The Tragic iPad

The iPad is 10, and while it remains a useful device, it is ultimately a disappointment. Apple lost the vision for what the iPad could be, and never gave space for developers to figure it out for them.

Integration and Monopoly

Apple has won through integration, but integration combined with network effects and economies of scale can result in bad outcomes that look a lot like monopolies.

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.

What Is a Tech Company?

The question of “What is a tech company” comes down to how much software and its unique characteristics affects the company’s core business.

The Battle for the Home

Amazon, Google, Apple, and Facebook are battling for the home; what are their strengths, weaknesses, go-to-market strategies, and business models, and who is the favorite? Or does it matter?

The Bill Gates Line

Understanding the differences between aggregators and platforms matters for companies interacting with them and also regulators considering antitrust.

The Moat Map

The Moat Map describes the correlation between the degree of supplier differentiation and the externalization (or internalization) of a company’s network effect.