Richard Gayle on Goldman Sachs: AI feeds on skilled workers - 'The Apple show – Mythic Quest – was a really satirical workplace comedy at a gaming company. As I recall, there were just a couple of programmers who actually created the necessary content for versions of the game and most of the others were drones that helped fix things when they broke and maintained the code. Until a new version was created. Seems to me that the drones can be replaced but the actual ones who created new content would still be needed. Likely using AI to enhance their productivity. META/Google/AMazon likely have a higher number of drones than Apple.'
on Amazon wants Globalstar. Apple owns 20 percent - 'I think that what this suggests is that Apple sticks to its vision that saying yes to everything is not the real answer and that responsibly saying no to a lot of things is very important.'
on Goldman Sachs: AI feeds on skilled workers - '”Those are software engineering skills that are much more than” Forgive me if I sound stupid (but when it comes to understanding how to use “AI” I am), wouldn’t that make Apple’s user interface expertise all the more valuable to the multitudes wanting to use “AI”, but haven’t a clue how?'
on Omdia: Apple's share of the global PC market grew to 16% last year - 'I doubt Apple is trying to freeze out Wintel products and makers, simply due to much higher memory volumes used by Wintel manufacturers, plus higher individual box needs per system compared to Macs. IMO, Apple is trying to be proactive in procuring memory supply where it can and stocking / hoarding inventory at best prices available while they have specific leverage and production needs in a number of different products. It’s a shame that reasonable amounts of reusable LPDDR4X (iPhone 8-XS-11-12 and SE2, Galaxy S8, S9, S10 (some models), and many mid-range models such as the Galaxy A52 and A53 models) or LPDDR5/5X, and NAND Flash Memory (specifically UFS – Universal Flash Storage) for non-volatile, long-term internal storage can’t be harvested and recycled from used smartphones of recent vintages, both iPhones and Android phones.'
on Goldman Sachs: AI feeds on skilled workers - 'You have to understand the domain well enough to ask the AI the right questions to get the code, and understand software-systems enough to know how to deploy and sustain the code in operations. Those are software engineering skills that are much more than “learn to code in 6 weeks”…'
on Goldman Sachs: AI feeds on skilled workers - 'These AI tools are a force multiplier as long as you know how to use them and understand their strengths and weaknesses. So assuming these caveats, this technology can allow more output with fewer people. Most people see that statement and assume that means downsizing. And most organizations will approach this the same way they did when they raced to the bottom on computer or smartphone prices. You can do that if your goal is to be the cheapest commodity item around. Or you can use this technology to allow more output with fewer people. Some organizations will have the space to embrace this perspective because they aren’t interested in the commodity price death match championship. But even these organizations need to understand that this technology can allow more output with fewer people, so their ability to maintain their markets uncontested is not a forgone conclusion. I think/hope the executive leadership at Apple appreciates this nuance. If everyone goes for the death match championship title, then this affects Apple because AI agents don’t have aspirational brand affinity. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯'
on Premarket: Apple is green - 'Hi, Bart. “Despite…a…“blackout period”, Apple…repurchase[s] shares….” Yep. Advanced Share Repurchases or ASRs. Apple’s equivalent of Br’er Rabbit’s briar patch….'
on Omdia: Apple's share of the global PC market grew to 16% last year - 'Yes, good point. Sitting on the edge of my chair ready to jump up and shout.'
on Omdia: Apple's share of the global PC market grew to 16% last year - 'This is pre Neo (and pre Touch Screen MacBook) growth. Looking forward to the next couple of years.'
on Omdia: Apple's share of the global PC market grew to 16% last year - 'So, running this thru Perplexity, Apple has a 25% higher ASP than PC’s (this seems to close to me… but who knows?), so that implies Apple commands roughly 20% of global revenue. Very likely edge compute on M series and affordable Neos will lift market share and corresponding revenue. YAy! (Assuming tomorrow’s apocalypse is TACOed)'
on Omdia: Apple's share of the global PC market grew to 16% last year - 'This is all interesting news for Apple’s Mac business. The rankings are interesting but unit sales is always understating Apple’s revenue share since they tend to sell higher cost models compared to many PC competitors. The Neo does change that somewhat and Apple’s ability to maintain profit margins is going to help. The Mac business is not as impressive as the IPhone business but it is good to see Apple doing well with it. And they always exclude tablets which suffice to say is an Apple stronghold.'
on Under government pressure, Apple removes Bitchat from its Chinese App Store - 'I know Apple follow the laws, but it’s always scary when governments try to stifle freedom. Same as it ever was…'
on Premarket: Apple is green - 'Index futures are mixed fifteen minutes out from today’s opening bell. Apple is ahead in the last few minutes of pre-market activity $0.33 at $256.25. We are now in Apple’s 3rd fiscal quarter with results for the March quarter due around the end of this month.'
