Apple Updates the iPad Air, Apple Updates the Entry-Level iPad, The iPad Strategy
Today's Above Avalon Daily email contains the following stories:
Apple Updates the iPad Air
Apple Updates the Entry-Level iPad
The iPad Strategy
In yesterday’s update, we discussed how the iPhone 16e is aimed at existing iPhone owners who likely have gone at least five years without an upgrade. Evidence backing up that claim can be seen on Apple’s iPhone 16e minisite.
Consider the following comparison tool for the iPhone 16e:
The following iPhones are used as comparison options:
iPhone 11 (launched in Sept 2019)
iPhone 12 (launched in Oct 2020)
iPhone 12 mini (launched in Nov 2020)
iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd gen (launched in April 2020 and March 2022)
Similar comparison tools for the iPhone 16 use more recent iPhone models (iPhone 12 to iPhone 15 Plus). The iPhone 16 Pro comparison tool goes from iPhone 12 Pro to iPhone 15 Pro Max.
For today’s update, we will focus on Apple’s iPad news. The update concludes with my broader thoughts on Apple’s iPad strategy.
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iPad Pro and the Goal of Perfection (Above Avalon Report)
An examination of Apple’s iPad strategy as the new iPad Pro goes on sale.
Written by Neil Cybart – May 17th, 2024.
The state of iPad is strong as Apple moves that much closer to its long-held goal of having the iPad become a magical piece of glass. If there is such a thing as an ideal state – a state of perfection – for iPad, Apple sure seems to be getting close. Of course, the company will never get to that point. Perfection is not an end state but rather a state of mind.
Apple has rightly resisted calls to morph iPad into a Mac hybrid. Criticism that the iPad has somehow fallen short of its initial expectations fail to acknowledge the product category’s positioning within the Apple ecosystem. iPad is a touch-first computer offering more versatility than any other Apple product category.
With the iPad Pro cementing its place as the marquee iPad, a discussion regarding the new iPad Pro will inevitably evolve into a discussion about the current state of the iPad.
We begin such a discussion by looking at the iPad’s early days.
Table of Contents
History
The New iPad Pro
iPad Strategy
Criticism
My iPad Theory
Future
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The iPad Event
Hello everyone. Today's update will be dedicated to discussing Apple's iPad event. We will circle back to a few final things about Apple's 2Q24 earnings (and Warren Buffett news) tomorrow.
The iPad Event
Yesterday’s iPad event consisted of a 38-minute taped presentation similar in style to what Apple has been producing since the pandemic. I attended a small gathering that Apple held where the presentation was shown. Afterwards, a hands-on demo area allowed guests to try out the new products.
The announcements were grouped into five buckets:
Updated iPad Air (the big news being the Air will come in two sizes for the first time - 11-inch and 13-inch).
Updated iPad Pro (all-new thin design including an Ultra Retina XDR Display).
M4 chip unveiling (the M4 is the first chip relying on second-gen 3nm process tech).
All-new $129 Apple Pencil Pro.
Updates (with various "AI" features) to Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro. Many of the features demoed were impressive.
Tim Cook kicked off the presentation by
An Above Avalon membership is required to continue reading this update. Members can read the full update here. (Members: Daily Updates are accessible via the archive. If you haven’t logged into the archive before, fill out this form to receive an invite.)
Choose either a monthly or annual membership. Payment is hosted by MoonClerk and secured by Stripe. Apple Pay and other mobile payment options are accepted. After signup, use this link to update your payment information and membership status at any time. Contact me with any questions.
Contact me directly if you would like to purchase multiple subscriptions (five or more) for your team or company.
An audio version of the newsletter is available to members who have the podcast add-on attached to their membership. More information about the podcast add-on is found here. Special Inside Orchard bundle pricing is available for Above Avalon members. Additional membership customization is available via the Financial Models add-ons.