Microsoft’s Business Model Ménage à Trois

Ben Thompson of Stratechery wrote yet another brilliant article on Microsoft entitled: “It’s Time To Split Up Microsoft“. Highly recommended reading. I agree with Thompson in part, and I disagree with him in part. Let’s start with the parts where we agree. 1.0 Balmer 1.1 Innovation Inflation The following is from Steve Ballmer’s 2004 memo … Continue reading Microsoft’s Business Model Ménage à Trois

The Smartphone Is The Computer

I have spent the past three weeks in Detroit, a city possessing a rich history and an unremitting present. The vagaries of Silicon Valley count for little here. When I heard a young man ask — for real — if the Samsung Galaxy S5 was an iPhone or an Android, I knew there was much … Continue reading The Smartphone Is The Computer

Three Years of Tech.pinions

Since today is an off day, at least for most Americans, I thought I would write something reflecting on what I have learned since starting Tech.pinions just over three years ago. On June 2nd, 2011 I published this post on Apple and their competitive advantage and Tech.pinions was born. Some Background My idea for the … Continue reading Three Years of Tech.pinions

Android and the Next Billion

There are over a billion active users of Google’s version of Android. Add AOSP and we are probably in the 1.6 to 1.7 billion range of users on Android. Both will grow — however, I believe Google’s version of Android will grow at a more rapid pace than AOSP. This is largely thanks to big … Continue reading Android and the Next Billion

Disruption Corruption: What Disruption Theory Is And What It Isn’t

Anyone who studies business — and especially those who follow tech — knows Clayton Christensen is the business school professor who developed the theory of disruption. This week, in an article in the New Yorker, Jill Lepore took that theory — and Clay Christensen — to task. Will Oremus, of Slate, sums up part of … Continue reading Disruption Corruption: What Disruption Theory Is And What It Isn’t

I Know What The Next Hit Product from Apple Is

It’s been four years since Apple released the first iPad and tech watchers are getting restless. When will Apple release another hit product? Where’s the Apple TV? Where’s the iWatch? Has the company lost its nerve post-Steve Jobs? Don’t worry, Tim Cook & Company haven’t lost their nerve. It’s just taking longer than expected to … Continue reading I Know What The Next Hit Product from Apple Is

Surface Pro 3: Future of a Laptop or Future of a Tablet?

There is a lot to read between the lines of today’s Surface event from Microsoft. Microsoft’s vision for the Surface continues to be of a device both a great tablet and a great laptop. Previous versions of the Surface were neither. From the looks of the Surface Pro 3, it may finally be a viable … Continue reading Surface Pro 3: Future of a Laptop or Future of a Tablet?

Insider Analysis: Apple, Beats, Retail, and the Future of Entertainment

Assuming the rumor is true and Apple is indeed buying Beats, then reading between the lines becomes important for those of us who develop future outlooks for specific companies and product segments. There are pros and cons to every deal so in light of this rumor let’s examine them. Fundamentals Beats the Company, The Brand, … Continue reading Insider Analysis: Apple, Beats, Retail, and the Future of Entertainment

Analyzing Apple’s Emerging Growth, iTunes, and Explaining iPad Woes

Apple surprised with iPhones and “disappointed” with iPads. While many in the media will overreact and question Apple’s growth prospects, I find myself as optimistic as ever about Apple and its future. The foundations for a long term, healthy ecosystem are starting to shape up. It starts with the iPhone. iPhone Our biggest takeaway from … Continue reading Analyzing Apple’s Emerging Growth, iTunes, and Explaining iPad Woes

Panic Inside Apple and Cheers for Satya

The blogosphere has suddenly discovered the incredible array of products, tools and services Microsoft has long possessed. Better late than never, I suppose. Fact is, their realization of the obvious is in large part due to the accessible dynamism and well-regarded tech cred of Microsoft’s new CEO, Satya Nadella. Nadella’s hire makes for a great … Continue reading Panic Inside Apple and Cheers for Satya

Why Bitcoin Still Does Not Matter

You can buy Bitcoin today, swap your next mortgage payment for this aggressively hyped “cryptocurrency,” lose it all to crime, fraud or incompetence, no questions asked. Yet you are still legally barred from even participating in crowdfunded investments of fully vetted Bitcoin start-ups. Clearly, something is wrong. Marc Andreessen and his A16Z venture capital group have regularly … Continue reading Why Bitcoin Still Does Not Matter

