eBizz by Chris Salazar

Instagram Feed Facebook Web

Definitely looks like Instagram is working towards the mainstream audience and by their new “web feed” they take a big leap forward.  The look is appealing to newbies and definitely offers a good look into some of Instagram’s functionality, but not all.

At first glance, the new “profile web feed” looks VERY similar to Facebook profiles, which we would imagine since the tool is owned by Facebook.  Instagram is merely teasing the mass audience with this feed in hope to acquire new mobile users.  Here’s a look at the key features Instagram is offering on the web:

• Likes:  We now have the ability to like pictures on the web, which is key to engaging new users.  Scroll bar makes it easy to browse through dozens of pictures in seconds.
• Comments:  As you would expect, comments are enabled and this helps both ends of the user base.  Current users are always looking for more engagement, what better way than this?  For new users, this is Instagram’s way of sucking you in.
• View Photo Page:  In a click of a button, you can easily view a user’s photo stream to view all comments/likes on a specific photo
• Report Inappropriate Pictures:  Definitely a key feature to make sure images stay clean and safe for all audiences
• Profile Page (screenshot above):  Current users have the ability to edit their profile on the fly and make changes.  Easy enough.

Instagram and Facebook are doing their homework and figuring out new ways to engage users.  Uploaded pictures are now part of everyone’s online identity which is very cool, but also alarming.  Now, many users will use caution when uploading new pictures–after all, anyone can see them now.

This is a giant leap forward, but what’s missing?

1. Ability to upload photos via the web  – this IS intentional b/c its “all about producing photos on the go, in the real world, in realtime” but it may deter some users who want to both consume and produce on the web
2. Integration with Facebook - this is a tough one, but we still have not seen any kind of integration with Facebook…will there ever be?  If Facebook can figure out how to integrate the two and it makes sense, this will be a game changer
3. #hashtags - these are still present in pictures, but they are NOT functional on the web feed (mobile app they are).  We heard yesterday on Techmeme about the Super Bowl numbers, so we know how important #hashtags are.  The web feed is about “consumption” right?  ENABLE #HASHTAGS to help users consume data -its the future

Perhaps Comcast is getting ready for the new skype video calling or maybe they’re just trying to push the bar that much more, but they’ve showcased their 1GB broadband speed and its going to drastically change the internet.

To demonstrate the rapid fast speeds, CEO of Comcast, Brian Roberts, downloaded 20+ episodes of 30 Rock in 1 minute!  That’s almost 20 hours of material in 1 minute!  Imagine downloading at these speeds?  WOW.  Again, these new changes by Comcast keep existing customers happy and offer incentives for potential customers to join Comcast.

Thinking ahead, Comcast is ready for 2020 when consumers will be ready for more in their living room and I’m sure other online streaming companies will be right behind them.  Netflix, Hulu and others are already taking market share away from Comcast, but Comcast is not worried.  Roberts says “as they increase their broadband speeds, profits actually increase.”  This is expected, consumers need to know that companies are looking out for their best interest and evolving to provide us with resources to keep up with technology.

Let’s hope this is a catalyst to enhanced cable viewing and internet experiences around the world.  We need internet tools to step away from the competitive platform and instead collaborate.  Satellite and Cable providers are no longer competitors, they’re both battling to stay alive against online streaming companies.

Looks like Skype and Comcast have partnered together and we can count on video calling coming to a TV near you.  This is exciting news as we’re finally seeing companies from different industries come together and provide value-add services.  We need more partnerships like this to keep paying customers happy.  Especially as more cost-effective ways to watch tv and use internet are introduced, this will only help justify spending money on luxury services like Comcast.

There are  few must haves if you want to take advantage of the new services:

• HD Camera - another reason for us to spend money, but its a worthy purchase.  Video calling has been propelled into your living room; virtual holidays sound like a good idea now.
• Skype-Comcast Services - not sure how much Comcast/Skype will charge, but I’m sure it will be yet another add-on.  Although Comcast may want to think about offering this service for free to help existing customers justify paying a hefty monthly charge for internet/cable services (rather than switching to cheaper online alternatives)
• Cable Internet – fast internet connections are a must!  You don’t want a slow internet connection to keep you from quality family time.
• OPTIONAL – HD TV – an optional item, but probably will become a requirement once users adopt the new service.  My guess is quality on HD tvs will look significantly better.  But with the drop in HD tv prices, I’m sure this wont be a problem for most consumers.
• FUTURE MUST HAVE – Recording Software - Comcast and Skype must figure out a way to allow consumers to record video conversations and store them on their DVR or to the cloud.  But, I know people will want an archive of key video sessions to refer to later.  Its important and is a must have in phase 2.

Definitely some good news for these two companies and will hopefully keep existing customers happy and attract new customers.  Comcast is struggling as of late as competition heightens between satellite and other internet services such as Netflix and Hulu.  See the official Press Release here.

The new Farmville spin-off will be online soon and guess which music super star is leading the way?  Lady Gaga…the new project will be called GagaVille.  The project will be launched next week, but already there is so much buzz around this.

GagaVille will feature unicorns, crystals and of course Lady Gaga’s music.  GagaVille users will get exclusive snippets of Lady Gaga’s new album and even free downloads in certain stages of the game.  Is this the new direction of music artists?  Not entirely sure, but this experiment will sure be either a hit or bust.  Some will like this idea and some will hate it, but any press is good press right?  Either way, Gaga’s brand awareness will sky rocket.  Its a sweet setup for her and her team.

This is a clear example of gamification used in the celeb world to create a game out of Lady Gaga’s real life.  This game will bring in real objects (music snippets) and challenge users to achieve certain levels in the game to find out more clues about an upcoming album, tour or collaboration.

Almost 2 years ago, I tweeted to Bad Boy Entertainment telling Diddy to create such a game based around “Last Train to Paris,” but no response.  Maybe it wasn’t the right timing, but what if they would have listened to my innocent tweets?  :)

Wow, a few days ago I posted that Google/Facebook were in the run to purchase Skype, but in a stunning twist of fate, Microsoft’s deal with Skype is complete.

This is Microsoft’s first big acquisition since 2008 and its a big one.  Skype has been trying to spread their technology to several different platforms in all segments today’s tech world (gaming, mobile, corporate, etc) and now Microsoft will have its chance to integrate it with all of their products as well.  Aside from the xbox 360 Kinect, I’m not sure what other products will benefit, but we will see.  I still think Facebook would have been the better choice.  Analysts agree that maybe this specific deal between Skype and Microsoft wasn’t the best, but for different reasons than me.  In fact, Whitney Tilson, founder and a managing partner of T2 Partners LLC, who owns Microsoft shares, also includes:

I wish they had not done it.  Initially when I first read about it, I hated the deal. Now, I don’t like it.  Everybody I know uses it and I am glad Microsoft owns it. They just probably paid too much for it.

Others, including Kim Caughey Forrest, senior analyst at Fort Pitt Capital Group, which holds Microsoft shares, said:

They really have to do some explaining as to how this company merited that price and how they’ll return the value to shareholders.

Time will tell, Microsoft could prove to prevail with this acquisition and make the next big killer Kinect and Skype combo OR reach everyone in the world!

Interesting news to come out of today’s business world.  Cannot wait to see what comes next from either of these two corporations.