latest report about Apple researching a new type of medical data depository for iPhone.
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Apple Poaches Sony TV Executives, Tim Cook's Strong Businessweek Interview, Spotify Discloses User Count
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple Poaches Sony TV Executives
- Tim Cook's Strong Businessweek Interview
- Spotify Discloses User Count
We kick off today's email by discussing my thoughts on Apple's big Hollywood news. The company poached Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg from Sony. The move fits in with our ongoing discussion around Apple and original video content. We go over the major implications related to the hires. The discussion then turns to Tim Cook's latest interview following WWDC. In what was one of his strongest interviews to date, we take a closer look at two of Cook's answers to Businessweek regarding Apple motivation and competition. The email concludes with a closer look at Spotify's new disclosure related to the total number of users (free and paid tiers). We go over two streaming media implications found with the data point.
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HomePod and Augmented Hearing, The Smart Home Is Wide Open, Google Poaches Apple SoC Architect
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- HomePod and Augmented Hearing
- The Smart Home Is Wide Open
- Google Poaches Apple SoC Architect
We kick off today's email by continuing the discussion kicked off in my latest weekly article, "HomePod." In particular, we go over how HomePod ends up being a great example of where the technology world is headed. The discussion then turns to an extensive survey published by Morning Consult regarding smart voice assistants in the home. We go over why I remain skeptical about surveys and how this particular survey ends up showing that the "smart home" war hasn't even begun. The email concludes with my thoughts on news of Google poaching an Apple SoC architect in order to build chips powering its Pixel smartphones.
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