Samsung and their Fragile Relationship with Google

For Insiders I wrote a while back about Samsung’s precarious position in the market place. Samsung finds themselves between a rock and a hard place. It is not surprising that a bit of news surfaced stating that the next version of their Galaxy Gear will run Tizen not Android. Tizen is a joint venture OS … Continue reading Samsung and their Fragile Relationship with Google

ICYMI: News and Opinions of the Web Worth Reading

As a new feature for Tech.pinions Insiders, we will be featuring an end-of-the-week list of links to some of the best tech writing on the web.   “Microsoft’s Mobile Muddle” At Stratechery, Ben Thompson consistently produces some of the best analysis, particularly on Apple, Android, and Microsoft. This one dissects Microsoft’s confused mobile strategy. “Apple … Continue reading ICYMI: News and Opinions of the Web Worth Reading

Follow up: Adobe, Apple, and Bad Error Messages

In a Tech.pinions Insiders article yesterday, I wrote that one reason for the success of tablets is that they do not regularly befuddle users with error messages. No sooner had I written it than I got a lesson in the worst of traditional software error messages. I was planning to use Adobe Premiere Pro to … Continue reading Follow up: Adobe, Apple, and Bad Error Messages

2013 Winners And Losers In Tech

We track, analyze and oftentimes promote technology because of its overarching, mostly positive impact on our own lives and throughout the world. It’s many disparate parts, incorporating intellectual property and global manufacturing, hardware and software, content and creativity, when brought together at exactly the right time, in exactly the right way can be both uplifting … Continue reading 2013 Winners And Losers In Tech

Tablets, Desktops, Laptops: How the Tools Fit My Life

With the endless arguments about tablets’ productivity or lack thereof, I decided to take a close look at the computing tools in my life. The result is a seemingly contradictory conclusion: We truly live in a post-PC era in which the traditional PC remains a vital player. I think my habits are fairly typical of … Continue reading Tablets, Desktops, Laptops: How the Tools Fit My Life

Why Does the iPad 2 Still Exist?

There seemed to be some general surprise from many as to why the iPad is going to stay in market. Particularly since it still has the 30-pin connector. Many assumed Apple wants to be aggressive in moving their hardware base to the new Lightening connector and were thrown for a loop with this news. This … Continue reading Why Does the iPad 2 Still Exist?

Tablets, Phablets, and Phones: Microsoft’s Confusion Continues

An update to Windows Phone 8, due to begin rolling out soon, has some good news for fans of really big phones. Devices with 1920×1080 pixel displays will get an assortment of new user interface features, including the ability to display three columns of tiles on the home screen. The stated goal is to provide … Continue reading Tablets, Phablets, and Phones: Microsoft’s Confusion Continues

The Cubed Podcast

I wanted to share with our readers that I have started a podcast called Cubed with several colleagues I genuinely enjoy chatting with. They are Ben Thompson of stratechery and Benedict Evans. Our goal is to have smart conversations on the industry at large with a bit more emphasis on mobile and strategy. We have … Continue reading The Cubed Podcast

Did Apple Fail Us? Maybe. Did Apple Just Stab Microsoft In The Heart? Definitely.

Ambition is the last refuge of failure. – Oscar Wilde Apple held its much-anticipated iPhone launch event last week. The company offered up iOS 7, iPhone 5c, 5s, iTunes Radio, a “motion” chip, a 64-bit processor and several more goodies. The “one more thing,” however, turned out to be the reaction of the world. Neither … Continue reading Did Apple Fail Us? Maybe. Did Apple Just Stab Microsoft In The Heart? Definitely.

Pondering Apple’s Big Day

As with all Apple events I have attended, which is every one going back to the launch of the iPod, there are many intriguing questions leading up to the event. Many have been speculating and analyzing every angle possible about what may or may not be announced tomorrow. I’d prefer to leave the speculating to … Continue reading Pondering Apple’s Big Day

Together At Last

News just broke that Microsoft has acquired Nokia’s handset and devices division. Here is the intro from the press release: Microsoft to acquire Nokia Devices & Services, accelerating the Windows ecosystem Nokia and Microsoft have always dreamed big – we dreamed of putting a computer on every desk, and a mobile phone in every pocket, … Continue reading Together At Last

The iPhone’s GOLDEN Opportunity in China

This is a free preview of a Tech.pinions Insider post. Learn more about the Tech.pinions Insider analysis service here. We are at the point in time with relation to Apple’s September 10th event that we have to start taking many rumors very seriously. In that light, we have heard whispers of a gold colored iPhone … Continue reading The iPhone’s GOLDEN Opportunity in China