The Critical Path

Beginning with the data on activations, we traverse the strategic implications of a shift in Android governance and management. Along the way we also cover Samsung's marketing strategy, budget, and the Galaxy S4 launch.

New data allows us to estimate the components of iTunes with more precision. The entire business is now transacting over $17 billion a year. We take a look at how this insight can be gained and what it means for the future of commercial media.

On the disruption of console video games and the signals sent by Google with their very own Chromebook.

A review of the Apple Store international roll-out process; a preview of an analysis of Apple's innovation culture as described by Tim Cook; a reflection on the sustainability of growth: personal, institutional and societal.

We take on the future of TV again, given the developments and experiments hitting the news. Hanging in the air like a big matzah ball is the question of a catalyst to bring long form video to the age of software. Not just digital production and distribution but an integration of software into the product itself. We get there via a quick recap of Asymconf California.

On assessing demand from "supplier checks"; measuring headroom and the race to a billion users; the disruption of computing becoming accepted by PC industry.

Over-serving TVs, bizarre keynotes, iPhone "mini", cracking the China code, the T-Mobile iPhone and the iPhone operator deal structure.

A discussion on a forthcoming blog post titled "The Last Feature Phone". Also why stock markets are intractable: the problem with understanding the motivation of buyers and sellers of equities, especially those who act on behalf of others as fund managers. Finally, a review of what's on Horace's to-do list for 2013 and a hint at the new 5by5 show High Density, the first episode which is linked in the show notes.

A review of RIM's latest service pricing surprise; what do maps cost and what are they worth and the way to think about Google as a business.

On Samsung's use of Capital, Value Chain Evolution and Below the Surface. Why would you read the balance sheet of a tech company, the difference between R&D and capital spending, how to prevent suppliers becoming competitors and what are the economics of systems and application software in a device-centric model. Finally, why you shouldn't confuse obscurity with secrecy.