First some important updates about Stratechery, then Google is seeking to acquire Fitbit. Why the acquisition makes sense, and why it doesn’t.
AMD Launches 7nm Chips, Sony Partners with Microsoft, Apple and AWS
AMD leapfrogs Intel thanks to modularity, Sony partners with Microsoft thanks to scale, and Apple balances both.
Apple App Store Follow-up, AWS ARM Servers, Intel’s Choice
More on Apple’s App Store monopoly, including why it’s different from Google and Steam, and far more egregious than other digital platforms. Then, Amazon announced ARM chips for AWS: what changed, and what does this mean for Intel.
Qualcomm Loses Preliminary Judgment; Qualcomm’s Earnings; More on Netflix and MVPDs
A federal judge rules against Qualcomm in a clear victory for Apple, just another area where Qualcomm is struggling. Then, why is Netflix allowing itself to be commoditized, at least a bit, by MVPDs?
Google, Exposures, and Breaches; Was Google Wrong?; The Political Considerations
Google had a data exposure, or was it a breach? The difference matters, but also misses the point of exactly what is dangerous for both end users and competition.
China’s Alleged Hardware Hack, How the Attack (Allegedly) Happened, Believability and Implications
Bloomberg has published an explosive report alleging a hardware hack that has affected multiple companies, including Apple and Amazon; both deny it. What might have happened, who can be believed, and what might happen next?
Uber Follow-up; GlobalFoundries Abandons 7nm; Pricing Power, Differentiation, and Integration
Not all of Uber’s efforts are new, but the urgency is. Then, there are only three foundries pursuing 7nm, which means more pricing power (and how this applies to Uber and self-driving cars).
Intel and the Danger of Integration
Intel is in an increasingly bad position in part because it has been captive to its integrated model. Or, you could simply say they were disrupted.
Morris Chang Retires; Apple, Microsoft, Facebook Follow-Up; Who Gets to Be on the Steam Store?
Morris Change, the founder of TSMC, is one of the most important tech figures in history. Then, follow-up on Microsoft-GitHub, Apple and the App Store, and Facebook and the New York Times. Plus, why Valve is getting platform control right.
Vulnerabilities, Philosophies, and Ad-Blockers; Intel’s Response; The Advantage of Serverless
Follow-up on Meltdown and Spectre, Intel’s obfuscation, and why serverless is better.