Episodes (107)

• Above Avalon Episode 122: An Apple R&D Bonanza

  

  Above Avalon Episode 122: An Apple R&D Bonanza

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  Published: 17 Mar 2018 Duration: 33:04

  After a brief lull, Apple's R&D expenditures are once again exploding higher. In Episode 122, Neil analyzes the latest Apple R&D trends. After discussing three drivers for R&D growth, Neil goes over the two new products likely responsible f... Read more →
  After a brief lull, Apple's R&D expenditures are once again exploding higher. In Episode 122, Neil analyzes the latest Apple R&D trends. After discussing three drivers for R&D growth, Neil goes over the two new products likely responsible f... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 121: Controlling Sound

  

  Above Avalon Episode 121: Controlling Sound

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  Published: 10 Mar 2018 Duration: 30:40

  In Episode 121, Neil discusses Apple's strategy for controlling sound in our lives. The discussion begins by going over Apple's motivation for controlling sound and the central role music plays in it. The episode then turns to the two parts... Read more →
  In Episode 121, Neil discusses Apple's strategy for controlling sound in our lives. The discussion begins by going over Apple's motivation for controlling sound and the central role music plays in it. The episode then turns to the two parts... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 120: An iPhone Turning Point

  

  Above Avalon Episode 120: An iPhone Turning Point

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  Published: 3 Mar 2018 Duration: 31:05

  Episode 120 is focused on how Apple's dramatic change in strategy regarding larger iPhones was driven by the realization that iPad mini was the wrong bet. After discussing the early iPad years, Neil goes over the background behind how the i... Read more →
  Episode 120 is focused on how Apple's dramatic change in strategy regarding larger iPhones was driven by the realization that iPad mini was the wrong bet. After discussing the early iPad years, Neil goes over the background behind how the i... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 119: The iPhone's Goldilocks Era

  

  Above Avalon Episode 119: The iPhone's Goldilocks Era

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  Published: 24 Feb 2018 Duration: 34:49

  The unit sales growth era that had defined iPhone for years is over. Episode 119 is dedicated to discussing the iPhone's new era that can best be characterized as status quo. After discussing iPhone sales trends, Neil goes over six headwind... Read more →
  The unit sales growth era that had defined iPhone for years is over. Episode 119 is dedicated to discussing the iPhone's new era that can best be characterized as status quo. After discussing iPhone sales trends, Neil goes over six headwind... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 118: Apple Watch Is a Bridge to the Future

  

  Above Avalon Episode 118: Apple Watch Is a Bridge to the Future

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  Published: 27 Jan 2018 Duration: 38:44

  Something is changing when it comes to the way people are thinking about Apple Watch. We are witnessing nothing short of a revolution with Apple Watch. In Episode 118, Neil discusses how Apple Watch has become a bridge between the present a... Read more →
  Something is changing when it comes to the way people are thinking about Apple Watch. We are witnessing nothing short of a revolution with Apple Watch. In Episode 118, Neil discusses how Apple Watch has become a bridge between the present a... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 117: Lots of Questions

  

  Above Avalon Episode 117: Lots of Questions

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  Published: 13 Jan 2018 Duration: 41:04

  January is a great time to embrace the unknown found with a new year. Episode 117 is focused on going over my list of questions for Apple in 2018. We cover more than 60 questions on subjects that range from Apple's major product categories ... Read more →
  January is a great time to embrace the unknown found with a new year. Episode 117 is focused on going over my list of questions for Apple in 2018. We cover more than 60 questions on subjects that range from Apple's major product categories ... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 116: Grading Apple's 2017

  

  Above Avalon Episode 116: Grading Apple's 2017

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  Published: 6 Jan 2018 Duration: 47:29

  Episode 116 is dedicated to reviewing Apple's performance in 2017. After briefly discussing my methodology for grading Apple, we discuss the various milestones and issues that impacted the company in 2017. My grading process is broken into ... Read more →
  Episode 116 is dedicated to reviewing Apple's performance in 2017. After briefly discussing my methodology for grading Apple, we discuss the various milestones and issues that impacted the company in 2017. My grading process is broken into ... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 115: Betting on Hardware

  

  Above Avalon Episode 115: Betting on Hardware

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  Published: 23 Dec 2017 Duration: 30:07

  Apple isn't a hardware company. Nevertheless, hardware's importance to Apple continues to grow. Episode 115 is dedicated to discussing Apple's growing bet on hardware. The episode begins by going over Apple's hardware strategy and includes ... Read more →
  Apple isn't a hardware company. Nevertheless, hardware's importance to Apple continues to grow. Episode 115 is dedicated to discussing Apple's growing bet on hardware. The episode begins by going over Apple's hardware strategy and includes ... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 114: The End to Apple's Cash Dilemma

