Just how popular have Facebook and MySpace become? Well, in the words of my mom, “What’s a Facebook?” Normally, I try to avoid bringing up “new” technology, or anything mainstream related to the web when I’m around my parents. So, what prompted her to ask “What’s a Facebook” – her new cell phone. Over the weekend, my mom purchased a BlackBerry from Verizon to replace her old cell phone. The BlackBerry comes standard with a handful of menu options, and surprisingly under the Internet icon was an application for both Facebook and MySpace.
After explaining in very general terms, what a Facebook is, I realized that Facebook and MySpace apps are now a part of the standard package on some PDAs. I wonder how many customer service calls Verizon receives from the Baby Boomer generation to ask what a Facebook is? I found it interesting that now, as consumers, we don’t have the option to add these social networking apps to our own BlackBerry or iPhone – they come standard. So, if I don’t want a Facebook app on my BlackBerry, I have to take the time to delete it. Not really a big deal. I realize the Facebook community is huge, about 150 million people world wide, but only around 40 million users in the US. Could this be a trend that we’ll see mimicked on other products? Will the next computer I buy come equipped with Facebook and MySpace applications right next to the Internet browser?
I can probably guess why cell phone companies decided to add Facebook and MySpace to their PDAs. The obvious reason would be to sell more products. Cell phones and PDAs have the capability to perform more functions than ever before, so why would they want to restrict an application that many people find useful? I think a secondary reason can be attributed to competition. For example, if the iPhone offers standard Facebook and MySpace apps on their product, but BlackBerry does not, then they can create an immediate competitive advantage.
My main point here is that websites like Facebook and MySpace have become so immensely popular to our generation that it is affecting how other retailers market their products. I never thought five years ago that when I turned on my cell phone I would have a menu consisting of recent calls, contacts, messaging, setting & tools, and MySpace. Well, believe it or not, that time has come.
After explaining in very general terms, what a Facebook is, I realized that Facebook and MySpace apps are now a part of the standard package on some PDAs. I wonder how many customer service calls Verizon receives from the Baby Boomer generation to ask what a Facebook is? I found it interesting that now, as consumers, we don’t have the option to add these social networking apps to our own BlackBerry or iPhone – they come standard. So, if I don’t want a Facebook app on my BlackBerry, I have to take the time to delete it. Not really a big deal. I realize the Facebook community is huge, about 150 million people world wide, but only around 40 million users in the US. Could this be a trend that we’ll see mimicked on other products? Will the next computer I buy come equipped with Facebook and MySpace applications right next to the Internet browser?
I can probably guess why cell phone companies decided to add Facebook and MySpace to their PDAs. The obvious reason would be to sell more products. Cell phones and PDAs have the capability to perform more functions than ever before, so why would they want to restrict an application that many people find useful? I think a secondary reason can be attributed to competition. For example, if the iPhone offers standard Facebook and MySpace apps on their product, but BlackBerry does not, then they can create an immediate competitive advantage.
My main point here is that websites like Facebook and MySpace have become so immensely popular to our generation that it is affecting how other retailers market their products. I never thought five years ago that when I turned on my cell phone I would have a menu consisting of recent calls, contacts, messaging, setting & tools, and MySpace. Well, believe it or not, that time has come.
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