Microsoft is reportedly buying GitHub, which makes a lot of sense for both Microsoft and GitHub, and all GitHub users. Then, why the latest Facebook scandal is probably overblown.
Snap’s Monetization Flaw; Microsoft and the Effect of Antitrust; Apple, Russia, and Telegram
Reactions from the Code Conference interviews with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel and Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith, plus a very problematic demand of Apple by the Russian government.
The Bill Gates Line Follow-up, Twitter and the Bill Gates Line, Data Portability and Facebook
Following up on The Bill Gates Line, applying it to Twitter, and then why Facebook portability is a bad idea.
Spotify’s New Hate Policy, Twitter’s Behavior Policy, YouTube Music and YouTube Premium
Spotify’s new hate policy and Twitter’s behavior policy seem like good things at first glance, but what they suggest about the companies’s power is worrisome. Plus, YouTube’s subscription plans are as confusing as ever.
The Moat Map
The Moat Map describes the correlation between the degree of supplier differentiation and the externalization (or internalization) of a company’s network effect.
Spotify’s Earnings, Spotify’s Free Plan and Hulu Partnership, Snap’s Earnings
Spotify’s earnings were not what the market expected, but the company gained credibility. Snap, meanwhile, doesn’t have any credibility at all.
Apple’s Earnings, Facebook’s F8 Keynote, Facebook Dating
Apple’s earnings were less interesting than the expectations game. Facebook’s F8 conference, meanwhile, again cast Zuckerberg’s vision of technology in stark contrast to Steve Jobs. Plus, why Facebook Dating will likely flop.
Open, Closed, and Privacy Follow-Up; Facebook’s Earnings; Notes on Facebook’s Earnings
A follow-up to Open, Closed, and Privacy, then multiple notes on Facebook’s earnings: the company’s executives sounded confident, and they should be.
Open, Closed, and Privacy
Just as encryption is only viable on closed systems, so it is that increased privacy regulations will only entrench walled gardens. That should affect thinking on regulation.
Google’s Messaging Announcement, Allo’s Go-to-Market Problem, Chat: The Open Alternative
Google’s announced Chat, which is not a new messaging service but the adoption of a new messaging protocol to replace SMS. It’s not an ideal outcome, but the only possible one.