A reminder that the bubble problem applies to everyone, while Twitter is losing a key exec. Then, the riddle of Assistants on premium Android, and three Snapchat updates.
Why Twitter Must Be Saved
First, a reposting of an old Stratechery article, Rebuilding the World Technology Destroyed. Then, why Twitter is an essential antidote to Facebook and must be preserved.
Microsoft Teams versus Slack, Facebook Earnings
A follow-up on Microsoft Teams and Slack after having used the former; then, Facebook’s Earnings were more concerning than expected.
Slack and the Macintosh, Microsoft Teams, Slack’s Ad
Slack made Microsoft’s Teams announcement much more exciting with a taunting ad in the New York Times, an echo of Apple’s ad welcoming IBM to the PC. That may not be the precedent that Slack wants.
Google Earnings; The Problem with Alphabet; Twitter Earnings, Layoffs, Vine
Google’s earnings were good, but maybe not quite as revelatory as they could be. What is clear, though, is that Google, not Alphabet, will drive growth. Then, Twitter made some changes; they’re probably not enough in the long run, but a good start.
Follow-up, Snapchat Changes Publisher Monetization, The Return of the Bundle?
Follow-up to The IT Era and the Internet Revolution, then why Snapchat’s new paid-content model is such a great idea.
Chat and the Consumerization of IT
What does the consumerization of IT even mean? Workplace by Facebook, Skype Teams from Microsoft, and Slack offer three definitions.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, Marketplace Potential, What is Facebook?
Facebook launched Marketplace, which is fairly described as a Craigslist competitor. The potential, though, is greater; what is even more interesting is what this says about Facebook’s perception of itself.
Snapchat Spectacles and the Future of Wearables
Creating the future is not just about technology but about creating markets. Right now Snapchat is doing that as well as anyone, which bodes well for Spectacles (but don’t count out Apple).
Is AWS a Commodity?, Chat App Updates: WeChat, Facebook, and Google
The conventional wisdom is that AWS is a commodity, but that only makes sense in the context of the old world. Then, Google tries to catch up to Facebook which tries to catch up to WeChat which is leaping ahead.