Unsurprisingly, no one wants to buy Twitter, which will likely muddle long. Then, Amazon’s deal with VMWare makes a ton of sense for Amazon in particular; the company is also experimenting with convenience stores and music subscriptions.
Wearable Follow-Up, Google’s Amazon Problem, Marriott and SPG Combine Loyalty Programs
A follow-up about wearables to remind folks that the smartphone still matters. Then, why mobile is a struggle for Google, illustrated by Amazon. Plus, Marriott and SPG are finally together, and it’s clear they (rightly) want to own the customer relationship
Is AWS a Commodity?, Chat App Updates: WeChat, Facebook, and Google
The conventional wisdom is that AWS is a commodity, but that only makes sense in the context of the old world. Then, Google tries to catch up to Facebook which tries to catch up to WeChat which is leaping ahead.
Amazon’s Overwhelming Leverage, P&G Scaling Back Targeted Facebook Ads, Facebook Earnings
In case I wasn’t clear in yesterday’s article, Walmart really has no chance to catch Amazon in e-commerce. Then, the news that P&G will reduce targeting isn’t a surprise, but it’s not necessarily that much of a problem for Facebook. Plus, notes on Facebook’s earnings.
Walmart and the Multichannel Trap
Walmart wasted years trying to retrofit their model to ecommerce. Buying Jet.com will give them a better chance, but it’s almost certainly too late to compete with Amazon.
Follow-up: Didi, Uber, and Instagram Stories; Walmart Reportedly Buying Jet.com; Amazon Earnings
More news and follow-up on Didi and Uber, and whether or not Instagram Stories will succeed. Then, Walmart is reportedly buying Jet.com, but Amazon’s earnings show how far they have to go.
Follow-up: Dollar Shave Club, CPG, and Amazon; Tesla’s Master Plan, Part Deux
More on exactly how Dollar Shave Club succeeded, and if it’s replicable. Then, Musk has another inspiring blog post, but is it enough to erase nagging doubts about Tesla?
Amazon Prime Day and Prime Challenges, Facebook Diversity Numbers Don’t Budge
Amazon Prime Day was a smashing success, at least if you ask Amazon. The ongoing shift in ecommerce models, though, threatens Prime’s underlying value proposition. Then, Facebook’s disappointing diversity numbers.
Brexit and Tech: The Narrow View, HBO Versus Netflix, Amazon Dash Buttons
There is a broader story to be told about Brexit and tech, but today the narrower view of its impact. Then, why Netflix and HBO are different, and how Amazon’s Dash buttons demonstrate the company’s strength and the CPG industry’s weakness.
Twilio Files for IPO, Building Infrastructure, Mary Meeker’s Internet Trends 2016
An overview of Twilio’s IPO and the role of infrastructure, and then my favorite slides from Mary Meeker’s Internet Trends deck.