Steven Philips on Another week, another invitation-only Apple event - '“One more thing. OH! By the way, here’s another! Oh! And….”'
on Another week, another invitation-only Apple event - 'I’m typing this reply on a 2021 M1 MacBook Pro 16″ to say that my wife just approved an upgrade to an M6 OLED MacBook Pro 16″. Hoping I can keep it to the ‘under $5000’ I told her it would be. lol'
on Another week, another invitation-only Apple event - 'One of the side effects of having a large product portfolio is the large array of products that need to be introduced when upgraded etc. Each of Apple’s product categories (Iphone, Ipad, Mac, Services, Others) could have at least an annual event of some kind. If you tried to do it all at once we would all be sleep deprived by the end and probably would lose enthusiasm just based on the length alone. From what I read Apple is delivering new products for the next four Fridays. Yes some have already been announced. Some are more important than others. The bottleneck which was Siri AI is being cleared. Apple is catching up with the upgrades. Too bad the Ram prices have gone through the roof so some of the new prices are steeper than they would like. Apple is showing confidence in their ability to deliver these updates despite the supply chain expenses. Looking forward to next weeks event while I am still trying to figure what I might buy from the September and October events. Melting the credit card is likely.'
on Another week, another invitation-only Apple event - 'Philip, are you going? Did you get an invite? I guess this is better than just a press release. Maybe this is effective? iJustine et al get millions of views. Going to this event they get exclusive access so are more motivated to talk about it.'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - '”People covet what they cannot have.” I’ve been on many occasions that, the best way to get an American to want something, is to ell them they can’t have it.'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - '“Apple has dealt with launch shortages before, but a three-month wait for a new iPhone is practically unprecedented.” So, in other words, it’s not unprecedented. But the sky is still falling. I’m shaking my head, because we all know that if Apple hadn’t released the Duo and started taking pre-orders when it did, Gurman would have been screaming about it and how it is the final proof that Apple has completely lost its way. When it comes to his “heads Apple loses, tails Apple doesn’t win” criticisms, I can only say that I’m happy that Apple appears to be continuing to stick to what they do best – truly innovate, then develop and release amazing products and functionality – and then letting the hits from MG that everyone knows are coming, no matter what Apple does or doesn’t do, fall like water off a duck’s back. It’s obvious that the response and demand for the Duo has exceeded Apple’s expectations. As a shareholder, and knowing the scale and excellence of integration of their logistics, supply-chain and manufacturing, and thinking of the fact that the Duo is coming out simultaneously with their AI initiatives, iPhone 18, upgrades to all the rest of their hardware, and everything else they’re doing – all while there’s a massive global chip shortage because of AI hyperscalers – I couldn’t be happier. But all Gurman can seem to say is, “Wow, they really screwed that one thing up badly!!”'
on Premarket: Apple is red - '“Apple (AAPL) announced on Monday that it will hold its second event in October, this time in Los Angeles, with the gathering likely focused on new MacBooks and iPads. The event is scheduled for Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. P.T., and features the tagline “Pro and tell.” The tech titan is likely to show off new versions of its popular MacBook Pro laptops, including a version that offers a touch screen. The iPhone maker is also likely to unveil other computers, including a new iMac, a new version of its iPad Mini tablet, and perhaps more.” Excerpt From “Apple to hold second event this month to unveil new MacBooks, iPads” Chris Ciaccia, SA News Editor Seeking Alpha https://stocks.apple.com/AvZYL-e16SMqmms2nFsx7UA This material may be protected by copyright.'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - 'True but it is a marketing axiom. People covet what they cannot have. The idea that scarcity and high demand can create even more demand is a well-established psychological and marketing principle.'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - 'Greg – agreed. But that last statement is mighty bold…'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - 'Actually, I found a lot of Tommo’s comments grounded in reasoning, I disagreed with his interpretation. Gurman just extracts fertilizer from his nether regions to spin a yarn, because bad news about Apple generates clicks and attracts speculator attention..'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - 'And if he is banned, I support Apple’s decision 100%. He is a close second to Tommo.'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - 'Alan: Thank you. I had to look up TurboMan because I didn’t see “Jingle All The Way.” It was released 30 years ago in 1996. Personally, I’d take the Duo over a TurboMan. Actually, I’d take just about anything over a TurboMan, but that’s just me. All things considered, I think Android handsets are just right for those that would pick a TurboMan over a Duo. I don’t think the guy from Bloomberg gets it. He might just be a TurboMan kind of guy.'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - 'Bart, You said that according to Gemini Mark Gurman has never stopped covering Apple events, nor has he been actively excluded or blacklisted by Apple But I thought that Gurman implied, in some of the video posted here, that he has not been invited to Apple events and was not welcome. If I am remembering correctly, I think he mentioned this when he didn’t attend the latest iPhone introduction event.'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - 'What a boneheaded response by Gurman. The alternative choice he suggested Apple had was to piss off every apple consumer globally who wanted a Duo outside of US/China – creating negative consequences for the brand, rather than treat everyone equally (which they wisely chose to do).'
