More on Shopify, including why I was reluctant to cover the previously, but now see the promise of the Internet in their model. Then, why I’m excited about being uncertain, and how Redfin and Opendoor’s partnership helps define the market in home-buying.
Google IO Follow-up, Linux on Windows, Microsoft’s Developer Strategy
More on Google’s I/O keynote, particularly about how the company is well-positioned for a privacy-centric world. Then, Microsoft is doing an excellent job of appealing to developers.
Microsoft Build, Microsoft’s Strategic Clarity, An Interview with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
Microsoft’s Build was good for what it had — and what it didn’t, even accidentally. Microsoft’s future is about meeting real business needs, not wowing customers. Plus, an interview with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Microsoft, Slack, Zoom, and the SaaS Opportunity
The Zoom and Slack IPOs show what Microsoft is missing in its growth story: a way to acquire new customers.
Netflix Follow-up, Bill Simmons Interviews Jack Dorsey, Twitter and the Pollyannish Assumption
Why there is room for multiple winners in streaming, then Bill Simmons interviews Jack Dorsey. My takeaway is that Twitter is suffering from the Pollyannish Assumption.
Netflix Flexes
Netflix is an Aggregator, with a value chain that lets it drive demand, raise prices, and dismiss competition.
Spotify’s Earnings; Spotify, Supply, and Acquiring Marginal Customers; Spotify’s Research and Development
Spotify’s earnings point to a disturbing trend of the company needing to spend to acquire marginal customers; this makes sense because the company does not have power over supply
Text Messaging in the United States; Google’s Earnings; Google, Facebook, and GDPR
An anecdote about permanence and file systems, an explanation of how the U.S. text messaging market is unique, then an overview of Google’s earnings and why GDPR might be having an effect.
Facebook’s Story Problem — and Opportunity
Snapchat is losing users, and it seems clear the biggest reason is Instagram Stories: that is a win for Facebook, but the pain in advertising may be substantial.
Netflix Earnings, Netflix’s Rising CAC, Content and Marketing
Netflix’s subscriber numbers were disappointing; does the company have a customer acquisition cost problem? Then again, customer acquisition costs should include content, which might not have been good enough.