Everyone Seems to Be Forgetting About Apple Maps (AVALON Podcast)
In the 32nd episode of the AVALON podcast, Neil discussed the following topics/subjects:
What's on the Agenda (the bulk of the discussion modeled after Apple’s Monday morning meetings)
Addressing odd criticisms and the overall lack of “takes” regarding LA Lakers in Apple Immersive Video, and why Apple Vision Pro offers something different than just the feeling of attending live events in person.
How and why Apple Maps history helps frame the Apple/Google partnership regarding Gemini models.
Why Goldman was willing to lose money on Apple Card, and why Apple doesn't launch a credit card on its own.
Lighting Round (two topics two minutes each)
Ads coming to ChatGPT
Apple gives Apple Services the New Year treatment with some fresh financial disclosures.
Give Me a Break (something ridiculous that jumped out at me)
X chasing long-from content via their Articles feature.
Tell Me More (something intriguing that has my attention)
A brick and mortar resurgence that bodes well for Apple Maps and Apple’s advertising business.
Become a subscriber to listen to the 82-minute episode. Already an AVALON subscriber? The episode “Everyone Seems to Be Forgetting About Apple Maps” is in your podcast player.
Choose a monthly subscription or go with annual to save. (Charges can be expensed by your employer as the podcast is filled with analysis and research. If you need paid invoice receipts, go with the annual plan.)
Upon signup, you will receive a welcome email with directions for getting the AVALON podcast in your player. This episode will then automatically appear in your podcast player. AVALON can be listened to in Apple Podcasts and various third-party podcast players including Pocket Casts, Overcast, and Castro.
If you currently subscribe to the Above Avalon Daily newsletter (great choice), with the Podcasts Package attached to your subscription, you get the AVALON podcast for FREE. This is one of the best deals available in the Above Avalon ecosystem.
If you subscribe to Above Avalon Daily without the Podcasts Package, no worries - you still receive a large 40% discount. Pay just an extra $6 per month (or $60 per year) for AVALON by filling out this form.
Let’s Talk About This Apple AI Pin Rumor
Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following story:
Let’s Talk About This Apple AI Pin Rumor
Today’s update is dedicated to talking about The Information’s article regarding Apple working on an AI wearable pin. There may be some funny business at play. Let’s discuss.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
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Netflix 4Q25 Earnings, Netflix Is Misreading the Market, The Warner Bros. Discovery Deal
Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following stories:
Netflix 4Q25 Earnings
Netflix Is Misreading the Market
The Warner Bros. Discovery Deal
The 4Q25 earnings season has begun for us. We will kick things off by analyzing Netflix’s 4Q25 earnings and earnings interview. The discussion then turns to how Netflix is misreading the market. We conclude with Neil’s thoughts on where the Warner Bros. Discovery deal stands.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access to Neil Cybart. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.
Ads Coming to ChatGPT, OpenAI’s Strategy, Apple Implications
Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following stories:
Ads Coming to ChatGPT
OpenAI’s Strategy
Apple Implications
The update is dedicated to going over Neil’s thoughts on ads coming to ChatGPT. In particular, we analyze OpenAI’s strategy. Is OpenAI late or early with bringing ads to ChatGPT? Related implications that ads in ChatGPT raise for Apple are also discussed.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access to Neil Cybart. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.
So, How Much Did Your Seat Cost? (AVALON Podcast)
In the 31st episode of the AVALON podcast, Neil discussed the following topics/subjects:
What's on the Agenda (the bulk of the discussion modeled after Apple’s Monday morning meetings)
Neil's thoughts on LA Lakers in Apple Immersive Video.
Apple and Google officially announcing a partnership regarding Gemini models.
Chase to become the new issuer behind Apple Card.
Lighting Round (two topics two minutes each)
Apple unveils Apple Creator Studio
Apple Vision Pro Arcades?
Give Me a Break (something ridiculous that jumped out at me)
The NYT’s continued attempts to paint Apple in a negative light.
Tell Me More (something intriguing that has my attention)
Genuine storytellers, such as Adam the Woo, in a sea of AI slop.
Become a subscriber to listen to the 56-minute episode. Already an AVALON subscriber? The episode “So, How Much Did Your Seat Cost?” is in your podcast player.
