Great stuff from Om Malik. But I disagree with this…

The smartphones didn’t kill the desktop or the notebook computer — it just took away its preeminence as a platform of technology’s future. The “AI” devices are going to do the same for the smartphone — not today, but eventually.

These devices will do nothing to replace smartphones. The only interesting thing they’re doing is integrating AI into core OS features. Smartphones are doing and will continue to do this more. In ways these devices can’t. And nothing about these devices’ form factor or interaction model is truly novel.

Something will replace the smartphone eventually. And its neat that these devices exist and are trying stuff out. But the smartphone will assimilate everything these devices are doing LONG before they’re a threat.

Even setting aside the argument that the reason Apple should maintain the App Store and SDKs because it DIRECTLY BENEFITS THEM. They get software people want which is why people buy iPhones and iPads.

Is there anyone looking at what Apple has done with the App Store in 15 years thinking yes my 30% has been money well spent?

• STILL no upgrade pricing
• Terrible communication channels with customers
• App Review is barely better than a lottery
• App Store pages are a set of images and an essay of plain text.

The only reason most developers use the App Store and Apple’s payment SDKs is because they don’t have a choice.

The only reason Apple can charge 30% and not do much to earn it is because there’s no choice

There are companies who can and would innovate better and faster than Apple. But they aren’t allowed to.

Stripe. Shopify. Square. Some other company that couldn’t start because of Apple’s control.

The App Store itself would be a better experience if Apple was forced to compete.

feeling pretty good about my decision to watch the Emmy’s instead of the Eagles game.

I laughed out loud when they announced Obi Wan Kenobi as an Emmy nominee.