Where Will Social Media Be 1 Year From Now?

Google buys Songza. Apple buys Beats. Facebook buys Oculus. The internet of things is a growing world, and connectivity is no more a question of "Who's connected?" but rather "Where are you connected?"

Google Glass is now out of the box, and open for any US resident to purchase (for a mere $1500), and brings the wearables revolution to the masses. With Oculus Rift being purchased by Facebook, and Sony pushing it's own Virtual Reality set out to the forefront, VR is shaping up to be a new frontier of connecting.

So what does this mean for Social Media? What will it look like in a year from now?

I can see the future of Social Media going in two very distinct, and different directions; one of optimism, and one direction of cynicism.

Optimistically, I see Social Media becoming invisible in the next year. As we become more connected, and the work of Microsoft, Apple, Google and (notably Canonical) further the convergence between mobile and desktop platforms, Social Media will become so ingrained into the software we use, it will become "invisible."

 And this could be a great thing. I look at defining Social Media as, "Any electronic communication between people, communities and businesses." I know this is very broad, and when Social Media becomes invisible, and so integrated into our software/devices/daily lives, we become more involved in the content, messaging and meaning, versus the design (though design always matters, IMO) or other factors. Hopefully, with this type of convergence as well, time won't be wasted on making sure your friends are all on the same platform (WhatsApp/Viber/Voxx/and more). You can just connect, and communicate.

On the flip side to all of this, my cynicism leads me to see another possible outcome that does the consumer no good: An ecosystem battle. As all these purchases of smaller companies and start ups are being assimilated to the big guns (Facebook, Google, Apple), the walls might be built up higher and higher, and if you are not using one of their devices, you can't access their service.

In a year, this might be our future, either way. The thing I find most exciting, is that the future is up to us. We have seen a history of people joining forces to shape the way technology moves, and the restrictions and freedoms they deserve. SOPA never saw the light of day. Net Neutrality is not lost yet, in large part to those who have banded together for the greater good.

I have hope for the future, and we are completely in control of how that future looks.