More details on yesterday’s launch, then a designer explains why Figma is different, and why Adobe has a good chance in court if it goes that far.
Ben Thompson
Sharp Tech and Stratechery Plus
Stratechery is launching a new podcast: Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson. In addition, the Stratechery Update subscription has now been expanded to the Stratechery Plus subscription, including the Stratechery Update, Stratechery Interviews, Sharp Tech, and Dithering.
Adobe Acquires Figma, Figma’s Disruption, The Figma OS
Adobe’s acquisition of Figma is about the long-term shift in the design value chain; it paid so much because there was no other reason for Figma to sell.
An Interview With The Verge Editor-in-Chief Nilay Patel About Building a Destination Site
An interview with The Verge EIC Nilay Patel about building a destination site, his background and how that connects to his career in tech journalism, The Verge’s business model and approach to journalism ethics, and a bit of a debate about moderation and net neutrality.
Instagram Reels Struggles, Meta’s Mistake, TikTok at Code
Instagram policy with regards to TikTok content shows Meta hasn’t internalized the real risk from the Chinese company; then, revisiting U.S. TikTok policy
AI Bundling Follow-Up, iPhone Follow-Up
Follow-up to AI Bundling, including costs, the meaning of distribution, and centralization, and why Apple is still a product company.
The AI Unbundling
AI is starting to unbundle the final part of the idea propagation value chain: idea creation and substantiation. The impacts will be far-reaching.
The Services iPhone
Apple introduced some impressive product updates; the real news, though, were the prices, which suggested that Apple is fully embracing being a services company.
Shopify vs. Buy With Prime, Instagram Shopping, CUDA and China
Shopify kind-of sort-of bans “Buy With Prime”, while Meta changes its e-commerce focus on Instagram. Plus, why the China ban is bad for Nvidia’s CUDA moat.
AI Chips and China, Geopolitical Considerations, Nvidia Considerations
Nvidia and AMD graphics chips are barred from sale in China, signaling a permanent shift in the U.S.’s approach to selling tech to China