1
Aug
Facebook killer: Are mobile social networks our future?
Facebook continues to struggle with the transition to mobile;
with many users showing negative reviews to the Facebook app
despite the many updates Facebook has released to improve
usability. Facebook still only holds a 2 star rating within
Apple’s App Store where as the mobile social network Path has
a 5 star rating, with comments praising the app as beautiful,
smooth, flawless and fast.
So what is Path and why may it threaten
Facebook?
Path is a social networking company founded by Dave Morin, a
former Facebook employee. The social network is dedicated to mobile
users.
There are 5 billion mobile subscribers but only 1 billion
desktops in the world and Morin could see the mobile era was here
which inspired him to create this app.
What you should know about Path
It’s a timeline
Path has a timeline concept which they call the “smart
journal” and the new updates have added many more features.
The content is in date/time order and the shared posts are called
“Moments”.
Instagram-like photos
Path offers filters for taking pictures, just like Instagram.
This means cool pictures with beautiful interfaces can be uploaded
easily.
Limited Friends
Path only allows you to have a max of 150 connections; the
concept is based on Robin Dunbar’s theory that says human
beings can maintain a total of 150 trusted relationships between
friends and family. This means it is a more personal social network
only allowing you to be friends with true friends instead of
1000’s of randomers.
Tagging
It is very quick and easy to tag people. Path allows you to add
pictures and people to your check-ins which is a very cool
feature.
Now you have “Moments” can include a post with
location, a photo and friends tagged.
Members…
Path was launched back in November 2010 but didn’t gain it
strength until its latest updates earlier this year. The app now
has around 1 million members.
Social Sharing
Although the social network is private you do have the option to
share your moments with the rest of the world if that’s what
you choose. Path lets you connect and share through Facebook,
Twitter and check-in to Foursquare.
Privacy
For all you concerned with privacy on the web you will be
pleased to hear that your Path social profile is private by
default. You have to let in the people you want to connect to, with
only 150 spots available.
This is a refreshing change from social networks like Facebook
whose profile are open by default making you have to adjust the
settings to make them private.
Although the app is a lot more beautiful and easier to use than
most other app based social networks, I do believe Path still has a
long way to go before it will be directly competing with the social
giants. However the app is a step in the right direction.
By Luke
Stanley
SEO Consultant
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