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a16z Podcast | Mobile is Eating the World (and Apple is Gobbling Fastest)

a16z2019-01-02
52 views|5 years ago
💫 Short Summary

Apple and Android dominate the global mobile phone market, with Apple holding 15% and Android 50%. The shift to smartphones is outpacing traditional PCs, with Apple leading in high-end phones. The video discusses Apple's contradictory product releases, Samsung's decline, and the challenges faced by Google in the mobile industry. It also touches on the evolution of tablets, longer smartphone replacement cycles, and Apple's advancements in payment technology. Overall, the tech industry is rapidly evolving, with a focus on mobile devices, user experience, and competition among key players like Apple, Google, and Samsung.

✨ Highlights
📊 Transcript
Apple and Android dominate the mobile phone market globally.
00:31
Apple holds 15% of the market share, while Android holds 50%.
In the USA, Apple has half the users, and in Japan, it has more than half.
Smartphones are rapidly replacing traditional PCs.
Phones now serve as powerful computers with fast chips, surpassing older systems like Pentium.
Apple has contradicted past statements by releasing products they said they wouldn't, such as small tablets and larger phones.
03:35
They have not made a cheap phone or a stylus, leaving gaps for competitors.
The video discusses the growth in the market, particularly in China, and how Android struggles to compete with iPhones above a certain price point.
The market is in equilibrium for now, but future changes could disrupt the status quo.
Mobile technology has shifted the internet experience from browsers and keyboards to apps and new development environments like messaging.
Overview of the smartphone market dynamics.
06:18
Apple dominates high-end phones, while Samsung focuses on big screen devices.
Chinese companies excel in phone design but lack global distribution.
Nokia's disappearance and Microsoft's acquisition have changed the market dynamics.
Apple has surpassed Nokia in phone sales and may soon overtake Samsung as the largest smartphone vendor.
Apple's success in China challenges the tech industry narrative of lower-priced products winning over high-end ones.
08:48
Chinese manufacturers with strong brand and design are impacting Samsung more than Apple, doubling their sales.
Examples like BMW, Audi, and Tesla surviving over the years question the belief that high-end products get replaced by cheaper alternatives.
Apple's position as the only company selling high-end products is attributed to factors like Touch ID and Apple Pay integration.
Competitors using different components find it hard to compete with Apple due to their unique features.
Impact of Samsung's decline on Google and potential challenges.
10:38
Samsung's loss of market share could lead to rising competitors, posing difficulties for Google in controlling the Android ecosystem.
Questions arise about the fragmentation of Android and its implications for Google executives like Sundar and Larry Page.
Attention shifts to companies like Facebook and Amazon, as their involvement in the mobile industry may require them to accelerate strategies and strengthen mobile platforms.
Amazon and Google face challenges in controlling the operating system and user experience on mobile devices.
12:37
The rise of mobile has turned smartphones into social platforms, increasing the importance of apps.
Companies like Facebook and Amazon are looking for ways to have more control over user experience, such as through projects like the Kindle Fire phone.
While it might not be logical for social networks to create phones or vice versa, companies are still striving to influence user interactions within the digital ecosystem.
Google Maps is essential for iOS users, with around 400 million iPhones having the app installed.
14:17
Not everyone uses maps regularly, posing a challenge for Google to expand beyond search on iOS devices.
iPad sales are not as successful as iPhone sales, experiencing record low ASP and flat to declining sales for the past 18 months to two years.
Competition from Android tablets is minimal, with generic tablets performing poorly in the market.
Tablets as post-PC devices.
16:17
The distinction between smartphones/tablets and PCs is blurred from a consumer perspective, considering screen size and replacement needs.
Low replacement cycle for iPads reflects hesitation in replacing PCs with tablets, questioning the need for upgrading.
Evolving role of tablets in the tech landscape and integration into daily use are key points of focus.
Lengthening replacement cycles for smartphones due to minimal differences between newer and older models.
19:20
High-end smartphones often come with two-year contracts, incentivizing frequent upgrades.
Improvement curve for technology products is flattening out, leading to less frequent upgrades for PCs and smartphones.
Generations of smartphones are becoming more similar, with annual upgrades showing less significant improvements.
Shift towards longer replacement cycles suggests the smartphone market is maturing, with less compelling reasons to upgrade frequently.
Many people keep older iPads because they still meet their needs effectively.
21:52
User satisfaction with iPads remains high despite newer models being available.
iPads dominate tablet usage in sectors like e-commerce and video.
Android tablets have market share, but users are hesitant to switch due to lack of subsidies or significant upgrades.
Apple's revenue from iPods no longer broken out separately, with historic sales of 400 million units and $65 billion.
23:10
The Sony Walkman sold 250 million units, nearly half of Apple's iPods.
Apple and Google's WWDC and IO events will shape future mobile industry terms, setting the agenda for operating systems.
Innovation focus has shifted away from browser updates like Internet Explorer to platforms like Chrome and Web RTC.
Implications for web development and industry trends are significant.
Discussion on changes in property interaction with different operating systems, focusing on Apple and Google.
24:36
Development of messaging solutions like iMessage and WeChat and the impact of Apple Pay on consumer experience.
Shift towards app-based payments and convenience of using Apple Pay for transactions.
Lack of significant increase in Apple Pay usage during holidays, with replacement cycle affecting adoption rates.
Apple's advancements in payment technology.
26:56
The evolution of Apple Pay and the introduction of new features such as identity platform.
Building blocks of Apple Pay, including fingerprint scanner, Passbook, and secure element.
Questions raised about Apple's future plans with these technologies and potential developments in the payment sector.
Hints at upcoming discussions on Apple's identity platform and emphasizes continuous innovation in the tech industry.