Senator Warren’s proposal about how to regulate tech is wrong about history, the source of tech giant’s power, and the fundamental nature of technology itself. That doesn’t mean there aren’t real problems — and potential solutions — though.
The Value Chain Constraint
Companies succeed or fail not based on technology but rather according to their ability to integrate within their value chains.
Nest’s Secret Microphone, YouTube and the Pollyanish Assumption — Again, Pinterest and Anti-Vaxxers
Nest’s secret microphone shows that privacy still isn’t a priority at Google, and there is a connection to YouTube’s latest scandal. Then, what Pinterest gets right about a very hard problem.
An Update on the Battle for the Home, Apple’s Strategy Credit — and Tax, The Data Strategy Credit
An update on the Battle for the Home, and why Apple’s hesitance around data is both a credit and a tax — and the opposite for Google.
Amazon Acquires Eero, Owning the Home, Amazon’s Earnings
Amazon acquires Eero, solidifying its play for the home. Then, Amazon’s Earnings show an e-commerce business that is slowing.
Google “Other Bets” Follow-up, Angela Ahrendts Out at Apple, Microsoft’s Earnings
Does Angela Ahrendts’ departure from Apple signify a pivot in retail? Then, Microsoft’s earnings highlighted how the company has benefited from its focus on being a horizontal company.
Google Earnings, Other Bets Compensation, 30% and Smartphone Competition
Google’s Earnings are increasingly problematic because the company doesn’t break out critical information about its business. Then, Other Bets compensation, and why Google’s 30% App Store take shows Apple’s power.
Apple Earnings, Apple the Services Company (for Real!)
Apple’s earnings were definitely weak in China, but the rest of the world wasn’t great either. No wonder the company is pivoting so strongly into services — and there is upside.
The BuzzFeed Lesson
The lesson of BuzzFeed is that dominant Aggregators like Facebook have no incentive to act against their self interest and support suppliers.
More on Apple and China (and Podcasts!), Apple and Duck Duck Go, WordPress Newspack
How much was Apple impacted by the arrest of Huawei’s CFO? Then, Apple’s agreement with DuckDuckGo and its connection with Google, and why WordPress Newspack is so exciting.