The problems Facebook are facing today are the result of running into the future without considering unintended consequences, much like Microsoft and the Internet. There are clear solutions for the ad problem, but the filter bubble issue is much more fraught.
Google Ends ‘First Click Free’, Google Subscription Services, Facebook’s Publisher-Friendly Offering
Google is announcing publisher-friendly changes, particularly the end of ‘First Click Free’. However, they still want to control the consumer, unlike Facebook, which is taking a much more publisher-friendly stance. That, though, doesn’t mean it is better.
Roku’s IPO and Origin Story, Netflix Versus Roku and the Conservation of Attractive Profits, “Weak” Aggregators
Roku’s origin story explain Netflix’s strategic acumen — which, by extension, explains why Roku is a risky bet. Then, Roku explains “weak” aggregators, that aren’t really aggregators at all.
Uber in London: A Correction, Books and Blogs Revisited, More Aggregators
A comment on Twitter 280, and a correction on Uber in London. Then, why blogs are better than books (in some cases), and a whole list of aggregators not covered in Defining Aggregators.
Google’s HTC Deal, HTC — and Google’s — Motivations, Apple Watch and Apple Memory
Google has made a rather odd deal with HTC — basically an acquihire. What are the two company’s motivations? Then, Apple Watch news and reviews, and a smartphone-related acquisition that is actually more important than Google’s.
Toys ‘R’ Us Goes Bankrupt; Debt, the Internet, Forests and Trees; Twitter: The Good and the Bad
Toys ‘R’ Us went bankrupt because of debt, not e-commerce; that said, debt was a problem because private equity didn’t consider e-commerce. Then, Twitter gives good news and bad news.
The GDPR and Facebook and Google, Intelligent Tracking Prevention, Data Portability and Social Graphs
The GDPR will hurt Google and Facebook; it will hurt their competitors far more, which means the position of the two biggest digital ad companies will actually be strengthened. Then, why data portability won’t help build the next social network.
The Super-Aggregators and the Russians
Facebook is in trouble — again — for Russian ads about the election; figuring out how to deal with them requires first understanding that Facebook, like Google, is a Super-Aggregator. It faces zero transaction costs in all parts of its business.
The iPhone 8 Price Rise, The Cellular Apple Watch, Apple TV 4K and Disney
The iPhone 8 price raise was unexpected and a reminder of how much Apple values margin. Then, the cellular Apple Watch was the real glimpse of the future, and why no one should be surprised Disney didn’t make a deal with Apple.
The Lessons and Questions of the iPhone X and the iPhone 8
The iPhone X is a quintessential Apple product, because it is the best; is there a market for iPhone 8?