Technology

Facebook Buys Instagram

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Unless the rock you’re living under lacks the internet (unless your destiny is a rock), you’ve heard that Instagram was bought by Facebook.

I’m trying to figure out the point of this really.  Some are worried that Instagram may stop being multi-network capable, but that issue’s already been addressed.  At the same time, it does give Facebook enhancements to it’s photo sharing capacity, and maybe they figure it can’t hurt to branch out beyond themselves.

But $1 billion?  I don’t know.  I look for any input from you guys out there, because I’m stumped.

– Steven Savage

Here Come The Sony Job Cuts

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Looks like 10,000 people are being cut.  You can get more details here at layoffwatch.

Takeaways

  • Issues with the Japanese economy and the TV market seem to be a big part of this.
  • This is not the first time Sony has done big layoffs – in fact they’ve done some with selloffs and consolidation recently.  I’d say this is more of a trend.
  • The cuts are, obviously, in the display area.  Half the cuts are unspecified – so get ready for politics.
  • Some execs are being asked to return their bonuses.  This may be an act to force contrition and look like accountability – which I buy.  So I think Sony has an image concern.
  • Considering Sony’s reach this could affect various Geekonomic-heavy cities/areas, so pay attention.

– Steven Savage

Dismal Yahoo News Of The Day and The Power Of A Name

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The Layoffs have Started.  Meanwhile, Yahoo is countersuing.

Honestly, I can’t see any reason for Yahoo to continue as anything else.  Their refocusing doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, I don’t see a plan, and I can imagine they’ve annoyed the bejezus out of people with the lawsuit.  What’s left?

However I’d add this – even if Yahoo does have a plan, a winning strategy, something that will work, there’s one barrier that really is holding them back.

The name.

Yahoo used to be cool.  It used to be a big thing.  Then they slipped, and everyone else came in and, well . . . you know the rest.  Yahoo is now laying people off and suing other successful companies, and people are just feeling sort of angry/sorry for them.

The name Yahoo now means “failure” (and a rather drawn-out, lashing-out failure at that).  There’s little chance Yahoo can get over that.

So, oddly, I think Yahoo’s best chance, whatever their other plan, is to acquire/partner up with some others and form a newly-named business to get the hell away from their name.  That may be enough psychological boost – and a good branding exercise – to help good plans be realized.

That requires good plans, but even they will have to overcome the name problem . . .

– Steven Savage

(Oh, and I maintain my “only apply with the utmost caution to Yahoo” stance.)