I like #Pandora, but don't see how they can compete against the giants like #Apple, #Amazon, and #Google, $AAPL, $AMZN, $GOOGL

I'd be interested to know if competitors like #Google have followed suit in banning #bitcoin ads. $FB $GOOGL $BITCOMP

I think breaking up #Alphabet would cause more problems for $GOOGL than it would solve.

Did #Alphabet make or lose money on it's 2017 divestitures? $GOOGL

Nice article @[Richard Bookstaber](user:35121), but your entire argument hinges on this statement: "People will know what they want without the advertisers that are outside their social circle chiming in."

I'm not sure I'd agree with that. What is your rationale for that conclusion? People need to first learn about a product somewhere. For me yes, sometimes it is from a friend, but more often than not, it is initially from some form of advertising. $FB $GOOGL $AAPL

Sounds like an interesting product. But can you elaborate on how this differentiates from the advancements in voice recognition that companies like #Google, #Amazon and #Apple are making? Hard to see how you can compete with them. $GOOGL $AMZN $AAPL

But can they even afford smart-phones to use the internet? Plus, the cheapest in-app purchase I've ever seen is 99 cents. Practically free for Americans, but not for people living up $2.50 per day. I still don't see how these companies can make money off this. Especially #Airbus. At least #Google and #Facebook can make some profits on increased advertising. Please enlighten me.

$GOOGL $FB $EADSY

Smart how these companies are finding innovative ways of expanding their customer base under the guise of helping people. This should certainly help their bottom line. $GOOGL $FB $EADSY

There is something magical about #Apple, #Amazon, #Facebook and #Google. Did the author provide any insight into any other companies? $AAPL $AMZN $FB $GOOGL

Sounds like an interesting read. But it doesn't sound like it answers the deeper questions. For example, I agree that #Apple creates a form of lust in it's loyal customers, to, as you said, "driving them to pay irrational prices when there are essentially identical products available from competitors at far lower prices." But HOW has Apple achieved this? Yes, #Amazon has built itself up from an upstart book seller, to essentially being able to provide for every aspect of our lives. but HOW did they manage to achieve this? Every other book seller is now either still just selling books, or out of business all together. $AAPL $AMZN $FB $GOOGL