Cutline Speaks

A Look Back at Web 2.0

posted by Meghan on April 9, 2009

Last week, the Cutline crew headed over to Web 2.0 at the Moscone Center to hear from a few keynote speakers and chat with exhibitors about cool new technologies. This year's theme was the “Power of Less.” After all, less IS more. In this year's welcome letter, Jennifer Pahlka (TechWeb) and Brady Forrest (O’Reilly Media) outlined the theme along with some of the changes they expected this year. These included fewer attendees, fewer parties and fewer promotional materials like tchotckes, which were immediately visible when you walked on the show floor. However, the letter concluded by stating, "For as much as we embrace less, we find more. More clarity, more transformation, more creativity. More commitment to working on what matters." I couldn't agree more.

The really impactful changes that stemmed from the "Power of Less" theme were more subtle and much more valuable. By simplifying the conference, attendees were given a more engaging and compelling show with the established keynote speakers, the promising business plan from startups, and advanced social networking through the use of Twitter feeds, Facebook profiles, and LinkedIn groups (sorry, you'll need a login for this one).

While there was an abundance of new ideas being discussed, we found one common topic that resonated throughout - social enterprise apps. Almost everyone had a social app attached to their business model. Seems like old news, right? Well, we've been hearing about location-based software and social media in consumer's lives, but Web 2.0 showed how much these social tools are becoming a part of the enterprise with almost every booth displaying new social enterprise platforms and/or apps.  

Here are a few interesting discussions we thought you'd enjoy:

- Anssi Vanjoki from Nokia puts a stake in the ground for mobile maps and location with his presentation on the year of the mobile computer. Anssi discussed how a user’s immediate location and social network can transform mobile web services into personalized, unique experiences. 

- Ellen Miller presented the Sunlight Foundation’s mission to improve transparency and accountability in government with Web 2.0 technology. 

- Will Wright, who just announced his resignation from EA to start a think tank, discussed the future of gaming. He outlined how players will no longer enter into virtual worlds that are of a fantasy life but instead of their own reality. He stated that, "Most people are very narcissistic. The more you can make the game about that person, the more interested, the more emotionally involved they will get."

- Douglas Rushkoff explains, "How the Web Ate the Economy, and Why This Is Good for Everyone," covering authenticity and moving beyond corporations to connect to one another and create opportunities for trade and growth. Take a look at the video below.

It's important to note that, through these social apps, users can now demand authenticity and transparency from companies and our government. Soon, I'm sure we can add the health care industry to that roster as well. Only time will tell!

Tags for this post: social networking