Ben Thompson

Taipei

Author/Founder of @stratechery. Host of @ditheringfm @sharptechpod. @notechben for sports. @monkbent on other networks. Home on the Internet.

Articles

2025.19: Platforms and Their Privileges

5 days ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

Welcome back to This Week in Stratechery!As a reminder, each week, every Friday, we’re sending out this overview of content in the Stratechery bundle; highlighted links are free for everyone. Additionally, you have complete control over what we send to you. If you don’t want to receive This Week in Stratechery emails (there is no podcast), please uncheck the box in your delivery settings. On that note, here were a few of our favorites this week. Apple as an Object Lesson in Platform Dominance.
An Interview with SAP CEO Christian Klein About Enterprise AI

6 days ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

Good morning,Today’s Stratechery Interview is with SAP CEO Christian Klein. Klein started working for SAP as a 15 year-old student, and became CEO in 2019 at only 39 years of age. That means that Klein is actually eight years younger than the company he leads, a rarity in tech; SAP was founded in 1972 and has been the leader in business process software, particularly ERP systems, ever since.
Microsoft Earnings, Microsoft’s Core Capability, Amazon Earnings

1 week ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

Microsoft and Amazon are approaching AI differently, in ways that reflect their core capabilities. Subscribe to Stratechery Plus for full access. Already subscribed? $15 / month or $150 / yearWith Stratechery Plus you get access to the subscriber-only Stratechery Update and Stratechery Interviews, and the Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Dithering, Greatest of All Talk, and Asianometry podcasts. Stratechery UpdateSubstantial analysis of the news of the day delivered via three weekly emails or podcasts.
Meta Earnings, Meta’s Deteriorating Ad Metrics, CapEx Meta

1 week ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

Meta’s earnings were received positively by investors, but there were definite causes for concern. Subscribe to Stratechery Plus for full access. Already subscribed? $15 / month or $150 / yearWith Stratechery Plus you get access to the subscriber-only Stratechery Update and Stratechery Interviews, and the Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Dithering, Greatest of All Talk, and Asianometry podcasts. Stratechery UpdateSubstantial analysis of the news of the day delivered via three weekly emails or podcasts.
Platform Power Is Underrated

1 week ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favourable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way against holders of power, increasing as the power increases. Historic responsibility has to make up for the want of legal responsibility. Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
2025.18: Meta and Its Many AI Plans

1 week ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

Welcome back to This Week in Stratechery!As a reminder, each week, every Friday, we’re sending out this overview of content in the Stratechery bundle; highlighted links are free for everyone. Additionally, you have complete control over what we send to you. If you don’t want to receive This Week in Stratechery emails (there is no podcast), please uncheck the box in your delivery settings. On that note, here were a few of our favorites this week. Mark Zuckberg Explains Meta’s AI Strategy.
Apple Held in Contempt, The Crux of the Case, The Takings Clause

1 week ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

The judge in the Epic case released a devastating ruling on Apple’s lack of compliance in terms of allowing links to the win; Apple was clearly in the wrong, but still might win on appeal. Subscribe to Stratechery Plus for full access. Already subscribed? $15 / month or $150 / yearWith Stratechery Plus you get access to the subscriber-only Stratechery Update and Stratechery Interviews, and the Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Dithering, Greatest of All Talk, and Asianometry podcasts.
An Interview with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg About AI and the Evolution of Social Media

2 weeks ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

Good morning,Today’s Stratechery Interview is with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who obviously needs no introduction; I interviewed Zuckerberg previously in October 2021 and October 2022.
Amazon, Trump, and Tariff Costs; Amazon Haul and Temu; Political Lessons

2 weeks ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

Amazon’s collision with the White House over tariffs highlights the political risk factors that every company needs to take seriously. Subscribe to Stratechery Plus for full access. Already subscribed? $15 / month or $150 / yearWith Stratechery Plus you get access to the subscriber-only Stratechery Update and Stratechery Interviews, and the Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Dithering, Greatest of All Talk, and Asianometry podcasts.
Intel Earnings, TSMC Earnings

2 weeks ago | stratechery.com | Ben Thompson

Intel’s earnings were brutal; TSMC, in stark contrast, is absolutely killing it. Subscribe to Stratechery Plus for full access. Already subscribed? $15 / month or $150 / yearWith Stratechery Plus you get access to the subscriber-only Stratechery Update and Stratechery Interviews, and the Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Dithering, Greatest of All Talk, and Asianometry podcasts. Stratechery UpdateSubstantial analysis of the news of the day delivered via three weekly emails or podcasts.