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.
Twitter’s Analyst Day, The Interest Graph, Super Follows
Super Follows made the news, but Twitter’s Analyst Day was interesting for more reasons than that.
More on the App Store, Hard Mode Follow-Up, Airbnb’s Complicated Costs
Apple’s App Store changes are genuinely a good deal for small publishers, and make me feel more favorable about the entire business. Then, Airbnb’s costs, particularly marketing, are too hard to understand.
Rethinking the App Store
Assume that Apple is going to win versus Epic: what is a reasonable approach to the App Store that will gain more developer support?
Facebook’s Earnings, Apple’s Ad Exception, Facebook’s Headwinds
Facebook’s earning highlighted the resiliency of its business, but also its vulnerability to Apple. It now appears that Apple is going after Facebook revenue directly.
Uber Acquires Postmates; DoorDash Optimism; TikTok, Apple, and Hong Kong
Uber acquires Postmates, which makes me bullish about DoorDash. Then, TikTok invokes Shakespeare.
The iPhone SE, Accounting for the iPhone SE, New iPhones
The new iPhone SE inspires a revisit to Apple’s low-end strategy, which may simply be a matter of accounting. Then, Apple may be launching new iPhones despite the coronavirus.
Defining Information
In a follow-up to Zero Trust Information, exploring the four types of information and how their value changes with time.