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 […]

Christmas Gifts and the Meaning of Design

Manage your Stratechery subscription. This is a re-post from December, 2013 Gifts are a funny thing. A year ago, for Christmas 2012, my wife “gave” me an iPad mini. I use quotes because I actually bought it; supply was constrained, and when we got a notification that there were models in stock, I quickly dashed […]

Daily Update: Xioami’s Profit, Xiaomi to Sell Air Purifier, Xiaomi India Ban Lifted

Good morning, Two quick things: Many of you have asked about how you might gift Stratechery memberships. I will have a solution for you on Friday Tomorrow my co-host on Exponent, James Allworth, will be filling in for me on the Daily Update. The content and opinion are his alone, and I suspect it willSubscribe […]

Daily Update: Apple and Disruption, Chromebooks Surpass iPads, Chromecast Surpasses Apple TV

Good morning, A short update today, followed by a request for feedback. On to the update: Apple and Disruption There is a new piece on Stratechery called Best. In summary: Low-end modular-based disruption is real, but it can be forestalled if the integrated incumbent can consistently deliver a superior user experience (i.e. be the “best”)Subscribe […]

Daily Update: Why Vox (and BuzzFeed) are Valuable; Outbrain Filing for IPO

Good morning, It’s great to be back. It was wonderful to have a break – I ended up crashing out completely with a sore back and nasty cold – but I missed writing for two whole days! I hope you missed me too… On to the update: Why Vox (and BuzzFeed) Are Valuable From theSubscribe […]

Daily Update: Peak Google and Disruption’s Cousins, Twitter Fabric, Mark Zuckerberg 講中文

Good morning, I have to admit, after writing yesterday’s posts on IBM and Google, and recording an episode of Exponent earlier today (it will be posted tomorrow), I’m a bit zonked. Let me get a cup of coffee… OK, I’m back. On to the update: Peak Google and Disruption’s Cousins I posted a piece lateSubscribe […]

Daily Update: Apple’s October Event – Why It Impressed, Notes and Observations

Good morning, I’m working on the HBO piece, but given that I’m moving house this weekend (Ugh!) I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get it out today. However, we do cover the topic on the next episode of Exponent, which will be out in a few hours. While today’s update is focused onSubscribe […]

PayPal’s Incentive Problem

By winning on the web, PayPal was actually disadvantaged when it came to competing in mobile, because its incentives were already shaped by a different problem.

Daily Update: Amazon’s New Devices, Sony Gets Crushed, Apple Takes Aim on Google

2014-09-18 Good morning, From my email, it seems like my post yesterday about Apple Watch surprised a few of you (please check out the full piece on Stratechery, as it differed from yesterday’s email in a few key areas). I don’t like changing my mind, but I hate being wrong more, and I changed mySubscribe […]