On Exponent, the weekly podcast I host with James Allworth, we discuss Microsoft, Slack, Zoom, and the SaaS Opportunity. Listen to it here.
2019
Google IO Follow-up, Linux on Windows, Microsoft’s Developer Strategy
More on Google’s I/O keynote, particularly about how the company is well-positioned for a privacy-centric world. Then, Microsoft is doing an excellent job of appealing to developers.
Google Fights Back
At Google I/O, Google was the opposite of defensive: the company set out to make the case that its approach made for better products that makes people’s lives better
Microsoft Build, Microsoft’s Strategic Clarity, An Interview with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
Microsoft’s Build was good for what it had — and what it didn’t, even accidentally. Microsoft’s future is about meeting real business needs, not wowing customers. Plus, an interview with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Facebook’s Cryptocurrency, The Problem — and Benefit — of Credit Cards, The Facebook Payment Network
Facebook is coming out with its own cryptocurrency; the implementation details are less interesting than the opportunity in payments generally, and why Facebook is uniquely placed.
Apple Earnings, Google Earnings, Amazon Earnings
Apple, Google, and Amazon’s earnings all showed fundamental weaknesses in the consumer market; perhaps these companies are not all-powerful.
Microsoft and Slack Follow-up, F8, Facebook versus Snapchat
How Microsoft Teams differs from Slack, then Facebook’s F8 keynote is nominally about privacy-focused social networking, but is in fact about competing with Snapchat (again!).
Microsoft, Slack, Zoom, and the SaaS Opportunity
The Zoom and Slack IPOs show what Microsoft is missing in its growth story: a way to acquire new customers.
Microsoft Earnings, Microsoft’s Growth Opportunities, Facebook Earnings
Microsoft is a trillion dollar company, and has more growth opportunities than ever; Facebook, meanwhile, remains firmly in control of its own destiny when it comes to driving revenue growth in the long run.
Twitter Earnings, Snap Earnings, Escaping the Duopoly
Twitter and Snap both had encouraging earnings, for reasons that were both similar and also unique to each company and their history. Perhaps there is hope for consumer tech companies after all — and maybe Facebook and Google aren’t so bad.