Google’s approach to travel mirrors its approach to Shopping, which, correctly or not, was already ruled to be illegal in Europe. Then, Disney+ rolls out like a movie, and fails like a service. Plus, more on Instagram and influencers.
Microsoft Ignite, Azure Arc, Additional Insight Announcements
Microsoft’s Ignite keynote and announcements show a company that is back to the same strategy it has always had, just one a new value chain.
Tech and Liberty Follow-up, Facebook’s Earnings, Additional Notes on Facebook’s Earnings
Making principled stands should not mean absolutism: Facebook should seek to ameliorate its trade-offs. Then, Facebook’s earnings continue to show higher costs, plus where Zuckerberg is right and wrong in defending the Instagram acquisition.
HBO Max, AT&T’s Challenges, The Streaming Battleground
AT&T announced details about HBO Max, which are both safe and aggressive, and also raise questions about AT&T’s long-term stewardship. Then, why Netflix and Disney are the long-term winners.
Amazon Earnings, AWS Concerns, Google’s Earnings
Amazon’s earnings are encouraging because profits are down. Still, there is reason for concern around AWS. Then, Google’s top-line continues to impress, but the company continues to waste huge amounts of money, hurting the bottom line.
Ghost 3.0, An Interview with Ghost CEO John O’Nolan
There is a new offering in the subscription space: Ghost. John O’Nolan, the founder and CEO of the Ghost Foundation, explains what makes Ghost unique.
Ambient Computing and Antitrust, Google’s New Revenue Streams, Netflix’s Earnings
The real antitrust concern is with potential constraints on ambient computing. Then, Google has its own Services Narrative, and Netflix’s earnings should be viewed with concern.
Google and Ambient Computing
Google presented a vision of ambient computing that goes beyond the smartphone. The company is well-placed, but faces challenges both in the marketplace and in the mirror.
Microsoft’s Surface Event, Victors and History, Microsoft’s Hardware Prospects
Microsoft (eventually) selling a phone that runs Android is not particularly meaningful in terms of its impact financially but is a totem of a major shift culturally.
Beachheads and Obstacles
Facebook and Amazon had events on the same day for Oculus and Alexa. Both are driven by lessons from the mobile era, but Amazon seems to have learned more than Facebook.