The state of bundles in 2020: Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple. Plus, Microsoft’s purchase of ZeniMax.
Apple and Facebook
Apple and Facebook seem like they are in conflict, but have often been each other’s best partners.
Hey v Apple Follow-Up, Shopify and Walmart, Three Follow-Ups
Apple’s likely next steps, encouraging moves from Shopify, and quick thoughts on the EU versus Apple, Section 230, and Zoom and encryption
Platforms in an Aggregator World
Facebook Shops are good for Shopify merchants, but bad for Shopify; the answer is to push more into the real world.
Apple Earnings, Amazon Earnings
Apple’s Earnings show the stabilizing factor of services and the upside of China; Amazon’s earnings show that supply constraints make forecasts easy.
Shopify Shop, Shopify’s Reason to Exist, Google’s Earnings
Shopify launched the Shop.app, which is not only a poor experience but also makes no sense strategically. Then, Google’s earnings show how big tech is going to get even stronger.
The Anti-Amazon Alliance
Google Shopping is changing its model, suggesting Google is joining the Anti-Amazon Alliance; 3rd-party merchants should do the same.
Facebook Invests in Jio Platforms, The Building of Jio, Understanding the Deal
Jio showed how the best way to serve the poor is to create a market for them, not simply give them charity like Facebook tried to do with Free Basics. That is why it makes sense for them to work together.
America Wakes Up?, An Interview with Matt Mullenweg About Working From Home
Yesterday may have been a turning point in the American response to COVID-19. Then, an interview with Matt Mullenweg of Automattic about working from home and what is next for his company.
Brandless Closes, The DTC Facebook Challenge, DTC Versus Softbank
Brandless is closing down, which is being spun into a commentary on Softbank. This is fair, but the bigger takeaway is about DTC broadly.