As smartphone use increases across the world, social media is becoming more intelligent. Apps are learning what we like (whether you like it or not) and are using this information to let us communicate – and shop – with just one touch. Meanwhile, the information our phones learn about us is also surprisingly useful for solving real world problems, too (like traffic!).
1. Pinterest’s Quest to Make a Button You’d Actually Click
by @daveyalba for @WIRED
Pinterest is working hard to bring its serendipitous discovery of product and project ideas out of the realm of digital scrapbooking to real-time shopping. While other platforms like Facebook and Twitter have their own versions of the “buy-it-now” option, Pinterest has been slowly developing its Buyable Pins interface and working on partnering with both indie and major retailers, with plans to debut 2 million buyable pins at launch.
2. How Boston is Using Waze to Help Make Your Commute Better
by @NotifyBoston
Boston is turning to users of Waze, a real-time social navigation app, in an effort to target and resolve common city-traffic problems like double parking. Waze allows drivers to send real-time reports of road incidents and conditions such as congestion, police details, potholes, and parked cars, updating the area’s map as reports are received. Boston plans to utilize the data collected by Waze as a method of relieving traffic issues more quickly.
3. Instagram’s All-New Search and Explore: See the World as it Happens
by @instagram
Instagram is revamping its Explore and Search features to include a broader return of images by a wider range of users. You can now search by location to discover other users’ images of events, vacation spots, and more, and the reimagined Explore feature will include regularly curated results including what’s trending in real-time. The updates debut only in the U.S., with plans to expand in other countries in the future.
4. Apparently Facebook Knows You Well Enough to Suggest Status Updates
by @davidcohen for @socialtimes
Apparently Facebook has been keeping tabs on the content of your posts, and is using it to help you create more sharable content. Upon engaging the status-entry text box, some users are seeing a series of suggestions appear at the bottom of the box based on specific commenting history. Facebook hopes to get users talking about real-time and trending topics, prompting wider discussions.
5. Swarm Brings Back Mayors
by @jordanrcrook for @TechCrunch
Users of the old Foursquare are excited to see that the latest version of Swarm is now reinstating Mayorships, in which users compete to be the “most regular” person to visit an establishment. Swarm has been tracking users’ check-ins for several weeks in preparation of the reintroduction, in hopes of reinvigorating the game-aspect of the location-based social app.
Metter Media LLC is a Boston-based social media management company that implements community-based, localized social engagement strategies for small businesses and corporations alike. Need help with your social media? Email Lauren today.
