Xiaomi’s IPO shows a company that has come full circle but still has a long ways to go. Then, Samsung remains reliant on components for profit, and both companies show that the Smiling Curve applies to smartphones more than ever.
Twitter/Snapchat/Instagram Follow-up; LINE Earnings; Samsung Batteries, Monopsony Power, Earnings
More evidence of faltering Snapchat growth, and a cautionary tale from LINE. Then, lots of news from Samsung, a company doing much better than most think.
Samsung Buys Harman International, Qualcomm Acquires NXP, The Nintendo Classic Edition
Both Samsung and Qualcomm are moving into cars: I like Samsung’s move better, but both make sense. Then, Nintendo continues to have trouble adapting to the reality of today’s market
Twitter vs Facebook and Adam Bain’s Departure, Samsung Readies AI Assistant, Three Snapchat Updates
A reminder that the bubble problem applies to everyone, while Twitter is losing a key exec. Then, the riddle of Assistants on premium Android, and three Snapchat updates.
Twilio’s Secondary Offering, Samsung Discontinues Note 7, Is Google Assistant Exclusive?
Twilio’s secondary offering reveals another reason why the IPO process won’t change. Then, Samsung’s Note 7 is officially a disaster that will hurt the company for a long time. Google may benefit, but is the Assistant really an exclusive?
Samsung “Recalls” Galaxy Note 7, Fitbit Updates Fitness Trackers, Apple to Repatriate Profits?
Samsung seems to have handled the exploding Note 7 as well as they could have, Fitbit releases new products that raise questions about Apple Watch pricing, and a follow-up on Apple’s tax mess
The Saga of Samsung’s High-End Smartphones, The PC Enters a New Stage of Disruption
Samsung’s smartphone fortunes are looking up, now that the worst that could happen already has. However, the outcome is far grimmer for the PC.
Apple-FBI Follow-up; Xiaomi, Samsung, LG and High-End Android, Spotify Moves to Google’s Cloud
First some follow-up on Apple versus the FBI, then a discussion about how high-end Android is a distinct market, and how that impacts new phones from Xiaomi, Samsung, and LG. Finally, why Spotify’s move to Google makes sense.
Xiaomi’s Struggles, Samsung Hardware Rumors
Xiaomi is struggling to justify its valuation; in fact there have been signs for a long time that their valuation was unrealistic all along. Plus, Samsung returns to hardware differentiation.
The AWS Platform, The Liability Shift Has Arrived, Samsung Pay Launches in the U.S.
With all the talk of platforms I’d be remiss in discussing what may be the most vibrant platform of all: AWS. Then, the liability shift arrives today, and a surprising number of merchants aren’t ready. Maybe Samsung Pay had the right strategy after all…or maybe not.