John X. Dinh

That’s pretty interesting that Instagram/facebook is trying to establish itself as an e-commerce company. It makes sense that instagram would implement this feature since there are millions of users on instagram that both market, model, and purchase fashion items from various brands. Eventually, I am sure technology companies will start to allow customers to purchase their products this way (Dell, Apple).
This move to commerce shadows a Chinese company called Tencent. Tencent developed an application called “WeChat” that is a mashup of various features – social media, commerce, booking appointments, etc. So it looks like Facebook is trying to develop a similar solution with its applications.

I think adding this component in the Instagram app is a great idea! One click checkout is very convenient and I think adding this feature will make shopping much more easier and convenient. I think it would be cool if some influencer and department store pages gave the customer direct links to the piece of clothing or jewelry that was being advertised. That way the customer could see the price and buy it right away if it was available. In terms of privacy, I do see some concerns here. Keeping credit card numbers stored on a social media app does have risks, especially because they are not as protected and previous instances have shown that social media sites are not the most secure.

I think this is a great strategy for Instagram. They already have a platform with tons of influencers promoting products and actual ads promoting products so it makes sense to make purchases easier. The only issue I can see is that if Instagram eventually becomes too commercialized and rather than a social media platform it becomes a market place for big companies and also individuals. I think its still a good strategic move for Instagram and will prove to create more ad revenue. I think Instagram is looking at its platform with the idea of systems thinking in mind and starting to make its platform more seamless and making one big system rather than just taking you to a third party site to buy the goods.

I think this is an interesting move for Instagram. As they are part of the same company, they have recently mastered the e-commerce aspect of tech with the FB Marketplace. I think this is a good move considering Instagram’s main audience is young adults, and many fashion related pages are very popular on the site. This could be great for the sellers to be able to post products and have customers be able to purchase so easily. Young adults are also the most likely to adopt a newer technology like this, so that is their bests chance for success.

What really caught my eye in this post is the question about the “always watching” narrative. I previously covered something similar on this blog. This post had to do with Google “always listening” and a device that keeps your Google Home from constantly listening to you. My point is that everything is already listening to you, and it is probably not the FBI. It’s companies like Google that want to sell you things. These solar powered cameras could be the next step. They can see what you wear and what you do, and figure out even more things to sell you. I feel like years ago I would sound crazy saying this, but it’s becoming more and more accepted.

I was kind of surprised that TFL didn’t make more out of the Oyster Card system like Suica and Octopus in Tokyo and Hong Kong respectively… UK is strong a banking nation. Also using Apple Pay is a mess… if you don’t tap in and out on the same device you are charged a penalty fare and you’re charged twice… not sure why that didn’t create an Oyster charge card and allowed users to add that to Apple Pay so it would simplify multidevice support, this will interm allow commuters to buy yearly discounted tickets and use any money on the account to purchase items in convenience stores or vending machines.

You mention a good point of dock-less bikes and electric scooters becoming compatible with this app. When I went to Washington D.C. a couple weeks ago, I was able to see tourists riding more electronic scooters than bikes, including my own self. I do like the idea of aggregating all of my subway or transit cards into one application or card where it is centrally located. I wonder if this will extend internationally, such as airplanes or transcontinental trains?