Microsoft’s E3 announcement give more shape to its cloud gaming ambitions, and highlight how difficult new consumers paradigms are today.
Xbox All Access Pass, The Eighth-Generation of Consoles, Console Subscriptions: Now and the Future
Microsoft is announcing a new subscription plan for Xbox that includes the console; it is modest for now, but could be a bigger deal in the future.
More on the Switch, Apple Music and the HomePod, Songwriter Royalties Increase
More on the Nintendo Switch, and how Apple Music is more strategic than I appreciated. Then, Spotify hits another obstacle — is the streaming service an acquisition target?
HomePod Goes on Sale, The Smartphone and the End of History, The Success of the Nintendo Switch
The HomePod goes on sale tomorrow — finally — and it’s still not clear whether or not Apple is ready to move beyond the smartphone; the success of the Nintendo Switch suggests the world isn’t waiting.
SendGrid IPOs, The Nintendo Marios
SendGrid’s IPO exemplifies a company that works: a SaaS offering that enables, and grows alongside, its customer. Then, the differing results for Super Mario Run and Super Mario Galaxy show the value in maximizing revenue amongst core customers.
Google’s Precedent Problem, Five Stories In Brief
Leaving aside whether or not the European Commission decision is justifiable, it has been made, and Google has a big problem on its hands. Then, five stories in brief on Amazon, Ransomware, Blue Apron, Nintendo, and car rental companies.
RIP Charles P. Thacker, E3 and the Importance of Clarity, Nintendo’s Differentiation
Charles Thacker invented modern computers and demonstrated how to think differently. Then, E3 is demonstrating the importance of clarity, and Nintendo is the surprising example of the benefits
Nintendo Discontinues NES Classic Edition, A Brief History of Nintendo, Nintendo’s Solipsism
Nintendo’s decision to discontinue the NES Classic Edition doesn’t make any sense, unless you understand Nintendo. Then it makes all the sense in the world.
Apple Earnings, Fitbit Earnings, Nintendo Earnings
Apple’s earnings showed slowing growth but a seemingly impenetrable moat; Fitbit, meanwhile, is in very bad shape, while Nintendo is learning harsh truths about the smartphone market
Super Mario Run, Nintendo’s Bad Reviews, Apple’s App Store Failures
Super Mario Run is a great game that is getting bad reviews that are ultimately Apple’s fault. The company needs to make the App Store much more developer-friendly