on Mark Gurman: 'Apple’s iPhone Duo preorders were an absolute disaster' - '“yet Bloomberg sends other reporters whom Gurman has to talk to by video call to get what was happening, who was there, and physical interactions and impressions of the actual hardware and/or talking to Apple representatives. “Yet, isn’t it odd that Gurman isn’t there in person like so many other invited reporters and now influencers” It is definitely a unique arrangement, but it isn’t odd when looking at how Bloomberg structure their investigative reporting. The division of labor between Mark Gurman and the rest of the Bloomberg newsroom is a deliberate strategy rather than an omission. • Separation of “Scoops” vs. “Specs”: Bloomberg separates investigative reporting from product reviewing. Gurman’s job is exclusively corporate investigation—breaking news about leadership shakeups, supply chain delays, and unreleased roadmaps months in advance. Bloomberg sends general tech editors, field reporters, and video crews to handle the hands-on hardware impressions, physical interactions, and direct questions to Apple PR representatives. • The “Source Protection” Factor: In-person press events are heavily managed environments. Reporters are surrounded by Apple PR handlers, executives, and other journalists. For an investigative reporter whose entire career relies on highly sensitive corporate leaks, spending a day shaking hands with Apple executives in public is a massive conflict. Gurman talking to his colleagues afterward allows Bloomberg to aggregate hands-on details without their main investigative asset being handled or pressured by corporate PR on-site. • Influencer Crowds vs. Serious Journalism: Apple has drastically shifted its invite lists toward lifestyle influencers, YouTubers, and creators who prioritize aesthetic content and immediate hype. Bloomberg is a global financial wire. They don’t need Gurman to stand in a crowded room filming a hands-on video; they need him at a secure desk analyzing what the launch means for Apple’s stock, market share, and fiscal quarter. Ultimately, Gurman’s absence from the physical crowd is a sign of his unique role: he is an industry analyst and corporate reporter, while the colleagues he calls are the boots-on-the-ground journalists gathering the tactical product details.” At least that’s Gurman’s and Bloomberg’s spin on it, use him strategically in studio and podcasts, let him work his inside sources securely, get his scoops, ironically report on specs and details before release and then confirm those specs w/cub reporters in the field that go instead. Yeah, sure. Waste of his time to travel, not to attend, not to be invited or allowed to do interviews w/any number of key people, waste of time to engage in Apple PR or marketing and prescribed messaging. I suppose it’s true. I don’t know whether Apple stopped inviting him or he gets the invite and chooses / is told Not to go. Maybe it would appear to be a conflict of Gurman actually accepts Apple invite, gets flown and housed on Apple’s dime (sorry, $5 bill, inflation) like the influencers are, and actually sees first hand the products he supposedly scooped. Look at his after event reporting and quarterbacking – no products in hand, no invited short session exposures, no actual use for some time, so he has to offer his opinions based on scoops, hearsay, final Apple introduction, and then wait to eventually obtain his own and MAYBE report or review. But I suppose Bloomberg doesn’t want him reviewing actual products because info is more important, especially negative info or slant that moves the market per Bloomberg, so the hit pieces and click-bait. I can see Monday’s remarked Bloomberg headline: “Apple Botches Duo Pre-orders, Delivery Times Into 2027 Leave Apple’s Best Customers Fuming, • Apple’s clearly antiquated and inadequate Preorder system failed yet again. • Apple Risks Losing Billions in Sales or User Defections to Samsung and Android • Apple’s Duo production woes make launch inventory wholly inadequate for a global launch to the dismay of rabid buyers • First big misstep or mistake of Ternus’ CEO tenure • Sources say recovery and demand / supply balance not likely till February or March 2027 • Why didn’t Apple foresee this issue and better manage the launch by limiting to US and China? AAPL shares are down 1% after Bloomberg broke the news.'
