Facebook IPO ‘not this year’ says Zuckerberg
Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has said he’s in ‘no rush’ to take the social networking site public, despite eye-watering value estimates. Zukerberg said Facebook’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) will not happen in 2010. Separately, reports suggest investors currently looking to buy Facebook shares anticipate the company will go public in 2011, with a market capitalisation of between $35 billion to $40... [Read More...]
Microsoft launches site for young men
Microsoft has launched a men’s site called MSN Him following research that showed 99 per cent of young men used the internet every day. Microsoft Advertising carried out the research into the online behaviours of the ‘pre-family man’ ahead of the launch of the website and found 80 per cent would feel lost without the internet. It also found the internet is the technology that most men (57 per cent) feel attached to, followed by mobile phones... [Read More...]
Gmail takes on Facebook with status updates
Google is reportedly set to update its Gmail service with more social features, making the free email service more akin to Facebook and Twitter. According to a report in Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the change will add a module to the Gmail screen that will display a stream of updates from individuals a user chooses to connect with. These status updates are expected to eventually include content shared by a users’ Google contacts through other... [Read More...]
Addicted to Facebook, but no trust in the adverts
Facebook, which has nearly 350 million users worldwide, has nearly achieved “technological lock-in”, according to a new report from comScore. A technological lock-in is the idea that the more society adopts a certain technology, the more unlikely users are to switch. Andrew Lipsman, a director at comScore said that Facebook had reached this point and that it now “feeds off itself”. According to comScore data, users spend longer... [Read More...]
Facebook offers free trial of McAfee security software
Facebook has signed a partnership with McAfee to offer its users a complimentary six-month subscription to McAfee security software The social network site says it is offering its 350 million users globally the free trial as part of its focus “on protecting its users through dedicated teams and sophisticated systems”. Facebook believes that the deal will complement its own security protocols “and extends them beyond Facebook to anywhere... [Read More...]
Zuckerberg calls online openness a “social norm”
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has claimed that online privacy has evolved, with openness now a “social norm”. Speaking at the Crunchie Awards, he said attitudes towards online privacy had evolved along with consumers’ internet habits. “People have got more comfortable sharing more information and different with more people,” Zuckerberg said. “And that social norm has just evolved over time.” He added the social network constantly... [Read More...]
ITV launches first Facebook app
ITV has launched a personalised Facebook app which enables viewers to see when their favourite shows are available online and receive relevant recommendations. The broadcaster’s debut social media app, ITV Favourites, is designed to increase usage of its online TV service ITV Player. ITV Favourites, developed by TV Genius, also allows friends to share favourite shows and compare viewing habits. Viewers are directed to choose shows they like... [Read More...]
Thorntons moves into social networking for Christmas push
Thorntons has made its first foray into social networking as part of a revamp of its online communications. The upmarket confectionery retailer has launched a Facebook app ‘The Thorntons Advent Calendar’, alongside revamped consumer and corporate sites. The advent calendar is offering money-off deals on Thorntons products on its website throughout December. The calendar is also available on thorntonschristmasemporium.co.uk, a microsite... [Read More...]
The X Factor attracts 1.75m Facebook fans
The X Factor has proved a social media success story for ITV, with 1.75m Facebook fans and 59,000 Twitter followers, according to figures released today by the broadcaster and its online content partner, TalkbackThames Digital. Nearly 20m TV viewers tuned in to watch Joe McElderry snatch The X Factor title and a £1m recording contract, cheered on by mentor Cheryl Cole. Social networking shared in the success, with 1.75m fans of the series on... [Read More...]