It is all but impossible to beat an Aggregator head-on, as Walmart is trying to do with Amazon. The solution instead is to build a platform like Shopify.
2019
HBO Max and Friends; British Airways, Marriott Hit with GDPR Fines; Zoom’s Vulnerability
HBO Max is AT&T’s new streaming service, and it is paying a lot for Friends. Then, the best part of GDPR has its intended effect, while Zoom shows that security still isn’t a priority
Walmart’s E-Commerce Struggles, Textbook Disruption, The Benefits of Not Competing
Walmart is struggling in ecommerce for very predictable reasons; the company — and economy — is better off leveraging its assets and not competing directly with Amazon.
Netflix Loses The Office, Netflix’s Budget Consciousness, Spotify Ends Direct Uploads
It is hard to see *The Office* being a good deal for NBCUniversal, even if Netflix will miss it. Then, Netflix’s budget consciousness is just as likely to be a sign of Netflix power than it is weakness, and more reasons why Spotify isn’t Netflix.
Apple, Design, and Operations; So It Goes; The Role of Jeff Williams
More on Jony Ive’s exit, and why blaming Tim Cook misses the broader changes that are an inevitable by-product of success. Than, clarifying Jeff Williams role as CEO-in-waiting.
[FREE] Jony Ive Leaves Apple, Ive’s Legacy, The Post-Ive Apple
Jony Ive is leaving Apple: how it happened, Ive’s legacy, and what it means for Apple going forward.
Libra’s Questionable Benefits, Facebook’s Hidden Costs, Philosophical Objections
While Facebook, Libra, and the Long Game was about analysis, this Daily Update is about opinion: I don’t think Libra is a good idea.
An Interview with Kevin Weil and Dante Disparte About Libra and Calibra
An interview with Kevin Weil, the VP of Product at Calibra, and Dante Disparte, the Head of Policy and Communications at the Libra Association, about Libra and Calibra.
Facebook, Libra, and the Long Game
Libra is less about an immediate benefit to Facebook, and more about creating a world where companies like Facebook have the best chance to prosper. That is why Facebook gave up so much control.
Exponent Podcast: Game of Phones
On Exponent, the weekly podcast I host with James Allworth, we discuss Apple’s Audacity. Listen to it here.