Facebook To Roll Out “Reactions” Emojis In Coming Weeks

What Happened
Expanding from the simple Like, Facebook is finally ready to launch what it calls “Reactions” to its platform after months of limited testing in foreign markets. The new Like button will give users five emojis to properly express their reactions toward the content they come across on Facebook, such as surprise, anger, and sadness. Facebook says the new feature will be available worldwide in “the next few weeks.”

What Brands Need To Do
As we noted when Facebook announced the feature, this expansion of the Like button can provide brands with a new tool to accurately gauge consumer sentiment. Now with this feature coming soon to all users, brands will no longer need to rely on third-party analytics firms to run sentiment analysis to measure customer feedback on Facebook. Brands with a Facebook presence need to learn to closely monitor Reactions and adjust communications strategy accordingly.

 


Source: Engadget

Sector Spotlight: Quantified Health

One of the more interesting segments of the Quantified Self ecosystem involves health tracking. As platforms like Apple’s Healthkit and Google Fit begin to outline the new marketplace, Quantified Health could become a vital part of the connected self’s daily routine, as well as a new media channel through which brands can communicate with consumers. Here is just a small sample of health-tracking products going far beyond activity tracking.

What is Quantified Health?

Quantified Health is the sector of the market of wearables, apps, and sensors that monitor the way a user’s body and lifestyle perform on a daily basis. This creates data that can provide feedback on activity, leading to a positive impact on the way a person lives.

Sensoria

Sensoria is a line of “smart garments” with sensors embedded in the fabric. Socks can track common activities—step counts, speed, distance—but also can understand gait and foot placement to accurately analyze walking or running patterns. Its shirts and sports bras can function as an extension to a heart rate monitor. All of the products sync with a mobile device via Bluetooth.

Bellabeat

Bellabeat is a suite of devices to intelligently track a pregnancy. The company offers a stylish wristband that tracks an expectant mother’s activity, stress, nutrition and sleep quality. Additionally, Bellabeat manufactures a non-ultrasound pregnancy monitor that can record and share a baby’s heartbeat, as well as send music to the baby in the womb. Rounding out the suite is a smart scale for both the mother and the baby.

Muse

There are a few meditation wearables on the market, but they usually come as part of a larger fitness package. Muse is the only meditation headband that we’ve come across — its sensors detect brainwaves, like a miniature EEG machine. The app provides goals for relaxation sessions, which are meant to reduce the intensity of brainwave patterns.

What opportunities does Quantified Health present to advertisers?

The advertising potential in Quantified Health products could open an entirely new channel to consumers. Apps can deliver branded content emphasizing fitness and health as users begin to integrate the technology into their lifestyle, and the surplus of data will present a more granular picture of demographics and user identities. Finally, the technology itself can be used to drive users toward purchase, with in-app marketplaces or deals.