Facebook responds to China in Hong Kong, while Stripe avoids the complication. Then, Instagram Reels shows why Instagram Stories succeeded.
Hey v Apple Follow-Up, Shopify and Walmart, Three Follow-Ups
Apple’s likely next steps, encouraging moves from Shopify, and quick thoughts on the EU versus Apple, Section 230, and Zoom and encryption
Uber Layoffs, T-Mobile-Sprint Merger Approved, Additional Notes on the Merger
Uber’s layoffs were a necessary adjustment to a marketing strategy that made sense previously, but not today. Then, why the T-Mobile-Sprint merger should have been approved, and the secondary impacts of the decision.
Delrahim’s Speech on Tech and Antitrust; Tech and Antitrust, Updated; YouTube and Instagram’s Scale Defense
The Department of Justice antitrust chief gave a speech yesterday that should make tech nervous, particularly Google and Facebook. Then, why Google and Facebook’s scale defense is not sufficient.
Tech and Antitrust
A review of the potential antitrust cases against Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon suggests that only Google is vulnerable.
The First Post-iPhone Keynote, More on Antitrust and Tech, Developers Sue Apple
Why a better name for Apple’s Audacity was “The First Post-iPhone Keynote”; then, why a broad focus on tech by antitrust authorities is good for Google, and the implications of the Supreme Court getting *Pepper* wrong.
U.S. Department of Justice Preparing Investigation of Google?; The DoJ, Google, and Politics; The Antitrust Indicator
Google is potentially facing antitrust action in the U.S., and both Democrats and Republicans appear to be on board. Then, why antitrust action, even if justified, is usually an indicator of decline, not a cause.
Apple’s Map Reset; CarPlay, Waze, and Google Maps; Disney Acquisition of 21st Century Fox Approved
Apple Maps is getting a reset; what is more encouraging is the company inviting competition. Then, Disney gets approval for its purchase of 21st Century Fox, and it raises questions about the entire process.
AT&T, Time Warner, and the Need for Neutrality
It is no surprise that a judge allowed the AT&T-Time Warner acquisition to proceed given the government’s poor case; the question is if a better case could have been made. What is ultimately needed, though, are new laws.
The Department of Justice Sues to Block the AT&T-Time Warner Acquisition, The DOJ’s Case, AT&T’s Objections
The DOJ is suing to block AT&T from acquiring Time Warner; the case is stronger than precedent might seem, because precedent is actually on the government’s side. Politics, though, loom large.