"We have to change a lot of ways we operate our company."
Big words from Facebook's CEO at the company's Developer Conference, often feeling trite amidst laughing and joking, despite three terrible years for the company and a looming FTC fine of around $5 billion. Often giddily rushing through hugely complex issues, Zuckerberg joked about Facebook not having a good reputation on privacy amidst launching new products and updates to an array of Facebook products. The big news? Messenger is the big focus and Facebook promise privacy is now - cross their hearts - on their radar. Who are the winners and losers from today's announcement from the people that control what 1.56 billion people see every day?
WINNERS
People who love using Facebook/Messenger - Lots of updates and refreshes to thrill and excite the communication junkies out there.
F8 Attendees - Each was given a free VR headset is theirs just for showing up.
Small businesses - Facebook wants them to pile onto WhatsApp to start selling and getting them more data about what services and businesses people use. Including appointment booking straight through Messenger. Should you be on WhatsApp Business?
Pinterest design team - The new Facebook app takes more than a few nods from their design.
Charities - Instagram will let people donate directly through Stickers and Stories.
Advertisers - Lots more real estate to push ads into, generate leads and other opportunities to hawk various wares will now be possible. Yippee!
Victims of bullying - The move to remove Like Counts and stem bullying does show how toxic the environment is but also action is being taken to address the issues.
LOSERS
iMessage - Messenger is coming for its gig hard. Expect Apple to respond at WWDC in June.
Truth/Trust - Nothing announced will really help the issues of hate speech, misinformation, fake news, fraudulent ads. In fact, some of the changes will make these things much worse and easier to hide.
Skype - Thanks to Facebook creating a desktop app, Skype has no real USP and a major competitor with many more installed devices to activate.
Netflix - Amazon Prime Video is coming to Facebook's 'Portal'.
Influencers - If a test goes well in Canada Like counts will be hidden which will make it harder (not impossible) to gain traction.
LinkedIn - Despite a very brief explanation, Facebook 'Professional Communities' mean people can apply for jobs via Facebook - a shot to the heart for LinkedIn's core business if it takes off.
Pinterest - Instagram now has shopping.
AR languages - Facebook has opened up Spark AR to more platforms and Developers.
WeChat - while huge in China, Facebook clearly is looking and learning from the mega app - from Payments to Product Catalogues, Facebook is looking to turn WhatsApp into WeChat for the West.
Telegram and other messaging platforms in general - Facebook is slamming features together which will make using it almost unavoidable.
Meetup/Eventbrite and other group platforms - Facebook is coming for groups in a big way.
Patreon - Facebook wants to get Creators paid through Instagram.
Tinder/Dating apps - Facebook Dating is launching in 14 more countries including the US later in 2019 and has a 'Secret Crush' feature that lets you say 'let's hook up' if you match with friends. Lovely. (Remember the 'Bang with Friends' debacle?)
Snapchat - Facebook is building up Stories and Camera elements fast.
Google/Amazon - Facebook are launching Portal internationally. Although neither are quaking in their boots right now regarding Portal.
VR makers - Two new models (Oculus Rift 6 and Oculus Quest) are coming that really going to change the market - freedom of movement, tracking etc. These are top bits of tech that ship May 21st for $399.
Reddit - Groups and communities are a big focus for Facebook - including subthreads is a direct shot across their bow.
Ebay - Marketplace and Shopping Communities are now in Messenger which is a huge downer for seller/shopping sites.
