More on The Moat Map, and how it applies to Uber, YouTube, Spotify and the public cloud.
Daily Update
Archive of Daily Emails for Stratechery Members
ZTE and Trump, Dropbox Earnings, Bloomberg’s Paywall
The ZTE saga takes a twist, Dropbox’s first earnings are solid, and Bloomberg shows how the rich get richer.
Platforms Versus Aggregators, What About Amazon?, Walmart Buys Flipkart
Tech’s two philosophies are also about the difference between platforms and aggregators, but even that has its own divisions. Amazon falls on both sides of the divide. Plus, why Walmart’s Flipkart purchase makes no sense.
Microsoft’s Build Keynote, Microsoft and IBM, Microsoft’s Realism
Microsoft’s Build keynote didn’t garner much attention, because there was nothing for consumers: that is exactly what made it so compelling.
Spotify Earnings, Spotify’s Free Plan and Hulu Partnership, Snap Earnings
Spotify’s earnings were not what the market expected, but the company gained credibility. Snap, meanwhile, doesn’t have any credibility at all.
Apple Earnings, Facebook’s F8 Keynote, Facebook Dating
Apple’s earnings were less interesting than the expectations game. Facebook’s F8 conference, meanwhile, again cast Zuckerberg’s vision of technology in stark contrast to Steve Jobs. Plus, why Facebook Dating will likely flop.
Softbank and Sprint, Amazon Earnings, Jeff Bezos’s Letter and Interview
Sprint and the problem of fixed costs, Amazon and the advantage of fixed costs, and Jeff Bezos’ fundamental optimism
T-Mobile to Acquire Sprint, Microsoft Earnings
T-Mobile is acquiring Sprint. The deal makes a lot of sense, particularly in the context of 5G — will regulators look forward or backward? Then, Microsoft continues to own the CIO relationship.
Open, Closed, and Privacy Follow-Up; Facebook Earnings; Notes on Facebook Earnings
A follow-up to Open, Closed, and Privacy, then multiple notes on Facebook’s earnings: the company’s executives sounded confident, and they should be.
Google Earnings, Google’s Cost Drivers, Other Bets Versus Google Ventures
Google’s Earnings show rapidly rising expenses, which makes sense as the company seeks to grow outside of its core competency. Plus, why even Google is often better off investing instead of expanding.