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WHEN MARK ZUCKERBERG gave his keynote talk at the Mobile World Congress, the focus was going to be on his pet project Internet.org, the purchase of WhatsApp, and how Facebook grows its 1.2 billion users.
While there were no major revelations in the talk, it did touch upon a number of points regarding the future of Facebook and WhatsApp. Here are some of the more interesting points he touched upon.
Facebook doesn’t expect WhatsApp to make money for a long while.
Part of Zuckerberg’s talk naturally touched upon WhatsApp, considering the size of the offer, it was difficult not to focus on it. While $19 billion is a significant fund, Zuckerberg believes it’s worth more than that for its potential to connect to billions of people.
“By being a part of Facebook, it makes its focus purely on connecting a billion people,” said Zuckerberg. This takes the pressure off it on creating revenue models and allows it to improve the app itself.
I think by itself, WhatsApp is worth more than $19 billion. It’s hard to make that case today because they have so little revenue, but look at the messaging apps already out there [making money].
The apps in question are ones like Line and WeChat which already have a business model behind it in the form of eCommerce, apps and stickers.
WhatsApp doesn’t really have a proper revenue model apart from subscription fees so for the next four or five years, this will stay the same as it focuses more on growth and reaching new markets. Investors mightn’t be pleased to hear this, but for now, keeping it the way it is will be important as it grows its userbase.
Facebook’s biggest challenge isn’t connecting people, but convincing people it’s useful.
While the purpose of Internet.org is to connect up people from third-world countries, Zuckerberg threw up an interesting stat: More than 80 per cent of people in the world live in an area where there’s 2G or 3G reception. However, most of them don’t have access to it and the problem, in Zuckerberg’s view, isn’t giving them a smartphone, but giving them reasons to have one in the first place.
If they haven’t grown up with the internet, then there’s no context and they don’t see the value in using smartphones in the first place. Facebook would use its own site as a starting point for this, something that David Kirkpatrick, the person who was interviewing Zuckerberg, likened to a “gateway drug” for convincing people to use the internet, which is mostly the point.
To his credit, Zuckerberg did mention that there would be opportunities for it and partner businesses for connecting people in developing countries, but monetising won’t happen until people are using the internet regularly, which may take a while to happen.
(Video: Internet.org/YouTube)
Data compression will also play a major role.
The other problem is that even if you get mobile devices into people’s hands, the amount of data available will prevent them from using it often. The solution to this isn’t to increase data packages, but instead compress data so that pages and apps use the minimum amount required.
This time last year, the average Facebook user used 14MB a day according to Zuckerberg so part of the solution is coming up with ways to compress data like photos and videos so that data is used more efficiently. If this is done with basic apps, it means those in developing countries can spend more time using the internet without having to worry about going over the limit.
Granted, a large number of low and mid-range smartphones have data limit settings so this doesn’t happen, but any changes that lower the need for large data plans will be welcomed.
WhatsApp doesn’t save users’ data, meaning Facebook must be careful.
Although there will be many people who will question the validity of this statement, Zuckerberg said that owning WhatsApp attitude towards data is “absolutely not going to change.” Currently, the app doesn’t save data from users, any texts or photos sent through the app is gone later.
Considering the number of times apps have been found to save or take data without notifying the user, such a statement could come back to haunt Facebook if it ever decides to change the policy, or it’s revealed that this wasn’t the case all along.
Facebook isn’t interested in buying Snapchat.
In case there was any doubt, one member of the audience decided to put the question to Zuckerberg, who gave a somewhat bewildered look. His response: “After buying a company for $16 billion, you’re probably done for a while.”
So that’s a no then.
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Colette . . Just type “I’m Pat Kenny, go fcuk yourself Ireland” into the teleprompter . . then you’ll land yourself the full gig.
Pat Kenny isn’t on RTE anymore!? Well flip me pink!
Maybe she drop kick his dog into Dublin bay too. I bet that’s how she rolls.
@Blind Faith:
@Blind Faith: pretty sure he’s said that before anyway
Can’t believe people still watch tv.
If there was a nuclear holocaust in the morning the only survivors would be RTE staff and Pat Kenny.
Brilliant!!
Wednesdays @ 9:30?…damn, what a pity…….I cut my toenails on Wednesday evenings.
Looking at your clipped toe nails would be better than staring at his mug
sam…uhhhhhhg. you live dangerous babe ( no offence Al)
Boring
@john keyes:
NOT this p;;ck again
thats a nice word for it. Irish tv channels are just boring us to death..politics politics and just more politics. RTE radio is just as bad health problem, politics, another health problem…oh and then a health problem caused by politics. Its so tiring now…its no wonder everyone who hasnt a numbed brain is turning to the other channels..at least on the other channels its entertainment. All the Irish channels have managed to do is go back to the 1980s.
