Apple Event Review: Major Themes
Today's Above Avalon email is focused on reviewing Apple's inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater. The email covers five major themes from Apple's presentation:
- Attending the Event
- Apple Product Pricing Shock
- Apple Watch Strength
- iPhone X Impressions
- Doubling Down on Apple TV Strategy
The second half of my event review (published tomorrow) will include my full notes from attending the inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater.
My full Apple event review is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Previewing Apple's Inaugural Event at Steve Jobs Theater
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
Previewing Apple's Inaugural Event at Steve Jobs Theater
- The iOS 11 GM Leak
- iPhone
- Apple Watch
- Apple TV
- HomePod
- Wildcards
Today's email will be dedicated to previewing Apple's inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater. We first go over my thoughts on the huge iOS 11 GM leak that occured late last week. We then go through all of my expectations regarding new hardware announcements with a focus on the more strategic items. The email concludes with a few possible wildcard announcements for tomorrow's event.
(I will be attending the inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater. The daily member emails on Wednesday and Thursday will be dedicated to reviewing the event.)
My full event preview is available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
Become an Above Avalon member to read my full event preview 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.
Samsung's OLED Monopoly, NYT Goes After Apple Job Inequality, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Samsung's OLED Monopoly
- NYT Goes After Apple Job Inequality
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email by going over reports that Samsung is overcharging Apple for OLED displays to be used in the upcoming OLED iPhone. There is something about that theory that doesn't sit right with me. The discussion then turns to The New York Times' piece on job inequality. Apple was used as an example to demonstrate how the relationship between corporations and workers has changed. We go over my thoughts and observations on the article. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Given news of Siri leadership changing hands, do I think anything has changed with respect to Apple's overall services strategy? Does Apple need to institute changes to its services strategy
- What do I make of Apple possibly bidding for the James Bond franchise?
- Do I think Apple will abandon the AirPort home router product line?
- What are the odds AirPods will see an update next week?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Siri Leadership Changes Hands, Eddy Cue's Role Within Apple, Apple Debt Doubt
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Siri Leadership Changes Hands
- Eddy Cue's Role Within Apple
- Apple Debt Doubt
We kick off today's email with my thoughts and observations on Apple transitioning Siri leadership from Eddy Cue to Craig Federighi. The discussion then takes a closer look at Eddy Cue's evolving role within Apple and my view as to his current role within Tim Cook's inner circle. The email then turns to a Bloomberg article regarding the lack of criticism and doubt facing Apple's debt issuances. We look at the issue in detail as well my latest thinking regarding Apple's balance sheet strategy.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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My iPhone in China Theory, Deep Dive into Roku's IPO Filing, Apple Searching for Apple Studios HQ
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- My iPhone in China Theory
- Deep Dive into Roku's IPO Filing
- Apple Searching for Apple Studios HQ
We kick off today's email by continuing the discussion found in last week's AboveAvalon.com article ("Apple in China"). Specifically, we go over my theory on why iPhone sales turned weak in China. The discussion then turns to Roku filing for an IPO. We take a deep dive into Roku's S-1 IPO filing. The email then turns to the latest scoop from The Financial Times regarding Apple Studios. We go over two observations from news that Apple is thinking about moving to The Culver Studios.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Alexa Partners with Cortana, Google Unveils ARCore, The ARKit Hype Phase
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Alexa Partners with Cortana
- Google Unveils ARCore
- The ARKit Hype Phase
We begin today's email with my thoughts and observations on Amazon and Microsoft announcing a new kind of digital voice assistant partnership involving Alexa and Cortana. The discussion then turns to Google unveiling ARCore. After going over how I'm thinking about Google and AR, we go over why I think we are in the ARKit hype phase and what it means for Apple and AR.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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The Apple Television Set Debate, Saying No to an Apple Television Set, Tim Cook Barnstorms Across U.S.
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- The Apple Television Set Debate
- Saying No to an Apple Television Set
- Tim Cook Barnstorms Across U.S.
