Archive for September, 2011
Why Dish Network’s new Blockbuster streaming package is no threat to Netflix
Sep. 24, ‘11: One big reason: Because it’s only for Dish Network subscribers. And based on this chart, that’s not something Netflix should be worrying about — most people aren’t Dish subscribers, and Netflix is growing much faster. (Also, who has any warm … Continue reading →
Moneyball for tech startups
Sep. 23, ‘11: Moneyball, the film based on Michael Lewis’s excellent book about the business of baseball, opens this weekend. If you haven’t read the book or seen the trailer, the basic idea is: Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane — played in … Continue reading →
What should Apple do with the iPod?
Sep. 22, ‘11: Apple’s iPod turns 10 years old next month. Steve Jobs first introduced it on Oct. 23, 2001, and it went on sale a few weeks later. After a fairly slow start, the iPod eventually became Apple’s main growth driver, helped … Continue reading →
5 questions for Meg Whitman, HP’s new CEO
Sep. 22, ‘11: Will you still try to spin off or sell HP’s market-leading PC business? Will you still try to shut down or sell the WebOS hardware business? Will you try to make HP a leader in tablet and smartphone software? Will … Continue reading →
Facebook’s revamped OS-in-the-cloud is bad news for Microsoft and good news for Apple
Sep. 22, ‘11: I’m not going to trouble you with a long list of Facebook’s announcements at its f8 conference today: Techmeme is your best bet for that. But in general, the trend seems to be toward making Facebook the connective tissue between … Continue reading →
Netflix is now open to considering selling video-on-demand
Sep. 21, ‘11: Netflix, you’ve likely heard, is splitting off its DVD subscription service, which has a good selection of newer releases, from its streaming subscription service, which doesn’t. One option for Netflix to add more newer releases to its streaming library — and … Continue reading →
Microsoft needs a new business model for Windows 8 tablets
Sep. 21, ‘11: Microsoft’s Windows division is still a monster: Over the past year, it has generated $12 billion of operating income on $19 billion of revenue. A big part of that is because of Microsoft’s continued dominance of the PC operating system … Continue reading →
HP might already fire its new CEO
Sep. 21, ‘11: Bloomberg and All Things D both report that HP’s board is already considering firing CEO Leo Apotheker. One potential candidate is former eBay CEO Meg Whitman. Looks like not everyone is thrilled about the whole “dump the world’s biggest PC … Continue reading →
Amazon launches Kindle book loans for local libraries
Sep. 21, ‘11: Starting with over 11,000 libraries. (And you don’t have to actually go to the library.) How does it work? Customers will use their local library’s website to search for and select a book to borrow. Once they choose a book, … Continue reading →
Netflix adds more streaming content from Discovery, TLC, and Animal Planet
Sep. 21, ‘11: A 2-year, non-exclusive deal. Not a huge addition, but worth noting, particularly as Netflix looks to expand its streaming TV show library. Related: 10 things to remember about Netflix while scratching your head about Qwikster