Customer Acquisition
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Blue Apron Files for IPO, Network Effects and Customer Acquisition Costs, Uber Concerns
Blue Apron’s S-1 raises some red flags about unit economics and lifetime value; Uber, meanwhile, lost its CFO, who suggested the company is missing some key financial controls
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Google Earnings and Mobile Questions, Google Optimism, Microsoft Earnings
Google’s earnings raise more questions about just how well their mobile business is doing, but there is reason for optimism. Then, Microsoft continues to execute.
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Google Earnings, Microsoft Earnings
Google’s earnings were fantastic, but I’m still not totally convinced about their shift to mobile. Microsoft’s were good as well, but what was under the surface was more important.
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Dropbox Leaves AWS, Should UPS and Fedex Be Afraid?
In an inconvenient bit of timing Dropbox announced they were leaving AWS just as I was singing its praises; in fact the storage company’s decision reinforces the benefits AWS provides. Then, why Amazon’s move into logistics makes sense, and how it might play out.
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Stratechery Gifts and Announcements, Apple Open-Sources Swift
Stratechery gift subscriptions are now available, plus an important site announcement. Then, we all knew Apple was going to open-source Swift. What was impressive was how the company went about doing it; hopefully it will prove to be an example for a clearly divided company.
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“Selling Feelings” Follow-up, Match.com’s IPO and Tinder, The Sean Rad Interview
Follow-up on my piece about Selling Feelings, and then an analysis of the Match.com IPO, and Tinder in particular. Plus, why I think Sean Rad is getting a bit of a bad rap for his disastrous interview.
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The iPhone 6S, The End of the iPhone 5C, The iPhone Upgrade Program
The iPhone 6S is an impressive upgrade, particularly 3D Touch. The iPhone, though, has far deeper advantages: first, in China where its status remains unchallenged, and also in developed markets where Apple is commoditizing carriers.
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The News App, Open Source Swift, Additional Notes from the WWDC Keynote
This update touches on why Apple Music may be a much bigger deal than I suggested, and the moves on to all the other important announcements from Apple WWDC keynote. This includes the News app, open-source Swift, and more.
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Apple Music and Apple’s Focus
Apple Music was a muddled mess, which raised the question of why it exists in the first place. Is it important anymore? More importantly, is Apple having trouble remembering how to focus?