Newsletter #2
Strategy
The Twitter odyssey continues. Elon is looking for a new CEO “foolish enough to take the job”. In the meantime, the company is launching three paid badges: blue (for individuals), golden (for companies ) and grey (for State organisations). At some point somebody will make a film or write a book on how not to run a company. In the meantime, Jack Dorsey - former founder and CEO, acknowledges the mistake for giving the company too much power to regulate speech. Elon, Badges, Jack Dorsey
📸 Techviral
Amazon launches Inspire, a TikTok-like shopping feed that supports both photos and videos. For those late at the party, short videos are taking the internet: Instagram is prioritising Reels, Youtube with Shorts and Twitter with video content. If you can’t beat them, copy them. Last year Amazon made around $31bn from Ads so the plan is pretty simple. Recent Google data confirms that nearly 40% of Gen Z already prefer to search on TikTok and Instagram over Google Search. Now they can continue searching on Amazon too. Amazon Inspire, Google Search, Amazon Ads
📸 Amazon
The EU is pushing Apple not only to adopt Type C, but also to open their iPhones and iPad of multiple App Stores. This reminded me of a quote from the valley: America innovates, China copies and EU regulates. The move is a key part of the EU’s Digital Market Act which wants a fair competition between platform owners and third-party developers. There are two key things in this move: (1) Apple loses that 15-30% tax on App store purchases and (2) if it is not abiding, is subject to up to 20% of its annual worldwide revenue or $80bn based on its fiscal 2022 sales. LINK
Tesla brings Steam gaming to model X & S. I have stated over several posts that the new basis for competition is around software, a totally new skill set. Only large companies like Mercedes can compete with Tesla and BYD, but there is still a lot of uncertainty around the transition to a 100% EV future. TESLA, EVs, MERCEDES
Toyota’s CEO says that the majority of the automotive industry leaders consider mode alternatives to EVs, but are afraid to mention this in public. Short reminder: China dominates the entire downstream EV battery supply chain. Toyota, China
OPPO Introduces Air Glass. The future of work will be around enterprise glasses and immersion, but nobody has figured it out how this should happen. Maybe Apple, which has been working for a similar product for the last 5 years. LINK
Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI). EA Sports FIFA algorithm has identified the Football World Cup winner for the 4th time in a row. In the meantime, the US chip ban on advanced technologies to China has a wider impact than expected. EA Sports, CHINA BAN
«The European Commission has opened an “in-depth investigation” into Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard». Microsoft wants to move the business model towards subscription. Although not sure this move will take ground, because the A-Star games (World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Diablo etc) will still be available on all the consoles, the EC rushes with a potential ban when that is not the case. LINK
DATA
Technology 2022 report from BAIN. LINK
40% of global shipping moves energy related products (e.g. oil, gas, pellets etc). With the nuclear breakthrough recently achieved and future solar, wind and hydro installation that percentage will go a lot down. SHIPPING, NUCLEAR
Job Skills of 2023 Report by Coursera. Discover the fastest-growing job skills for businesses, governments, and higher education institutions. LINK
Nearly half of Americans aged 18 to 29 are living with their parents. LINK
UiPath’s Automation Trends Report 2023. LINK
There are more adult diapers Sold in Japan than baby diapers. LINK
70% of Gen Z viewers tend to watch videos with subtitles. LINK
77% of US consumers know what metaverse is. Do you know? LINK
Blockchain struggles to gain traction in companies. I remain bullish on blockchain technology LINK
2023 Crypto Market Outlook from Coinbase. Note: I am totally bearish on crypto. However, the investments made in the dot-com bubble paid off several years later when multiple companies used the infrastructure & other key products. LINK
OUTSIDE INTEREST
Exposure to some radiation is good. Japanese atom bomb survivors lived five years longer and were less likely to get cancer than average Japanese citizens. LINK
Product branding emerged in ancient Mesopotamia 5000 years ago. Typical branded products: food, bread, wine and beer. LINK
Chinese authorities are hunting those writing with “Incorrect and non-standard” fonts. Protesting through ugly writing. LINK
Swiss Fondue cheese became popular with the help of the Swiss Cheese…cartel. LINK
Nearly 10% of Tuvalu’s revenue comes from owning the domain .tv (e.g. twitch.tv) LINK
The advantage of taking the technologies out of the shelf: Developing and launching the iPod in 2001 took just 41 weeks, from the very first meeting (no team, no prototype, no design) to iPods shipping to customers. LINK