Netflix’s earnings seemed targeted at other Hollywood Studios losing money on streaming; then, why gaming isn’t a completely terrible idea (and how it works in the App Store)
Unity CEO Out, Microsoft Owns Activision
John Riccitiello is out as Unity’s CEO, but the circumstances of his exit may have done the company a favor. Then, Microsoft finally owns Activision, and the outlines of the deal are a win for everyone except the FTC.
An Interview with Eric Seufert About Unity, Regulation, and Streaming Advertising
An interview with Eric Seufert about Unity’s recent business model changes and what that says about the state of mobile advertising, for-pay social networks, and the prospects for advertising on streaming services.
Unity’s Business Model Change, Unity’s Strategy, Unity Leadership Questions
Unity announced a sudden change to its business model. It makes some sense, but the implementation and communication were terrible, which is becoming a pattern.
Microsoft, Activision, and Ubisoft(?!); The Activision Deal; Foolhardy Forecasting
Microsoft has substantially reworked its deal with Activision to satisfy U.K. regulators; it’s a win for the CMA, and time to consider what comes next.
Microsoft-Activision Updates; Reader Follow-Up; Free Speech, the Government, and Scale
An update on Microsoft-Activision, and then a response to a reader upset at my take, weaved in with commentary about free speech in the context of last week’s ruling about social media moderation.
Microsoft Can Acquire Activision, The FTC vs. the Record, The FTC’s Failed Vendetta
Microsoft didn’t just win its case against the FTC: the totality of its victory calls into question the FTC’s legitimacy, and may lead to more acquisitions in the future.
Reddit Rage, The Tadpole Shrimp of the Internet, Judge Pauses Microsoft-Activision Deal
More on Reddit, including why my previous Update was not so much wrong on details as it was wrong in feeling; plus, how Microsoft might carve the UK out of the Activision acquisition.
FTC Sues to Block Activision Deal (Again), Global Companies vs. Regional Regulators, How Big is the Xbox Business?
The ongoing saga around Xbox Game Pass raises a host of issues, including the FTC’s overall approach, the question of regional regulators and global businesses, and whether or on the Vision Pro will be truly open.
Quest vs. Vision, Vision and the Mac, Apple Acquires Mira
Follow-up to Apple Vision, including why Meta is by no means doomed when it comes to VR/AR. Then, why the Vision Pro probably cannot replace the Mac, and revisiting AR in the light of Apple’s most recent acquisition.