  

  Above Avalon Episode 114: The End to Apple's Cash Dilemma

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  Published: 16 Dec 2017 Duration: 35:31

  The probability of a U.S. corporate tax overhaul has never been higher. Episode 114 is dedicated to discussing how upcoming changes to the U.S. corporate tax code will impact Apple. We begin by going over Apple's current cash dilemma. The d... Read more →
  The probability of a U.S. corporate tax overhaul has never been higher. Episode 114 is dedicated to discussing how upcoming changes to the U.S. corporate tax code will impact Apple. We begin by going over Apple's current cash dilemma. The d... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 113: It's a Smart Speaker Mirage

  

  Above Avalon Episode 113: It's a Smart Speaker Mirage

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  Published: 2 Dec 2017 Duration: 40:31

  We are in the midst of a massive mindshare bubble involving stationary smart speakers in the home. Episode 113 is dedicated to discussing stationary smart speakers powered by digital voice assistants. After going over my Amazon Echo sales e... Read more →
  We are in the midst of a massive mindshare bubble involving stationary smart speakers in the home. Episode 113 is dedicated to discussing stationary smart speakers powered by digital voice assistants. After going over my Amazon Echo sales e... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 112: The Art of Disclosure

  

  Above Avalon Episode 112: The Art of Disclosure

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  Published: 18 Nov 2017 Duration: 42:02

  The fourth season of the Above Avalon Podcast kicks off with a discussion focused on Apple Watch sales disclosure. We take a closer look at the debate surrounding disclosure to see how Apple now stands to benefit more from disclosing Apple ... Read more →
  The fourth season of the Above Avalon Podcast kicks off with a discussion focused on Apple Watch sales disclosure. We take a closer look at the debate surrounding disclosure to see how Apple now stands to benefit more from disclosing Apple ... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 111: Let's Talk iPhone X

  

  Above Avalon Episode 111: Let's Talk iPhone X

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  Published: 4 Nov 2017 Duration: 41:10

  Apple was faced with a choice: Stick with the familiar and milk the iPhone business for all it’s worth, or throw familiarity out the window to pave a new iPhone journey for the next 10 years. Apple chose the latter, and iPhone X is the bypr... Read more →
  Apple was faced with a choice: Stick with the familiar and milk the iPhone business for all it’s worth, or throw familiarity out the window to pave a new iPhone journey for the next 10 years. Apple chose the latter, and iPhone X is the bypr... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 110: A Double Standard

  

  Above Avalon Episode 110: A Double Standard

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  Published: 28 Oct 2017 Duration: 36:41

  Apple is a Silicon Valley and Wall Street leader with a bull's-eye on its back, and rightly so. Leaders should be held to a higher standard. Episode 110 is dedicated to discussing how Apple is being held not just to a higher standard, but r... Read more →
  Apple is a Silicon Valley and Wall Street leader with a bull's-eye on its back, and rightly so. Leaders should be held to a higher standard. Episode 110 is dedicated to discussing how Apple is being held not just to a higher standard, but r... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 109: Apple's Grand Vision

  

  Above Avalon Episode 109: Apple's Grand Vision

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  Published: 21 Oct 2017 Duration: 37:40

  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... Read more →
  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... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 108: iPhone Courage

  

  Above Avalon Episode 108: iPhone Courage

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  Published: 7 Oct 2017 Duration: 32:28

  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 disc... Read more →
  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 disc... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 107: Back from Apple Park

  

  Above Avalon Episode 107: Back from Apple Park

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  Published: 23 Sep 2017 Duration: 33:31

  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... Read more →
  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... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 106: Getting Ready for Steve Jobs Theater

  

  Above Avalon Episode 106: Getting Ready for Steve Jobs Theater

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  Published: 9 Sep 2017 Duration: 36:50

  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... Read more →
  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... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 105: Apple in China

  

  Above Avalon Episode 105: Apple in China

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  Published: 2 Sep 2017 Duration: 36:19

  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... Read more →
  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... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 104: Obscene Amounts of Cash

  

  Above Avalon Episode 104: Obscene Amounts of Cash

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  Published: 19 Aug 2017 Duration: 41:48

  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 cons... Read more →
  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 cons... Read more →

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• Above Avalon Episode 103: Apple Glasses Are Inevitable

  

  Above Avalon Episode 103: Apple Glasses Are Inevitable

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  Published: 29 Jul 2017 Duration: 38:25

  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 tal... Read more →
  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 tal... Read more →

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