AWS has long been a question mark when it comes to Amazon: it’s a good idea, and it makes money, but like it’s parent company, will it ever be profitable? The revelation that AWS is already very profitable indeed is a really big deal both for AWS but also for Amazon itself.
Daily Update: Samsung’s Retreat, The Uncrossable Curve?, Gawker Writers Seek to Unionize
Good morning, Moore’s Law really is fifty years old: the original paper was in 1965, not 1975. Ugh! On to the update: Samsung’s Retreat While I have used the smiling curve to explain the dilemma facing publishers, as I noted at the time the very concept came from the world of Asian OEM’s — AcerSubscribe […]
Daily Update: Google and Mozilla Ban CNNIC, GitHub Attacked by Great Firewall, Apple Tops in Urban China
Good morning, I’m writing this through my tears as Wisconsin lost in last night’s national men’s basketball championship. I will say, one thing I’m grateful for when it comes to living abroad is that I am by necessity a lot less invested in sports than I used to be; morose is far better than incapacitated,Subscribe […]
Tidal and the Future of Music
Predicting success and failure is about understanding who has leverage. In the case of music, the winners will be the labels, not the artist. But perhaps there is hope for tomorrow
Daily Update: YU, Cyanogen, and Chasing India’s Enthusiasts; New Apple TV Box
Good morning, It’s rainy here, and apparently in California as well. It’s a miracle! Sounds like a great reason to curl up and read some tech analysis. On to the update: Chasing India’s Enthusiasts I always find it interesting which articles on Stratechery take off (hello BuzzFeed!), and which kind of slip under the radarSubscribe […]
Daily Update: Miraculous Meerkat, GigaOm Goes Out of Business
Good morning, I’m back in Taiwan, and it’s good to be home. I’ve fallen dreadfully behind on email in particular, so if I haven’t responded to any of you (I always respond to member emails sent to the membership account) please hold tight – I’ll get to it. My apologies, and thanks for your patience.Subscribe […]
Daily Update: Xiaomi and the U.S.; Slack, Momentum, and Microsoft; David Carr Passes Away
Good morning, As I noted last week, I will be off next Thursday and Friday for Chinese New Year. In addition, I’m still working on the spam issue, although I understand yesterday was better. I appreciate your patience. On to the update: Xiaomi and the U.S. The Wall Street Journal captured the news with theirSubscribe […]
Daily Update: The Trouble with Amazon, China’s E-Commerce Battle, Asia’s Advantage
Good morning, On last week’s Exponent James and I talked about the Story of Stratechery; I should have spent more time thanking all of you, who make what I do possible. I really do appreciate it. On to the update: The Trouble with Amazon Two weeks ago, when I wrote about Amazon’s earnings, I madeSubscribe […]
Daily Update: An Interview with Xiaomi’s Hugo Barra (Part 1) on Xiaomi’s Strategy, Target Customer, and Unexpected Success in India
Good morning, A special treat today (and Monday): I was able to spend some time with Hugo Barra, Vice President of International for Xiaomi. We had a wide-ranging conversation about Xiaomi’s strategy, their target customer, success in India, how they make money, and accusations that they copy Apple. In fact, it was so much thatSubscribe […]
Xiaomi’s Ambition
Xiaomi, the Chinese smart phone company that late last month raised $1.1 billion at a $45 billion valuation, sells way more than smartphones: Mi.com boasts over a thousand items, and it’s the third-largest e-commerce site in China. One item it doesn’t sell, though, is a AA battery charger. Only Apple: I clearly remember when this […]