Apple
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Tim Cook had an extraordinary run — and impeccable timing, both in terms of when he became CEO, and when he is stepping down.
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Apple has survived 50 years by being the only company integrating hardware and software; if the company loses because of AI it will be because the point of integration changes.
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Apple is well and truly a services company; hardware is necessary but insufficient for future growth.
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For Apple, hitting middle age means a strategy primarily focused on monetizing its existing customers. It makes sense, but one wonders what happens next.
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A core part of what makes Apple Apple is its organization structure; Tim Cook has said it will never change. However, if Apple is serious about being a services company, change it must.
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Clayton Christensen continually predicts that Apple will be disrupted because his theory does not incorporate the importance of the user experience.
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Beachheads and Obstacles
Facebook and Amazon had events on the same day for Oculus and Alexa. Both are driven by lessons from the mobile era, but Amazon seems to have learned more than Facebook.
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Day Two to One Day
Amazon.com was showing signs of being a Day Two company, including the alleged manipulation of search. There is reason, though, to be optimistic that the company has gotten back to Day One. Plus, where are the other big tech companies?
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The Apple Watch Tells Time, Additional Observations on Apple’s Event, Revisiting App Store Search
The “Always-on” Apple Watch update is an important one, additional notes from Apple’s event, and why the company is likely being honest about App Store Search
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The iPhone and Apple’s Services Strategy
Apple’s annual iPhone event may have marked Apple’s true shift into being a Services company
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App Store Search, WeWork to Shelve IPO?, The Vision Fund Wobbles
The New York Times has a compelling expose of how Apple dominates App Store search. Then, WeWork may not IPO, although its CEO will be fine; the bigger question, though is about SoftBank’s Vision Fund.
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Apple Versus Project Zero, Apple’s Poor Response, The China Paradox
Apple took on Google’s Project Zero over the weekend, and didn’t come out looking particularly good, particularly since China is a huge paradox for Apple.
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Tech Companies and Hardware, The Cost of Low Margins
Software-differentiated hardware companies are tech companies, but be careful about low margins leading to a destructive cycle where marketing costs drown a company.
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Apple Updates Siri Policy, The Missed Middle Way, Alexa and Automobiles
Apple has updated its Siri policy, but misses a middle way on privacy that Amazon gets right. Then, Alexa has an opening in cars, but probably not for long.