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.
More on Bitcoin, Samsung and Designing Software, The Problem with Holacracy
More on Bitcoin and the fundamental problem with the project, plus my thoughts on the blocksize question. Then, Samsung still can’t nail software, and the problems with Holacracy.
Condé Nast, Hearst Form Joint Venture; Stripe Atlas; An Interview with Stripe CEO Patrick Collison
This Daily Update is about Stripe Atlas, but first a detour to discuss an interesting partnership between Condé Nast and Hearst. Then, and interview with Stripe founder and CEO Patrick Collison.
Apple-FBI Follow-up; Xiaomi, Samsung, LG and High-End Android, Spotify Moves to Google’s Cloud
First some follow-up on Apple versus the FBI, then a discussion about how high-end Android is a distinct market, and how that impacts new phones from Xiaomi, Samsung, and LG. Finally, why Spotify’s move to Google makes sense.
Twitter Earnings; Twitter Retrenches; Facebook, Andreessen and India
Twitter’s earnings had good and bad parts, and one big red flag. More interesting was the company’s decision to retrench and own “live.” Then, how Facebook and Marc Andreessen managed to screw up so badly.
The Reality of Missing Out
Tech is entering a period of inequality where the big winners lift the sector as a whole even as smaller companies suffer. The best example is Facebook, Google, and digital advertising.
Josh Horwitz: Uber in China, What Uber Got Right, Is Second Place Winning?
Ben is on vacation; in a guest post, Josh Horwitz explores Uber in China. What did they get right that so many other Western companies get wrong, and is it sustainable? What if they are only ever second place?
Facebook Earnings, Five Facebook Facts, Additional Facebook Observations
Facebook earnings were once again impressive: they have a killer market, but the company continues to execute fantastically, particularly on the business side.
How Facebook Squashed Twitter
Twitter uncovered the most powerful format in mobile back in 2006: the feed. But, in 2009, Facebook went algorithmic while Twitter remained to hard to use. Now, it’s almost certainly too late.
SideCar’s “Innovation”, Facebook Stadium and Twitter’s Conundrum, Tidbits
SideCar feels that Uber was unfair, but the truth is the company didn’t understand that product matters more than technical expertise. Plus, why Twitter doesn’t have an natural acquirers, and several other tidbits from this week.