Ben Thompson:

Apple lost more money to currency fluctuations than Google makes in a quarter. And yet it's Google that is feared, and Apple that is feared for.

Horace Dediu:

In 2014 iOS app developers earned more than Hollywood did from box office in the US.

Binyamin Appelbaum:

Disney estimates that "Frozen" brought in more than $1 billion in retail revenue over the last year. In most years, Disney makes more money from selling branded movie merchandise than from the actual movies.

Kelsey McKinney:

Taylor Swift has trademarked everything from "public appearances" and "clothing" to "ornaments" under the phrase "This Sick Beat" which comes from the first single to her album 1989 "Shake it Off."

For many (not necessarily for Swift), album sales and streaming are no longer ways to make money as a career. One of the dominant income sources for many artists -- whether they're top sellers like Swift or tiny singer-songwriters -- is merchandise sales.