On the newest episode of Exponent, the podcast I co-host with James Allworth: In this week’s episode Ben and James discuss the problems with Ello’s business model, James’ discomfort with Facebook, and why Social Networks always have ads. We also talk about incentives and something surprising Ben learned from the notorious Episode 18. Links Ben […]
Daily Update: Ello Follow-up, Windows 10, Apple Watch in Paris
Good morning, The biggest news yesterday was that Ebay plans to spin off Paypal. I definitely think this is the right move, but I also suspect it’s too late. I plan to write more about it in a day or two. On to the update: Ello Follow-up I was actually surprised I didn’t get moreSubscribe […]
Ello and Consumer-Friendly Business Models
Vox introduced Ello this way: A brand-new social networking startup — Ello — has gone viral. At one point on Thursday, the site was acquiring 31,000 new users an hour — many of whom flocked to there because of a disagreement with Facebook over its policy requiring real names, which some say is unfair to […]
Daily Update: Talko, Bye-bye Beats Music?, About that iPhone Line Film
Good morning, I wrote about Uber yesterday, but in reality I was actually writing about why I think the tech industry should become much more proactive about the development of a social safety net. Not only would a better safety net spur entrepreneurship, but it would also provide a cushion for those who lose theirSubscribe […]
Daily Update: China and Microsoft, Sony vs. Samsung, Why Twitter Adds Favorites to Your Timeline
Good morning, I’m working on a piece about Apple, the cloud, and culture; I think it’s pretty interesting and I hope a good contribution to what has happened this week. It will hopefully be up later this morning. I’m pushing my piece on payments and the wearable to next week. On to the update: ChinaSubscribe […]
Daily Update: Another (Inevitable) Uber Controversy, Why Instagram’s Hyperlapse Damns Windows Phone, Pouring Water on Fire Phone
Good morning, I wrote a brief piece on Stratechery about Amazon buying Twitch; my takeaway was in the title: Amazon: Not an E-Commerce Company. One could argue that makes the upside in their stock even greater, but were I an investor, I think I’d be out. I buy the e-commerce story; Amazon ruling the world,Subscribe […]
Daily Update: Amazon Buys Twitch, Amazon’s Ad Program, Facebook Taking on DoubleClick
Good morning, If you’ll forgive a bit of braggadocio, I’ve certainly been getting lucky on Stratechery when it comes to acquisitions: I wrote about hardware-based business models the day before Google bought Nest, and how messaging was mobile’s killer app the day before Facebook bought WhatsApp. I can’t claim to be quite as spot-on whenSubscribe […]
Daily Update: The United States’ PC Hangover, Message App Milestones, iPhone 6 Screen Size Conjecture
Good morning, Welcome to the last week of August! Fortunately, we’re all interested in tech, where there is always something interesting being announced – or rumored. On to the update: The United States’ PC Hangover There were lots of interesting tidbits in the latest comScore U.S. Mobile App Report, particularly the list of the topSubscribe […]
Daily Update: Print, Chinese Walls, and "Objective" Journalism; Twitter’s New Photo-removal Policies; Steve Ballmer Leaves Microsoft’s Board
Good morning, I will hopefully – finally – have a new article up later today about video games. I think you might be surprised. But now, on to the update. Print, Chinese Walls, and “Objective” Journalism Clay Shirky, who has been forecasting the death of print for years now, bemoaned the business ignorance of journalistsSubscribe […]
Daily Update: Twitter is Great for Unprofitable News, Microsoft’s Chromebook Response, Google to Offer Accounts to Children
Good morning, To be perfectly frank, it’s quite difficult to focus on writing these updates; mid-day here is midnight in Ferguson, and Twitter is incredibly compelling. So we’ll start there. On to the update. Twitter is Great for Unprofitable News Mathew Ingram wrote an article exploring why the news in Ferguson is being experienced soSubscribe […]