The competition between Uber and Google has broken out into the open: who has the advantage in the evolution of transportation-as-a-service, and who will likely win?
August 2016
A Review of Apple Pay and Apple Leverage, Apple Versus Australia’s Banks, Consumers and Competition
There is a fascinating story unfolding in Australia over the attempt by banks to stand up to Apple Pay. What is happening, why, and what it says about competition in a world of aggregation.
BuzzFeed Reorganizes, WhatsApp Eases Privacy Rules
BuzzFeed reorganizes and thus reemphasizes their new business model. Unfortunately, it’s a business model that doesn’t necessarily need news. Then, WhatsApp predictably eases their privacy policy, their CEO’s previous declarations notwithstanding.
Tim Cook on Security, Microsoft’s Boot Loader Mistake, NSA Exploits Stolen
Tim Cook had a very good explanation for why Apple stood up to the FBI, and two different episodes this week showed why he was right.
Sports and TV Follow-up, Intel Licenses ARM IP
First, why I don’t think sports is a bubble, then, Intel finally gives in to reality and licenses ARM IP, a necessary step in becoming a foundry-for-hire.
The Sports Linchpin
Ratings are down for the Olympics, which could be bad news not only for TV but industries everywhere.
Apple’s PR Push, Maps and Apple’s Organizational Structure
Why is Apple on a PR blitz in the middle of August? Plus, what Apple’s executives said about Maps and its relationship to the company’s organizational structure
Google Earnings, Microsoft Earnings
Google’s earnings were fantastic, but I’m still not totally convinced about their shift to mobile. Microsoft’s were good as well, but what was under the surface was more important.
Amazon’s Overwhelming Leverage, P&G Scaling Back Targeted Facebook Ads, Facebook Earnings
In case I wasn’t clear in yesterday’s article, Walmart really has no chance to catch Amazon in e-commerce. Then, the news that P&G will reduce targeting isn’t a surprise, but it’s not necessarily that much of a problem for Facebook. Plus, notes on Facebook’s earnings.
Walmart and the Multichannel Trap
Walmart wasted years trying to retrofit their model to ecommerce. Buying Jet.com will give them a better chance, but it’s almost certainly too late to compete with Amazon.