Microsoft-Skype and the Social Media New Breed.

Two very important events had happened in the last two weeks, one Microsoft buying Skype and the Linked In IPO. Although not related, it seems like Microsoft put a tab of 8 billion dollars for  social media companies. Well, actually, it was set before with Google rumor of buying Groupon for 6 billion dollars. The LinkedIn IPO was out and the company now has a value around 9 billion dollars as well.  Skype has around 500 million users with a revenue of $860 million. LinkedIn has 100 million suscribers, $243 in revenue, both belong to the new social media internet companies.

This is setting the 8 billion mark for the next breed of internet companies, among the most noticeable Groupon, Twiiter and Facebook. In a way this five companies complement each other but are also potential competitors for the add business and in Groupon case, all of them are potential competitors  for the deals space, specially Facebook.

As I see it, the most valuable in order is Skype, which is a telecommunications company that can incorporate adds, promotions, their own handheld device, and is in itself a bit of a Facebook without the gossip part. LinkedIn is a Facebook but with  professional subscribers willing to make business and contacts and possibly willing to pay for it, so there is really a market niche as a social network that the others does not have. Facebook, has a very powerful window to sell advertisement, as long as is keep on the side without intruding to much on our social life,  we are all ok. They can make fantastic deals that will kill Groupon in a minute or ask for 30% of sales like iTunes does on some products like games. Groupon which for ever or until proven wrong all of us still wondering how they rejected the Google offer,  were first on the idea of deals and this gives them the advantage to negotiate with all other 3 companies and lead the deals department.  Twiiter, is wonderful but still do not get how  incorporte it, but is a keeper.

At the end it seems like we all wanted to be on a world wide social network, with close people which we could talk to, and with professional possibilities without having to expend to much on dinners!

The case for Apple Apps

It took me a little bit of time to really understand the app world, but after helping develop a Financial App with Bitmantra.com, I fully acknowledged not only the app world but how this little programs are shaping internet in a new and more "clean" way.

I want to analize 4 contributing factors to the app success. First,  tablet trends, defineltly unless you are using your computer for work, everybody else will eventually change the desktop for the tablet. This is in itself the perfect software for the perfect hardware.

Second, the search fever will be in declined and people will choose their preferences in the app form. Instead of having a webpage, everybody will have and app  and they will belong to an app directory as well.

Third, as more information is availble, we will prefer the compressed, better curated content, apps have.

Last but not least, Internet has evolved to a point in which most of us felt behind it, but if you turn to the app world not only will catch up but be ahead. Internet is becoming more like "Times Square add bazar", apps provide a cleaner way of contact with people, adds will be limited due to space and searching will be replaced by indexes or directories that will provide rankings and will leave unusefuls sites out.

I think the case has been made.!
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