Will Facebook Beat Snapchat at its Own Game – and What Will that Mean for the App?

What if Facebook eventually beats Snapchat at its own game



Up till now, we’ve really only seen Facebook copy Snapchat, duplicating the app’s core features and functions in an effort to slow the migration of their users - younger users, in particular - across to Snap. But really, Facebook’s alternate offerings, in their current state at least, don’t really match up.
For example, one of Facebook’s more recent Snapchat-clone announcements was the new camera tools for Messenger, which include a range of “stickers, frames, masks and effects”.
And those are all fine and interesting, but the mask tools are likely the biggest draw, and there are only eight masks available in total – and they’re not as good as Snapchat’s Lenses. By comparison, Snapchat currently has more than 20 Lenses available for use within the app, all of which I’d put ahead of the current Messenger masks, in terms of appeal and use.
This is only one aspect of Facebook’s push, of course, there are other masks available in other regions and apps - it’s early days for Facebook’s Snapchat-like tools. And for Snapchat, that’s a problem – while Facebook's only duplicating their features for now, there will likely come a time where Facebook’s visual tools and functions are better and more engaging than Snapchat’s. And if that happens, where does that leave the app in users’ eyes?
Many would argue that Snapchat’s audience is very dedicated and aligned to the app, but I wouldn’t be so sure. For example, Facebook’s working on new visual tools like ‘reactive filters’ which enable users to push virtual objects around on screen.
This is a very early version of the functionality, and likely only a small indicator of where Facebook is headed with this – Facebook’s also working on a wide range of virtual reality tools and features which could all lend themselves to the augmented reality style offerings that make Snapchat’s Lenses so cool.
So if Facebook, eventually, has the same functionality as Snapchat, with Stories and messaging and image enhancing features, but Facebook refines them to the point where they’re actually better and more engaging, what then?

A Camera Company

No doubt Snap Inc. has considered this outcome – given Facebook’s resources and audience, it seems likely that they will eventually overtake Snapchat, if they so want to. This is why Snapchat has re-branded itself as ‘a camera company’ as opposed to a social media app.
That change lessens the comparison to Facebook, which Twitter has long struggled with, but at the same time, Snapchat's also likely angling towards the next iteration of their business – which may see Snapchat itself de-emphasized, yet still enable Snap to grow and expand beyond the app itself.
The focus here is obviously Spectacles, Snap Inc’s first hardware play, and it does seem that there’s a lot more to Spectacles that what we’re currently seeing.
For example, before the launch of Spectacles, the discussion around the project seemed to indicate that they’d be much more than a pair of sunglasses that can merely record what you’re seeing.
Early in the year, before the Spectacles release, reports indicated that Snapchat had hired several people who’d worked on Microsoft’s HoloLens project, which, in theory, enables people to overlay what they’re seeing with computer-generated elements, as opposed to merely seeing what’s there.
HoloLens has had its own share of problems over time, but the concept is far bigger than the current Spectacles experience we’re seeing. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean Snap Inc is looking to make Spectacles more focused on augmented reality, but there are other indicators that this is either where they were, or are, headed with the project.
Back in June, Business Insider reported that Snapchat had an open job posting for a 3D mobile software engineer, with requirements including:

• Bring the most innovative product concepts to life to help push the boundaries of mobile user experience and interface design across a new category of computer vision products
• Investigate and solve exciting and difficult challenges in image recognition, classification, and augmented reality

Again, this could be related to another project, like their new image recognition-triggered ads, but all indications seemed to suggest that Spectacles would actually enable people to experience a more immersive, augmented reality-style experience through the glasses – and the addition of ‘World Lenses’ shortly after Spectacles’ release also pointed to this being where the tool was headed.
In this sense, the current version of Spectacles seems to be only the beginning of the project, and the latest announcement – that Snap Inc is opening a new research and development office in China – supports this line of thinking. For one, the fact that they’re opening a new research facility would likely suggest that sales of Spectacles have met their expectations, giving them confidence to continue on with the project. But secondly, establishing a research and development center in China, which is near where Spectacles are actually built, would also suggest that they’re working on the next iteration.
And that next level could be where Snapchat is really focused, particularly with Facebook working to push them out of the social app space.

Future Snaps

Given this, the possibilities for what Snapchat might become are significant. What if Snap Inc comes out early in the new year and announces a new set of lenses for Spectacles which enable users to layer virtual elements over their field of vision?
They’re already overcome one of the main hurdles that Google Glass stumbled on, which is that Spectacles have managed to maintain the cool factor, that people actually want to wear them in public, as opposed to being concerned about how they might be perceived. And it’s worth remembering here that before Google Glass ran into trouble, it was projected to become an $11 billion market, far beyond the current expectations for Snapchat’s ad revenue moving forward.
If Snap Inc can add that next level element to Spectacles and make them into a must-have tech device, maybe the future of the company isn’t in Snapchat at all. Maybe their switch to a camera company isn’t just a mere hedge to avoid unflattering comparisons to Facebook, maybe it’s accurate and their future projects won’t revolve around the app itself.
As Facebook continues to chip away at their audience with new features and tools, it seems obvious that Snap Inc needs to account for the potential that they might lose out in that battle. It’s possible, with Spectacles, that they already have.
What does this mean for Snapchat moving forward? It’s hard to say, but it does seem increasingly likely that Facebook is going to bully Snapchat out of the market. Not straight away, Snapchat’s not going anywhere any time soon, but Facebook’s copycat additions are likely slowing Snapchat’s user growth – the last time we got an update on Snapchat’s daily active user numbers was back in June, before the release of Instagram Stories.
And as Facebook continue to squeeze Snapchat, Snap Inc is undoubtedly already considering its next move. If, as noted, Facebook starts releasing better features than Snapchat, that’s when the real push will happen, and Snap Inc will be forced to assess the impacts on user expansion moving forward.
It’s a battle Facebook may win, but the war could go on for some time via a newly enabled Snap service

What Every Property Owner Should Know About Pipe Replacement

Trenchless sewer repair

In most cases, a professional plumber can be trusted when in need of sewer repair. Replacement is a huge cost, and is unavoidable unfortunately. It's important to note that before a property is sold, the owner has to report any potential issues to buyers, so it's smart to get it taken care of and avoid any drama.

