Slack has announced the Slack Platform. It’s an obvious move, but it’s the obviousness that indicates what a huge opportunity it is
Meituan-Dianping Merge in China, Facebook Messenger’s Business Model, Facebook and Teens
China’s O2O market is in the consolidation phase, and the competition is fierce. That, though, helps highlight why an advertising business model is sometimes so attractive, like, for example, the one that Facebook has. Plus, why the “Facebook has a problem with teens” narrative really isn’t a big deal
Verizon Changes Rate Plans, The Importance of Upgrades, iMessage and the U.S. Market
Verizon announced they were changing the structure of their phones plans away from subsidies and towards phone financing. I think it’s less of a big deal than many are painting it to be, and if anything, it will help the iPhone. Plus, why iMessage is particularly important in the U.S.
Summer Update, Slack Strong, The Dropbox Cautionary Tale
Slack has more numbers out, and while from a certain perspective the company still seems small, a step back reveals just how significant the opportunity is. Still, nothing is guaranteed, and Dropbox happens to offer a very useful cautionary tale.
Daum Kakao Buys Path, Amazon’s Funnel, More from Mary Meeker
Messaging apps are great examples of the power of funnels, and of how difficult they are to build. Meanwhile, Amazon expands and leverages theirs, plus my five favorite Mary Meeker slides.
Cisco’s Results — and Future, Tencent’s Advertising Shift
Today’s update discusses how Cisco has seemingly responded to the threat of software-based networking, but why the future is more cloudy than outgoing CEO John Chambers thinks. Then, Tencent is slowly diversifying their business model, and it’s a big opportunity.
Daily Update: Facebook’s Messenger Announcement, Other F8 Announcements, Apps Matter (and Facebook Knows It)
Good morning, More Facebook today, but in a decidedly different arena – developers. On to the update: Facebook’s Messenger Announcement From Bloomberg: Facebook Inc. is opening up its Messenger chat application so that other software developers can add new features that will let people include photos, videos and other enhancements to their online conversations. TheSubscribe […]
Daily Update: Xiaomi and the U.S.; Slack, Momentum, and Microsoft; David Carr Passes Away
Good morning, As I noted last week, I will be off next Thursday and Friday for Chinese New Year. In addition, I’m still working on the spam issue, although I understand yesterday was better. I appreciate your patience. On to the update: Xiaomi and the U.S. The Wall Street Journal captured the news with theirSubscribe […]
Daily Update: LINE Launches Grocery Services, Google Versus Uber?
Good morning, Thank you all for your patience yesterday in my ongoing litigation of the viability of blogs-as-a-business. Do note that I edited the piece a fair bit; the current version on Stratechery is a bit shorter and bit fairer to Vox (no poop references). As I’ve written, I’m cheering for all of the newSubscribe […]
Daily Update: Facebook Earnings, Naver/LINE Disappoint
Good morning, Three quick things: I wrote a bonus article – Bad Assumptions – about why so many get Apple so wrong so often. I did not email this one – it was a bonus! – so please read it on Stratechery if you have not. I think you’ll like it With regards to severalSubscribe […]