#Facebook to add a #storefront to their #frontpage. - http://clapway.com/2015/07/20/the-facebook-store-is-becoming-a-reality-222/

In an unpredictable — but not exactly surprising — move, Facebook has begun testing its newest feature: the Facebook store.

Expect the Unexpected With Facebook

Tech companies are always trying to find a way to expand their services in order to stay as relevant as possible, so it really isn’t all that surprising that Facebook is looking to do the same. Currently still in testing, the Facebook store is limited to less than 100 participating companies. It’s a small test for what the company hopes to be a foray into a very lucrative future.

How is This Going to Work?

Details about the new Facebook stores are surprisingly light and the testing phase raises more questions than it answers. While products are planning to be displayed on a special shop section of the trader’s page, the company hasn’t directly confirmed whether or not Facebook will be the actual platform that will host the transactions.

Facebook has been experimenting with “Buy” buttons placed on the pages of the products, and users aren’t expected to have to actually leave the site in order to complete the transactions either. Instead, a transaction should be able to be completed via a checkout method involving the money transfer capabilities of Facebook Messenger.

A Positive Change for Advertisers

While many people would call Facebook a social media site, the idea of a Facebook store reinforces the idea that it is here to sell advertising space. Working in conjunction with the ad space it already sells to companies, the idea that users can purchase a product directly from an ad hosted on Facebook is certainly appealing.

As of right now there won’t be any commissions or fees associated with transactions in order to help facilitate a smooth launch, though there is no guarantee that these won’t be introduced sometime in the future.

Facebook Store May Breed a Weariness of the Future

These days it seems Facebook is catering more and more to business-related features of the site. The introduction of e-commerce via the Facebook store raises some concerns among users such as safety concerns and the development of user social features falling to the wayside. While the social media giant certainly has a potential for success, there is no guarantee than a large enough portion of its users will be interested in shopping on a Facebook store.

What are the chances you’ll find yourself making a purchase off the Facebook store?

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The Facebook Store Is Becoming a Reality

Auto Companies Withhold User Data From Google and Apple - http://clapway.com/2015/07/11/auto-companies-withhold-user-data-from-google-and-apple678/

It seems that in-car web technology has really gained speed, but major auto manufacturers have announced that they will not share user data with mega-corporations like Google and Apple, revealing that this traction is not without friction.

IT’S NOT ABOUT CHARITY or concern for drivers’ privacy

To add insult to injury, auto manufacturers like General Motors (GM) and Volkswagen will withhold their user data not for the sake of their drivers’ privacy, but to analyze and exploit the data for additional revenue. In fact, such auto companies are hopeful that vehicle user data will help them generate billions of dollars in e-commerce.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING NOW

Obviously, auto titans are new to the info market, but it’s presumed their use will mirror what consumers are already familiarized with–digital music and targeted advertising on user interface is as quotidian as checking one’s email, thanks to Apple and Google. But auto designers are also going to integrate phones into car systems, the potential for efficient multitasking in transit begins to look like a market of its own kind.

“THIS SPACE IS OCCUPIED”

However, this isn’t exactly happening in a vacuum. Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto have already proliferated. The good news for auto companies is that, since they’ve put a hold on info-giants’ access to user data, there is still a well of potentially profitable information to mull over.

META-ANALYTICS TO COME

Some of the information withheld includes the vehicle’s most basic functional systems, e.g. steering, brakes and throttle, but some higher-order analytics like range, or the distance a car can travel on one tank of gas, travel planning services, auto-repair and insurance companies, make one’s imagination broaden with possible meta-maintenance applicability.

Consultant AlixPartners has opined that global revenues from digitally connected cars will increase to $40 billion annually by 2018, up from $16 billion in 2013. That is twenty-four billion dollars to be created within the next three years. One finds it hard to blame the auto tycoons for respectfully declining Google’s and Apple’s esteemed services.

DRAWBACKS

The downside of this data-withholding is actually ironic. Third-party infotainment systems, e.g. GPS coordinates for navigation, time-of-day dashboard adaptation, and reverse gear notification alerts, are all directly affected by automakers’ decision.

However this plays out, it seems drivers may have to make an additional meta-choice about their driving preferences when they hit the road–to stay reliant on their phone alone for continual connection to the web, or to bring their cars, and consequently their car’s company, into the fold.

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Auto Companies Withhold User Data From Google and Apple