Everyone has been flitting around in a state of intense speculation about what the mystery and hype surrounding the January 15 Facebook event is really all about. We have taken the liberty to scour the Internet for you to bring you the top ten predictions from analysts and tech experts about what the hype is all about. The results, ranging from the amazing to the weird, may surprise you.
News Feed Revamp For Mobile Platforms
One of the most awaited improvements for Facebook is a radical redesign of its News Feed, especially on the mobile platforms. While Timeline looks pretty, it really does nothing in the way of utility or smart integration with everyday life. Currently, you’ll have to wade through several years of your Facebook existence to find that post your long lost best friend had tagged you with back when you were both in high school. Incidentally, this update could actually fit in perfectly with the next rumored improvement
Facebook Search Engine
Google had taken a stab at the social media scene with Google+. Despite a rocky start, Google+ has recently been gaining momentum. Rumor has it though that Facebook is going to be retaliating with a Facebook search engine. With an integrated search option right in the Facebook website, it might give Facebook users reason to bypass the Google search engine altogether. Google and Microsoft better keep a close eye on this one; some analysts believe that if a Facebook search engine were to launch, it would start out with 20% of search engine market share due to Facebook’s sheer size, though it is unknown whether people would actually use Facebook as a search engine.
Skype Messaging Improvement
Most of you probably don’t remember this at all but Facebook is actually partnered with Skype in the messaging environment. Despite of this, most users don’t find the video chat really helpful since it is hampered by some severe restrictions; namely, lack of group video chat and mobile video chat. If the Facebook-Skype partnership is to reach new heights with this announcement, Google Hangouts might be facing a strong competitor.
Instagram Improvement
Speaking of Google Hangouts, Google’s acquisition of YouTube has made Google practically monopolize the video sharing and live streaming scene. Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram however is much less successful, with recent figures even showing a mass exodus of Instagram users. If Facebook plans to rejuvenate the $1 billion investment it had made with Instagram, it has got to be very soon.
Facebook-Made Games Launching
Instagram isn’t the only one with a staggering user decline. Zynga has also been suffering from massive user losses. If the trend continues, analysts think that Facebook must launch their own range of games. With more than a billion users worldwide, Facebook is in the perfect spot for worldwide entertainment domination.
Facebook Smartphone Revealed
While some are saying that this is less of a rumor and more of an inevitability, a smartphone made specifically for Facebook might be the big reveal tomorrow. It might be interesting to see CEO Mark Zuckerberg eat his own words as he had opposed hardware specifically made for websites and had branded them as “a terrible idea”. Look how well Apple has done with the iPhone, and a lot of people thought that would be a huge failure. The only difference is unlike Apple, Facebook has no experience producing consumer hardware.
Automobile Intergration
Another inevitability, some say. With the success of FourSquare, Facebook might be seeing the value of the “check-ins” that a lot of users enjoy. Instead of having to go to the FourSquare app, a Facebook integrated car might automatically check you in when you return home or when you arrive at a tourist spot. Who is the current FourSquare Mayor of the Grand Canyon anyway?
Facebook Will Shut Down Forever
Is it time for Facebook to count its losses? Though extremely unlikely, I’m sure most of you are completely shuddering to think what the world might become without Facebook. How about your predictions regarding the press release? It’s only a few hours before Facebook blows our minds away or leaves us gaping in disbelief and disdain. Get the latest Facebook news here at Facebooklogin. Meanwhile, you can check out some related posts we had published before or read more about the January 15 Facebook event by using these links.
- What Facebook Should Be Building
- Five Things Facebook Could Announce Next Week
- Facebook search to be launched at 15 January event, Google beware
- Is The Facebook Phone Finally Going To Rear Its Ugly Head?
- Facebook Will End On January 15th