This brings me to a question I have been asking myself for weeks since we started this class: Is there any point in having a site with only one function anymore? It seems as if all these social media tools are just morphing into bigger and bigger entities of the machine-- Google tapping into the phone market with Android and Yelp- an already extremely popular review site- wanting to incorporate the same thing as Groupon in their website.
I guess this is a good thing- it shows that the people at Yelp are paying attention to what's hot in social media. But still, can't they just stay within their own sphere?
Here is a sample of what Yelp would offer.
"Examples:
Yelp Eats
(week-long promotion where we spotlight restaurants and work with them to offer special pre-fixe menu specials)Yelp Drinks
(promotion to highlights local bars with drink specials)Hawt on Yelp
(week long spa specials 50% off special services"Also, there has been much buzz recently because of Google's new location- review application (like Yelp) called Google Places. I feel like there are only going to be social media companies that incorporate everything and everything is already too complicated. We have too many things helping us out. Apps are taking over the damn planet, causing some of us to wonder how three or so years ago we ever survived without this beloved technology. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Full article here:
http://tcrn.ch/bun8H7
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2 comments:
Very interesting question - I see pros/cons. What I thought was interesting was how QQ (the Chinese tool that Yingbi spoke about) seemed to streamline all the social media functions in one place with fantastic usage numbers. I wonder too if we are becoming too fragmented though I totally think Yelp should be encroaching into this space in the name of free enterprise!
I think you raise a very good point. It does in fact seem that no site these days can maintain a sole function. It really makes me wonder if one day EVERYTHING will be consolidated into ONE site. Can you imagine if the entire Internet were run by Google? Everyone has to add on functions and features to keep up, but I feel its detracting from the overall goal of some sites. Like does Twitter really NEED to add locations? Will this rat race ever slow down or maybe even revert? I'd say it's unlikely, but the future of all these conglomerate sites does scare me just a tad. I'm not really sure why, as I suspect it may make life easier. I guess it's the fear that all the sites we know and love today may be eradicated. Life without Facebook...egads!
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