When it comes to an expensive repair like this, it's important to shop around for the best deal. One should also make sure any contractor is bonded, licensed, and has references that can be checked. Expect most bids to be thousands so there is no shock.

History of Piping

First off, if there is any clay pipe it needs to be removed. Cleaning is never a good option and will only delay the inevitable which is replacement. Use of copper sulfate or rock salt is not a great idea as it will create more work by the owner having to remove the tree permanently, and then fix up the yard.

Clay sewer pipe has not been used for a very long time, as joints were packed by mortar and movement of the soil breaks them with ease along with tree roots. They are just not a smart choice, of course builders had no way of knowing this decades ago.

After clay pipes came iron and they featured a similar bell joint to the clay pipes. They were joined using hemp oil and molten lead. Though the joint was stronger, it still didn't withstand the eventual movement of earth. After clay and iron, no hub cast iron and rubber couplings with steel bands were used. They couldn't withstand root infiltration though.

The Pipes of Today

Today most locations use plastic piping. Plastic pipe uses glued joints, and many are looking into trenchless sewer repair. For trenchless sewer repairs, a cable is pulled through the existing pipe after careful examination, and hooked to a bursting head. That head is hooked to the new pipe. It splits the current pipe and pushes it out-of-the-way as the new one is pulled in. It has the same diameter as the old or can be increased in size if the home or business owner decides.

This way of trenches sewer repair only needs one hole at each end of the line, and no trench which is usually a mess. Hence, why many prefer it over traditional methods.

Downsides of Trenchless Sewer Repair

While being the perfect option to other methods, there are some downfalls to trenchless sewer repair. If the company is fairly new and not knowledgeable about how to pass inspection, it may become a headache that no one wants. One of the main concerns is pooling water at a low spot in the line. However, if discussed before installation this can be avoided.

Other issues are deflection and sag which cause concerns. Experienced crews know what deflections in the current line can be taken out, but it depends largely on soil conditions, and the degree of deflection. A less brutal soil like sand allows for deflections to be removed but soil like shale is not so kind.

Further, proximity of utilities is an issue in some cases. The method used can damage other lines depending on how close they are to the action when the outer pipe is pushed away. No one wants gas leaks or cut water lines. Contractors must mark existing lines and formulate a plan to make sure there's enough room for the installation.

Yet, trenchless sewer repair is still the most cost-effective and least disruptive method today. Simply taking care to verify the experience of any contractor before signing on the dotted line will make sure that it's done effectively.

Choose Reliable Filler Masterbatches

Filler masterbatches are filler compounds that are calcium carbonate based. They are used in the plastic industry to modify properties of plastic polymers of base plastic. The specially formulated compounds improve the physical properties of the polymer thus reducing the production costs of the products in question. The masterbactches that have good dispersion coupled with environmental protection improve surface antifriction, toughness, heat stability, rigidity, hardness and also increase plastic products gravity.

Filler masterbatch is used widely in blow molding, wire drawing, injection molding, blow film, slip casting, extrusion molding and even dyeing. They replace plastic material use, reducing the cost of producing the products for consumers. There are three major options when it comes to them.

Transparent - The transparent option is mainly inorganic transparent powder additive agents and polymer resin compounded and has refraction that is close to polyolefin plastics. To improve the plastic product transparency and reduce production cost, it is used in high and medium quality polyolefin products such as wire drawings, moldings extrusion and film blowing among others.

Nano - This model is an advanced new technology adoption using multilayer surface modified technique so that the nano calcium carbonate disperses in the most even way possible in filler compounding. This type improves bending strength, toughness, and rigidity compared to normal filler masterbatches. It also improves plastic product fluidity, heat stability and size stability as well as printing definition. The market for this filler materbatch is expansive and it is widely used in blowing, tube and pipe, injection, molding and casting among other products. Automobile, home appliances and motorcycle parts and other engineered plastics also use this masterbatch.

Calcium carbonate - This filler masterbatches are made of micro sized high quality calcium carbonate and they have very good filler properties and whiteness. They improve plastic product characters and at the same time reduce the production costs. The filler masterbatch has strong aging and antioxygen resistance, good dispersion and good anti-pressure reduced contractibility that decreases deformation for product contractibility. This is the perfect filler masterbatch type for products such as casting film, woven bags, garbage bags, packing belt, sheet, pipe, snack box and appliance shell among others.

The grades

Filler masterbatch comes in grades and it is important to know the appropriate grade for the type of plastic products that you are producing. The most common grades include plast white that modifies mechanical and physical properties, plast stiff that improves stiffness and modifies mechanical and physical properties and plast clear that acts like nucleating agent to maintain polymer clarity and improve the woven sacks gloss. Plast supreme improves output and imparts opacity besides improving physical properties whereas the plast fill improves blown film extrusion output and improves the physical properties.

The grades may differ from one manufacturer to another. If you are not very sure what filler masterbatch grade is best for your application, then it is best that you let the professionals take you through the options to make the best decision.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9456931