Facebook's Browser is Google's Worst Nightmare

thechangelog wrote: post #2

>> People try Facebook’s stuff all the time—just look at the adoption rates for their iPhone and iPad apps An otherwise interesting article, but there is no iPad app.

Thanks, fixed.

Re: Facebook's Browser is Google's Worst Nightmare

#5

Post by danmaz74 » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 4:17 PM UTC

All the user needs that the article lists and that a Facebook browser would answer to (instant notification, always on chat, etc.) could be just as easily be answered by a simple toolbar, on top of another browser.

As for the adoption of a FB browser, I would be curious to see how it would fare. I'm pretty convinced that most early adopters which sustained the initial adoption of Firefox and Chrome would never use a FB browser, because they would be worried about Facebook becoming the sole owner of the internet - and because they're perfectly able to be always on on FB, should they want to.

Could the typical Facebook user become an early adopter? Everything's possible, but it wouldn't be very easy.

Re: Facebook's Browser is Google's Worst Nightmare

#6

Post by cyrus_ » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 4:21 PM UTC

This could work for personal browsing, but I'd imagine few people would want to be seen using the Facebook browser at work.

Re: Facebook's Browser is Google's Worst Nightmare

#7

Post by cyrus_ » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 4:22 PM UTC

danmaz74 wrote: post #5

All the user needs that the article lists and that a Facebook browser would answer to (instant notification, always on chat, etc.) could be just as easily be answered by a simple toolbar, on top of another browser. As for the adoption of a FB browser, I would be curious to see how it would fare. I'm pretty convinced that most early adopters which sustained the initial adoption of Firefox and Chrome would never use a…

Facebook probably doesn't need "early adopters" per se. A big banner across the top of Facebook would drive tens of millions of downloads within days and this would generate tons of ambient discussion on Facebook feeds. Assuming normal people don't turn against it (possible if the right frantic all caps messages start being spread around), it would definitely make a dent in IE usage.

Re: Facebook's Browser is Google's Worst Nightmare

#8

Post by anothermachine » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 4:22 PM UTC

I love that 10 years after Microsoft rolled out IE in an attempt to use the browser to disintermediate and control the user's experience, we now have Chrome and Silk and advertisting and everyone is racing to own the browser again.

Re: Facebook's Browser is Google's Worst Nightmare

#9

Post by wicknicks » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 4:23 PM UTC

I would imagine that Facebook's phone would be a much bigger nightmare.

Re: Facebook's Browser is Google's Worst Nightmare

#10

Post by dpcan » Mon, Oct 03, 2011, 4:23 PM UTC

danmaz74 wrote: post #5

All the user needs that the article lists and that a Facebook browser would answer to (instant notification, always on chat, etc.) could be just as easily be answered by a simple toolbar, on top of another browser. As for the adoption of a FB browser, I would be curious to see how it would fare. I'm pretty convinced that most early adopters which sustained the initial adoption of Firefox and Chrome would never use a…

Exactly.

If Facebook wastes their time and resources building and supporting a full-fledged BROWSER, they would be out of their mind. A Toolbar makes perfect sense.

The same way there's a new phone out there with a Facebook button right on the front. They are an add-on.

Building a browser is not just about adding neat social features. People use their browser to do everything - Facebook related or not, and when things happen OFF of Facebook, Facebook doesn't care - not in the same capacity as Google anyway. But if they build a browser, then they open a whole new can of worms.