PODCAST · technology
Above Avalon
by Neil Cybart
Above Avalon provides unique insight and perspective as to how Apple thinks about the world.
Episodes
-
Above Avalon Episode 190: A Quick Update and Introducing An All-New Podcast
Show Notes: Above Avalon Discord invite: https://discord.com/invite/GedGApVn4u Check out AVALON’s new minisite: https://www.aboveavalon.com/avalon Check out a quick video recapping my AVALON announcement here (YouTube) or here (AboveAvalon.com). Listen to AVALON by becoming a subscriber (no Above...
-
Above Avalon Episode 189: Apple Is in a League of Its Own
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...
-
Above Avalon Episode 188: Apple Closed Its M&A Wallet
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. Show Notes / Links: Apple’s Extremely Quiet...
-
Above Avalon Episode 187: Thoughts on Apple Watch Series 7
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. Show Notes / Links: The Apple Watch Series 7…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 186: The iPhone 13 Has Arrived
Show Notes / Links: Hands-on with the iPhone 13 Pro HANDS-ON with the iPhone 13 Pro (Unboxing and initial impressions) - YouTube The iPhone 13 Test, The Driver Behind iPhone Momentum, Early Thoughts on iPhone 13 Sales Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Overcast RSS (for your favorite podcast player) The...
-
Above Avalon Episode 185: A Memoji Bridge to Mixed Reality
Show Notes / Links: Apple’s Big Bet on Memoji More on Memoji and Apple Mixed Reality, Facebook Earnings, The Problem With Zuckerberg’s Metaverse WWDC 2021 Review Apple Acquires NextVR, Apple Glasses in 2022?, A Wearables Platform for the Face Apple Acquires Spaces Become an Above Avalon Member...
-
Above Avalon Episode 184: Let's Talk WWDC 2021
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. Show Notes / Links: Apple’s Missed…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 183: A Ten-Year Lead in Wearables
Six years after releasing the Apple Watch, it’s still not clear who is going to represent genuine competition for Apple in the wearables space. In episode 183, Neil discusses the series of events have come together to give Apple a wearables lead of not just a few years but more like a decade....
-
Above Avalon Episode 182: Apple’s Underestimated Manufacturing Apparatus
Apple is quietly and gradually showing us that the phase “Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China” will evolve. In episode 182, Neil goes over the changes taking place within Apple’s supply chain and manufacturing apparatus. The discussion includes a breakdown of where Apple products…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 181: Let's Talk Apple Retail
When asked to identify Apple’s crown jewel, most will point to the iPhone or iPad. Apple’s retail operations probably wouldn’t be too high on many people’s lists. This is a mistake. In episode 181, Neil discusses Apple’s retail operations with a focus on where Apple Retail is headed and what...
-
Above Avalon Episode 180: 100 Million Wrists
According to my estimate, 100 million people now wear an Apple Watch. This means that approximately 10% of iPhone users wear an Apple Watch. In episode 180, Neil discusses these installed base and adoption figures as part of a larger discussion regarding Apple Watch’s sales momentum, growth...
-
Above Avalon Episode 179: Winning the Buyback Debate
After years of criticism, doubt, and questions surrounding Apple’s share buyback program, we are at a point where we can say with confidence that the buyback debate has ended and Apple was declared the winner. In episode 179, Neil goes over how the buyback debate began and why so many people...
-
Above Avalon Episode 178: Welcome to 2021
Episode 178 is dedicated to discussing Apple’s 2020 and where the company finds itself as we enter 2021. The episode goes over the first Above Avalon year in review that was published for 2020. Neil discusses his five favorite Above Avalon weekly articles from 2020 and the sub themes that were...
-
Above Avalon Episode 177: The Rise of the Small Display
While the pandemic is pushing people to embrace larger displays like iPads and Macs, the momentum found with smaller displays is still flying under the radar. In episode 177, Neil discusses how analysis of Apple device display size popularity can be used to gain insight into Apple’s ecosystem and...
-
Above Avalon Episode 176: The Mac Earned a Diploma
The Mac is seeing momentum by being true to itself instead of trying to be something that it’s not. With a transition to Apple Silicon, the product category is now benefiting from lessons Apple learned from more popular devices aimed at the mass market. As the Above Avalon podcast enters its...
