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
2016
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.
Apple Earnings, Apple Car Updates, Apple TV and Leverage
Apple’s earnings were better than expected but the growth challenge remains; might it come from the Apple Car? The Apple TV’s challenges are instructive in that regard.
Follow-up: Didi, Uber, and Instagram Stories; Walmart Reportedly Buying Jet.com; Amazon Earnings
More news and follow-up on Didi and Uber, and whether or not Instagram Stories will succeed. Then, Walmart is reportedly buying Jet.com, but Amazon’s earnings show how far they have to go.
The Audacity of Copying Well
Instagram copied Snapchat, and that’s a good thing: differentiation is about far more than features, and this is Facebook’s best shot at holding off Snapchat.
Uber-Didi Follow-up, SalesForce Buys Quip
More on Uber and Didi, and why the evaluation of this deal depends on the lens you use. Then, why Salesforce bought Quip, and what that says about both enterprise startups and Salesforce versus Microsoft.
Didi Acquires Uber China, Why Uber China Was Doomed, Was Uber China Worth It?
Didi has acquired Uber China. This Update goes through the history of ride-sharing in China, why Uber China was doomed, and evaluates whether Uber China was worth the investment.
Exponent Podcast: Following a Pokémon Off a Cliff
On Exponent, the weekly podcast I host with James Allworth, we discuss A Technical Glitch. Listen to it here.