Google plans to roll out several major improvements to its social network, Google+, during the next three months.
One early improvement will be Google Doc integration. This enhancement is expected to be available within a week.
Future improvements include deeper integration with Google search, YouTube, Google Maps, and the company's mobile operating system, Android.
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A Fan of Facebook
Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Opsware and founding partner of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, said on stage at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Fransisco today that Facebook is the best run company in the entire technology industry. He also praised Mark Zuckerberg specifically, describing him as one of the "best young CEOs in the business."
What is Facebook's key to success? According to Ben, it's because Mark and his team are so thoughtful about product strategy.
Ben says that when new hires arrive at Facebook, they commonly must accept lower titles than is standard for them. It's a bold precedent established by Mark that acts as a filter—he doesn't want people who are focused on status, he wants people who are focused on building great products.
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At today's Web 2.0 Summit, Napster co-founder Sean Parker stated that "there is good creepy, and there is bad creepy," when asked by his interviewer whether social network Facebook was getting a "little creepy." Sean, who is a major shareholder in the company, didn't answer the question directly (for obvious reasons) but thought-provokingly said "today's creepy is tomorrow's necessity."
In terms of privacy, it's not a problem for Facebook, or at least not its biggest, the Spotify investor believes. The biggest problem, according to Sean, "is the glut of information from power users," who he notes are now moving to competitors like Twitter and Google+. Facebook needs to control users who over-share and flood news streams—a filter mechanism not unlike Circles would be apt.
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Google engineer Steve Yegge posted a note on Google+ last night intended to be internal—but winded up external.
His 5,000 word, essay-like rant was bursting at the seams with one strong opinion: Google+ sucks.
The post was taken down from his profile but can be read in full here—and it's worth a read. I could discuss it at length but his own words will paint the clearest picture. In his op-ed of a sort, he called Google+ a "pathetic afterthought" among other things, and praised competitors like Facebook and Amazon.
Steve has since posted a follow-up (also worth a read).
First things first, I’m no Facebook worshipper. In fact, I use all leading social networks for definitive needs. I use LinkedIn as a professional networking and hiring tool, Twitter as a means for marketing, YouTube for video promotions and Facebook for advertising and customer service. And I’ve to admit that I’ve liked whatever I’ve seen of Google+ so far as well.
I strongly believe that the social network landscape has changed vastly in the last one year. Facebook started off as a low-key affair and then gradually went from strength to strength, emerging as the world’s largest social network. In contrast, Google+ arrived with a bang. However, barely a couple of months since it launched, questions are being asked whether Google+ can sustain its growth.
In fact, critics were quick to predict that Google+ would spell doom’s day for Facebook. Not only did the world’s leading social network survive the Google+ onslaught, it’s actually responded back in style – beating Google+ at its own games. In my opinion, Facebook offers valuable lessons on how we should stay relevant in our social and professional lives and make the most of the opportunities that come our way.
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After some complexities, Facebook has finally launched an official iPad app.
Consumers have been waiting patiently the social network to release an app optimized for Apple's popular tablet, and as of today they need wait no more.
The app features things that the iPhone counterpart lacks, such as chat and games. The app is free and ready for download on Apple's App Store.
UPDATE 3: Invoke Media and HootSuite were initially quiet about the rising speculation that Mark Zuckerberg was visiting Vancouver to acquire the social media dashboard. However, after the Wall Street Journal picked up our story, HootSuite CEO Ryan Holmes tweeted, "@facebook isn't buying @hootsuite anytime soon."
The last bit—"anytime soon"—is open to interpretation. It could mean they are in the early stages of discussion… or it could just mean it's not happening (ever).
UPDATE 2: The Facebook CEO could very well be in town to discuss acquiring social media dashboard HootSuite, if growing rumours can be belived.
People have guessed numerous reasons why Zuck is in Vancouver, but the most common reason noted across comments (below), tweets, and private messages has been talk of an acquisition. And interestingly, HootSuite is the name that's been floating around as the specific company. Local radio station The Beat 94.5 was discussing this possibility today as well.
It would certainly make sense: HootSuite, born from Invoke Media, is Vancouver-based and also a logical target for Facebook—especially considering the social network company is trying to be more active with acquistions.
Back in May, semi-competitor Twitter bought TweetDeck for $40 million.
HootSuite has continually expanded its offerings, adding analytics tools to its roster of services and most recently integrating with LinkedIn.
UPDATE: So far he's been reportedly seen at Gastown on hastings, near UBC in a BMW rental, and at a furniture store with a woman. But it has not yet been confirmed officially why he is in town.
ORIGINAL: Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is hanging out on the wet West Coast here in Vancouver.
Evidenced online by a Facebook status update (that had location on), Zuck is definitely in town but the "why" of it all is unclear.
Vancouverites were surprised to see the hoodie-clad social network creator strolling down Hastings Street in the historic Gastown yesterday.
Could he be here for the acquisition of a Vancouver startup? Perhaps. Opening night for the Vancouver Canucks? Unless he has a thing for the Penguins—sans Crosby, too—probably not. Maybe he just likes how pretty Vancouver is (although he's a month late on catching any rays).
If you know any details please share them in the comments.
Photo: @Felix_K_
Nissan Canada has planted the seeds for a new program that rewards Nissan Leaf fans and the Canadian landscape. In partnership with Tree Canada, Nissan Canada will plant one tree for each new “Like” the Nissan Leaf Facebook page—up to 12,500 trees. To kick off the program, employees from Nissan Canada and Tree Canada joined forces on Wednesday to plant 50 trees in Moccasin Trail Park in East Toronto.
There is also a nationwide “We Dig Trees” contest. The Nissan Leaf Facebook page is the central point to enter the contest. Users who “Like” the page will be eligible for the grand prize of either a four day west coast sailing adventure in British Columbia or a six day east coast whale watching excursion in Newfoundland.
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Two Vancouver digital agencies, SplitMango Media and Patio Social, have joined forces to launch a new Facebook app for businesses.
Pholiofy will allow businesses and nonprofit organizations create their own custom Facebook landing pages using the WordPress platform. The first of its kind in Canada, Pholiofy claims to be the first business-to-business app to use WordPress for Facebook landing page development and administration. It fills "a huge need" for businesses of all sizes. By using the WordPress platform, businesses will be able to create a professional landing page for Facebook "in under 15 minutes."
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Most non-techsters will know him as Justin Timberlake in The Social Network.
Sean Parker, cofounder of Napster and Plaxo, is also the founding president of Facebook, which is probably why he's never had a Twitter account.
Sean Parker is now gaining new Twitter followers every second (he's gained several hundred while writing this post). So far, he has just one tweet:
Sorry Zuck, I had to do it eventually. (Actually @scooterbraun made me do it.)
Sean has had a Facebook Page for a while with an enviable URL and 30,000 subscribers. We'll see if he continues to maintain or catches the Twitter bug. Either way I fancy he'll fetch a lot more than 30,000 followers.