On Exponent, the weekly podcast I host with James Allworth, we discuss Cloudflare and what it is like going through an IPO, as well as what has gone wrong with WeWork. Listen to it here.
Ben Thompson
Peacock and Flex, Seinfeld to Netflix, Big Bang Theory and HBO
Updates on TV streaming, including Peacock, Flex, Seinfeld, Netflix, Big Bang Theory, and HBO.
WeWork Delays IPO, Datadog Prices IPO, SoftBank and Going Big
WeWork abandons its IPO, for now, and is likely at the mercy of Softbank. Then, why Datadog is set to have a great IPO, in direct counter to WeWork and a direct rebuke to Softbank’s approach.
Day Two to One Day
Amazon.com was showing signs of being a Day Two company, including the alleged manipulation of search. There is reason, though, to be optimistic that the company has gotten back to Day One. Plus, where are the other big tech companies?
AB 5, Uber, and the Gig Economy; The ABC Test; What Comes Next
California has passed a new bill, AB 5, that may have a big impact on Uber, Lyft, and other similar companies, but only if it survives court and ballot challenges. The unintended consequences could be huge.
The Apple Watch Tells Time, Additional Observations on Apple’s Event, Revisiting App Store Search
The “Always-on” Apple Watch update is an important one, additional notes from Apple’s event, and why the company is likely being honest about App Store Search
The iPhone and Apple’s Services Strategy
Apple’s annual iPhone event may have marked Apple’s true shift into being a Services company
App Store Search, WeWork to Shelve IPO?, The Vision Fund Wobbles
The New York Times has a compelling expose of how Apple dominates App Store search. Then, WeWork may not IPO, although its CEO will be fine; the bigger question, though is about SoftBank’s Vision Fund.
Apple Versus Project Zero, Apple’s Poor Response, The China Paradox
Apple took on Google’s Project Zero over the weekend, and didn’t come out looking particularly good, particularly since China is a huge paradox for Apple.
Slack’s Earnings, Slack’s Sales Cycle, The FTC Fines YouTube
Slack’s earnings were fine, but lacked the explosive growth their valuation needed. Understanding Slack’s past and future product-market fit explains why. Then, the real problem with the FTC’s fine of YouTube is a lack of transparency.