A follow-up to Apple’s Services Event, plus an overview of Apple’s hardware announcements. Then, Google Stadia and it’s potential competition with Apple and Microsoft.
Apple’s Services Event
Apple’s Services Event generally made sense, even if most products weren’t ready to launch. It’s fair to wonder, though, if something important is being lost.
The AWS Question, Facebook and Unity, HoloLens 2
How Amazon’s success with AWS make sense in the context of The Value Chain Constraint, and why Oculus and Facebook do not. Plus, why Microsoft’s approach to HoloLens 2 makes sense.
Google “Other Bets” Follow-up, Angela Ahrendts Out at Apple, Microsoft Earnings
Does Angela Ahrendts’ departure from Apple signify a pivot in retail? Then, Microsoft’s earnings highlighted how the company has benefited from its focus on being a horizontal company.
China Blocks Bing; Tencent, China, and Apple; Atlassian Earnings
China blocks Bing, which raises more questions for the most successful foreign service provider in China: Apple. Then, Tencent gets some games approved, and how Atlassian and Netflix are similar.
Discord and Its Game Store, Fortnite and the Social Aspect of Gaming, Game Store Competition
Discord is the Slack of gaming; that is valuable, but has to be monetized indirectly. Plus, the social aspect of gaming, and how competition in PC gaming stores is good for everyone.
Antitrust, the App Store, and Apple
Apple’s case before the Supreme Court is about standing; Apple has a strong case. That, though, doesn’t mean the App Store isn’t a monopoly — and that Apple isn’t increasingly predicated on rent-seeking.
Happy Thanksgiving, Tencent Earnings, Fox Sports MLB Deal
Happy Thanksgiving! Tencent’s earnings and impressive diversification, and the impact on Apple, plus why MLB’s new deal with Fox shows that sports are as valuable as ever.
Apple Earnings; Apple, Tencent, and China; iPad Pro Reviews
Apple’s earnings point towards a disappointing quarter, and there are also clouds on the “services narrative” horizon, particularly in China. Then, Apple’s (ongoing) mistake with the iPad.
IBM-Red Hat Follow-up, Microsoft Earnings, Amazon Earnings
More on IBM and Red Hat, then Microsoft and Amazon’s earnings.