On the first day of Facebook’s developer conference this week, the company sketched out a vision of its message-centric future. One of the most striking things about this move, from a product perspective, is how it demotes the News Feed. While Mark Zuckerberg says that what he calls “the digital town square” will continue to be important, the product itself will attempt to draw you into virtual living rooms: private groups, events, and messages. As I noted here yesterday, part of what is driving this change is the fact that users are already voting with their clicks and taps — spending less time in the News Feed than they are in more private spaces. Sharing photos and videos with friends still appears to be quite popular in Instagram and WhatsApp, which continue to build out new products to support the activity. But say you’re one of the hundreds of millions of people who spends most of their time on Facebook proper. Where is the place where you’re … [Read more...] about Why Facebook is making a big bet on Messenger
Doubles bet on 3 teams
MongoDB investing ‘heavily’ on R&D down under
Australia isn't usually the first place of thought when discussing where research and development (R&D) is conducted by companies borne out of the United States, but document database darling MongoDB is bucking that trend.The company's operations in Australia comprise a very large R&D and engineering focus and did well before it established a sales presence.About seven years ago, MongoDB stood up a support office; it then boosted its Australian engineering presence less than three years later acquiring WireTiger.WiredTiger comprised five engineers, three in Boston, and two in Sydney.Speaking with ZDNet while in Australia last week, MongoDB co-founder and CTO Eliot Horowitz explained how this started the company's R&D operations down under. "The team in Sydney wanted to grow, and it did pretty rapidly, what we found was that they hired really great people, very quickly, so the WiredTiger team started growing," he recalled. "We then had these other products that we wanted … [Read more...] about MongoDB investing ‘heavily’ on R&D down under
Lions placing premium on adding playmakers this offseason
Justin Rogers The Detroit News Published 3:04 PM EST Jan 7, 2019 Allen Park — For much of his three years on the job, Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn has dutifully attended to his team's trenches. That approach reflected comments he made when hired, stating a belief that's where football games are won. In those three years, Quinn has completely remade the team's offensive line with high-round draft picks and high-priced free agents. He also signed bigger, more physical tight ends, revamped the interior of the defensive line by taking A'Shawn Robinson and Da'Shawn Hand in the draft and trading for Damon Harrison, and made edge rusher Devon Kennard the team's top free-agent priority last offseason. While it's doubtful he'll suddenly abandon efforts to continue to strengthen both fronts, Quinn made it sound as if priorities will be shifting this offseason, from hogs to stallions. When asked what the Lions need to do in order to … [Read more...] about Lions placing premium on adding playmakers this offseason
Goldman Sachs says Netflix is one of the best bets in the Internet space, and that its cash burn is just starting to pay off
caption Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix source Hector Vivas/Latin Content/Getty Images Netflix shares jumped over 9% Friday after Goldman Sachs added the stock to its Conviction List and called it one of the best bets in the internet sector. The stock’s 30% plunge since its all-time high last year is creating a buying opportunity, the firm’s analysts said. They also expressed confidence in the streaming platform’s subscriber growth, and said its cash burn is finally starting to pay off. Watch Netflix trade live on Markets Insider. Netflix soared 9% Friday after Goldman Sachs analysts doubled down on their bullish view, calling it one of the best bets in the internet space right now. “We continue to believe Netflix’s investment in content, technology and distribution will continue to drive subscriber growth well above consensus expectations both in the U.S. and internationally,” analysts led … [Read more...] about Goldman Sachs says Netflix is one of the best bets in the Internet space, and that its cash burn is just starting to pay off
A 3-year-old shape-shifting startup founded by a Vice alum is betting on viral Asian hip-hop stars to be the future of the entertainment industry
caption 88Rising CEO Sean Miyashiro, center, is betting on viral Asian hip-hop stars such as Nikki, left, and Rich Brian, right. source Shayanne Gal/Business Insider; 88Rising; Harrison Jacobs/Business Insider 88Rising is an innovative new entertainment company for the social-media age, combining a record label with a creative agency, a house for web-video production, and an artist-management agency. The company, which features hip-hop stars such as Rich Brian, Joji, and the Higher Brothers, was founded by Sean Miyashiro to “celebrate Asian talent and Asian stories and Asian culture.” The company built its name early on with viral hits, but Miyashiro wants to turn his company into a “Vice or Disney for Asians.” The company’s greatest asset might be Miyashiro’s ability to work out savvy partnerships with brands including Guess and Sprite. If you want to understand where the entertainment industry is going in the age of … [Read more...] about A 3-year-old shape-shifting startup founded by a Vice alum is betting on viral Asian hip-hop stars to be the future of the entertainment industry