Google

Simply met platform account managers often to gain beta access. Simply shares plans, roadmaps and challenges with its Apple and Google account managers and meets them bi-weekly on Simply Piano. The relationship brought beta program access and design partnerships with both platforms.

Simply also sent developers to WWDC with real problems and got access to Apple sound engineers. The advice: "embrace this collaboration and keep ongoing communication with your account manager."

Acquired▶ 10:41

Simply built for Android XR early through a dedicated pod. When a new device or form factor like Vision Pro or Android XR appears, Simply works out which product benefits most and spins up a pod that works closely with the platform to ship at release. The aim is to be early on a future platform, not to earn revenue right away.

Design partnerships come as a side benefit. Quote: "It's not about an ROI right now with the direct revenues."

Acquired▶ 55:38

Google teams leaned on data until told to talk to customers. Cagan says Google relied on data alone until Robbie, a speaker from Google, told teams to talk to customers. The lesson is to ask why people are not using your product, including those who churned or never adopted.

Cagan churns from many products he tries and says almost nobody follows up with a survey or email to ask why. Quote: "Probably the single most important question is why are people using our product or not using our product?"

Lenny's Podcast▶ 59:45

Simply turned campaigns off in separate geos to measure cannibalization. Simply turned off app campaigns in one geo and web campaigns in another, then watched organic traffic and cross-app effects. The goal was enough truth in CAC modeling to decide where to put the next dollar.

Perfect attribution was not the aim. Quote: "it's never about perfect attribution."

Acquired▶ 22:31

Google treated Nest as a stepchild and the smoke alarm was discontinued. Tony Fadell points to a cultural and probably business mismatch between Google and Nest.

He also says he wants Google and Apple to build more digital consumption tools.

Acquired