February 2012
49 posts
“How can the same bundle of components (admittedly mostly off-the-shelf) be sold...”
– The value of the OS X monopoly | asymco
Even the software has roots in Free BSD, an analogously off the shelf component. That’s why I admire Apple’s marketing capabilities first and foremost.
“Google has “literally built a firewall” between the Android team and...”
– Google building ‘firewall’ between Android and Motorola after acquisition | The Verge
That’s Google pandering to the OEMs.
“For Yahoo, the patent dispute could be a strategic move to raise money. The...”
– Yahoo says Facebook infringes its patents - FT.com
“Isis is winning over banks by casting itself as a technology vendor that...”
– Why Two Big Banks Let Carriers Control the Mobile Wallet - American Banker Article
“As the world’s largest social network, it faces intense scrutiny from consumers,...”
– For Facebook, Risk and Riches in User Data - NYTimes.com
So will Facebook suffer all the slings and arrows, while the other players monetize their data under the radar? I believe the answer is already yes.
Scott Rafer's Blog: The importance of the iPod... →
When I look at the stats of some the most popular iOS apps in our portfolio I’m amazed at the importance of the iPod Touch.
The Touch has come a long way since it was first introduced. It’s slimmer, has a camera and battery life is great.
The drawback of course is that it relies on…
There ARE Android equivalents of iPod Touches. Nobody’s heard about them though because...
“A profile of Facebook’s CSO reveals that his 70-person security team...”
– Facebook Has 25 People Dedicated To Handling Gov’t Info Requests - Slashdot
Warren Buffett's annual letter to shareholders →
Saturday morning reading.
Walkie-Talkie App Voxer Popular With Investors,... →
Wow.
“the FCC noted spectrum below one gigahertz was particularly valuable and that...”
– Verizon Rivals Push FCC to Block Spectrum Buy - WSJ.com
The point on quality of spectrum is important. As soon as Verizon played it’s card to accumulate AWS spectrum, a fight with Tmo was inevitable. Tmobile, trying to work with what they have, laid out a very complicated LTE strategy which...
“According to Crain’s, we can expect the opening of “20 locations —...”
– 7-Eleven Plans to Take Over Basically Every Deli in New York — Grub Street New York
“An update to the software that underlies Safari has closed the loophole that...”
– Google Tracked iPhones, Bypassing Apple Browser Privacy Settings | Hacker News
“The people who handled the proposed change, according to software documents: two engineers at Google.”
Google vs. Google
Snickers to Experience Shrinkage -- Grub Street... →
Mars, who makes the candy bar (which, only hours ago, Michael Laiskonis told Grub is his favorite junk food), says all of its treats will be right around the 250-calorie mark. This means that two-ounce Snickers at 280 calories will lose a small bite’s worth, and king-size bars are being cut altogether!
“A full report is below, but here a few highlights from our findings:
...”
– Pinterest Data Analysis: An Inside Look
“Kevin Kelly had a simple rule: each issue of Wired should make 20% of its...”
– A Real Media Company Doesn’t Care That You’re Mad At It | PandoDaily
“Users that install the plug-in will have the websites they visit and the ways in...”
– Google Pays Users for Browsing Data | Digiday
“The cost of adding an iPhone customer is about 40% higher than the cost for the...”
– Apple’s subsidy makes iPhone a nightmare for carriers - Feb. 8, 2012
Which means carriers have a wide margin for incentivizing users away from it.
“He wants to push the Internet company away from its advertising roots and get...”
– Inside Yahoo: Less Show, More Sell - WSJ.com
This is going to be a tough battle.
“Investors worry that Apple’s business is so heavily predicated on sales of the...”
– Apple: Bernstein Sees $204B in ‘Customer Lifetime Value’ - Tech Trader Daily - Barrons.com
I’m sure a lot of research analysts keep the Razr in mind when thinking about the future of the iPhone business.
“I’m worried about how the IPO will affect creative,” said Eastman....”
– As Facebook grows up, it courts Madison Avenue | Reuters
“Number who have ever lived: 107,602,707,791”
– BBC News - Do the dead outnumber the living?
“Politicians in Sacramento, California’s state capital, are arguing over how to...”
– Facebook chief faces tax bill of $1.5bn - FT.com
“My advice to young engineers is don’t worry too much about your business...”
– The Dirty Little Secret Of Silicon Valley’s Startup Boom… - SVW
If you met me for AngelList advice
caterpillarcowboy:
Here’s what I’ll tell you:
- AL is for finishing your round. Don’t bother until you have 25-50% of your raise already committed. Since you shouldn’t raise less than $500k*, $200k should be minimum. Except in rare cases, you should also be launched with meaningful # of users or customers. My rule of thumb is 1000 users or 100 customers but that can vary.
- AL is an exercise...
“Today, thanks the Facebook IPO filing, we have an update to the official...”
– Facebook’s Mobile Monthly Active Users Grew 21% Over Past Four Months | TechCrunch
This situation should be common to most major online properties— staggering growth in mobile actives (vs. desktop) but monetization is lower and engagement metrics are lower (not sure if this last point applies...