Google – From Russia with Love pt. II

Reply to this post           Russian ruling could have global implications.  Although the Russian complaint against Google is a sideshow compared to the EU, it could materially weaken Google’s global agreements that allow it to ensure its ecosystem is on almost all Android devices in developed markets. The Russian regulator (FAS) has already fined Google $6.75m...

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Alibaba FYQ1 16A – Monetisation magic

Reply to this post           Improving monetisation underpins mighty numbers.  Alibaba reported very strong FYQ1 16A results as a very good performance in e-commerce was enhanced even further by Alicloud and the investments Alibaba has made in the ecosystem. FYQ1 16A revenues / EBIT were RMB32.15bn / RMB8.8bn compared to consensus at RMB29.8bn / RMB8.5bn and...

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Samsung – Pick and mix

Reply to this post           I think the acquisition of Dacor is all about cross-device.  Samsung’s move to buy the high-end white goods maker, Dacor, looks odd but behind this move I see a strategy aimed at strengthening Samsung’s appeal across all device types. Dacor is a high end kitchen appliance maker whose range spans cookers,...

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Facebook – Almost the final frontier pt. II

Reply to this post           WhatsApp could be the edge Facebook needs to catch-up.  Facebook is finding other ways to penetrate the Indian market having had its Free Basics strategy taken down a peg by the Indian regulator in February (see here). I see Google comfortably in the lead in India by cleverly generating significant demand...

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Android security – Swiss cheese pt. III

Reply to this post           Security is just another reason to close Android down.  Another vulnerability has emerged that exposes over 900m Android devices to the possibility of granting root access to hackers potentially making the device part of an illicit botnet as well as the theft of all data on the device. Checkpoint has released...

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LeEco – Join the dots

Reply to this post           LeEco looks more like Samsung than Apple.  LeEco is rapidly assembling the pieces that it needs to create a global digital ecosystem, but it will only become a thriving ecosystem when all the pieces work together seamlessly. LeEco is a new player in the ecosystem space which finds it roots in...

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Google vs. Facebook – Almost the final frontier

Reply to this post           In India, Google and Facebook’s rivalry is clear.   India is one of the last remaining Internet wildernesses and in this market, Google is comfortably ahead of its arch rival, Facebook. India has 1.3bn people where only 35% of the population (462m) have access to the Internet. It is further complicated...

Fitbit Q2 16A – Breathing space

Reply to this post           Fitbit has earned time to develop its ecosystem.  Fitbit reported good Q2 16A results as demand continues to be steady while the company works on its ecosystem. Q2 16A revenues / adj-EPS were $586.5m / $0.12 compared to consensus at $578.2m / $0.11. 7m devices were shipped (up 27% YoY) which...

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Samsung – Good mileage.

Reply to this post           Samsung’s cycle still has some distance to run.  Although Samsung appears to have recovered its mojo, I think that it is merely enjoying a product cycle which at some point will come to an end. This mojo was underscored by a successful launch event for the Galaxy Note 7 that went...

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Uber – Wheel re-invention.

Reply to this post           HERE offers much more for $500m.  I think that $500m would be much better spent in becoming a meaningful shareholder of HERE and getting a leading seat at the table of the only independent game in town. It appears that Uber intends to invest $500m in creating its own map in...

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