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

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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

TiVo co-founders shutting down their Qplay video streaming service

Qplay, the Internet video service from TiVo co-founders Mike Ramsay and Jim Barton, this weekend announced that it is closing down just six month after first launching. Its last day of service will be Friday, July 25.

Qplay combined a $49 streaming device and an iPad app to let viewers watch a continuous stream of videos found on sites like YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter, Facebook, Comedy Central, Yahoo, and more. Like Google Chromecast, video playback started from the cloud, making it possible to continue streaming even if the iPad was being used for any other purpose or is turned off.

Although Qplay didn't give any specific reason behind the decision, the shutdown seems abrupt as the company announced just last month that it was adding support for Google’s Chromecast media streamer.

As a goodwill gesture, the startup is issuing refunds to those who bought one of its TV adapters. Refund requests will be accepted until Friday (July 25) at 5 PM Pacific. The company is also urging customers to recycle their adapters as the devices will stop functioning when the service shuts down.

"We truly enjoyed bringing you the best videos from around the Internet. We had fun building and using Qplay and hope that you did too. Unfortunately, it is not possible for us to keep developing and running the service."

Founded in August 2012, the San Jose-based company was initially funded by Redpoint Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers. Qplay had not disclosed how much funding it had raised.

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