Above Avalon Reports

Reports are in-depth examinations of Apple’s business, product, and financial strategy. Reports, which include a mix of data, analysis, and theory, are written to have a long shelf life and serve as a resource for personal knowledge, a hobby, or career-related interests.

Above Avalon membership is required to read reports. To read previous reports and receive new ones going forward, become a member using the following signup forms ($20 per month or $200 per year). 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 membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions. 

Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.


Podcast Add-On

Reports are also available in audio form via an exclusive podcast. New episodes are published whenever a report is released. Each episode closely follows a written report with additional commentary and explanation included for exhibits and charts. Additional behind-the-scenes episodes take the listener behind the analysis found in each report. The Above Avalon Reports podcast allows the reports to be accessible beyond your screens so you can listen around the house, on a walk, or in the car.

To become an Above Avalon member and purchase the podcast add-on at the same time, use the following signup forms:

Payment is hosted and secured by MoonClerk and Stripe. Apple Pay is accepted. 

If you are already an Above Avalon member, fill out this form to get the podcast add-on.


Archive

The Ultra Strategy: An Examination of Apple’s Adventurous Watch. An examination of the Apple Watch Ultra.

The State of the Mac. An examination of Apple’s oldest product category. Three years into the Mac’s Apple Silicon transition, the product category has never been stronger. It’s a stark difference from where the Mac was a decade ago. And yet, Mac sales are back to the same level as they were pre-Apple Silicon. This report reflects on where the Mac has come from and where it is going as Apple heads into spatial computing.

Apple’s Reality (Headset) Plans. An examination of Apple’s upcoming entry into AR/VR headsets.

Project Titan: Apple’s Transportation Ambition. An examination of Apple’s electric car R&D project.

Apple’s Share Buyback: What Comes Next? An examination of Apple’s buyback strategy in relation to its net cash neutral goal.

HomePod: The Discontinuation That Still Has Unanswered Questions. An examination of the run-up, decision, and fallout related to Apple’s most curious product discontinuation.

The iPhone Mini. An analysis of Apple’s iPhone mini strategy including the model’s lukewarm reception with consumers and difficult time competing against the iPhone SE.

Industrial Design at Apple. Recent news of Jony Ive forming a new design company has put industrial design at Apple under the spotlight. This report is focused on the processes underpinning industrial design at Apple, including the how and why behind the discipline’s importance as it relates to Apple’s product development.

Product Vision: How Apple Thinks About the World. A comprehensive examination of Apple’s product strategy and the vision underlying the company’s products.

Apple and Dividends: A Deep Dive into Apple’s Cash Dividend Strategy. A close examination of Apple’s dividend strategy. Topics include Apple’s evolution in terns of managing cash on the balance sheet, the rationale for paying cash dividends, details regarding how Apple thinks about dividends, benefits and risks found with cash dividends, Apple’s share buyback’s impact on dividend, and scenario analysis regarding Apple’s future dividend path.