Why I expect Apple to win Apple v. Epic, even as they get themselves in more political hot water.
Fearing Spotify?, Apple’s Earnings, Margins and Chips
Why I’m not worried about Spotify, plus Apple’s earnings, including why the M1 might be helping margins.
Spotify’s Surprise
Spotify’s new subscription podcast offerings embrace the open ecosystem of podcasts in multiple ways.
Netflix Earnings, Competition and Buybacks, Sony Signs Netflix Deal
Netflix grew more slowly than it expected because it had fewer hits than it expected; then, Sony is winning in streaming by not playing.
App Stores in Congress, Apple’s Arguments, Meta Points
Apple and Google had a difficult time defending their App Store policies in the face of developer complaints and a well-informed committee.
Podcast Subscriptions vs. the App Store
Apple’s new Podcast Subscription service is what the App Store should be: a great Apple experience competing for customers.
Stripe’s Role, Competition and Differentiation, The Local News Opportunity
Differentiation can flow from the writer, but also from the subject. That is why the Substack model could help deliver the local news business model.
Sovereign Writers and Substack
Substack is at the center of media controversy, most of which misses the point that sovereign writers — not Substack — are in control.
Google Goes to 15%, Taxes and Monopolies, The CAID
Google reduces App Store fees to 15%; its approach makes more sense than Apple’s, because it acts like the tax it is. Plus, Chinese companies skirt Apple’s rules.
Roblox vs. Second Life (and Minecraft), The Creativity Era, Roblox’s Business
More on what makes Roblox unique, and why App Store fees are ever more difficult to justify.