Rakesh Agrawal

Rakesh Agrawal is an analyst focused on the intersection of local, social and mobile. He is a principal analyst at reDesign mobile. Previously, he launched local, mobile and search products for Microsoft and AOL. He blogs at http://redesignmobile.com; and tweets at @rakeshlobster.

 

Disclosures: I have investments in $AAPL, $AXP, $EBAY, $FB, $GOOG, $MCRS, $OPEN and $PAY. I have short interests in $AOL, $BBY, $GRPN, $SFLY, $YELP.

stories by Rakesh Agrawal

Google Wallet: Leave home without it

Sometimes companies do something just to feel like they’re making progress, even if that something makes no sense. That’s the only way I can rationalize what Google is doing with the latest twist on its Wallet initiative.

Wallet previously allowed …

Facebook users aren’t created equal

How much is a Facebook user worth? Well, that depends on where the user is from.

(Disclosure: I have short-term options against Facebook, but I believe it’s a fantastic company in the long term.)

Based on Facebook’s second quarter earnings, …

The future of local is real time and mobile

Since the mid-1990s, entrepreneurs have been trying to tackle the local market. Many have failed. Others, like Yelp and Groupon, have been successful selling services to small businesses, but those services are of dubious value. (Disclosure: I have puts against …

12 photos of Larry Ellison’s gorgeous new Hawaiian island, Lana’i

What do you buy if you’re a rich, eccentric billionaire with nearly everything? Why, an island, of course!

Oracle’s Larry Ellison is buying 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lana’i.

I’ve had the opportunity to visit most of the main …

It’s time to KO the punch card

Digital punch cards for small businesses are a stupid form of loyalty marketing.

LevelUp, Groupon, and now Square are offering small businesses the equivalent of the old punch cards to help them retain customers. These mimic the traditional punch cards …