Facebook wants to integrate car-hailing service Uber into Messenger

Facebook's Messenger app is not even close to where Mark Zuckerberg would like it. The vision is to transform Messenger from a pure communications tool into an e-commerce platform not unlike what Asian competitors Line and WeChat have pulled off.

A potential first step in that direction could be an integration with car-hailing service Uber.

Zuckerberg has held private talks with Uber chief Travis Kalanick about doing just that according to sources familiar with the matter as reported by Re/code. At least one source noted the whole idea is very conceptual at this stage and nowhere near execution

Both Facebook and Uber declined to comment on the subject.

Integrating Uber with Facebook could make a lot of sense for both companies. For Uber, it would expose the service to far more potential customers. Back in April, Zuckerberg revealed that Messenger had 200 million monthly users.

Facebook, meanwhile, would be one step closer to making Messenger a well-rounded app with more than just communication to offer. They'd also get more credit card numbers on file which could be useful for future endeavors.

The only potential hiccup would be what to do with Uber's own mobile app. Those that already use it would likely continue to do so while newcomers may be confused at whether or not they should use the standalone app or the one integrated in Mesenger.

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Facebook exceeds expectations again with Q2 2014 results

Facebook has reported its second quarter numbers exceeding analyst expectations for the eighth time in a row and resulting in positive reactions in the marketplace. The company shows growth in revenue, income and user numbers. Compared to Q2 of last year, its revenue jumped 61% to $2.91 billion and its net income grew 139% to $791 million.

Facebook is also seeing user growth across the board with 1.32 billion active users and 829 million daily active users, up 14% and 19% year-over-year respectively. When talking specifically about mobile, Facebook's Q2 2014 numbers are even more impressive. The company hit 1.07 billion monthly active mobile users, up nearly 6% from last quarter, and its daily mobile users jumped 7.4% from 609 million to 654 million.

Facebook has also now set records around the world for its global rise in average revenue per user (ARPU), according to reports. The company seems to be pulling in more cash on a user by user basis, even as it continues to grow. 

As some have suggested, the growth numbers are fairly impressive for a company that already has so many users, but the expansion also rises costs. Facebook spent $1.52 billion in the second quarter of 2014, up about 22% from the year prior.

However, despite the heavy expenses, Facebook clearly had a strong quarter. "Our community has continued to grow, and we see a lot of opportunity ahead as we connect the rest of the world," Mark Zuckerberg said during a statement accompanying the Q2 results. 

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Facebook wants to integrate car-hailing service Uber into Messenger

Facebook's Messenger app is not even close to where Mark Zuckerberg would like it. The vision is to transform Messenger from a pure communications tool into an e-commerce platform not unlike what Asian competitors Line and WeChat have pulled off.

A potential first step in that direction could be an integration with car-hailing service Uber.

Zuckerberg has held private talks with Uber chief Travis Kalanick about doing just that according to sources familiar with the matter as reported by Re/code. At least one source noted the whole idea is very conceptual at this stage and nowhere near execution

Both Facebook and Uber declined to comment on the subject.

Integrating Uber with Facebook could make a lot of sense for both companies. For Uber, it would expose the service to far more potential customers. Back in April, Zuckerberg revealed that Messenger had 200 million monthly users.

Facebook, meanwhile, would be one step closer to making Messenger a well-rounded app with more than just communication to offer. They'd also get more credit card numbers on file which could be useful for future endeavors.

The only potential hiccup would be what to do with Uber's own mobile app. Those that already use it would likely continue to do so while newcomers may be confused at whether or not they should use the standalone app or the one integrated in Mesenger.

Next Pinterest has a better male-to-female workforce ratio, but lags in ethnic diversityPrev Google X is working on a project to map perfect human health

View the original article here

Facebook exceeds expectations again with Q2 2014 results

Facebook has reported its second quarter numbers exceeding analyst expectations for the eighth time in a row and resulting in positive reactions in the marketplace. The company shows growth in revenue, income and user numbers. Compared to Q2 of last year, its revenue jumped 61% to $2.91 billion and its net income grew 139% to $791 million.

Facebook is also seeing user growth across the board with 1.32 billion active users and 829 million daily active users, up 14% and 19% year-over-year respectively. When talking specifically about mobile, Facebook's Q2 2014 numbers are even more impressive. The company hit 1.07 billion monthly active mobile users, up nearly 6% from last quarter, and its daily mobile users jumped 7.4% from 609 million to 654 million.

Facebook has also now set records around the world for its global rise in average revenue per user (ARPU), according to reports. The company seems to be pulling in more cash on a user by user basis, even as it continues to grow. 

As some have suggested, the growth numbers are fairly impressive for a company that already has so many users, but the expansion also rises costs. Facebook spent $1.52 billion in the second quarter of 2014, up about 22% from the year prior.

However, despite the heavy expenses, Facebook clearly had a strong quarter. "Our community has continued to grow, and we see a lot of opportunity ahead as we connect the rest of the world," Mark Zuckerberg said during a statement accompanying the Q2 results. 

Next Samsung to host annual developers conference at Moscone West this NovemberMore See a summary of the most popular topics in tech right now

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Facebook "Save" lets you flag content to view at a later date

Mobile devices afford us the ability to keep up with what's happening on social media outside of the home. For example, one can simply launch Facebook's app on their smartphone or tablet to stay current with friends and family while on the go.

Finding the time to wade through all of the shared content we want to check out, however, isn't so easy.

To help with this issue, Facebook on Monday introduced a new feature called Save. As the name suggests, the bookmark-like feature lets you save content like links, places, movies, TV and music for viewing at a later date when you aren't as pressed for time.

In a press release on the matter, Facebook said that only you can see the items you save unless you choose to share them with friends. 

Saved items can be viewed at any time and place simply by going to your saved items list in the "More" tab on mobile or by clicking the link on the left side of Facebook on the web. Each item you save gets filed away by category for easier storage and retrieval.

Facebook will sometimes even show you reminders of your saved items in the News Feed should you happen to forget about them.

The new feature is rolling out as of writing and should be available to everyone on Android, iOS and on the web over the next few days.

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