We begin today's email with my thoughts on the ongoing debate regarding Apple selling its own television set. The discussion then turns to why I am not in the camp that thinks Apple should have a change of heart and begin selling its own television set. The email turns to Andrew Ross Sorkin, writing for The New York Times, wondering why Tim Cook is acting like a politician these days. We go over the topic and discuss how Tim Cook's legacy as Apple CEO is beginning to appear.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Fitbit Unveils Ionic Smartwatch, Apple to Unveil 4K Apple TV Box, Apple TV Intrigue
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Fitbit Unveils Ionic Smartwatch
- Apple to Unveil 4K Apple TV Box
- Apple TV Intrigue
We begin today's email with my thoughts and observations on Fitbit's new Ionic smartwatch. The discussion then turns to Apple TV. After going over Bloomberg's report on what to expect with the upcoming Apple TV update, we go over why Apple TV continues to intrigue me.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Apple to Launch Self-Driving Shuttle Service, Project Titan Isn't a Rorschach Test, A $999 OLED iPhone
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Apple to Launch Self-Driving Shuttle Service
- Project Titan Isn't a Rorschach Test
- A $999 OLED iPhone
We kick off today's email with a closer look at The New York Times report regarding Apple's Project Titan. We go over news of Apple working on a self-driving shuttle service for employees. The discussion then turns to the broader topic of why there are so many different viewpoints in the tech community regarding Project Titan. In reality, Apple's transportation initiative isn't a big black box as many people make it out to be. We connect all of the dots to get a clear picture of Project Titan. The email then turns to the first official report regarding pricing for the upcoming OLED iPhone. The report matches my initial pricing projections for the premium iPhone. We revisit my pricing projections for the entire iPhone line.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Estimating iPhone Sales Mix by Model, Video Streaming Is an Arms Race, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Estimating iPhone Sales Mix by Model
- Video Streaming Is an Arms Race
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email by going over my estimates for iPhone sales mix by model during FY3Q17. We go over the methodology and data behind my estimates. The discussion then turns to Variety's interesting interview with Ted Sarandos, Netflix's Chief Content Officer. The video streaming space has become an arms race. We go over my thoughts on the interview and how I think Apple should approach Netflix. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- What do you think is Apple's gross margin on services?
- Does Apple have room to grow its Services margin over the next four years?
- Who should Netflix buy?
- Do you see Netflix becoming more like Amazon over time?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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The Future of Apple's Cash Machine, Apple Sets Original Video Content Budget, Apple Studios Taking Shape
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- The Future of Apple's Cash Machine
- Apple Sets Original Video Content Budget
- Apple Studios Taking Shape
We kick off today's email by going deeper into the discussion found in this week's AboveAvalon.com article ("Apple Has the Best Business Model for Generating Cash"). Specifically, we go over my thoughts on the Apple cash machine changing in the future. The discussion then turns to the WSJ reporting Apple has established a $1B budget for original video content. We go over my thoughts and observations on the report, including how that $1B stacks up to the budgets of other companies getting into original video content. The email then turns to my Apple Studios theory and how Apple's latest moves in video and music continue to fit with the idea of Apple establishing a somewhat independent content arm.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Aetna Looking to Subsidize Apple Watch, Thoughts on New Apple Watch Pricing and Naming
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Aetna Looking to Subsidize Apple Watch
- Thoughts on New Apple Watch Pricing and Naming
We kick off today's email with a closer look at CNBC's report regarding Aetna meeting with Apple to subsidize Apple Watches. The email then turns to my thoughts and observations on how Apple may price its new Apple Watches next month. We look at where a cellular Apple Watch fits into the line. The discussion concludes by going over my naming projections for the entire Apple Watch line.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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2Q17 Wearables Market Deep-Dive, Apple Working on Various AR Glasses Prototypes, Snap Spectacles Are Flopping
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- 2Q17 Wearables Market Deep-Dive
- Apple Working on Various AR Glasses Prototypes
- Snap Spectacles Are Flopping
We begin today's email with a closer look at how the wearables market played out in 2Q17. We go the major themes as well as sales leaders. We also look at my sales estimates for the industry and discuss why the total is different than it is with other research firms. The email then turns to a report from the Financial Times regarding Apple working on AR glasses. The discussion concludes with a closer look at Snap Spectacles sales and why I think the product is flopping in the marketplace.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Disney Announces Huge Strategic Shift, Disney's Impact on Apple, Thursday Q&A
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Disney Announces Huge Strategic Shift
- Disney's Impact on Apple
- Thursday Q&A
We begin today's email with my thoughts on Disney's strategic shift regarding content distribution. We go over the announcement and discuss the varying degrees of potential success with live sports and scripted content. The email then turns to the implications Disney's announcement has for Apple. We end the email with the latest installment of member Q&A, and I answer the following questions from Above Avalon members:
- Who are the top candidates for becoming Tim Cook's successor as Apple CEO?
- How much of an impact would cellular connectivity provide for Apple Watch in the future? How would its usage change in relation to iPhone and AirPods?
- Do you believe the HomePod OS leak was intentional?
- Would it have been better for Apple not to have sold the iPad mini?
- When could we see an Apple Glasses launch event?
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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Fitbit Betting the Farm on a Smartwatch, Fossil Losing Steam in Wearables, Ming-Chi Kuo's Big iPhone Reversal
Today's Above Avalon email includes the following stories:
- Fitbit Betting the Farm on a Smartwatch
- Fossil Losing Steam in Wearables
- Ming-Chi Kuo's Big iPhone Reversal
We begin today's email with my thoughts on Fitbit's recent earnings. It is clear the company is betting it all on smartwatches. The discussion then turns to Fossil running into trouble in the wearables market. We dissect the company's problem and the implications it has regarding Apple and Apple Watch. The email concludes with a closer look at KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's huge reversal in iPhone projections. We go over the changes, what likely happened, and where everything stands heading into next month's iPhone event. We also discuss my latest thinking on new iPhone pricing.
These stories are available for Above Avalon members. To continue reading, click here.
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