5 insights curated by Digital Marketing Intern, Taylor Lott
This new segment of Day One Perspective will act as a monthly recap of all things scroll-stopping. From mobile applications, to industry insights, cultural moments and scroll-stopping imagery, everything is interconnected. Take 5 is a column that invites you to take 5 minutes once a month to read up on what relevant things are happening around one of these categories in hopes of teaching you something new, professional development, and maybe even change your perspective.
1. Instagram Introduces Type Mode
A new option to upload text-only post to stories emerged this month. This update came in response to users often creating a black screen manually to upload type based posts to their Instagram stories. This update is yet another way Instagram has shown its commitment to continuously enhance the user experience — a skill that all brands should integrate into their strategy. It will be fun to watch how users interact with these updates in the coming months.
2. Google Pay
Google has answered Venmo and Apple Pay by launching its own payment tool. Google Pay announced in January that they would be combining all of their payment tools underneath one brand. Now, Android Pay is also being included in this new product. The company hopes to take on competitors while making it a common form of payment both in stores and on the internet.
A redesign to what was once was referred to as Google Wallet will now allow users to send and request money, renaming the app Google Pay Send. This move towards digital payment arrives amongst the broader discussion around deviating from common use of physical currency. Starbucks, for example, now attributes 30% of all revenue to mobile payments, demonstrating the growth of digital payments through apps like Google Pay and Apple Pay. Google is just one example of how companies will begin to adjust their business models to match this ongoing evolution.
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3. Facebook (#client) Launches 3D Posts
What do you get when you take AR, VR, and News Feed? Facebook’s new 3D posts.
After giving us a sneak peak back in October, the company is ready to release the finished product. The 3D posts format will allow for users to feature textures, lighting and realistically shiny or rough objects. There has been positive reaction and reception from a range of brands including LEGO, Jurassic World, and Wayfair, who are ready and willing to experiment with the new possibilities of 3D posting. All 3D posts will also be able to be incorporated into Facebook’s VR platform, Spaces. As more ways to communicate on platforms become readily available to users, brands should have a great time creating interactive content.
4. WhatsApp Integrates Into Carplay
WhatsApp becomes the first major messaging app to be added to Apple’s Carplay. The app, deemed to be safe enough for road usage, joins a short list of other third-party applications allowed. Carplay has been competing with Android Auto from its conception. Apple’s regimented approach to screening apps before integration shows its concerns for user safety. This new update may jolt Carplay ahead of its competition.
5. Instagram is testing Regrams
The long-desired “regram” feature is being tested across select Instagram accounts. Soon, third-party applications currently used for regramming purposes will be a thing of the past. Screenshots will also be deemed unnecessary, clearing up your overpopulated photo album.
Users will have the option to “regram” public posts, and there will also be an option to turn this feature off on your own content by toggling “Allow Resharing to Stories” in settings. This feature is yet another way Instagram has adapted the platform based on user habits. Though it appears to be a small update, these additional features are further springing Instagram ahead of the competition.
