Published via L: 2013-12-12 19:55:59
When Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg couldn’t clone Snapchat, he tried to buy it. That didn’t work -- Snapchat reportedly turned down his outrageous $3 billion offer -- and so Zuckerberg called in his copycat hitman, Kevin Systrom.
Yes, some of its best innovations of late came from copying competitors -- Vine’s video, and, as of today, Snapchat’s private messaging -- but at least those features are popular with users.
Instagram Direct
Today in New York, Systrom revealed Instagram Direct, a way for Instagram users to send private photos directly to other users. Even a child would recognize it as a copy of Snapchat. Users can share their private photos directly with up to 15 users who follow them. Instagram’s unique twists include the ability to have a conversation about the photo in the comments below it. Also, brands may use it as a way to collect user-generated photos instead of using hashtags. The feature seems useful, if a bit boring. (It includes an inbox. Who wants another inbox?)
My Two Cents
Every Batman has to have his Robin. Zuckerberg is now Batman and Systrom is Robin or as this article says Systrom is Mark's bitch. We should all be so unfortunate to be called Zuck's bitch. Tough job, but someone has to do it!
These two guys are now making their name in innovation by copying all of the other new creative and popular Apps. At least so far as this article points out, Facebook's copycat efforts are a failure. Let's hope the same is true for Instagram. Go SnapChat! Go Vine! Go Foursquare! Keep it up. Escape the copycat claws of FB and Instagram. BTW - copycats are the greatest form of flattery!
