A few days ago, I reported Facebook purchased What’s App. I hinted what it could mean for these two businesses and the consumer. But what is ‘What’s App’?
First off, it’s the most popular instant messaging app in the world, with over 400 million users to date and growing. This instant messaging app trend began in Asia, but is really taking off here in the US. Apps like this can be simple, or you can be simple with What’s App, or you can get very creative. Some of What’s App’s competitors are getting creative, like Japan’s Line, which was founded in the wake of that nation’s devastating tsunami in March 2011. Now, Line is on the way to becoming the premier instant gaming message app.
This is an industry that is growing by leaps and bounds, and Facebook’s purchase will make it grow even more. But in addition to Facebook purchasing the What’s App, I’d like to see American innovators building an instant message app that’s just as good, if not better than What’s App or Line. I’d like to see them remain independent for as long as they can, which in this day and age, probably won’t be that long. So who will be that American inventor to step up with the ultimate instant massaging app?
Google Glass wants to be the next big thing. But in the age of surveillance controversy, everyone is questioning everything. Google Glass is doing it’s part to clam concerns.
Google is putting out a code of ethics of how to use these glasses. I like the term ‘Don’t be a glasshole’ (I hope this doesn’t become some new catch phrase!). But they’re basically reminding users not to use glass where cell phones aren’t allowed. If you’re asked to turn your cell phone off, turn the glass off too. Don’t be rude. But this code does encourage you to ask for permission before taking a picture and treat it like you would your cell phone.
I know they’re trying to make Google Glass popular and acceptable in the wake of the NSA scandals and other controversies, but it’s not working for me. The reason it’s not working for me isn’t because of the Google Glass itself, but it’s because of the human being behind the glass. Look at how many people take pictures of cell phones and puts them on social media, whether you want them to or not. Look at how many celebrities and even regular people get their private business leaked, not by a stranger, but often a jilted lover or even a family member or so-called friend. What about how employers are firing and/or refusing to hire people based on their online pictures. That is my real fear with Google Glass. And this list isn’t really covering that. That’s even scarier. Do you think people will respect other people’s privacy with Google Glass?
At a meeting Friday, the 7th of February, Yahoo CEO Marissa Meyer announced an alliance between her mega search engine site and Yelp. Yelp’s reviews will be incorporated into the search engine.
You can expect to see this partnership unfold in the next several weeks. In a constant struggle to turn around fortunes of the world’s former #1 search engine web site, Mrs. Meyer hopes this integration can help compete with Google, the current search engine king, and Bing, the rising prince. Yelp already has partnerships with Microsoft and Apple. Keep in mind search engines make up for about a third of Yahoo’s annual revenue.
Yahoo’s search engine revenue has increased eight percent in the last quarter. I’m wondering if Yelp will keep the up trend going. Reviews are a huge part of any search engine, and a huge part of most businesses today. How often do you look at reviews before you check into a hotel, or eat at a restaurant, or even call for a taxi? I find myself checking reviews often. So why not combine a popular review site with a popular search engine site to gain the edge? It makes perfect sense to me. Do you think a Yahoo and Yelp partnership will work?
Just 24 hours after Microsoft announced their CEO, Google announced it’s new YouTube leader. She will replace it’s current boss Salar Kamanger, whose held the position since 2010, and is now off to other Google ventures.
The new You Tube boss is Susan Wojcicki. She was one of the first Google employees, even had the headquarters in her own garage. For years, Wojcicki has been looking for a major leadership role. Now she has one, though she’s stepping in a whirlwind of uncertainty. There’s a tug-of-war going on between those who complain they’re not making enough money and those who want to turn it into a the next TV network. You Tube attracts over a billion visitors a month and has rumored to have profited over 5 billion in 2013 alone.
It’s interesting to see where this goes. I see Google stuck with one of their first and most loyal employees. I think that’s saying a lot. If you can’t trust someone whose been there since the beginning, who can you trust? And there are many who are actually watching YouTube channels as much, maybe a little bit more, than network TV. Plus, Wojcicki is an ad exec. Who better than an ad exec to clear up the ad problems and bring more revenue? Of course, I can’t even watch a YouTube video without an ad, but oh well. What do you think YouTube’s future will hold when Susan Wojcicki takes over?
The Super Bowl is perhaps the biggest advertising day in America. But they’re not stopping with TV ads. This year, a more personal brand of advertising will great fans in grater New York City.
That’s because this year, the NFL [National Football League] has put up wireless transmitters so ads can be sent to your own personal phone. Though they’ve been testing this for months, if successful, this kind of advertising could revolutionize the ad and the smartphone industry. The first waves will start out with practical info and some in-store promotions. But privacy and legal advocates are saying not so fast. They’re concerned of tracking, spamming, and even identity theft.
Now don’t go watching the game tomorrow night expecting a text message from Budweiser, Go Daddy, Macy’s, Pepsi-Cola, or any other major corporations.?These ads will only go to those in Times Square and those watching the game live at Met Life?Stadium in East?Rutherford, New Jersey. That may not?be the case next year. I’m sure if they had their way, our phones will be blowing up with ads not only during this big game, but everywhere every day. I hope the advertisers know how annoying and what a nuisance that can be. And the advocates have a right to be concerned. In the wake of the Target and?Neiman Marcus?breaches,?it’s becoming easier?for hackers to steal IDs and ruin lives every day. They don’t need anymore invitations. But if they?keep it safe and keep it sane, these phone ads can be a good thing.?Come next Super Bowl, if you got a phone ad from any advertiser, who would it be?
What did you do for your 10th birthday? Did you have a party in your backyard? Did you get the latest video game system or game, maybe go to a concert? Guess who is about to turn another decade ?
On February 4, 2004, Facebook was founded in Mark Zuckerberg’s dorm room at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. But don’t expect Zuckerberg to throw any parties or attend any concerts to mark the occasion. You’ll probably find him writing memos to better his company and better himself. In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, though he is critical of himself, he is grateful of where and the company is right now. With over half the world’s population online and with competitors like Twitter, and with many teenagers logging off Facebook for good, there are many challenges ahead. Zuckerberg wouldn’t have it any other way.
On the other hand, he has a lot to be grateful about. He’s a billionaire before the age of 30. Facebook is used by over 1.20 billion people worldwide and is expected to be the first company ever to reach $150 billion worth in the shortest amount of time. Not long ago, Facebook’s stocks were struggling to reach $20 a share. As of today, a share will run you $61. And let’s not forget about the impact it’s had on it’s users. As for me personally, I’ve reunited with people who I thought I’d never hear from again. Where do you think Facebook will be by it’s 2oth birthday?
