Platform Innovation™ Weekly Round Up – June 13

Here’s what we’ve been reading this week.

1. Google reportedly readying health service called Google Fit goo.gl/40dkUg

With Google I/O coming up in a few weeks, news is starting to leak about what Google will announce: Google Fit, Google’s response to HealthKit.

2. Google And Apple Fight For Your Heart As Healthcare Defines The Latest Smartphone War goo.gl/Qaj3hU

Health is the next big area in the ‘smartphone wars.’ With Google and Apple for vying for dominance, what will decide the winner?

The real value, the true unique selling points, will be found in the software. Not just in the apps available or how easy the built-in apps are to use, but the software that will have a memorable real world impact on the user. Create great user experiences, and they will not only stay with a device and the associated ecosystem, but evangelise it to their friends.

The platform that attracts the most producers will win.

3. No More Malls: 5 Disruptive Techs Transforming Retail goo.gl/3MySH7

New connected technology is taking over brick-and-mortar stores. This article provides a quick overview of what you can expect from the retail stores of the future.

4. Priceline Reserves OpenTable For $2.6 Billion, Reservation Site Shares Skyrocket goo.gl/QH3XUl

In the latest big platform acquisition, Priceline buys Opentable for $2.6bn.

5. Billion Dollar Club: Lessons Learned From Uber’s Mega Round goo.gl/EK40rj

Want to build a successful services marketplace? Here are a few lessons you can learn from Uber.

We are on the verge of whole new world of labor verticals where entrepreneurs open up dozens of new resources through mobile and virtual workforces. If Uber, and other labor marketplaces, are a playbook for success, then entrepreneurs should focus on services that require frequent use for either consumers or businesses.

6. Investors think Uber is worth $17 billion. Why that’s not entirely crazy. goo.gl/S7db9s

The Washington Post reviews Uber’s latest round of funding — and why it’s valuation might make sense.

7. Why Uber Might Well Be Worth $18 Billion goo.gl/W1c3nJ

The New York Times’ Andrew Ross Sorkin looks at the economics of Uber’s big deal.

8. How Airbnb Manages Not To Manage Engineers goo.gl/dL2wbz

ReadWrite takes a look inside the engineering culture at Airbnb.

Filed under: Platform Innovation | Topics: Airbnb, apple, Google, mobile health, news, OpenTable, Platform Startup Advisory, platforms, Retail, Uber