Above Avalon Neil Cybart

The primary takeaway from Apple’s “Peek Performance” event held last month wasn’t found with any particular product. Instead, it was the sheer breadth of product unveilings that caught Neil’s attention. In episode 189, Neil discusses how a revised product strategy and doubling down on a long-standing internal product development process have resulted in Apple being in a league of its own in terms of maintaining and updating such a wide and comprehensive ecosystem of devices and services. Additional discussion topics include Apple new user trends, autonomy within Apple, how the competition is floundering, and the risk Apple faces in an environment with weaker competitors.

Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily updates. The updates, which have become widely read and influential in the world of Apple, provide timely analysis of news impacting Apple and its competitors. Neil also publishes exclusive reports on Apple business, product, and financial strategy. The daily updates and reports are available to Above Avalon members. To sign up and for more information on membership, visit the membership page.

While going through Apple’s recently-filed 10-K for FY2021, one number jumped out at me. It wasn’t the record iPhone sales, strong margins, or phenomenal free cash flow. Instead, it was the lack of cash spent on M&A. In episode 188, we discuss the key takeaway found with Apple spending just $33 million on business acquisitions (M&A) in FY2021. The discussion includes Neil’s thinking as to what may be behind the multi-year low for M&A and an overview of Apple’s M&A strategy.

Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily updates (3 stories per day, 12 stories per week). Available to Above Avalon members. To sign up and for more information on membership, visit the membership page.

In episode 187, Neil discusses his initial observations wearing an Apple Watch Series 7. The episode also goes over Apple Watch strategy, puts the Series 7 into perspective, and discusses why Apple continues to sell Apple Watch Series 3. Receive Neil’s analysis and perspective on Apple throughout the week via exclusive daily updates (3 stories per day, 12 stories per week). Available to Above Avalon members. To sign up and for more information on membership, visit the membership page (https://www.aboveavalon.com/membership).

Last week, Apple hosted a virtual event where it unveiled annual updates to the iPhone and Apple Watch. Updates to the iPad line and Fitness+ were also announced. Shortly after the event, Neil received an iPhone 13 Pro to try out. In episode 186, Neil discusses the iPhone 13 Pro in a way to add context to the broader iPhone business. The episode includes Neil’s initial impressions from using the iPhone 13 Pro.

In episode 185, Neil discusses how Memoji is a tool Apple is relying on to prepare users for mixed realty and completely rethought ways to consume content and communicate with others. Additional topics include the difference between mixed reality, AR, and VR, Apple M&A regarding NextVR and Spaces, and Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse.

In episode 184, Neil discusses the big themes found with this year’s WWDC. The episode then takes a deep dive into watchOS direction and what Neil sees as missed opportunities for unleashing more of Apple Watch’s potential.