Making Money
Business models are the surest way to understand a company’s motivations.
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For Apple, hitting middle age means a strategy primarily focused on monetizing its existing customers. It makes sense, but one wonders what happens next.
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The impact of Facebook’s News Feed changes on the media is far less interesting than what the changes — and their stated purpose — say about Facebook itself.
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Google is at its best when its product focus follows its business model; for too long Android was a detour.
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Apple Ads and the Anti-Steering Argument, Additional Follow-up
Apple’s argument defending its anti-steering provisions also explain the company’s approach to its burgeoning ad business.
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App Store Arguments
There are all kinds of arguments to make about the App Store, and nearly all of them are good ones; that’s why the best solution can only come from Apple.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?