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Meta is Reportedly Planning to Open Retail Stories to Sell VR, AR and Other Digital Connection Tools

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meta is reportedly planning to open retail stories to sell vr ar and other digital connection tools

With Facebook – or Meta as its parent brand is now known – gradually expanding its catalog of physical products, it makes sense that the company would also be considering physical stores as well, as a means to better showcase its next-level hardware designs.

Which, according to The New York Times, could be on the cards, with leaked internal documents outlining plans for IRL Facebook stores through which it would sell its VR headsets, AR glasses, Portal devices and more.

As per NYT:

“Meta has discussed opening retail stores that will eventually span the world, said people with knowledge of the project and company documents viewed by The New York Times. The stores would be used to introduce people to devices made by the company’s Reality Labs division, such as virtual reality headsets and, eventually, augmented reality glasses, they said.

The broader idea is that in order to guide users towards Meta’s vision of the metaverse, an immersive digital world of endless possibilities, Meta will need to get more of these tools into more homes, and physical stores could be a better way to establish direct-to-consumer supply chains, while also enabling new showcase opportunities to generate more sales.

Which makes sense. Right now, you can buy Facebook’s products in retail stores, but they’re lining the shelves alongside many other competing devices and options, and don’t generally get specific focus. If Facebook wanted to invest more into direct marketing, and showcasing its next-level plans, it would be best-placed to do so via its own, dedicated promotion and product displays, which it could directly control within its own stores, built specifically around its offerings.

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Meta’s VR headsets seem like the most obvious focus in this respect, with the company’s fully-enabled metaverse vision aligned around wholly interactive VR worlds, which would only truly be possible in the VR environment.

If Meta can build the central platform that would facilitate such connection, it’ll be well-placed to play a central role in the next stage of digital connection – which Meta has been keen to repeat that no one company will ‘own’, as such. But in reality, somebody will need to build the platform that other developers can plug into, and Meta is likely best-placed to play a key role in establishing the parameters for universal connectivity and functionality in this respect.

Eventually, that will likely require the establishment of an independent consortium, or industry-wide agreement, which would then facilitate the creation of universal schemas and data sharing processes for interoperability within the space, and broader creative and collaborative pathways. But again, Meta, with its advanced work in VR (via the company formerly known as Oculus), is already leading the way, and looks well-placed to win out in this shift.

Which then points to consumer adoption, and maximizing hardware take-up to build to that next stage. Meta is already seeing strong consumer demand for its standalone VR units, and has plans for more advanced versions of the device, while it now also has its Portal video calling device, which has also seen a jump in sales amid the pandemic, and its Ray Ban Stories smart glasses collaboration.

Ray Ban Stories

Meta’s also reportedly working on a new smart watch, and could also be looking to develop new beacons for retail stores, as a means to provide more direct sales insight to counter data losses as a result of Apple’s ATT update.

On another front, Meta could also look to include full body scan booths within these stores to better connect people into the virtual space.

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As you can see in this video, Meta’s developing new scanning technology that would facilitate more accurate representations of people in AR/VR – but there’s no way that you or I will be able to conduct full-boy scans like this, at this level of accuracy, using our own mobile devices.

You’ll need a dedicated studio, like the one shown in the clip, to facilitate such – and maybe, that could be another element of Meta’s retail store offering.

As an aside, it’s also interesting to note the expanded visual data catalog that Meta could end up building with this. The company recently announced the shut down of its facial recognition program, due to ongoing privacy concerns, yet at the same time, it’s looking to create full-body scans like this, taking in even more visual data.

It seems that Meta won’t be losing much by deleting its old Face ID database, at least in the longer term.

In combination, the company does likely now have enough hardware offerings and functions to establish a chain of retail stores, and the financial motivation to move ahead with the project, given the emphasis that it’s placing on its metaverse push.

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Establishing consumer supply chains is complex, and in some ways, Snapchat has a leg up on Meta on this front, with its Spectacles product having been available via various retailers for some time. But opening up its own retail chain would negate this impact, and would better place Meta to maximize sales growth, and boost product awareness, all but ensuring greater take-up.

It would be a major undertaking, but it does make sense – and again, the company’s expanding product line points to growing opportunity in this respect.  

Soon, a Meta store could be coming to your local mall, which would make connecting into the metaverse as easy as buying a headset at a store and logging on.

There’s a way to go in this, but you can see how the next stage is getting closer with every shift.

Socialmediatoday.com

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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