Above Avalon

In this post-Apple earnings episode, we discuss what happened to the iPhone business at the end of 2015. Taking a closer look at Apple management's comments on the conference call and analyzing a few new iPhone platform data points, we arrive at the most likely cause for the latest amount of iPhone turbulence. We then look ahead at the near-term strategy Apple is most likely to use for navigating the iPhone business through this turbulence. Finally, we mark the 50th episode of the Above Avalon podcast by discussing the most pleasantly surprising Apple product to have come out since the start of the podcast in 2014. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com.

Apple has spent the past four years planting the seeds for doing the seemingly impossible: moving beyond the iPhone. In this episode, we discuss what it means to Apple to be the iPhone company and the strategy Apple has undertaken to position itself as the driver of the next technological era. After analyzing how the wearables market performed in 2015, we conclude with how Apple is thinking about the iPhone's future and the danger of losing relevency. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com.

There are two Apples: AAPL, the stock, and Apple, the company. In this episode, we discuss the difference between the two Apples. What are the parameters guiding Wall Street's view of AAPL in comparison to Apple management's long-term goals for the company? We discuss AAPL's remarkable underperformance in 2015 and why Apple, the company, had a much more successful year. We conclude with one way Apple management can take this divide between Wall Street and Silicon Valley and use it to their advantage. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com.

In this episode, we discuss Apple's business prospects for 2016. By focusing our attention on 20 different topics including Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Music, AAPL financials, management, and product wildcards, we embrace the unknown to reach a better assessment of Apple's priorities and opportunities. We then discuss new Above Avalon features for 2016, including an Above Avalon team in Slack and a new archive for members. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com

The Apple Watch and iPad are being positioned as the top tech gadget gifts of the season. In this episode, we take a closer look at Apple's fourth quarter and why third-party retailers are betting on Apple products. With Best Buy and Target offering significant discounts on Apple Watch and iPad, we go over the rationale behind such sales and why retailers want access to tech gadgets with the most buzz. We conclude with a look at where Apple products are sold and how product promotions impact the Apple brand. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com.

In this episode, we take a closer look at the accessory market and the driving factors behind Apple's decision to continue down the path of selling iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch accessories. We then tackle the debate that has been building in recent months over questionable Apple design decisions when it comes to certain accessories including the Magic Mouse 2, Apple Pencil, and iPhone Smart Battery Case. Upon further examination, we end up with an explantation for what may really be going on inside Apple. These accessories serve as a vital piece to a puzzle involving Apple, Jony Ive, design, and personal technology. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com.

Apple management has relied on various product theories over the years to explain its product portfolio. In this episode, we go over these theories, including Apple's newest product theory as recently explained by Phil Schiller. This "Grand Unified Theory of Apple Products," as I term it, gives both goals and descriptions for each of Apple's product categories. We use this theory to reach three important takeaways about Apple's future product plans. We conclude with a brief discussion of my "Peak iPad Mini" theory and why the product has seen its best days. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com.

The new Apple TV stands out from Apple's other products. In this episode, we discuss the Apple TV and the path taken to get to today's version, its three most important features from a strategic perspective, and where it can fit into our lives in the future. Additional discussion topics include why it's not likely Apple will change its mind and ship an Apple-branded television and where Apple obtains the most value from an Apple TV box. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com.

Over the past four months, Apple has spent more than $300 million quietly purchasing or leasing land in North San Jose. In this episode, we review these land transactions and possible reasons behind the deals. We then discuss why all signs point to an Apple Car R&D facility as the most likely reason for Apple's North San Jose activity. After going over some of the data used to reach this conclusion, we take a broader look at Apple's growth trends and what they may mean for Apple's culture. We conclude with how a North San Jose R&D facility may fit structurally within Apple's organization as well as its connection to Apple Campus 2. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com.

Tim Cook and Luca Maestri were busy buying back AAPL shares this past summer. In this episode, we take a closer look at Apple's share buyback program. We answer three questions: Why is Apple buying back its stock? How is Apple buying back stock? Does it make sense for Apple to buy back its stock? We then focus on Apple's record pace of stock buyback this past August and September and what it suggests about management's view on Apple's future. More information on Above Avalon memberships can be found at AboveAvalon.com