The future of social interactivity on the Internet is about learning what your friends, and in some cases strangers around the world, are doing -- right now. It’s reflected in the emerging trend of microblogging, a popular tool for quickly posting short text entries about one’s daily activities. The “right now” aspect of this brand new form of blogging could also play a big role in the future of advertising and marketing.
Posting one or two line entries in a microblog allows you to update your audience quickly. You can post microblog entries directly on a hosting company’s Website, via email, instant messaging, or SMS.You can use a computer to post, but cellular phones are the prolific microblogger’s device of choice because they're the key to the “right now” concept.
Although the posts can be read on a computer, microblog services are creating mobile-friendly Websites that are easier to use and view.Increasingly, microbloggers are being offered client software for transmitting and viewing posts on phones.Indeed, “microblog” implies short messages, which are easier to read on a phone’s small screen.
Twitter, the most famous microblog company, limits messages to 140 characters.Pownce and Jaiku -- purchased by Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) -- also are well known. The short messages appear as a stream of conversations in reverse chronological order, just as with traditional Weblogs. You may allow specific people or anyone to view your posts, and add and delete friends, just as with social networking sites.
In fact, many social networking sites, such as Facebook (Nasdaq: FB), provide microblog-like features where users may post what they are doing.The lines between social networking and microblogging are blurring somewhat.
Banality is relative Microblogging is ideal for users who don’t want to write a regular blog post, which may often be much longer.It’s also for thoughts that might not be relevant to your regular blog, such as “I’m drinking a latte at Starbucks” or “I’m looking at the 150-inch TV at the Panasonic booth at CES” or “Where I can find an inexpensive red silk blouse in London?”
Microblogging has been criticized for the banality of the messages.But a friend, who might be passing by the Starbucks you're in, may want to join you after receiving the message.A business colleague might be able to find you at CES.A stranger in London might recommend a great shop for blouses.
Sure, you can provide the same information with a phone call or an SMS, but microblogging is immediate broadcasting to groups.The value of microblogging, as with traditional blogging, isn’t necessarily about how many readers you have.Check out Twittervision, a fascinating mashup of Twitter and Google Maps to see what and where people are twittering around the world.
Important ramifications Microblogging’s ramifications go way beyond arbitrary posts, such as “My cat vomited on the carpet for the second time today.”It’s a way to get the word out quickly in critical situations.W. David Stevenson, a homeland security expert, discusses the value of microblogging for families who can quickly provide information to each other during emergencies.
Private and public organizations are using microblogging to quickly broadcast vital information. Microblog posts offered timely updates during the devastating fires in San Diego last year when people were desperate to learn about the rapidly changing conditions. The Red Cross set up notifications on Twitter.
Companies are already experimenting with microblogging to create more opportunities to engage with audiences and employees.News organizations, such as CNN, CBS Marketwatch, and The New York Times, offer microblog feeds.In other cases, businesses are testing microblogs to provide short messages to project teams, without the spam and irrelevant messages inherent in email.
For better and worse, companies have discovered microblogging for advertising.JetBlue promotes its services and promotions with a Twitter feed, as do Carnival Cruise Lines and IntelSoftware.Microblogging is especially useful for limited-time offerings.
The microblog future Regardless of what you think about the concept, microblogging is here to stay. It is tailormade for the Internet: an always on, always connected, always reachable environment that’s accessed via multiple devices, technologies, and applications.You could always turn off your device, but most of you won’t.
I just posted a comment, in another of my "Thinkernet" columns ("Us vs. Them on 'The Internets'"), about how Twitter helped a journalism student get released from jail in Egypt. If you're interested in learning about it, check out my comment:
This isn't a "reply," but I wanted to post an addendum to my microblogging column: "The New York Times" has published a fairly long article about the effects of microblogging in politics, "Campaign Reporting in Under 140 Taps."
The article highlights the political Twittering of John Dickerson, the chief political correspondent for the online magazine, "Slate." But the article also notes that a few other journalists have started political microblogging, including Ana Marie Cox of "Time" and Marc Ambinder, a politics blogger for "The Atlantic."
I like being able to refer to other "Thinkernet" writers.
