Technology and Society
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Apple, Didi, and Occam’s Razor; Uber in China
Apple investing $1 billion in Didi could signify all kinds of things, but only one explanation makes sense. The big loser, though, is Uber.
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Google v Oracle, Round 3; FTC Re-Opening Google Search Investigation?; Facebook and Filter Bubbles
Google v Oracle Round 3 kicked off this week, and the stakes are high. We need a legislative solution that probably isn’t coming. Then, the FTC may be investigating Google again, but it’s hard to see their conclusion changing; and why Facebook’s study about polarization didn’t exonerate the News Feed algorithm
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Defending Facebook, Amazon Video Direct
The actual details of the Facebook Trending News scandal probably don’t warrant the outrage; what is more interesting is how Facebook found itself in hot water. Then, Amazon Video Direct is very interesting, but not because it’s going to be a YouTube competitor anytime soon.
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The Real Problem With Facebook and the News
Facebook is receiving a lot of criticism for allegedly interfering with conservative topics when it comes to “Trending News”. In fact, though, the polarization reinforced by an engagement-driven feed is a much bigger concern.
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Uber Loses in Austin, Uber and the Zenefits Test
Uber lost a ballot proposal in Austin that may have far-reaching effects; an application of the Zenefits Test shows why it was the wrong battle to fight.
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Doubting the iPhone Revisited, What Has Changed, On Being Bearish
Today I revisit last year’s piece Stop Doubting the iPhone and why I may have been wrong. What data and assumptions have changed, and why?
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Everything as a Service
We have likely reached Peak iPhone, and if not, it’s only a matter of time; physical goods can only scale so far. The future, thanks to the Internet, is everything-as-a-service
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Antitrust and Aggregation
The European Commission’s antitrust case against Google is likely to be the first of many against aggregators, because the end game of Aggregation Theory is monopoly.
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Google Accused of Antitrust Violations, What Now for Google?, The Danger of Unicorns
Google set up Android to avoid anti-trust; what they didn’t plan for was an extra monopoly, which means they’re very likely guilty. Plus, why I’m officially scared of unicorns
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The Problem with Facebook’s Ten-Year Plan, Is BuzzFeed Struggling?
Facebook’s (in my opinion) misguided attempt to own both public and private social was not the only thing that concerned me about the F8 keynote; I am also skeptical of the 10-year plan. Then, BuzzFeed may have some concerning numbers, but I think there is a good reason: the company is changing its business model.