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.
PayPal Acquires Honey, What Honey Is, PayPal’s Play
PayPal bought Honey, which is best known as a browser extension. What does this mean for both end users and merchants, and which is more important?
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.
Facebook Pay, Google Checking, Tech Company Differences
Facebook announced Facebook Pay, which is far different from Libra. Then, Google is apparently getting into checking, which leads to a question of motivations: each of the tech companies are approaching financial services from a different angle.
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.
Libra Launches, Loses Members; A Note on Facebook v Warren; The Office of Emerging Technologies
Libra launches, but may be dead before it begins. Then, Facebook v Warren is a reminder of the value of the U.S. approach — and an indirect way to explain how silly San Francisco is.
Apple Card Launches, Without a Website; Revisiting Stratechery: If Steve Ballmer Ran Apple
Apple Card launched without a website, which suggests something fundamental about Apple’s nature. Then, revisiting a Stratechery article from six years ago.
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.
An Interview with Kevin Weil and Dante Disparte About Libra and Calibra
An interview with Kevin Weil, the VP of Product at Calibra, and Dante Disparte, the Head of Policy and Communications at the Libra Association, about Libra and Calibra.