In my original article on microblogging, I linked to Mary E. Shacklett's column about shopping as a social activity, but it was eliminated because of space constraints. I mentioned her discussion of "social retailing," that employs e-mail, SMS and IM.
Thanks very much for pointing that out. I actually saw that headline, but it didn't register or I would have definitely noted and linked to it in my reply. I first saw the articles on TechMeme
I'm glad you like the topics I pick. It isn't always easy selecting a "big" wireless Internet "think piece" that examines a technology or concept that could or does influence the future of the Internet -- the theme of this Web site.
Just about all technology is a mixed blessing. Always-on services like Twitter have good and bad aspects. I certainly agree that these type of services -- microblogging, social networking -- are most useful and appropriate for people who, are willing to provide more information about their lives.
This greater openness and less desire for privacy is a hallmark of "Internet generations." I guess that typically means people under 30, although I'm ** way ** older and I'd love to be plugged into a worldwide information "datasphere," whether by sticking a jack into the back of my neck or a more elegant bioengineering/nanotechnology solutions!
Very timely: Check out Google's latest round of philanthropy....
Press release: http://www.google.com/intl/en/press/pressrel/20080117_googleorg.html
CNET News article: http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9852369-7.html?tag=nefd.top
Google is giving money to InSTEDD (Innovative Support to Emergencies, Diseases and Disaster) to use cellular and the Internet, including services like Twitter and Facebook, to disseminate information during emergencies, such as weather disasters, epidemics, etc.
People who think microblogging is simply about banality should think again. (Yeah, Twittervision really is fascinating!)
I like the topics you pay attention to on this forum, your posts always fuel a lot of discussion. Microblogging seems a bit of a mixed blessing, and I hadn't thought that much about examples in which it actually would be useful––in stead of just for fun/general annoyance.
What I would like to see happening, is Twitter or other microblog facilitating software to become fully GPS paired––so that Microblogs could get tagged to a specific location. That's why I really liked that widget you mentioned in which twitter and google maps have been integrated. In that case, if you're looking for that red shirt in London, a helpful citizen could more accurately turn you in the right direction. This option would however only appeal to those who's life is transparent already, and don't mind that...
There's no doubt we are receiving more and more information as the years go by. And the younger we are, the more information we are -- and will be -- receiving.
The definition of information overload is changing. What we thought was "a lot" of information ten years ago is the norm today. What is the norm today will be a drop in the proverbial nformation bucket tomorrow.
I'm sure many of the social networking, microblogging and other "presence" type of sites will eventually die/fall out of favor. But the trend is clear: Increasing amounts of information. With blogging, microblogging, GPS-based services, social networking, etc. combined with greater wireless coverage, we will become more attuned to multitasking.
As a "Thinkernet" writer, Dr. Kim Solez, discussed a day ago, there is a more efficient and growing "digital intelligence" --
Some people hate this trend and will rebel against it. Indeed, even tech-savvy people are having a difficult time dealing with the plethora of "presence" services demanding attention. But most of us will cope, and the speed and amount of information with which we need to deal will increase.
Oh -- it's not a very good idea to drink and do much of anything else -- microblog, blog, speak to your bosses wife/husband....
I haven't yet decided whether microblogging is a useful social tool or unbridled narcissism. I like the status updates on Facebook. It helps me keep in touch with friends who recently moved to Finland, in spite of the time difference. Twitter even proved useful at Christmas when I was trying to find a Wii for my daughter -- one twitter from my husband and several minutes later, a friend told me exactly where to find one.
But I can't escape the feeling that in general, it's simply too much information. For instance, I can tell from the Facebook status messages of an acquaintance that she's depressed but I don't know her well enough to ask about it. And then there was the drunk twitter from another friend insulting his fiancee's boss which caused a bit of a ruckus. Note to self: don't drink and Twitter.
Which all leads me to wonder, are we really better off knowing so much more about each other?
The ThinkerNet does not reflect the views of TechWeb. The ThinkerNet is an informal means of communication to members and visitors of the Internet Evolution site. Individual authors are chosen by Internet Evolution to blog. Neither Internet Evolution nor TechWeb assume responsibility for comments, claims, or opinions made by authors and ThinkerNet bloggers. They are no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for trading or any other purpose.
