Above Avalon

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Apple's Grand Vision (weekly article)

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Above Avalon Episode 109: Apple's Grand Vision Oct 21, 2017

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Above Avalon Episode 109: Apple's Grand Vision Neil Cybart Download

Apple's product strategy has been receiving more attention lately as voice-first and AI-first become buzzwords in Silicon Valley. Episode 109 is dedicated to discussing the vision behind Apple's product strategy. We begin by analyzing Apple's current product strategy and how the company's four major product categories are connected to each other. The discussion then turns to Apple's shifting product priorities. This brings us to Apple's grand vision and how there is a role for design to play in entirely new industries. After discussing issues and roadblocks Apple has faced following its grand vision, we conclude with how HomePod marketing sheds light on Apple's inevitable product path. Receive my analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily emails. To sign up, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.

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Above Avalon Episode 103 - Apple Glasses Are Inevitable (podcast)

Above Avalon Episode 95 - A Mac Headache (podcast)

Estimating the iPhone Installed Base and User Base (daily email for members)

Apple Watch Installed Base and User Base Estimates (daily email for members)

iPad Installed Base and User Base Estimates (daily email for members)

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iPhone Courage (weekly article)

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Above Avalon Episode 108: iPhone Courage Oct 07, 2017

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Above Avalon Episode 108: iPhone Courage Neil Cybart Download

The amount of risk Apple is taking with iPhone X should not be underestimated. Episode 108 takes a closer look at how Apple is displaying courage by not letting fear of change and customer rejection dictate iPhone design decisions. The discussion begins with my iPhone X impressions. We then go over how the iPhone X fits within Apple's overall iPhone strategy. We go over examples of how Apple has displayed courage with iPhone in the past and why design has such a large impact on iPhone's future. The episode concludes by comparing Apple's approach to design with Samsung's approach. Receive my analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily emails. To sign up, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.

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Estimating the iPhone Installed Base and User Base (daily email for members)

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The Significance Behind Steve Jobs Theater (weekly article)

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Above Avalon Episode 107: Back from Apple Park Sep 23, 2017

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Above Avalon Episode 107: Back from Apple Park Neil Cybart Download

Episode 107 is dedicated to discussing Steve Jobs Theater. We begin with my impressions from attending Apple's inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater. The discussion then turns to how Steve Jobs Theater is an Apple product, and a closer look at the building uncovers a side to Apple that few have seen before. We go over additional items that stood out to me about the theater and Apple Park, including why the most crucial takeaway ends up being about Jony Ive. Receive my analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily emails. To sign up, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.

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The Jony Ive Promotion (weekly article)

Project Titan Buildings Revealed / Map of Buildings (daily email for members)

Apple Event Review (daily email for members)

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Major Tech Trends Ahead of Apple's Big Event (weekly article)

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Above Avalon Episode 106: Getting Ready for Steve Jobs Theater Sep 09, 2017

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Above Avalon Episode 106: Getting Ready for Steve Jobs Theater Neil Cybart Download

Apple's largest product event in years is just a few days away. In episode 106, we look at the big picture ahead of the inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater. We begin by going over the top three trends taking place in the smartphone market. The discussion then turns to the major themes in the wearables market, followed by TV, and then the home. The goal is to set the stage for Apple's upcoming product announcements. I will be attending Apple's inaugural event at Steve Jobs Theater.My full thoughts and observations on the event will be sent exclusively to Above Avalon members. To receive this analysis and perspective, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership. Members also receive my analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily emails.

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Apple in China (weekly article)

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Above Avalon Episode 105: Apple in China Sep 02, 2017

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Above Avalon Episode 105: Apple in China Neil Cybart Download

In episode 105, we focus on Apple's business in China in an effort to answer whether the country represents more of an opportunity or risk for Apple. The discussion begins by going over some of the numbers, including those that show Apple's volatile performance in China. We then look at the major trends unfolding in the smartphone market in China, which leads to a deep dive into the major issues impacting Apple in China. After going over the WeChat versus Apple debate, we discuss the various positive signs reappearing in Apple's Greater China operating segment. The episode concludes with a look at some strategy adjustments Apple can make in order to leverage the most opportunity from China. Receive my analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily emails. To sign up, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.

Show Notes:

Kantar Worldpanel (iPhone sales share data)

Apple's China Problem (Stratechery)

Why Apple Is Losing Its Shine in China (Wired)

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Apple Has the Best Business Model for Generating Cash (weekly article)

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Above Avalon Episode 104: Obscene Amounts of Cash Aug 19, 2017

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Above Avalon Episode 104: Obscene Amounts of Cash Neil Cybart Download

Episode 104 is dedicated to discussing how Apple's business model predisposes the company to cash generation unlike that of any other firm in Silicon Valley. The discussion begins by comparing Apple's financials to those of the leading consumer-facing technology companies. We then take a closer look at Apple's business model to see just how the company is able to generate so much free cash flow. The stationary speaker market is used as an example to demonstrate how Apple plans on making money differently than others in the space. We conclude by going over questions regarding Apple's cash machine in the future. Receive my analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily emails. To sign up, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.

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Episode 102: Apple Cash Influence (podcast)

Episode 99: HomePod (podcast)

Episode 103: Apple Glasses Are Inevitable (podcast)

Apple 3Q17 Earnings Review (daily email for members)

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Apple Glasses Are Inevitable (weekly article)

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Above Avalon Episode 103: Apple Glasses Are Inevitable Jul 29, 2017

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Above Avalon Episode 103: Apple Glasses Are Inevitable Neil Cybart Download

Episode 103 marks the introduction of a brand new topic to the Above Avalon podcast: augmented reality glasses. All of the pieces are coming together for Apple to sell glasses. We begin the episode with the reason why now is the time to talk about Apple Glasses. The discussion then turns to the seven reasons why Apple Glasses are inevitable. This sets the scene for the big picture (a deep dive into glasses as a device, Apple's evolving thought process about glasses, and an overview of how Apple would actually sell AR glasses). Receive my analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily emails. To sign up, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.

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Apple 3Q17 Earnings Preview (daily email for members)

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Wall Street Has Begun to Think About Apple In a New Way (weekly article)

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Above Avalon Episode 102: Apple Cash Influence Jul 22, 2017

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Above Avalon Episode 102: Apple Cash Influence Neil Cybart Download

Episode 102 has a financial tone as we discuss how Wall Street is thinking about Apple in a new way. After breaking up the last five years of Apple stock performance into four eras, we go over my theory on why Wall Street now looks at Apple's excess cash as the most influential factor impacting the stock. This means that the iPhone business is losing influence over the stock. We go over the four reasons why I think investors are now valuing Apple's future cash flows at a higher level. The episode concludes with three implications of Wall Street giving more attention to Apple's balance sheet, excess cash, and share repurchases. Receive my analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily emails. To sign up, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.

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Above Avalon Episode 90: Buying Back 50% of Apple (podcast)

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iPhone Turns Ten (weekly article)

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Above Avalon Episode 101: iPhone Turns Ten Jul 01, 2017

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Above Avalon Episode 101: iPhone Turns Ten Neil Cybart Download

This week marks the tenth anniversary of Apple launching the iPhone. Episode 101 is focused on how ten years of iPhone sales changed Apple. After going over three sets of data that stand out when thinking about the iPhone, we take a closer look at three lessons Apple learned from iPhone (ambition, control, platform). The episode concludes with a discussion of how the iPhone's legacy is already beginning to appear. Receive my analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily emails. To sign up, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.

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Above Avalon Episode 98: iPhone Evolution (podcast)

Steve Jobs introduces the first Apple Store (video)

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