Choose a monthly subscription or go with annual to save. (Charges can be expensed by your employer as the podcast is filled with analysis and research. If you need paid invoice receipts, go with the annual plan.)
Upon signup, you will receive a welcome email with directions for getting the podcast in your player. AVALON can be listened to in Apple Podcasts and various third-party podcast players including Pocket Casts, Overcast, and Castro.
If you currently subscribe to the Above Avalon Daily newsletter (great choice), with the Podcasts Package attached to your subscription, you get the AVALON podcast for FREE. This is one of the best deals available in the Above Avalon ecosystem.
If you subscribe to Above Avalon Daily without the Podcasts Package, no worries - you still receive a large 40% discount. Pay just an extra $6 per month (or $60 per year) for AVALON by filling out this form.
Barnes & Noble Has Become an Antidote to Amazon (Inside Orchard)
If someone said ten years ago that Barnes & Noble, the U.S. book seller, would experience a resurgence in the mid-2020s, few would believe the prediction. And yet, Barnes & Noble is doing just that by opening dozens of stores a year, defying consensus expectations of a there being a retail desert drained of water by Amazon.
Thanks to a multi-year expansion, the number of Barnes & Noble stores stands at approximately 700, close to the peak number seen in the late 2000s. As seen with the following new store openings trajectory, management is quite bullish about business prospects.
2023: 30 new stores
2024: 61 new stores
2025: 67 new stores
2026 (expected): 60 new stores
It’s a remarkable turn of events for a retailer that closed 20% of its stores last decade. The growth isn’t a result of Barnes & Noble reverting to its former strategy. Instead, we are seeing a retailer that has undergone significant change.
Become an Inside Orchard subscriber today to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in and read the full essay here.
An audio version of this essay is also available to subscribers. Sign in for instructions on getting the private podcast up and running in your favorite podcast player.
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Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Receive Exclusive Weekly Essays. The cornerstone of an Inside Orchard subscription is access to Neil’s weekly essays on the latest developments in the technology industry. Essays are ~1,000 words and sent via email on Fridays. Essays revolve around the following topics: technology industry analysis, business model analysis, technology’s impact on societal and consumer trends. Read a few sample essays here, here, and here.
Access Exclusive Private Podcast. Listen to Inside Orchard essays via an exclusive private podcast. After becoming a subscriber, all previously-published podcast episodes become available in your favorite podcast player. Podcast episodes never become available to the public.
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Apple Returns to Publishing Services Recap, Estimating App Store Revenue, Breaking Down Apple’s Services Revenue Growth
Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following stories:
Apple Returns to Publishing Services Recap
Estimating App Store Revenue
Breaking Down Apple’s Services Revenue Growth
In a welcome change, Apple used the first few weeks of a new calendar year to return to publishing a year-in-review for its Services business. We begin today’s update by going over Neil’s thoughts on Apple’s press release. The discussion then goes over Neil’s estimates for App Store revenue and the various revenue growth drivers responsible for Apple’s Services revenue growth.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access to Neil Cybart. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.
Apple Unveils Apple Creator Studio, Apple’s Bet, Potential Risk Factors
Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following stories:
Apple Unveils Apple Creator Studio
Apple’s Bet
Potential Risk Factors
Hello everyone. Apple unveiled a new paid service that plays in the creative app vertical. Today’s update will be dedicated to discussing the new service. The discussion goes over Apple’s broader bet that is being placed with Apple Creator Studio.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access to Neil Cybart. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.
Apple and Google Make Gemini Models Deal Official, Apple’s Optionality, Revisiting Apple’s (AI) Long Game
Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following stories:
Apple and Google Make Gemini Models Deal Official
Apple’s Optionality
Revisiting Apple’s (AI) Long Game
We kick things off with Neil’s thoughts on Apple and Google announcing a deal regarding Apple Foundation models being based on Gemini models. The discussion then turns to how the deal provides Apple optionality when thinking about longer-term implications. We conclude by going over Apple’s (AI) long game.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access to Neil Cybart. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.
My Impressions Watching LA Lakers in Apple Immersive Video
Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following story:
My Impressions Watching LA Lakers in Apple Immersive Video
Last Friday, the first LA Lakers game in Apple Immersive Video aired. A full replay is available to most Apple Vision Pro owners for free (via the NBA app). Today’s update will go over my impressions watching the game. We will continue the discussion tomorrow.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access to Neil Cybart. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.
