Tag: google

The startup that began its life with the search engine giant is leaving its parent company.

The internal startup at Google, Niantic Labs, which is best known for having developed the augmented reality game app called Ingress, is going to step out on its own to become a company unto itself.

The announcement was made by Niantic Labs, this week, having first been mentioned on its Google+ page.

The announcement explained that Niantic Labs intends to head off on its own so that it will bring its “unique blend of exploration and fun to even bigger audiences.” That said, just because it won’t be a part of Google, anymore, it doesn’t mean that the two companies won’t be continuing their relationship. In fact, the creator of the Ingress augmented reality game app has already named Google as one of its prime backers and collaborators, “along with some amazing new partners.”

Aside from Ingress, Niantic Labs has also developed another mobile augmented reality game app.

Back in 2012, Niantic had initially launched a mobile app that it called Field Trip. That application was created for Android device users. It functioned by assisting them in being able to discover nearby places of interest. Not long after, it put out its first version of the Ingress AR technology based game. In that app, players choose to be a part of one of two different factions, through which they are supposed to explore locations in the real world and help to claim them for their side.

According to the announcement from earlier this week, that game has already been downloaded over 12 million times by users of Android and iOS based mobile devices. Moreover, it has managed to bring over 250,000 people to attend various types of events that have been held worldwide.

Earlier in 2015, the developer also put out another augmented reality game app called Endgame: Ancient Truth. That app continued on for a number of months and linked in with the broader science-fiction based Endgame universe, including the books that were written by James Frey and Nils Johnson-Shelton. The future plans of Niantic Labs, free of Google, are not yet publicly known.

Social media company hopes to find success with latest e-commerce initiative

Facebook is moving forward with its latest push into the e-commerce space. The social media company has had trouble in this sector before, as its previous e-commerce projects have proven to have little impact and failed to attract support from consumers. Facebook may have found a way to effectively engage consumers, however, with its new shopping feature that it has begun testing with a small number of merchants.

Merchants will be able to sell products directly through Facebook

With Facebook’s latest attempt to break into the e-commerce space, brands will be able to display their products on their Facebook page. Consumers will be able to find information about these products and make a purchase without having to leave the page itself, making digital shopping more convenient. This is not a new concept for Facebook, of course, as it first began inviting brands to use the social media site as their business gateway in 2009.

Company’s previous e-commerce endeavors have failed

By 2011, Facebook had convinced several large companies, including Nordstrom and GameStop, to open digital stores on the social media site. Through these stores, the brands would sell products, but consumers would be directed to a dedicated e-commerce site operated by the merchant they were purchasing products from. The initiative proved to be fruitless, however, as merchants saw no significant increase in sales or engagement. The companies participating in the initiative closed their digital stores on Facebook within a year.

Social media companies see great promise in the e-commerce space

Facebook is not the only social media company that is trying to find success in the e-commerce space. Twitter and Pinterest have also begun experimenting with “buy” buttons, with their focus leaning more toward mobile consumers interested in shopping online. Even search giant Google is focusing more heavily on the e-commerce space, giving merchants a way to sell products directly through display ads. These companies have, thus far, seen limited success in their endeavors, but they have high hopes for the e-commerce space, especially when it comes to the number of growing mobile shoppers.