Apple investing $1 billion in Didi could signify all kinds of things, but only one explanation makes sense. The big loser, though, is Uber.
May 2016
Google v Oracle, Round 3; FTC Re-Opening Google Search Investigation?; Facebook and Filter Bubbles
Google v Oracle Round 3 kicked off this week, and the stakes are high. We need a legislative solution that probably isn’t coming. Then, the FTC may be investigating Google again, but it’s hard to see their conclusion changing; and why Facebook’s study about polarization didn’t exonerate the News Feed algorithm
Defending Facebook, Amazon Video Direct
The actual details of the Facebook Trending News scandal probably don’t warrant the outrage; what is more interesting is how Facebook found itself in hot water. Then, Amazon Video Direct is very interesting, but not because it’s going to be a YouTube competitor anytime soon.
The Real Problem With Facebook and the News
Facebook is receiving a lot of criticism for allegedly interfering with conservative topics when it comes to “Trending News”. In fact, though, the polarization reinforced by an engagement-driven feed is a much bigger concern.
Uber Loses in Austin, Uber and the Zenefits Test
Uber lost a ballot proposal in Austin that may have far-reaching effects; an application of the Zenefits Test shows why it was the wrong battle to fight.
Exponent Podcast: Bending Trees
On Exponent, the weekly podcast I host with James Allworth, we discuss Everything as a Service. Listen to it here.
The Full TSLA Experience, Twitter vs LinkedIn, Nintendo vs Sony
Elon Musk may be a lot of things, but he’s not exactly straight with investors, and now he’s making his biggest bet yet. Plus, the differences between Twitter and LinkedIn, and Nintendo and Sony
Doubting the iPhone Revisited, What Has Changed, On Being Bearish
Today I revisit last year’s piece Stop Doubting the iPhone and why I may have been wrong. What data and assumptions have changed, and why?
Everything as a Service
We have likely reached Peak iPhone, and if not, it’s only a matter of time; physical goods can only scale so far. The future, thanks to the Internet, is everything-as-a-service
Amazon Earnings, Amazon’s Cloud War
Amazon’s earnings were even better than reported: it looks like the retail business is gaining real economies of scale, and AWS was even stronger than it appeared.