Amazon’s acquisition of PillPack makes a lot of sense for both companies, and it’s hard to argue that consumers won’t be the ultimate beneficiaries.
June 2018
South Dakota v. Wayfair, and Amazon; Wayfair’s Unintended Consequences; Ohio v. American Express, and Tech
Two Supreme Court decisions have an impact on tech: first, states can collect sales taxes on e-commerce, and second, the burden of proof for antitrust just got higher.
Instagram Launches IGTV, IGTV’s Monetization, YouTube Channel Memberships
Instagram’s launch of IGTV was impressive because of the clear thinking behind it; the long-term question, though, is about monetization, both for the service and for creators, something YouTube is good at.
Intel and the Danger of Integration
Intel is in an increasingly bad position in part because it has been captive to its integrated model. Or, you could simply say they were disrupted.
Disney Ups Bid for 21st Century Fox, Disney’s Choice, AT&T to Acquire AppNexus?
The AT&T-Time Warner decision that I has set off a chain reaction with an uncertain ending: Comcast and Disney are competing for 21st Century Fox, and AT&T may be getting into digital advertising.
Microsoft and ICE; Tech and Trump, Revisited; Lines and Responsibilities
Microsoft is facing both internal and external pushback for its contract with ICE in the light of the Trump administration decision to separate families at the border; it is time for tech executives to decide where the line is between rhetoric and action.
Apple, China, and Trump; Google Invests in JD; The Value of the China Market
More on Apple’s challenges in the Chinese market, both in the past and going forward, and then why e-commerce companies are beating everyone else, both in China and the U.S. Then, why the China market is so attractive.
AT&T, Time Warner, and the Need for Neutrality
It is no surprise that a judge allowed the AT&T-Time Warner acquisition to proceed given the government’s poor case; the question is if a better case could have been made. What is ultimately needed, though, are new laws.
Scooter Follow-up, Microsoft and the Xbox, Spotify Signs Indie Acts
Scooter follow-up, then why the future of gaming may be very good for Microsoft. Plus, why Spotify’s new distribution agreements are not a big deal for now, but point to a positive future.
The Scooter Economy
Scooters are everywhere, and the use case is amazing. What is not so clear, though, is how scooter companies can build strong businesses, which means consumers are the real winners.