MySpace an endangered species

Not too long ago I decided to check my Myspace it has been a while since I checked it, so much has change. I remember back in high school I could not have enough, I was obsessed with changing my layout, I had put so many things that it too forever for my profile to show up. as I graduated and went to college, life became more hectic with school and work, I did not have time for it, but I found a great and best alternative, Facebook.
There are several reasons why Myspace is going downhill, sure it has change a lot, but it has not learn the basic principle... to keep it simple, it is supposed to be a social media, to connect with others, but it has a lot of useless applications. Sure it entertains but most of us don't have time. Myspace became too crowded and it was not clear to read, and things were hard to find.
In my pinion it might be too late for Myspace to make a comeback, in January MySpace had to lay-off a third and a half of its roughly 1,100 employees and just last summer they reduced 30% of their staff. MySpace was acquired in 2005 for $580 million. Since then, it has struggled to remain relevant as Facebook's popularity, in the quarter ended Sept. 30, MySpace reported an operating loss of $156 million, due to the site's poor performance. Here is an article from the Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704199504576060103578782180.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_tech)

Following there is a graph of Facebook Vs. Myspace

http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/facebook.com

Myspace needs to act fast, its audience are people from 18-34 same as Facebook. Myspace need to find its niche and attract their audience, also it needs simplicity.

What do you think it can be done to for Myspace to make a comeback?

Starbucks' Innovative Approach to Payment

As I listened to the online radio, I notice an ad for Starbucks. Puzzled by the content I listened carefully, so now there is a new concept of paying for your coffee with your Smartphone! As I’m intrigued by this I do a little research, this is what I found in their website. (www.starbucks.com)

 

So it is basically a mobile app with five core features:

1. Users can manage their Starbucks card 
2. Reload their balance 
3. Find their nearest location (available in 6,800 stores nationwide and 1,000+ at Target stores)
4. Check their Starbucks Reward Star balance
5. Make Mobile payments

How does it work? there is a bar-code provided in the mobile payment feature and when customers are ready to pay they just hold up their phone to the scanner and it’s done! It claims that it makes it easier and faster for customers to get their coffee for the day. 

I think Starbucks is doing a great job at customer value, and possibly even attracting more customers. Starbucks found out that 75 percent of their customers have a Smartphone and it is more likely that they carry their phones instead of their wallets. With this modern society this is pretty much unquestionable.This will prove that it is more valuable, beneficial, for the customer's needs and wants.

So what is the biggest concern? Since this is a new technology, it still has flaws and security can be an issue.View article

Are you ready to pay for your latte with your phone? Do you find it easier and convenient?

Sources:
http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=491 
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/18/now-at-starbucks-buy-a-latte-by-waving-your-phone/