Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson A Beginner's Guide to ARM, Amazon and Buy with Prime, Apple in the 90s, Who Wants to Own WWE?
Jan 19, 2023
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Question Big Company Moves Before Betting On Them
- Don't assume Apple should build a search engine just because it has distribution and growing ad revenue.
- Evaluate product competence and motivation before assuming a company will enter and win a category.
Distribution Isn't Enough To Win New Domains
- Superior distribution alone doesn't guarantee product quality in unfamiliar domains.
- Apple has strong distribution but lacks a demonstrated track record at search and many of its online products are mediocre.
User-Experience Loyalty Saved Apple
- Apple retained talent in the 1990s by appealing to people who prioritized user experience over specs and price.
- That cultural differentiation preserved a core team that later enabled its comeback under Steve Jobs.