Twitter’s Biz Stone Looks Back at 2009 and Forward to 2010: We’re Now an Information Network, People!
While conducting a video tour of Twitter’s hip new HQ in San Francisco, BoomTown sat down to do a video interview with Twitter co-founder Biz Stone.
I did a similar interview with Stone, as well as CEO Evan Williams, in the spring, which now seems like a bajillion years ago.
In the video below, Stone–who has been traveling the globe of late, taking the Twitter message hither and yon–talked about where the much hyped start-up has been and where it is going.
He called the current period “the end of the beginning” and noted that 2010 will be all about “building a business.”
You think? In the past, I have dubbed him: No-Biz-Like-No-Biz-Plan Stone. But in 2010, I might have to change that to Down-to-Biz Nose-to-the-Grind-Stone.
Stone also said that he wants everyone to start calling Twitter–which has close to 60 million unique monthly visitors globally–an “information network” and not a microblogging service.
You got that one, folks! Information network! Nix on the microblogging, which does sound kind of puny.
It’s probably a good idea, given the social networking comparison to Facebook is growing much faster than Twitter.
In addition, Stone discussed the appointment of COO Dick Costolo, the DNS attack last week, the possibility of flattening traffic and the recent data deals with Microsoft (MSFT) and Google (GOOG).
While he did not really give up much information about the finances of those partnerships–and I did not really press, since I was apparently in an unusual holiday mood–Stone said they are the kind of “framework that makes sense” for Twitter’s future revenue.
Check it out for yourself:
Comments
People use Twitter as a social network. Just accept this fact, Twitter and get over this “information distribution system” obsession.
Posted by Liz Pullen at December 22nd, 2009 at 9:27 pmAlthough I realize the Santa hat makes my comment lose some of its gravitas…I'm serious.
Posted by Liz Pullen at December 22nd, 2009 at 9:28 pmhey, if you want to dress like Santa, they can call themselves Phyllis if they want! ;)
Posted by Kara Swisher at December 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 pmSeriously, you look adorkable. I am seriously laughing as I am taking you seriously.
Posted by Kara Swisher at December 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 pmIts gossip.
Posted by Lokc at December 23rd, 2009 at 2:08 amMy 60+ mother loves it.
'nuf said
so its not a micro bloging site anymore? i shouldnt type too personal stuff that is pointless and i just want to get to a point where i have followers so my tweets matter
Posted by Zac Addkison at December 23rd, 2009 at 2:14 amfollow me ill follow back. ZacLA. Texas tryin to make it to LA. Now lets see how good this works
Posted by Zac Addkison at December 23rd, 2009 at 2:15 amnice comment change Kara. Finally I can leave comments without loggin in. Yeah
Twitter has a big opportunity ahead of them with developers. Their numbers are very low compared to Facebook which is increasing its' dominance. Positioning as a information networks is smart. What would be even smarter is for Twitter to create a better user experience. Right now Twitter is losing the battle of user experience outside of celebrities and self promoting social media gurus.
Seriously Twitter needs to create a better user experience for Joe Sixpack. The Joe Sixpacks are leaving in droves.
Posted by John Furrier at December 23rd, 2009 at 3:10 amHaving worked for a company called an “information network” (seriously… I did) my view is that the term does lend to carrier or neutral bus connotations. Let's wish them well.
An “information network” is not a bad gig. Let's hope the vision extends pragmatically to the market demand and mix [1].
The machine to machine exploration or encoding within communication limits will be interesting in much the same way RSS has been of interest in a certain capacity. This is probably not lost on those that have seen interfaces evolve/shift over the years where certain pools have formed around coupling du jour. “ATM” came before “IP” in most “information networks”.
[1] If they accomplish this, expect alternatives to form from all sides built around the “IP” land grab. To date, I'm not sure Twitter has experienced any form of true competition. This lack of competition is another element of the end of a beginning.
p.s. nice use of Disqus
Posted by Jay Cuthrell at December 23rd, 2009 at 6:08 amI believe it's about more than how we define the site, but what drives its development as a primary factor — users, the company, or the interaction?
Analyses that probe meaningfully and insightfully into that question go a long way into our understanding (and also shaping) our future experiences online on major sites and overall.
Posted by Alex Hammer at December 23rd, 2009 at 3:39 pm