Above Avalon

Above Avalon Episode 160: Let's Talk "Apple Tax"

Neil Cybart

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Apple’s ability to grab monopoly-like share of industry profits isn’t a result of there being an Apple Tax. Rather, it's a byproduct of Apple following a design-led product strategy that ultimately marginalizes industries. In episode 160, Neil discusses the theory behind the “Apple Tax,” Apple’s pricing strategy, and why the days of there being an Apple Tax ended years ago. Additional topics include Apple gross margin trends, two major implications associated with Apple’s pricing strategy, and a few narrative violations found with Apple’s revenue and gross profit optimization playbook. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily updates (2-3 stories per day, 10-12 stories per week). Available to Above Avalon members. To sign up and for more information on membership, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

The “Apple Tax” Died Years Ago

Why Apple Products Are So Expensive (Business Insider Video)

Above Avalon membership page

Above Avalon Daily Updates (full list of story topics)

Above Avalon Gifts (Various gifting options are available for the 2019 holiday season)

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Above Avalon Episode 159: AirPods as a Platform

Neil Cybart

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Apple is turning AirPods into a platform for what comes after the App Store. AirPods will augment our environment by pushing intelligent sound. In the first episode of Season 6, Neil goes over how AirPods have evolved from an iPhone accessory into the early stages of a platform well positioned to reshape the current app paradigm for the wearables era. Additional topics include the AirPods Pro launch, AirPods Pro initial impressions, AirPods sales, examples of AirPods as a platform, and the three sources from which AirPods will derive its platform power. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily updates (2-3 stories per day, 10-12 stories per week). Available to Above Avalon members. To sign up and for more information on membership, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

AirPods Are Becoming a Platform

More on AirPods Becoming a Platform, Apple Owns the Wireless Headphone Market

Above Avalon Podcast Episode 76: AirPods

Above Avalon Podcast Episode 85: AirPods and the Battle for Our Ears

Above Avalon Podcast Episode 141: Viral AirPods

Neil’s AirPods Sales and 3Q19 Installed Base Estimates

Neil’s updated Apple earnings model (includes quarterly AirPods sales estimates)

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Above Avalon Episode 158: Forced to Sell

Neil Cybart

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How did Fitbit go from being considered the wearables leader to viewing a $2.1B acquisition as its best hope for shareholders to recoup any value? What led Fitbit to run out of options as an independent company? In episode 158, Neil discusses how Apple Watch forced Fitbit to sell itself. Additional topics include Google’s acquisition offer for Fitbit, how Apple Watch redefined the wrist wearables industry, and the most damning evidence of Fitbit’s demise. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily updates (2-3 stories per day, 10-12 stories per week). Available to Above Avalon members. To sign up and for more information on membership, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

Apple Watch Forced Fitbit to Sell Itself

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Above Avalon Episode 157: Let's Talk Apple and China

Neil Cybart

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Apple finds itself amidst another controversy regarding removing HKmap.live from the App Store in Hong Kong. However, Apple is facing a different kind of backlash this time. Episode 157 is dedicated to discussing Neil’s thoughts on Apple doing business in China. Additional topics include Tim Cook’s engagement philosophy, Apple’s tool-making mission, and kowtowing to governments. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week by becoming an Above Avalon member and receiving exclusive daily updates. To become a member, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

A Different View on Apple and China (Above Avalon weekly article)

The NBA, China, and Apple, Apple’s China Stance (Above Avalon daily update)

Apple Pulls Police Tracking App in Hong Kong, Apple Pulls Quartz News App in China (Above Avalon daily update)

Apple accedes to China’a despotic demands (The Washington Post editorial board)

Theodore Roosevelt’s “Citizenship in a Republic” Speech

Appearance / interview at Apple Park (YouTube)

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Above Avalon Episode 156: Apple's Content Distribution Arm

Neil Cybart

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Content distribution has been a major theme for Apple in 2019. In episode 156, Neil goes over how Apple’s revised content distribution arm is structured. Neil also goes over his estimates for how much revenue and gross profit Apple’s content distribution arm can generate by FY2022. Additional discussion topics include the difference between Apple’s paid content bundles and content platforms, Neil’s initial estimates for the number of subscribers Apple will be able to grab for Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple News+, and why Apple’s new paid bundles will likely have lower profits than the App Store. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week by becoming an Above Avalon member and receiving exclusive daily updates. To become a member, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