The apartment and house sharing service, Airbnb, now requires members to verify their identities by demonstrating a presence on the web, and by either scanning a government ID or entering detailed personal details. Other enterprises should take a close look at Airbnb's verification policies.
Enterprises must keep a close eye on the Marketplace Fairness Act, now before Congress, which would allow a nationwide sales tax on US online purchases. The bill's enactment will affect every business that operates or buys from an e-commerce website.
Samsung Electronics recently announced two Galaxy Mega branded phones with enormous screens -- 5.8 inches and 6.3 inches -- that could be useful for enterprises, especially those in vertical markets.
Virtual walls combine analog and digital elements -- paper posters and wireless transmissions -- that offer fascinating business and branding opportunities for enterprises. These walls are powerful tools because they merge the emotional experiences of the analog world with the intellectual experiences of the digital world.
While many retailers bemoan customers' use of showrooming, a handful of Internet-savvy companies are embracing this trend. From their perspective, the Internet is encouraging businesses to explore innovative ways to leverage online sales with brick-and-mortar or even engine-and-wheels locations.
For users with large numbers of Twitter followers, the service has become irrelevant. Is this the beginning of the end for the short message service we have allegedly loved?
More companies are trolling social networks to find and vet potential job candidates. Beware the pitfalls of blurring the line between personal and professional lives.
Facebook's Graph Search may face some profound challenges and risks, first, because Facebook users haven't been thinking of their posts as product reviews; and second, because Facebook will now have to contend with the social-network equivalent of SEO "gaming" of results.
A recent release of the popular TweetDeck app for Twitter power-users gives new life to software that had previously taken a wrong turn. Here's a quick walk-through of the new TweetDeck, to show you why it should be at the top of your Twitter toolkit.
We need to establish some framework for cultural harmony and tolerance in the Internet community to prevent the best global forum that has ever been becoming a locus of ill will.
Twitter's changes are clearly aimed at being more Facebook-like, and this is because both companies are vying to serve the mobile social network market. But can that market work for anybody, given how difficult it is to push ads to social-update readers?
New York's Metropolitan Transit Authority is conducting a pilot test of digital kiosks to guide subway users to where they want to go more efficiently and at lower cost.
The whole Amazon.reader debate is a double-stupid. It's stupid to think that there's any e-book buyer who doesn't know Amazon's URL, and it was stupider to let ICANN launch the whole free-form TLD initiative to start with.
While NFC's original goal was to enhance mobile commerce applications, it is finding its way into a number of other uses, which is creating both opportunity as well as challenges for IT departments.
Enterprises would like to move to cloud computing but are hesitant because they are concerned about providers’ ability to secure company data. Here are some tips that help to ensure that if breaches occur, the business is not left holding the bag.
Edmunds separates customers into segments based on the info it collects on its site and from partners, and uses that to push out custom content, said Brian Baron, director of business analytics for Edmunds.com, at Predictive Analytics Innovation Summit.
The automotive website uses propensity modeling to target ads and customer registration forms, said Brian Baron, director of business analytics for Edmunds.com, at Predictive Analytics Innovation Summit.
Subsidized handsets, rather than locked handsets, should be the focus of regulators. We're not getting good deals, not fostering innovation, and weakening our power as buyers.
Expert Integrated Systems: Changing the Experience & Economics of IT In this e-book, we take an in-depth look at these expert integrated systems -- what they are, how they work, and how they have the potential to help CIOs achieve dramatic savings while restoring IT's role as business innovator. READ THIS eBOOK
your weekly update of news, analysis, and
opinion from Internet Evolution - FREE! REGISTER HERE
Wanted! Site Moderators Internet Evolution is looking for a handful of readers to help moderate the message boards on our site – as well as engaging in high-IQ conversation with the industry mavens on our thinkerNet blogosphere. The job comes with various perks, bags of kudos, and GIANT bragging rights. Interested?
To save this item to your list of favorite Internet Evolution content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
Email This
