More AI developments, first in terms of iPhone apps and Stable Diffusion, and the Apple Silicon optimizations. Then, open questions about the AI market going forward.
Musk vs. Apple; Advertising, App Store Review, and 30%; Google Headcount
Elon Musk vs. Apple has felt like an inevitability, and the battle was joined over advertising, App Store control, and 30% fees. Plus, Google’s money-making employee base is remarkably small.
Spotify Earnings, Spotify Exclusives, Spotify vs. Apple
Spotify’s earnings were solid, although I am more skeptical of its podcast exclusive strategy than ever. Plus, Apple continues to act anti-competitively, this time in e-books.
Two Apple Items, Twitter Cash Flow, Twitter Versus Advertisers
Two Apple updates about ATT and China, then, more on Twitter’s cash flow situation, and Elon Musk discovers that freedom is often structural
An Interview with Eugene Wei About Streaming and Social Media
An interview with Eugene Wei about streaming and social media, including Netflix, TikTok, Twitter, and why the first wave of social networks were a fundamental mismatch with human nature.
Musk’s Twitter Blue; A Twitter Subscription, Revisited; Apple Earnings
Elon Musk’s Twitter Blue proposal seems reasonable, and the company is not in as dire financial straits as reported. Then, revisiting the idea of a Twitter business model pivot, and why Apple’s services revenue is so impressive.
More on the China Chip Ban, The AI Focus, Apple and YMTC
More on the China chip ban, including the AI motivation, and how China might interpret things differently. Plus, Apple gets a reminder that there are more considerations than costs.
Spotify Audiobooks, Audiobook Business Models, Limitations and Skepticism
Spotify is now selling audio books, but with an analog business model that is further hampered by Apple. The limitations aren’t Spotify’s fault, but do limit upside.
AI Bundling Follow-Up, iPhone Follow-Up
Follow-up to AI Bundling, including costs, the meaning of distribution, and centralization, and why Apple is still a product company.
The Services iPhone
Apple introduced some impressive product updates; the real news, though, were the prices, which suggested that Apple is fully embracing being a services company.