Xiaomi’s IPO shows a company that has come full circle but still has a long ways to go. Then, Samsung remains reliant on components for profit, and both companies show that the Smiling Curve applies to smartphones more than ever.
ZTE and Trump, Dropbox Earnings, Bloomberg’s Paywall
The ZTE saga takes a twist, Dropbox’s first earnings are solid, and Bloomberg shows how the rich get richer.
Spotify Earnings, Spotify’s Free Plan and Hulu Partnership, Snap Earnings
Spotify’s earnings were not what the market expected, but the company gained credibility. Snap, meanwhile, doesn’t have any credibility at all.
Apple Earnings, Facebook’s F8 Keynote, Facebook Dating
Apple’s earnings were less interesting than the expectations game. Facebook’s F8 conference, meanwhile, again cast Zuckerberg’s vision of technology in stark contrast to Steve Jobs. Plus, why Facebook Dating will likely flop.
Softbank and Sprint, Amazon Earnings, Jeff Bezos’s Letter and Interview
Sprint and the problem of fixed costs, Amazon and the advantage of fixed costs, and Jeff Bezos’ fundamental optimism
T-Mobile to Acquire Sprint, Microsoft Earnings
T-Mobile is acquiring Sprint. The deal makes a lot of sense, particularly in the context of 5G — will regulators look forward or backward? Then, Microsoft continues to own the CIO relationship.
Open, Closed, and Privacy Follow-Up; Facebook Earnings; Notes on Facebook Earnings
A follow-up to Open, Closed, and Privacy, then multiple notes on Facebook’s earnings: the company’s executives sounded confident, and they should be.
Google Earnings, Google’s Cost Drivers, Other Bets Versus Google Ventures
Google’s Earnings show rapidly rising expenses, which makes sense as the company seeks to grow outside of its core competency. Plus, why even Google is often better off investing instead of expanding.
Netflix Earnings and the Video Value Chain, The Conditions of Aggregation, Comcast and Netflix and the New Bundle
Netflix’s earnings are a reminder of the power that comes from not just aggregation but also integration. It also reveals that Aggregators are more likely to gain economic power when suppliers are already modularized. Plus, Netflix and Comcast start to build the new bundle.
Twitter Earnings; The End of TellApart; Direct Versus Brand Marketing, and Size
Twitter’s earnings were both less and more impressive than they appeared; plus, a lesson I have learned about direct versus brand advertising, and what it means for both Twitter and Snap.