Lots of Questions (AVALON)
In the 30th episode of the AVALON podcast, instead of coming up with predictions for Apple at the start of 2026, Neil embraces the unknown found with a new calendar year by looking at questions facing the company in the new year.
Become a subscriber to listen to the 64-minute episode. Already an AVALON subscriber? The episode “Lots of Questions” is in your podcast player.
Choose a monthly subscription or go with annual to save. (Charges can be expensed by your employer as the podcast is filled with analysis and research. If you need paid invoice receipts, go with the annual plan.)
Upon signup, you will receive a welcome email with directions for getting the podcast in your player. AVALON can be listened to in Apple Podcasts and various third-party podcast players including Pocket Casts, Overcast, and Castro.
If you currently subscribe to the Above Avalon Daily newsletter (great choice), with the Podcasts Package attached to your subscription, you get the AVALON podcast for FREE. This is one of the best deals available in the Above Avalon ecosystem.
If you subscribe to Above Avalon Daily without the Podcasts Package, no worries - you still receive a large 40% discount. Pay just an extra $6 per month (or $60 per year) for AVALON by filling out this form.
Why AI Slop Worries Me (Inside Orchard)
The feeling circulating on social media, where much of AI mania lives and breathes, is that AI slop is the next iteration of the short form video revolution. There is a certain level of inevitableness in the air that videos generated by text prompts are the future. Since complaints and worries regarding short form video didn’t stop TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts from becoming giants, there are growing fears that nothing may stop AI slop momentum. I am genuinely concerned and worried about where things are headed.
By lowering the bar to creating videos, we are being introduced to visual stimuli designed to hijack our expectations and emotions. AI slop is causing us to become desensitized to genuine storytelling. An example of generative AI going astray demonstrates this dynamic. Prior to generative AI, a video of cars sliding down an icy street did well in terms of getting views on social media. The audience would be glued to such videos as the outcome wouldn’t exactly be known. For those of us familiar with winter driving, the videos likely caused us to think of our own close calls on ice or snow. Thanks to generative AI, one can now create their own “car sliding on ice” video. Anyone can create a video depicting an orange Lamborghini losing control on ice, hitting bystanders, and then, to add some spice at the end, sinking in a body of water. Watching the extreme scene (which never happened) unfold, we go through what has become the normal routine of initially being shocked by what we are watching but then quickly suspecting it’s AI and having our suspicions confirmed by checking the video’s comments section.
Some people may ask what harm is found with watching a fake Lamborghini slide on ice. Am I picking too much on AI slop simply because it’s new and different?
Become an Inside Orchard subscriber today to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in and read the full essay here.
An audio version of this essay is also available to Inside Orchard subscribers. Sign in for instructions on getting the private podcast up and running in your favorite podcast player.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is processed by Memberful and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. Special bundle pricing is available when subscribing to both Inside Orchard and the Above Avalon Daily newsletter.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Receive Exclusive Essays. The cornerstone of an Inside Orchard subscription is access to Neil’s essays on the latest developments in the technology industry. Weekly essays are ~1,000 words and sent via email. Essays revolve around the following topics: technology industry analysis, business model analysis, technology’s impact on societal and consumer trends. Create a free profile to read a few sample essays.
Access Exclusive Private Podcast. Listen to Inside Orchard essays via an exclusive private podcast. After becoming a subscriber, all previously-published podcast episodes become available in your favorite podcast player. Podcast episodes never become available to the public.
Inside Orchard Support. Play an active role in supporting Inside Orchard as an independent source of analysis and perspective. Inside Orchard is 100% supported by its subscribers.
Chase to Take Over Apple Card From Goldman, Possible Apple Card Changes, A Different Sales Proposition for Apple Vision Pro?
Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following stories:
Chase to Take Over Apple Card From Goldman
Possible Apple Card Changes
A Different Sales Proposition for Apple Vision Pro?
