Apple had several announcements that were relatively boring from a product perspective but very interesting when it comes to strategy. Plus, its new “Clips” app may point to new products in the future.
Amazon Opens Physical Bookstore, The iPad Pro’s Half Launch
Amazon’s physical bookstore is first and foremost an experiment. However, it’s worth considering how it fits into Amazon’s measurement of success. Then, the iPad Pro launched, but not its accessories. It’s part of a worrying trend.
App Store Policy Follow-up, The iPad Pro, The iPad Pro Accessories
First, some follow-up on yesterday’s piece on App Store policies: I actually forgot some product holes, plus a defense of “shareware.” Then, the iPad Pro’s strategic justification and a review of it and its accessories.
From Products to Platforms
Apple was at its best in its most recent keynote: unveiling the sorts of products the company is uniquely capable of creating. The question, though, is whether the company has the vision and capability of making those products into platforms.
The News App, Open Source Swift, Additional Notes from the WWDC Keynote
This update touches on why Apple Music may be a much bigger deal than I suggested, and the moves on to all the other important announcements from Apple WWDC keynote. This includes the News app, open-source Swift, and more.
Apple, China, and the Upper Middle Class; Apple’s Earnings; Apple Pay Coming to Best Buy
Good morning, A heads-up that there will be no Daily Update this Friday, May 1, as I will be taking the day off to go on a weekend trip with my family. On to the update: Apple, China, and the Upper Middle Class Apple had another record quarter, thanks primarily to China. I appreciated the […]
Daily Update: Microsoft’s Misguided iPad Response, Netflix Reports Results, Google Updates Nexus
Good morning, The news of the day was certainly the fact that HBO is planning to sell subscriptions directly to customers. It’s a big deal, but the reaction among tech folks has been way over the top; this is not the beginning of the end of the cable bundle, for all the same reasons I […]
The Diminished iPad
Something very strange is happening this week: there is an Apple event, and very few people – including myself – are particularly jazzed up about it. Oh sure, I’ll watch it, and I hope I’m surprised, but there is very little in the rumor mill – a retina iMac, OS X Yosemite, and the iPad […]
Daily Update: What Consoles Say About iPads, Uber Opens API, The Samsung Nook
Good morning, Yesterday I wrote about my changing view on consoles in a piece called Games and Good Enough. As most of you may recall, last June I argued that consoles would soon be disrupted. Now I’ve changed my mind; I suspect that consoles will in fact safely own the high end of the gaming […]
Daily Update: iPads, PCs, and Minutes per Day; Apple’s Strength in China; Microsoft’s Mixed Results
Good morning, I apologize that today’s update is coming in a bit late, but I trust it will be worth it! Yesterday was a double-header with both Apple and Microsoft reporting results. I’ll take both in turn, but I think one of the more interesting takeaways comes from looking at them together. On to the […]