Jenni, not as bad as ‘pain in the ass’ sport, sport, sport.
don’t mind sport so much..even though they can go on a bit…I wouldnt mind a health slot once or twice a week..but nowadays its all they talk about. Like the ray darcy show..it should just be called ‘ doctors and patients, and porridge’. boring tf.
Doctors, patients and porridge!!..Haha..you have a way with words Jenni!!
thanks dee..
Xxx
@jenni:
“Irish tv channels are just boring us to death..politics politics and just more politics.”
“don’t mind sport so much..even though they can go on a bit…”
You’ve hit the nail on the head.
RTÉ has an analysis programme in the afternoon on Budget Day on RTÉ 1 and News Now and the Dáil debate on the budget itself on RTÉ 2 (Not to mention the fact that the Oireachtas channel is now on Saorview).
@jenni
As for sport, the All-Ireland Football Final is replayed when it ends in a draw and there is extra-time if the replay ends in a draw. The GAA is out to make as much money as it can. The whole thing is a pest!
Is there a section where he crawls up his own @rse?
He has to remove the plank first.
A less sexist title would have been “Pat Kenny and Woman”.
Hahaha!
How does she manage to juggle it all?
It must be a handfull.
They really get their monies worth out of the staff on that station. ..
When is that old codger Gay Byrne getting a new gig,or has he managed to hang onto his money this time?
More of his predictable old shite. I think it should be called the p*!#k show.
Why did you just not type plank?!
Pat Kenny is infallible.
He has even better self esteem than Trump.
Kenny’s ego completes with Bono’s for size.
“PK is back on television” i think RICK should be included.
You mean RIC?
I find political chat shows pretty addictive, especially around election time or any crisis like our recession, Greek collapse, Brexit…when we could be spun in any direction even back in time. Pat can get to the heart of a topic but he has the unfortunate habit of always trying to upstage his guests even in their chossen fields of specialty…relax Pat we know you are a smart puppy, you are there to ask the questions not answer them as well. Maybe Colette will put manners on his ego.
Excellent broadcaster. Looking forward to it!
I’m getting the popcorn and waiting on the replies to this comment
@Qwerty: There’s no accounting for taste.
@Fear Uisce:
I don’t know why people hate him. He was always a square peg in a round hole when it came to entertainment on the Late Late, I’ll give you that. But he’s superb at current affairs.
If you want a presenter for a show with intelligence, knowledge, class, sophistication and acerbic wit, then Pat is first choice hands down.
There’s nothing stopping any of the moaners on here trying their hand at broadcasting themselves. They could upload themselves doing a show on YouTube for example for free. But this is Ireland where we begrudge success and talent. Such a pity.
@Qwerty: He done wonders for UTV…….oh wait…..
qwerty…now wouldnt that be a sight..the commentors on here going for a broadcasting job..thats a tv show in itself. ah sure half the commentors on here are yfg..probably taking courses from Varadker on how to pose for the camera
And how to run their gob as well
@Al Ca:
UTV Ireland was a flop due to regurgitating mindless muck like soaps, game shows and other filler from ITV. Pat’s high-calibre broadcasting had nothing to do with it.
ha ha ha..lol…like TV3 was not a copy of ITV, before UTV Ireland. UTV I was such a mess because it was just absolute crap. And TV3 managed to hold onto the bigger programmes. whats the best on utv i..judge rennick, and thats bottom of the barrell if you only had one tv station in the world crsp, you would rather smash the tv than watch that tripe.
@jenni:
You’re right. Judge Rinder should be tried for gross indecency.
@Qwerty:
And he was never even an actual judge, unlike Judy!
Yawn . . .
How on earth are these dinosaurs still getting gigs with RTE – this why we pay a tv licence?
It’s tv3 …
Same stuff different day – he will drag Colette down to his level of broadcasting
I.hope this won’t effect Vincent
I would really, really love, all that free space in my head, to find it sexist, that, the anchor could have only, and only, his name in the “name of the show, name”?
The unwanted return
Ah sure he need the gig to pay for his squatters right on gorse hill with his elderly neighbour !
Nope twice bitten and all that if he’s not good for RTE
he left rte.
Why not just call it PC tonight
She’s a complete an utter a hole so she’s well suited to pat Kenny
I’d rather watch paint dry than watch pat kenny on any show
130year life experence between them give us a break
Planktastic
Will Pat be reading out bogus tweets?
@Joey Hickman:) I see you’ve put your Foot in it again!
Can’t wait !
If you blur your eyes at the picture of Pat and Collette you see this https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/36/10/95/3610956aaa115b4513426886c0e7b338.jpg
I’m sure Mr Kenny fought tooth & nail to have it stipulated that it was the PK show. In fairness to Collette she’s in the top 3 women TV celebrities!
Pat Kenny should give this job to a younger person , I will never loock at this program, TV has a new low
The PK TV show, sounds like the 2nd coming! Set you’re watches guys!
Planktastic
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