The DOJ’s lawsuit against Google details a lot of anti-competitive behavior, but the underlying source of Google’s strength is Aggregation.
Tech Layoffs, Big Tech’s Hiring Rates, Microsoft’s VR Layoffs
Tech’s layoffs are popularly thought to be because of over-hiring during the pandemic, but in fact there isn’t much evidence that tech over-hired based on past rates. Then, Microsoft still has a metaverse strategy, it just doesn’t involve hardware.
More on Google and AI; OpenAI, Integration, and Microsoft
Follow up on AI’s impact on Google, and the weird relationship between OpenAI and Microsoft
AI and the Big Five
Given the success of existing companies with new epochs, the most obvious place to start when thinking about the impact of AI is with the big five: Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft.
FTC Fines Epic, Netflix Ads, YouTube and the NFL
Epic’s FTC settlement is a reminder about the value of the App Store. Then, Netflix’s ad weakness is disappointing but not surprising, while the YouTube/NFL deal could have been worse for cable companies and other leagues.
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.
Google Earnings, Gaming’s Warning Light, Google’s Costs
Google’s results seemed bad, but while there are concerns for both revenue and costs, the business is still in good shape.
Google Kills Stadia; Why Stadia Was a Bad Product; Microsoft, Activision, and Antitrust
Google Stadia is, predictably, dead: the company never had the business model to match. Microsoft is showing just how hard it is to get that business model off of the ground.
Apple and Property Rights, On Google’s Non-Response, The Facebook Oversight Board
Apple’s ATT policy is another example of a tech giant playing a quasi-government role. Then, while there may be explanations for Google’s approach, they don’t stand up to scrutiny, while Facebook gets it right with their Oversight Board.
Rights, Laws, and Google
Google is not bound by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments, but its actions in a false positive CSAM case show that it is flouting the spirit behind them.