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Premium Strategy

Differentiation can equal huge profits, if you it can be maintained.

  • Tesla Skepticism and Superchargers, Medium for Publishers

    Just because Tesla is achieving an Apple-like brand doesn’t mean they will have Apple’s success: the hard part starts now. Plus, why SuperChargers are a big deal. Then, Medium for Publishers is Medium’s play to own the long tail of publishing, and it’s very exciting in what it enables.

  • It’s a Tesla

    Tesla is not a disruptor, but then again, neither is Apple, the closest comp: both succeed by building a brand around being the best.

  • Understanding Today’s iPhone Market, Characterizing the iPhone SE, The iPhone SE Market

    While I touched on why the iPhone SE was important yesterday, this is the full deep dive on one of Apple most strategically important launches in a long time.

  • Andy Grove and the iPhone SE

    Andy Grove passed away the same day that Apple announced the iPhone SE. One of Grove’s best decisions reminds me of this launch.

  • 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.

  • Xiaomi’s Struggles, Samsung Hardware Rumors

    Xiaomi is struggling to justify its valuation; in fact there have been signs for a long time that their valuation was unrealistic all along. Plus, Samsung returns to hardware differentiation.

  • Stop Doubting the iPhone, The Macintosh Company

    There have always been iPhone bears, but the latest set seems to be ignoring reality. Plus, the amazing success of the Mac and what that means for the iPhone.

  • 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.

  • From Products to Platforms

    Apple was at its best in its most recent keynote: unveiling the sorts of products the company is uniquely capable of creating. The question, though, is whether the company has the vision and capability of making those products into platforms.

  • Features and Networks, Tesla Model X Pricing Revealed, Consumer Reports and the Tesla P85D

    I linked to a piece yesterday suggesting that Twitter abandon the 140-character limit: do I agree? Or is that missing the point entirely? Then, the Internet goes nuts about the Model X price without taking the time to understand why it is so expensive; meanwhile the latest Model S shows that Tesla isn’t necessarily making cars.