Microsoft & Google – Developer dilemma.

Reply to this post           There are good reasons why Microsoft has lost interest in Android. There are strong indications that Microsoft is discontinuing its efforts to port Android apps to Windows 10, concentrating instead on iOS. This fits with RFM research which indicates that that the relevance of Android in the app ecosystem is continuing...

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Lenovo Q2 16A – Storm rider

Reply to this post           Lenovo is nicely weathering both the PC storm and its restructuring. Lenovo reported Q2 16A results that beat expectations but still recorded losses as the re-organisation of its acquired server and smartphone businesses took their toll. Q2 16A revenues / net profit were $12.2bn / LOSS $714m compared to estimates of...

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Yahoo! – Admission of defeat

Reply to this post           Calling in McKinsey is very unlikely to help. Yahoo! has called in McKinsey to help it with its strategy but I fear that McKinsey will make a bad situation even worse. Furthermore, fearing further executive losses, Marissa Mayer is thought to be asking her leadership team to sign 3 to 5...

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Network economy – Unicorns and donkeys

Reply to this post           I suspect many unicorns are actually donkeys in disguise. The unicorn is a mythical beast of extreme beauty and rarity but recent events are indicating that many members of the start-up herd may not be genuine. The latest event is Fidelity’s write down of its position in Snapchat by 25% from...

Android Wear – Wearing thin Pt III

Reply to this post           Smartwatches and wearables remain in Limbo. Tag Heuer, Intel and Google have launched the Tag Heuer Connected smartwatch at an event in New York on November 10th. The device will be available as a limited edition of 50,000 pieces and will retail at $1,500. The device is powered by Intel, which...

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Activision Blizzard – Game on!

Reply to this post           Activision must integrate to do what King cannot. Activision’s acquisition of King has very little to do with Candy Crush and everything to do with King’s users and the fact that the gaming segment is wide open on mobile. Activision has announced that it will acquire King Digital for $18 per...

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Google – All about control

Reply to this post           Google is trying to stop others from writing Android code. I think that Google’s latest blogs and changes to some of its programs clearly point to increasing efforts to take greater control of the Android code and its distribution. I have long identified Google’s failure to control the code on the...

Facebook Q3 15A – Hidden dip

Reply to this post           I see a correction before Facebook fulfils its real potential. Facebook reported excellent Q3 15A results but the somewhat lacklustre response of the shares in after-hours trading indicates just how much is already built into expectations. Q3 15A revenues / EPS were $4.5bn / $0.57 compared to consensus at $4.4bn /...

Apple – Cycle economics

Reply to this post           The end of the iPhone 6 product cycle is normal and expected. It is starting to appear that the iPhone 6s is performing as I have been expecting rather than as the bulls are hoping. The last week has seen a raft of signals coming from the supply chain that instead...

Xiaomi – African safari

Reply to this post           Africa should help volumes but not margins. Moving into Africa might help Xiaomi’s volume shipments but margins are going to remain under severe pressure in this market. Xiaomi has entered into a distribution relationship with Mobile In Africa Group to distribute its devices in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. This looks...

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