Measuring Apple’s Content Distribution Arm (Above Avalon weekly article)

Above Avalon Episode 140: Let’s Talk Content (podcast episode)

Above Avalon Episode 145: It’s All About Curation (podcast episode)

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Above Avalon Episode 155: The Apple Keynote

Neil Cybart

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Apple keynotes remain some of the most valuable marketing events in today’s media landscape. Episode 155 is dedicated to going over Neil’s thoughts on the Apple keynote. Discussion topics include the odd criticism facing Apple keynotes, the three primary benefits Apple derives from them, how the Apple keynote has evolved, and areas in which Apple can improve the keynote. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week by becoming an Above Avalon member and receiving exclusive daily updates. To become a member, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

Apple Keynotes Still Matter (Above Avalon weekly article)

The Apple Event: Major Takeaways & Full Notes (Above Avalon daily updates)

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Above Avalon Episode 154: Which iPhone Is That?

Neil Cybart

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Naming iPhones is more art than science. In episode 154, Neil shares his thoughts on Apple’s iPhone naming strategy. The episode includes an oral history of iPhone nomenclature followed by a discussion of where Apple can bring iPhone naming in the future. Neil also goes over why the art of naming iPhones even matters when looking at the big picture. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week by becoming an Above Avalon member and receiving exclusive daily updates. To become a member, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

Naming iPhones (Above Avalon weekly article)

Thoughts Heading into Apple's Big September Event (Above Avalon daily update)

Above Avalon membership page

Above Avalon daily updates archive

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The complete Above Avalon Podcast episode archive (154 episodes) is available here.

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Above Avalon Episode 153: The Bundler of Bundles

Neil Cybart

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In episode 153, Neil discusses the strategy behind Apple TV+. Additional topics include the Apple TV app, five fundamental issues plaguing the paid video streaming market, Netflix’s business model, and what success in paid video streaming looks like for Apple. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week by becoming an Above Avalon member and receiving exclusive daily updates. To become a member, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

The Apple TV+ Strategy (Above Avalon weekly article)

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The complete Above Avalon Podcast episode archive (153 episodes) is available here.

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Above Avalon Episode 152: Let's Talk Wearables

Neil Cybart

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Apple is the undisputed leader in wearables, and they are pulling away from the competition. In Episode 152, Neil discusses how Apple’s wearables business can be thought of as a train gaining momentum. Competitors face declining odds of being able to stop the train. Additional topics include Apple’s wearables performance in 3Q19, wearables as a percent of overall Apple gadget unit sales, Apple wearables revenue, the factors behind Apple’s wearables success, and why wearables represent a paradigm shift in computing. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week by becoming an Above Avalon member and receiving exclusive daily updates. To become a member, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

Apple Deserves More Credit for Wearables (Above Avalon weekly article)

Above Avalon Episode 151: Apple’s Financial Tug-of-War (podcast episode)

Above Avalon Episode 97: Apple Wearables Are a Thing (podcast episode)

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The complete Above Avalon Podcast episode archive (152 episodes) is available here.

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Above Avalon Episode 151: Apple's Financial Tug-of-War

Neil Cybart

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A different kind of Above Avalon podcast episode - dedicated to discussing why earnings are so intriguing to Neil. After going over the two ways to utilize quarterly earnings, Neil goes over some of his expectations for Apple’s 3Q19 and how Apple is currently facing a financial tug-of-war. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week by becoming an Above Avalon member and receiving exclusive daily updates. To become a member, visit AboveAvalon.com/membership.   

Links:

Apple 3Q19 Earnings Expectation Meters (weekly article)

Above Avalon Episode 136: The Unit Sales Crutch (podcast episode)

Above Avalon Episode 149: Letting Go of the Rope (podcast episode)

Above Avalon Episode 147: A Faster Bumper Car podcast episode)

Apple 3Q19 Earnings Preview - First Half / Second Half (daily updates)

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The complete Above Avalon Podcast episode archive (151 episodes) is available here.

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Neil Cybart (host/producer)

Above Avalon

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