An update on the Battle for the Home, and why Apple’s hesitance around data is both a credit and a tax — and the opposite for Google.
February 2019
Amazon Abandons New York, The Upside of Amazon’s Decision, Waymo and Disruption
Amazon is abandoning to New York, and everyone is a loser, at least in the short term. There may, though, be upside in the lessons learned. Then, a truly excellent article about why Google may be approaching self-driving cars all wrong.
Exponent Podcast: Publishers vs Apple News
On Exponent, the weekly podcast I host with James Allworth, we discuss The Cost of Apple News. Listen to it here.
Apple News Follow-up, What Direct-to-Consumer Publishers are Selling, More on Podcasts: Supporting Cast and Kimberlite
More on why Apple News is both different than Facebook, and yet similar from a publisher perspective. Then, how publishers should think about their business — and Apple News — plus two new entrants in the podcast space.
The Cost of Apple News
Apple News is primed to offer a subscription bundle, but publishers should be wary of being Aggregated.
Amazon Acquires Eero, Owning the Home, Amazon’s Earnings
Amazon acquires Eero, solidifying its play for the home. Then, Amazon’s Earnings show an e-commerce business that is slowing.
Spotify and Podcasts Follow-up, Apple and Podcasts, Luminary and Himalaya
More on podcasts, including why I’m cautiously optimistic, plus Apple’s missed opportunity, and why I’m skeptical of startups in the space.
Exponent Podcast: Why Exponent Isn’t On Spotify
On Exponent, the weekly podcast I host with James Allworth, we discuss Spotify’s Podcast Aggregation Play. Listen to it here.
Spotify’s Podcast Aggregation Play
Spotify is making a major move into podcasts, where it appears to have clear designs to be the sort of Aggregator it cannot be when it comes to music.
Google “Other Bets” Follow-up, Angela Ahrendts Out at Apple, Microsoft’s Earnings
Does Angela Ahrendts’ departure from Apple signify a pivot in retail? Then, Microsoft’s earnings highlighted how the company has benefited from its focus on being a horizontal company.