Amazon is abandoning to New York, and everyone is a loser, at least in the short term. There may, though, be upside in the lessons learned. Then, a truly excellent article about why Google may be approaching self-driving cars all wrong.
Daily Update
Archive of Daily Emails for Stratechery Members
Apple News Follow-up, What Direct-to-Consumer Publishers are Selling, More on Podcasts: Supporting Cast and Kimberlite
More on why Apple News is both different than Facebook, and yet similar from a publisher perspective. Then, how publishers should think about their business — and Apple News — plus two new entrants in the podcast space.
Amazon Acquires Eero, Owning the Home, Amazon Earnings
Amazon acquires Eero, solidifying its play for the home. Then, Amazon’s Earnings show an e-commerce business that is slowing.
Spotify and Podcasts Follow-up, Apple and Podcasts, Luminary and Himalaya
More on podcasts, including why I’m cautiously optimistic, plus Apple’s missed opportunity, and why I’m skeptical of startups in the space.
Google “Other Bets” Follow-up, Angela Ahrendts Out at Apple, Microsoft Earnings
Does Angela Ahrendts’ departure from Apple signify a pivot in retail? Then, Microsoft’s earnings highlighted how the company has benefited from its focus on being a horizontal company.
Google Earnings, Other Bets Compensation, 30% and Smartphone Competition
Google’s Earnings are increasingly problematic because the company doesn’t break out critical information about its business. Then, Other Bets compensation, and why Google’s 30% App Store take shows Apple’s power.
Facebook Versus Apple: Background, Facebook Versus Apple: Fallout, Facebook Earnings
The full context of Facebook’s dispute with Apple, why the former was wrong, yet why Apple’s actions are just as problematic. Then, Facebook beats expectations with results that aren’t a surprise.
Apple Earnings, Apple the Services Company (for Real!)
Apple’s earnings were definitely weak in China, but the rest of the world wasn’t great either. No wonder the company is pivoting so strongly into services — and there is upside.
BuzzFeed Followup, The Future is Niche, Atlassian and Bing
BuzzFeed’s relative scale problem, and why venture capital doesn’t make sense for content, because the future is niche. Plus, important follow-up on Bing and Atlassian.
China Blocks Bing; Tencent, China, and Apple; Atlassian Earnings
China blocks Bing, which raises more questions for the most successful foreign service provider in China: Apple. Then, Tencent gets some games approved, and how Atlassian and Netflix are similar.