We wrap up the first week of updates in 2026 with Apple Card. The update goes over Neil’s thoughts on news that Chase will officially be taking over Apple Card from Goldman Sachs. The discussion covers possible changes that will eventually come to Apple Card. We conclude the update with Apple Vision Pro. One comment that came in from a subscriber to yesterday’s LA Lakers in Apple Immersive Video discussion deserves our attention.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access to Neil Cybart. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.
Getting Ready for LA Lakers in Apple Immersive Video, A Big Deal, What’s Next?
Today's Above Avalon Daily update includes the following stories:
Getting Ready for LA Lakers in Apple Immersive Video
A Big Deal
What’s Next?
We kick things off with Neil’s thoughts on new details regarding the upcoming LA Lakers games that will be available in Apple Immersive Video. The discussion then turns to why these games are such a big deal for Apple and Apple Vision Pro. We conclude with Neil’s thoughts on how all of this may play out when thinking about the next steps and Apple’s broader ambition.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this daily update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access to Neil Cybart. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Financial Models.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.
Apple Questions for 2026
Similar to how we tried something new to wrap up 2025, the first update of the new year will be a bit different from what was published in prior years.
Above Avalon launched in 2014. For the first six years, I began each new calendar year by publishing a list of questions facing Apple. This was my answer to New Year’s prediction posts, links, and tweets. Predictions are nothing more than attempts at manufacturing clarity for what is inherently a sea of unknown. New Year’s predictions are even more problematic as the person issuing the prediction needs to come up with what may happen, and the predicted event must occur within an arbitrary time.
Instead of coming up with predictions for Apple at the start of 2026, there is value found in embracing the unknown and looking at questions facing the company in the new year. The irony is that embracing the unknown found with asking questions will aid navigating the sea of unknown.
Approximately 35 questions are addressed.
An Above Avalon Daily subscription is required to read this update. Subscribers can read the update here.
An audio version of this update is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership.
Choose either a monthly or annual subscription. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and subscription status at any time.
Subscriber Privileges and Benefits
Exclusive Analysis. Receive the Above Avalon Daily newsletter, widely-recognized as the leading daily newsletter dedicated to Apple. Now in its tenth year.
Archive Access. Access previous updates sent to members in an easy-to-navigate archive built in Ghost.
Full Access to Above Avalon Forum. Access exclusive channels in the Above Avalon forum in Discord.
Email Access to Neil Cybart. Receive timely responses from Neil to email inquiries.
Access Bundle Discounts. Customize a subscription with additional Above Avalon products and save: AVALON, Podcasts Packages, Inside Orchard, and Above Avalon Models.
Above Avalon Support. Play an active role in supporting Above Avalon as an independent voice and resource. Above Avalon is 100% funded by subscribers.
Wrapping up 2025 (AVALON)
In the 29th episode of the AVALON podcast, Neil recapped some of the most interesting Apple stories from 2025.
In 2025, 168 Above Avalon Daily updates consisting of approximately 450 stories were published. To close out 2025, an idea that came to Neil was to recap the 20 most interesting stories published in 2025. Approximately 40 stories made the first cut with four additional cuts needed to bring the total down to 20 stories. With those 20 stories in hand, they were then ranked in terms of their overall impact / intrigue level / importance.
In AVALON episode 29, Neil discusses a handful of the most intriguing stories from his Top 20 list.
Become a subscriber to listen to the 56-minute episode. Already an AVALON subscriber? The episode “Wrapping up 2025” is in your podcast player.
Choose a monthly subscription or go with annual to save. (Charges can be expensed by your employer as the podcast is filled with analysis and research. If you need paid invoice receipts, go with the annual plan.)
Upon signup, you will receive a welcome email with directions for getting the podcast in your player. AVALON can be listened to in Apple Podcasts and various third-party podcast players including Pocket Casts, Overcast, and Castro.
If you currently subscribe to the Above Avalon Daily newsletter (great choice), with the Podcasts Package attached to your subscription, you get the AVALON podcast for FREE. This is one of the best deals available in the Above Avalon ecosystem.
If you subscribe to Above Avalon Daily without the Podcasts Package, no worries - you still receive a large 40% discount. Pay just an extra $6 per month (or $60 per year) for AVALON by filling out this form.
