Amazon Go is licensing its technology, contrary to my previous prediction. Then Waymo is taking on outside investors which should result in a needed shift in incentives.
2020
Disney and COVID-19, The Coronavirus IPO, In Defense of Twitter
Did COVID-19 drive the timing of Bob Iger stepping down? Then, the U.S. is reacting to the coronavirus, but not because of the federal government. Thank Twitter.
An Interview with Matthew Ball About Disney and Bob Iger
An interview with Matthew Ball about Bob Iger’s exit; Disney, Netflix, and streaming; and how metaverses are digital theme parks.
The Future of Tech Conferences; Apple’s Supply Chain, Continued; Remote Work and Zoom
Three potential long-term impacts of COVID-19 on the tech industry might be seen in consumer-focused developer conferences, supply chains, and Zoom’s chances versus Microsoft.
Six Deaths in King County, U.S. Mistakes, Paywalls and Pandemics
The situation in the U.S., particularly in the Seattle area, is likely worse than it appears; Microsoft and Amazon should take action. Then, the U.S. needs to rely on the private sector, and publishers need to remember why people pay.
COVID-19 Cancellations; Apple, China, and Data; What We (Might) Know
Tech companies are starting to cancel event and unnecessary travel as the coronavirus starts to spread in the United States and Europe. This is the correct decision, even if most economic activity should probably carry on.
Exponent Podcast: Scale Scale Scale
On Exponent, the weekly podcast I host with James Allworth, we discuss Email Addresses and Razor Blades. Listen to it here.
An Interview with Bill Bishop of Sinocism about COVID-19, U.S. China Relations, and Media Entrepreneurship
An Interview with Sinocism’s Bill Bishop about COVID-19, U.S.-China Relations, and media entrepreneurship in the dotcom bubble and today.
Bob Iger Steps Down From Disney, Why Now?, Why Bob Chapek?
It was a huge surprise that Bob Iger was stepping down as Disney’s CEO, but the rationale makes a lot of sense, as does the timing and replacement.
Email Addresses and Razor Blades
The fate of Harry’s and other DTC companies, particularly relative to companies like Credit Karma, highlight how the Internet elevates the importance of demand over supply.