Stratechery Plus

Subscribe

Learn More
Member Forum

Menu

Stratechery Plus

Subscribe

Learn More
Member Forum

Latest Podcast

Articles

  • The Google Squeeze

    Google, the real Aggregator, is squeezing OTAs, which acted like Aggregators while depending on Google for demand. It’s easy to say Google is being unfair, but this may be better for consumers.

  • Tech and Liberty

    The First Amendment is not about a law, but rather a culture — specifically a culture of liberty. It is essential to tech, and in this context, Facebook is mostly right about political ads (but can still do better).

  • The Internet and the Third Estate

    Mark Zuckerberg suggested that social media is a “Fifth Estate”; in fact, social media is a means by which the Third Estate — commoners — can seize political power. Here history matters.

  • Google and Ambient Computing

    Google presented a vision of ambient computing that goes beyond the smartphone. The company is well-placed, but faces challenges both in the marketplace and in the mirror.

  • The China Cultural Clash

    The NBA controversy in China highlights a culture clash that both tech companies and the U.S. government need to take to heart. Plus, why Tiktok being Chinese is increasingly a problem.

  • Beachheads and Obstacles

    Facebook and Amazon had events on the same day for Oculus and Alexa. Both are driven by lessons from the mobile era, but Amazon seems to have learned more than Facebook.

  • Neither, and New: Lessons from Uber and Vision Fund

    Uber represents something new: a company that is different than incumbents because of technology, yet not itself a tech company — just like the Venture Fund is not a VC.

  • 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?

  • The iPhone and Apple’s Services Strategy

    Apple’s annual iPhone event may have marked Apple’s true shift into being a Services company

  • What Is a Tech Company?

    The question of “What is a tech company” comes down to how much software and its unique characteristics affects the company’s core business.