-
Above Avalon Episode 175: iPhone at a Billion
According to Neil’s estimate, Apple surpassed the billion iPhone users milestone last month. With the iPhone upgrade cycle approaching a plateau of four to five years, Apple is well-positioned to report record iPhone unit sales. In episode 175, Neil discusses the current state of the iPhone...
-
Above Avalon Episode 174: Apple Watch Is a Runaway Train
While the tech press spent years infatuated with stationary smart speakers and the idea of voice-only interfaces, it was the Apple Watch and utility on the wrist that ushered in a new paradigm shift in computing. In episode 174, Neil discusses how Apple Watch momentum is building. The product...
-
Above Avalon Episode 173: Let's Talk App Store
As Apple pulls away from the competition, the App Store is considered the best (and last) chance for competitors to reshape the mobile industry to their liking. In episode 173, Neil examines how competitors are waging a guerrilla war against Apple and the App Store. The discussion then turns to...
-
Above Avalon Episode 172: Hidden Acceleration
Apple’s underlying ecosystem strength has been gaining momentum for years - it’s just been masked by people holding on to their iPhones for longer before upgrading. In episode 172, Neil quantifies how much Apple’s ecosystem is growing. Additional topics include the problem found with using…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 171: The Apple Ecosystem
Apple’s ecosystem ends up being about more than just a collection of devices or services. Apple has been quietly building something much larger, and it’s still flying under the radar. In episode 171, Neil examines what Apple’s ecosystem derives its power from and why loyalty and satisfaction…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 170: Pulling Away From the Competition
In episode 170, Neil examines how Apple is pulling away from the competition to a degree that we haven’t ever seen before. Given how we are just now entering the wearables era, implications of this shift will be measured in the coming decades, not years. Additional topics include WWDC 2020…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 169: The Business of Predicting Turns
Financial market commentators have been stumped by the stock market’s resiliency during the pandemic. Maybe they shouldn't be so surprised. In episode 169, Neil examines the question of whether or not Wall Street tried to predict the pandemic’s turn without actually knowing what such a turn would...
-
Above Avalon Episode 168: The Paid Membership Model
This past week marked the fifth anniversary of Neil launching Above Avalon membership. Above Avalon continues to thrive with a sustainable business model based solely on paid memberships. In episode 168, Neil gives a behind-the-scenes look at Above Avalon’s business model. Additional topics...
-
Above Avalon Episode 167: A Stock Buyback Poster Child
Share buyback is one of a handful of tools that boards and management teams have to properly manage balance sheets. However, economic fallout related to the pandemic has led to a new round of criticism aimed at buyback. In episode 167, Neil discusses how Apple has become the poster child of...
-
Above Avalon Episode 166: Uncharted Territory
Apple and its peers find themselves in the most difficult operating environment they have ever faced. In episode 166, Neil discusses Apple’s strategy for navigating the coronavirus pandemic. Additional topics include the various challenges Apple is currently facing, Apple’s toolmaking mission…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 165: The iPad's First Decade
There was no shortage of writers, pundits, and industry analysts using the iPad’s 10th anniversary las month to give eulogies for the product in terms of its inability to be revolutionary, grab momentum, or even just meet expectations. In episode 165, Neil discusses his perspective on the iPad’s...
-
Above Avalon Episode 164: Competing with Spotify
We are entering a new chapter in music streaming. In episode 164, Neil discusses how Spotify’s attempt to evolve from a dedicated music streaming service to an audio company ends up reflecting broader changes in the music streaming space. Additional topics include Spotify earnings, the music...
-
Above Avalon Episode 163: A Revolution on the Wrist
In addition to being a sales success, the Apple Watch has ushered in a paradigm shift in computing. In episode 163, Neil discusses how the Apple Watch is fundamentally changing the way we use technology. Additional topics include paradigm shifts, Apple Watch sales, Apple’s new Apple Watch…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 162: The Apple Question
At the start of a new year, there is less value found in coming up with predictions than there is in looking at questions facing the company. In episode 162, Neil goes over his list of questions for Apple in 2020, and the discussion culminates with one overarching question that covers Apple’s...
-
Above Avalon Episode 161: Apple's Spectacular Year on Wall Street
Something has clearly changed when it comes to the way Wall Street is treating AAPL. For the first time with Tim Cook as CEO, Apple shares are trading at a premium to the overall market. In episode 161, Neil discusses how changing behavior as it relates to passive versus active investing may be...