The Ball Is Back in Judge Gonzalez Rogers’ Court (AVALON)
In the 28th episode of the AVALON podcast, Neil discussed the following topics/subjects:
What's on the Agenda (the bulk of the discussion modeled after Apple’s Monday morning meetings)
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rules on App Store anti-steering injunction.
Real-world implications arising from the ruling.
My expectations for what Judge Gonzalez Rogers will do next.
Lighting Round (two topics two minutes each)
Jeff Williams to Disney’s board.
Pebble unveils a smart ring.
Give Me a Break (something ridiculous that jumped out at me)
The Disney / OpenAI Sora partnership.
Tell Me More (something intriguing that has my attention)
EVs / autonomy doesn’t make sense for a car ownership model.
Become a subscriber to listen to the 75-minute episode. Already an AVALON subscriber? The episode “The Ball Is Back in Judge Gonzalez Rogers’ Court” is in your podcast player.
Choose a monthly subscription or go with annual to save. (Charges can be expensed by your employer as the podcast is filled with analysis and research. If you need paid invoice receipts, go with the annual plan.)
Upon signup, you will receive a welcome email with directions for getting the podcast in your player. AVALON can be listened to in Apple Podcasts and various third-party podcast players including Pocket Casts, Overcast, and Castro.
If you currently subscribe to the Above Avalon Daily newsletter (great choice), with the Podcasts Package attached to your subscription, you get the AVALON podcast for FREE. This is one of the best deals available in the Above Avalon ecosystem.
If you subscribe to Above Avalon Daily without the Podcasts Package, no worries - you still receive a large 40% discount. Pay just an extra $6 per month (or $60 per year) for AVALON by filling out this form.
Something Smells Fishy (AVALON)
In the 27th episode of the AVALON podcast, Neil discussed the following topics/subjects:
What's on the Agenda (the bulk of the discussion modeled after Apple’s Monday morning meetings)
John Giannandrea steps down.
Kate Adams / Lisa Jackson retire.
Alan Dye leaves Apple for Meta.
Bloomberg's Johny Srouji article.
Something smells fishy with Bloomberg and others regarding recent events.
Lighting Round (two topics two minutes each)
Netflix wins Warner Bros. Discovery auction (for now).
Apple Fitness+ expansion.
Give Me a Break (something ridiculous that jumped out at me)
Chart / exhibit weaponization (Bloomberg on Apple executive changes)
Tell Me More (something intriguing that has my attention)
Why other companies poaching Apple employees doesn’t rank high on Neil’s “Apple risks” list.
Become a subscriber to listen to the 85-minute episode. Already an AVALON subscriber? The episode “Something Smells Fishy” is in your podcast player.
Choose a monthly subscription or go with annual to save. (Charges can be expensed by your employer as the podcast is filled with analysis and research. If you need paid invoice receipts, go with the annual plan.)
Upon signup, you will receive a welcome email with directions for getting the podcast in your player. AVALON can be listened to in Apple Podcasts and various third-party podcast players including Pocket Casts, Overcast, and Castro.
If you currently subscribe to the Above Avalon Daily newsletter (great choice), with the Podcasts Package attached to your subscription, you get the AVALON podcast for FREE. This is one of the best deals available in the Above Avalon ecosystem.
If you subscribe to Above Avalon Daily without the Podcasts Package, no worries - you still receive a large 40% discount. Pay just an extra $6 per month (or $60 per year) for AVALON by filling out this form.
Above Avalon Daily Year in Review 2025 – The Top 20 Apple Stories of 2025 (#10 to #1)
In 2025, 168 Above Avalon Daily updates consisting of approximately 450 stories were published. As we prepare to close out 2025, an idea that came to me a few weeks ago was to recap the 20 most interesting stories published in 2025.
Approximately 40 stories made the first cut with four additional cuts needed to bring the total down to 20 stories. With those 20 stories in hand, they were then ranked in terms of their overall impact / intrigue level / importance. The result is the first edition of the Above Avalon Daily Year in Review.
For today’s update, we will conclude the review by going over the #10 to #1 stories (with #1 being the top story covered in Above Avalon Daily in 2025). For each story, clicking the headline will bring you to the daily update that contained the story.
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Above Avalon Gifts are available for the 2025 holiday season. This is the one time each year when various options are available for gifting an Above Avalon Daily subscription and the accompanying packages and bundles.
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