This year’s Google I/O built on last year’s focus in a way that lends credence to Google’s longer-term goals. Plus, Pixel hardware and the problem of design by regulation.
Apple Earnings, Apple and Zero-COVID, Apple Pay and the EU
Apple’s earnings were dominated by supply chain issues in China, which are ultimately driven by COVID. Then, the EU gets it right in an antitrust case (for now).
Google Privacy Sandbox, SDK Runtimes, On-Device Targeting
Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative is vague but has some interesting ideas that may change the whole industry
The Open App Markets Act, Apple Versus the Netherlands, Microsoft and the Console Question
Breaking down the Open App Markets Act and the ways in which Apple might seek to usurp it.
Digital Advertising in 2022
The advertising has shifted from a Google-Facebook duopoly to one where Amazon and potentially Apple are major forces.
Meta’s Earnings, Facebook’s Three Challenges, Financial Versus Existential Risks
Meta’s earnings were a perfect storm of challenges facing the company.
[FREE] Netflix Follow-Up, The Senate Tech Bill
More on Netflix’s earnings and valuation, and three observations about the tech competition bill being encouraged in the Senate.
Microsoft Acquires Activision Blizzard, Notes on the Acquisition, An Interview With Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer
Breaking down Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, plus an interview with Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer
Follow-up: Zynga, NYT All Access, The Athletic, Facebook Antitrust, and Apple in South Korea
Follow-up on Zynga’s financials, the New York Times All Access bundle, The Athletic’s focus on quantity over quality, Facebook’s antitrust loss, and Apple’s South Korea App Store change
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.