-
Above Avalon Episode 160: Let's Talk "Apple Tax"
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...
-
Above Avalon Episode 159: AirPods as a Platform
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...
-
Above Avalon Episode 158: Forced to Sell
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.…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 157: Let's Talk Apple and China
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…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 156: Apple's Content Distribution Arm
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...
-
Above Avalon Episode 155: The Apple Keynote
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...
-
Above Avalon Episode 154: Which iPhone Is That?
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...
-
Above Avalon Episode 153: The Bundler of Bundles
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...
-
Above Avalon Episode 152: Let's Talk Wearables
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 a train gaining momentum. Competitors face declining odds of being able to stop the train. Additional topics include Apple’s...
-
Above Avalon Episode 151: Apple's Financial Tug-of-War
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.…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 150: A Larger Apple Machine
The recent Jony Ive and Jeff Williams news has been met with mixed reactions. In episode 150, we discuss why the leadership changes neither signify a company moving away from design or hardware nor suggest that management is facing some kind of growth crisis. Upon closer examination, the Jony Ive...
-
Above Avalon Episode 149: Letting Go of the Rope
Despite there being no discernible change to the grand vision behind Apple’s product development, there does appear to be a noteworthy change in strategy. Episode 149 is dedicated to discussing how Apple’s product strategy has changed from a pull system to a push system. Additional topics include...
-
Above Avalon Episode 148: Apple's Billion Users
Apple has reached a level of ecosystem strength that still hasn’t been fully digested by the marketplace. In episode 148, we discuss Apple’s ecosystem ahead of the company’s developers conference. Additional topics include how I estimated the total number of Apple users, various revenue per user...
-
Above Avalon Episode 147: A Faster Bumper Car
In episode 147, we take a look at the changing competitive landscape facing the giants (Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft). Comparing the situation to bumper cars, we discuss why Google and Facebook have the slower cars that are no longer able to hide within the traffic. Additional...
-
Above Avalon Episode 146: Tackling Apple's Excess Cash
In what has become an annual trend, Apple uses FY2Q earnings to also update its share buyback authorization and quarterly cash dividend. In episode 146, we preview the changes Apple will likely announce to its capital return program. The discussion begins by going over how Apple has adjusted its...
-
Above Avalon Episode 145: It's All About Curation
At Apple’s recent event at Steve Jobs Theater, the company unveiled its revamped content distribution arm. Episode 145 is dedicated to discussing Apple’s new content distribution services: Apple News+, Apple Arcade, and Apple TV+. Instead of just announcing services for consuming more content,...
-
Above Avalon Episode 144: Checking Up on iPad
In recent years, the iPad line has undergone transformational changes. In episode 144, we look at Apple’s broader iPad strategy to add context to the newest updates involving the iPad mini and iPad Air. The episode kicks off with my thoughts on the new devices. The discussion then turns to the...
-
Above Avalon Episode 143: Look at the Capex
For the first time in 16 years, Apple expects its capital expenditures (capex) to decline during the current fiscal year. Episode 143 is dedicated to discussing capex and how the financial metric provides a different look at how Apple is unique in comparison to its largest peers. Additional…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 142: Rethinking the Smart Home
In one word, the smart home has been disappointing. Episode 142 is focused on why the way we think about digital homes is in need of a major reset. After going over my thoughts on the current state of the smart home, we take a closer look at Apple’s vision for the home and why the company is…
more -
Above Avalon Episode 141: Viral AirPods
There’s a remarkable story found with AirPods. Nearly two years after launch, AirPods began to go viral at the end of November 2018. In December, search interest was up 500%. This is unprecedented for an Apple product. In episode 141, we take a deep dive into the AirPods phenomenon and how the...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Above Avalon provides unique insight and perspective as to how Apple thinks about the world.
HOSTED BY
Neil Cybart
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Above Avalon have?
Above Avalon currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Above Avalon about?
Above Avalon provides unique insight and perspective as to how Apple thinks about the world.
How often does Above Avalon release new episodes?
Above Avalon has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Above Avalon?
You can listen to Above Avalon on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Above Avalon?
Above Avalon is created and hosted by Neil Cybart.
URL copied to clipboard!