Follow-up on Google’s EU decision, and a reminder that Google really good for consumers. Then, Google’s strong quarterly results, and why the understanding Facebook’s strategic advantages may be divorces from their stock price.
The European Commission Versus Android
Examining the history of Android explains why the European Commission may be right to fine Google for its actions around Android, even as the reasoning feels off.
Alexa and Cortana, Apple Moves Siri, Tim Cook’s Blindspot
Alexa and Cortana’s partnership makes sense when you consider the company’s business models, goals, and partnership impetus (and it shows why Apple and Google won’t come along). Then, why Siri’s reorganization won’t help much.
Google’s Precedent Problem, Five Stories In Brief
Leaving aside whether or not the European Commission decision is justifiable, it has been made, and Google has a big problem on its hands. Then, five stories in brief on Amazon, Ransomware, Blue Apron, Nintendo, and car rental companies.
Ends, Means, and Antitrust
Google is a monopoly, and almost certainly a bad actor: shopping, though, is a terrible example that shows how regulators can go wrong.
DistroKid, The “Publisher’s Right”, Shopify’s Results
Distrokid is small, but it’s a powerful example of the how distribution is not a value-add, the implications of which European publishers have yet to learn. It’s a lesson that doesn’t just apply to media, either.
Apple’s EU Tax Problem, How Apple Pays Taxes…Eventually, Everyone is a Loser
Apple has to pay Ireland a lot of money…maybe. Why this is probably a bad decision, and why everyone involved is a loser.
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.
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
Daily Update: Twitter Follow-up, EU Begins Antitrust Action Against Google, Is Antitrust the Answer?
Good morning, In Tuesday’s Daily Update I wrote: The big problem for Uber is that they’re a private company: as I noted last week one advantage of an IPO is that it makes a company’s shares into a powerful tool for acquisitions. Uber, though, would need to pay cash. As Marc Andreessen pointed out on […]