Apple and Shopify: The Fulfillment Network

Fri. 02/05 – An Apple Ad-pocalypse For Everyone?

will be equipped with Google's Android operating system, replacing their current Sync 4 system. This move will allow for easier integration with Google Maps, Google Assistant, and other Google services.

Meanwhile, automakers around the world are cutting vehicle production due to a shortage of silicon chips, which are crucial for modern vehicles. This shortage is a result of increased demand for electronics during the pandemic, as well as supply chain disruptions.

In other automotive news, Tesla is facing scrutiny from Chinese regulators over quality issues with their vehicles. The company has been summoned by the Chinese government and must provide information on their cars, including production and sales data.

Overall, the automotive industry is facing significant challenges and changes as it adapts to new technologies and global supply chain disruptions.

Benedict Evans: Three Paths to the Future | Slush 2021

Three Steps to the Future: Understanding the Conversations in Technology

- Recap of previous presentations

- Three separate conversations in technology

- Importance of understanding the future, present, and past conversations in technology

Step 1: The Future Conversations

- Web 3 and Metaverse

- Rebranding and reconceptualization

- Distributed open computing systems

- Open source 2.0

- Revenue model built in

- Market caps and mainstream adoption

- Exciting but early

- Fair way to look at it

- iPhone example

Step 2: The Present Conversations

- NFTs and incentivized structures

- Helium as an example

- Confounding questions and irrational criticism

- Deep technical knowledge required

- Small but exciting

- Games consoles vs. Snapchat

- Future uncertainty

Step 3: Catching up with Past Conversations

- Digital transformation

- Cloud and SAS

- Hyperscalers and punchy numbers

- Unlocking opportunities

- Frame io as an example

- Mass deployment of great ideas

- New companies to be created

Peter Szulczewski, CEO of e-commerce app Wish, raised $1 billion in two years

Peter, the CEO of Wish, discusses the misconceptions and valid criticisms of the company in a recent interview. He addresses concerns about who shops on Wish, the company's profitability, and their marketing strategy.

Valid Criticisms:

1. Shipping Times: Historically, Wish's shipping times have been long, which has been a valid criticism of the company. To address this issue, Wish launched a product called Wish Express, which offers an average delivery time of six days in the US.

2. Marketing Strategy: Wish's reliance on Facebook marketing has been a concern for some investors. However, the company has tripled its revenue over the last 12 months while doubling its growth margin.

Misconceptions:

1. Who Shops on Wish: Many investors believe that no one shops on Wish due to the low prices and unbranded goods. However, 60% of transactions on Wish come from consumers with five or more prior transactions, and the company sells about 2 million items per day.

2. Profitability: Wish has achieved positive cash flow for ten months in a row and has about a billion dollars in the bank. In October, they posted a $4.2 million gap profit.

Peter addresses the criticisms and misconceptions surrounding Wish and provides evidence to support the company's growth and profitability. Wish's focus on logistics and improving delivery times, along with their successful marketing strategy, have contributed to their growth and success.

Black Friday, Verified Reviews, Amazon Prime Membership, and Counterfeit Products, Nov 27 2016

Cari from Bobsled Marketing gives an update on Amazon's week in review, which includes Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime membership, counterfeit products, and product reviews.

Key Points:

1. Black Friday mobile sales surpassed desktop sales for the first time ever, indicating a trend towards mobile commerce and the importance of optimizing product descriptions and bullet points for mobile devices.

2. Adobe estimates that Black Friday generated $3.34 billion in revenue, surpassing brick and mortar retail sales.

3. Amazon Prime membership is up to 49.5 million members in the US, with Prime members accounting for 57% of total purchases in October 2016.

4. Amazon is working on a secret pilot program called Brand Central to help smaller sellers protect their trademarks and intellectual property.

5. Amazon is limiting the number of unverified product reviews customers can write without a purchase confirmation from Amazon to five reviews per week.

Amazon's week in review shows the importance of mobile commerce, the growth of Amazon Prime membership, the need to combat counterfeit products, and the efforts to improve product reviews on the platform.