Apple’s surging iPhone sales and slowing services growth suggest that lots of iPhone customers are upgrading. It’s a testament to how strong Apple’s position is that revenue it misses now it catches later.
iCloud Backups and Encryption; Facts, Principles, and Concerns; Determining Defaults
More encryption news, this time about how Apple holds the keys to iCloud backups. I think this approach strikes the right balance: privacy exists, particularly if you work for it, while acknowledging legitimate societal concerns.
Visa/Plaid Follow-Up; Apple v FBI, Round 2; 2020 Differences
More on Visa/Plaid, including why payments in the U.S. and China are so different. Then, Apple is facing off against the FBI again, but its position is both stronger technologically and weaker politically.
A Framework for Regulating Competition on the Internet
Understanding the differences between platforms and Aggregators is critical when it comes to considering regulation.
Integration and Monopoly Follow-Up, Apple Paternalism, TikTok and CFIUS
More on Apple and restrictions on competition, and why it is different than Google. Then, Apple’s actions around vaping cross the line, plus why TikTok does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.
Integration and Monopoly
Apple has won through integration, but integration combined with network effects and economies of scale can result in bad outcomes that look a lot like monopolies.
Apple Earnings, iPhone Pricing, Additional Notes on Apple’s Earnings
Apple had another quarter where the iPhone didn’t dominate, plus more evidence that the company is thinking like a Services company.
The iPhone and Apple’s Services Strategy
Apple’s annual iPhone event may have marked Apple’s true shift into being a Services company
Apple Versus Project Zero, Apple’s Poor Response, The China Paradox
Apple took on Google’s Project Zero over the weekend, and didn’t come out looking particularly good, particularly since China is a huge paradox for Apple.
Revisiting Google’s Cloud Numbers, Apple Earnings, Additional Notes on Apple Earnings
Google’s cloud numbers are probably much worse than they appear. Then Apple delivered post-iPhone earnings that were impressive in what they said about Apple’s future.