# Top 10 in Tech - What to know for Week ending February 15, 2019 Published: 15 February 2019 Canonical: https://www.top10in.tech/posts/week-ending-february-15-2019 ## 1. SMARTPHONES Folding display screens are coming for your phones. With both [Samsung](https://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-infinity-flex-video-2018-11) and [Xiaomi](https://www.businessinsider.com/xiaomi-teased-a-double-folding-smartphone-just-2-months-after-samsung-2019-1) announcing and demonstrating prototypes earlier this year and [again this week](https://www.pcworld.com/article/3339719/mobile/samsung-folding-phone-odds.html). Link: https://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-infinity-flex-video-2018-11 ## 2. FACEBOOK The Federal Cartel Office (FCO), which is the Anti-trust Watchdog of Germany has [ordered Facebook to stop combining user data](https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/7/18215143/facebook-whatsapp-instagram-third-party-user-data-combined-banned-germany-fco-competition) across Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. The FCO [argues that Facebook’s market dominance makes it impossible for users to give true voluntary consent](https://www.bundeskartellamt.de/SharedDocs/Meldung/EN/Pressemitteilungen/2019/07_02_2019_Facebook.html). This could really impact Facebooks ability to deploy targeted advertising using hyper-personal profiles. (Which will likely upset a major part of its current business model). Link: https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/7/18215143/facebook-whatsapp-instagram-third-party-user-data-combined-banned-germany-fco-competition ## 3. SaaS GROWTH One of the best presentations at [SaaStr Annual](https://www.saastrannual.com/) this year was by [Mark Roberge](https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=869446) of [Stage 2 Capital](https://www.stage2.capital/) and Harvard Business School. Providing a handy [step-by-step guide to revenue growth](https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/75247c_4ccb759ab5c5413b9cc4694ba6d85515.pdf) (downloadable PDF). Link: https://www.saastrannual.com/ ## 4. FREE TRIALS? This is good. The [Top 10 Learnings from the Redpoint Free Trial Survey](https://tomtunguz.com/top-10-learnings-from-the-redpoint-free-trial-survey) results were released during SaaStr Annual last week. Lets start with the fact that top quartile respondents observe net dollar retention of 120% - upsell/crosssell and renewals are key! The other interesting tidbit - What is the optimal duration of a Free Trial? Turns out that it doesn’t matter. Conversion results at 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 30 days all stayed at pretty much the same rate (15-16%). Link: https://tomtunguz.com/top-10-learnings-from-the-redpoint-free-trial-survey ## 5. TEXT MESSAGES Have you ever wanted a deeper dive into the effectiveness of texting as a business tool? Huh!?! you say. Well me too. But [check it out](https://go.zipwhip.com/rs/013-HWD-293/images/State%20of%20Texting%202019.pdf). It’s a really powerful communication tool (as long as you reply). Link: https://go.zipwhip.com/rs/013-HWD-293/images/State%20of%20Texting%202019.pdf ## 6. PRODUCT LAUNCH Take a deep dive with the team from [Intercom](https://www.intercom.com/) on [evolving product launches at scal](https://www.intercom.com/blog/how-to-evolve-product-launches-as-you-grow)e. Link: https://www.intercom.com/ ## 7. SUBSCRIPTION DELIVERIES The [science and data behind the subscription delivery movement](https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/the-science-and-data-behind-the-subscription-box-craze%0A) of the last few years. Why do we love them so much? Link: https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/the-science-and-data-behind-the-subscription-box-craze%0A ## 8. AI Artificial Intelligence is the next big technological thing (as long as we [manage it ethically](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-framework-ensures-ethical-ai-solutions-11156218)). So who will be a stand out AI Business in 2019? [Business Insider takes a look at 12 with potential](https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-startups-that-will-boom-in-2019-according-to-vcs-2019-2/). Link: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-framework-ensures-ethical-ai-solutions-11156218 ## 9. SEED 2018 was a [measurable banner of a year for VC spend](https://www.slideshare.net/msuster/is-vc-still-a-thing-final/6-6We_all_know_that_startupfundin) - [records were broken](https://www.pwc.com/us/en/moneytree-report/moneytree-report-q4-2018.pdf). Things seem rosy, but while we saw cheque size increasing, and competition between investors intensifying, [that is not necessarily the rule of thumb for companies at Seed Stage of growth](https://bothsidesofthetable.com/why-has-seed-investing-declined-and-what-does-this-mean-for-the-future-6a9572357130), with seed investments down by all measure (dollars, deals and funds). Link: https://www.slideshare.net/msuster/is-vc-still-a-thing-final/6-6We_all_know_that_startupfundin ## 10. TRANSFORMATION Digitalizing the business model has had massive dramatic effects on many companies in recent years. But [how do companies progress their efforts to digitalize the business model](https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/digital-mckinsey/our-insights/a-winning-operating-model-for-digital-strategy)? This is a great overview of how to think about this strategically and tactically from the team at McKinsey. Link: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/digital-mckinsey/our-insights/a-winning-operating-model-for-digital-strategy ## POD OF THE WEEK McKinsey discuss how companies can [ethically deploy artificial intelligence.](https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/artificial-intelligence/the-ethics-of-artificial-intelligence) **BONUS**: The Information are currently testing out their news and analyst services by providing courses on specific topics. Very interesting approach. Check out their first course, all about……….Scooters…well, “Micromobility” You can [register for this 101 course here](https://www.theinformation.com/courses/micromobility). It’s a 15-day guided primer on the multi-billion dollar global industry for small transportation vehicles, one of the most hyped startup sectors to emerge over the past year. Link: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/artificial-intelligence/the-ethics-of-artificial-intelligence