Trends Report

The Clash Of The Digital Platforms

Why 2014 Will See A Flood Of Innovation From Platform Players And How You Can Profit From It

March 7th, 2014
James McQuivey, PhD, VP, Research Director
James McQuivey, PhD VP, Research Director
With contributors:
Alexandra Hayes , David M. Cooperstein

Summary

We're only a month into the year and already the digital platforms so necessary to digital disruption are either flexing their muscles or reporting they have the power to do so. Google acquired Nest for $3.2 billion; Apple disclosed it has nearly $160 billion in the bank; Amazon.com is rumored to be developing a phone and a set-top box; Microsoft has sold millions of its Xbox One game consoles; and Facebook announced it ended 2013 with a record quarter thanks to its mobile advertising plans paying off. These companies are stepping into 2014 ready to take each other on by aggressively pursuing the one thing they all want more of: the time and attention of the end user. In this report, we explain what a digital platform is, what opportunities lay ahead of the platform players, and how other companies will have to partner with, be wary of, and profit from them.

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