Google’s announced Chat, which is not a new messaging service but the adoption of a new messaging protocol to replace SMS. It’s not an ideal outcome, but the only possible one.
Daily Update
Archive of Daily Emails for Stratechery Members
Netflix Earnings and the Video Value Chain, The Conditions of Aggregation, Comcast and Netflix and the New Bundle
Netflix’s earnings are a reminder of the power that comes from not just aggregation but also integration. It also reveals that Aggregators are more likely to gain economic power when suppliers are already modularized. Plus, Netflix and Comcast start to build the new bundle.
The ZTE Ban, Tech’s Trade War Risk, China’s Delayed Approval and Apple’s Pain
The U.S. government banned companies from selling to ZTE for issues unrelated to the current trade war; that may not much matter, and Apple and other U.S. tech companies could soon feel the pain.
Zuckerberg’s House Hearing, Toutiao’s Apology, Apple’s Siri Hire
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was back on the hill, using his usual talking points; the contrast with a Chinese news app, facing its own political pressure, was striking. Plus, why Apple’s Siri hire is so important.
Uber Acquires JUMP, Background on Bikes, Uber’s New Strategy?
Uber has acquired JUMP, the dockless e-bike company. It’s an acquisition that makes sense for both sides, and suggests that Uber has a more coherent strategy than previously.
Technologists, Politics, and Facebook; Publishers and the GDPR; Facebook and The Denver Post
Publishers are in ever more trouble, thanks to the GDPR. It increasingly seems like Facebook and Google are the inevitable saviors, for better or worse.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Press Conference, The Bosworth Memo, The Facebook Data Lockdown
Mark Zuckerberg blamed The Pollyannish Assumption for his mistakes, but an internal memo suggested that Facebook may have misunderstood itself. Then, the walls around the company’s garden grow stronger.
Spotify Debuts; Trump, Amazon, and the USPS; The Politics of Amazon
Spotify debuts, and I really want to be bullish, but it’s hard. Then, Trump might have a point about Amazon, but it’s moot: the company should be defended.
The End of Windows and Slack Versus Microsoft Teams, ARM on Macs?, Apple’s Commitment to the Mac
Microsoft Teams is another example where Windows held too much sway. Then, ARM might be coming to the Mac; if it is, it shows the importance of commitment.
Uber Sells Out in Southeast Asia; Uber’s Self-Driving Tragedy; Doing the Right Thing, Inevitably
Uber is officially out of Southeast Asia, ultimately thanks to Softbank. Then, tragedy, as an Uber self-driving car kills a woman. This may be the end of the program, but the decision should have been made before.