Epic’s FTC settlement is a reminder about the value of the App Store. Then, Netflix’s ad weakness is disappointing but not surprising, while the YouTube/NFL deal could have been worse for cable companies and other leagues.
Consoles and Competition
Reviewing the history of video games explains why Sony is dominant today, and why Microsoft is actually introducing competition, not limiting it.
The AI Moat Debate, Continued; Twitter’s Regulatory Risks; Twitter and Advertisers, Continued
More on Twitter, including the company’s real regulatory risk, and following-up on advertisers pulling back.
Launch Follow-Up, Figma Feedback, More on Antitrust and Acquisitions
More details on yesterday’s launch, then a designer explains why Figma is different, and why Adobe has a good chance in court if it goes that far.
The Twitter Whistleblower, mDAUs and Bots, Musk’s Akorn Lifeline
A Twitter’s whistleblowers report is very believable in terms of Twitter’s violation of its FTC consent decree; that may matter more to Elon Musk than the discussion about bots.
Meta’s Earnings, Facebook’s Three Challenges, Financial Versus Existential Risks
Meta’s earnings were a perfect storm of challenges facing the company.
FTC Sues to Block Nvidia ARM Acquisition, Innovation and the Data Center, ARM’s Future
The FTC is suing to block Nvidia’s ARM acquisition; it is a plausible argument, although Nvidia can make a pro-innovation case. Regardless, ARM’s future looks shakier than before.
Regulators and Reality
The FTC’s new Facebook case isn’t any better than the old one, even as there are ever more questions about the potential harm of regulatory interference
Facebook Complaint Dismissed; Anti-Monopoly vs. Antitrust, Revisited; Where Facebook Lost
Facebook had a good day in court, but there was still one big reason to be concerned.
The FTC’s Google Documents, The Staff Memo, The Economists Memo
Revisiting the FTC’s decision in 2013 makes me doubtful that a case would have made much of a difference.