Net neutrality regulation was inevitably the first domino when it came to changes in U.S. broadband: both data caps and zero-rate plans are inevitable responses. People who don’t like any of this should start focusing on the root problem — and solution.
Venture Capital Follow-up, Square Files for IPO, Concerns About Theranos
A follow-up and some much needed specificity to yesterday’s Venture Capital article, then why Square’s IPO may be a better opportunity than it first appears. Plus, there’s concerning news about Theranos, a company with significant potential.
Twitter Suspends Accounts Over GIFs, SnapChat Shuts Down Snap Channel, More on Moments
Twitter suspended a couple of accounts for tweeting sports highlights GIFs. First a bit about the issue at hand, and then a bigger picture look at what this says about Moments, if anything. Then, Snapchat is getting out of original programming, which is a great sign. Finally, what the future of Moments should look like.
Jack Dorsey Named Twitter CEO, The Problem With Daily Fantasy
It took only a few hours for the first concerning response to the announcement of Jack Dorsey as CEO, and it came from his old adversary Ev Williams. Then, Daily Fantasy has a real scandal on its hands, but the implications of that scandal are the opposite of what most think about Daily Fantasy.
Malware Hits iOS, The Importance of the App Store, XcodeGhost: What Happened and What Now?
(Legitimate) iOS has been hit by malware for the first time. It’s a big deal because it gets at the heart of why the App Store is so important not just to Apple but to the entire industry. Plus, how on earth did this happen, and what will happen next?
Aggregation and Antitrust, BuzzFeed Makes News, BuzzFeed’s Valuation in Perspective
The differing approaches to antitrust in the U.S. and Europe could mean completely different outcomes in the long run for aggregation companies. Meanwhile, BuzzFeed has raised a new round and seems to be doing better than ever, which is great news for journalism. Plus, how to think about startup valuations.
Aggregation and the New Regulation
Because of the Internet realities described by Aggregation Theory a smaller number of companies hold an increasing amount of power. However, an increasing focus on market forces reduces the latitude for bad behavior, and the incentives — and means — to hold those companies to account are greater than ever.
Amazon Continued and the Role of Journalism, Three Streaming Developments: HBO, Amazon Prime, and ESPN
The Amazon story continues, and it is striking how there is zero common ground between people who work in tech and the journalists who cover it. Will this mark a shift in the relationship? Plus, what HBO’s Sesame Street deal, Amazon’s Top Gear deal, and NBC’s Premier League deal say about the future of streaming.
The New York Times on Amazon, Jeff Bezos’ Email, Why Work for Amazon
The New York Times has a very in-depth critique of Amazon’s work culture. Some of what was reported was truly deplorable, and Jeff Bezos wrote that he agrees; other parts, though, deserve a much more nuanced and respectful discussion than what the New York Times provided.
China’s Yuan Depreciation, The Yuan’s Effect on Apple, The Yuan and Unicorns
The most important story of the week has been China’s ongoing depreciation of the Yuan. Clearly, the company that will be impacted the most is Apple, but there is a a potential impact on Unicorns as well.