It’s been hanging around like a bad smell for the last few months now, and it looks like this lingering odor might be a hard one to scrub away.
Flock is the latest free product making an impact on the web browser marketplace. Flock was built on the existing Mozilla Firefox browser platform (a browser becoming increasing popular with high end users, the web savvy, and web developers due to its array of plugins and user-centric features).
What separates Flock from the rest of the browser pack, is the integration of a variety of social networking and social bookmarking applications. De.licio.us, Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon, Flickr and a robust RSS feed reader are just a few of the applications incorporated thoughtfully into the browser interface and menus. Additional plugins to support other Web 2.0 applications in Flock are being developed as we speak.
Flock is very much a browser targeting users who are heavily into Web 2.0 applications, customizable content and instantaneous updates via XML feeds. Despite the average internet user not yet being part of this crowd, this is, in my opinion, the future of web browsing. It brings content relevant to you, straight to you, without the need to go searching…..
(….ah yes, while on the topic of searching, it seems that this somewhat fundamental function of web browsers is currently Flock’s major downfall. At the time of writing, Flock has a Yahoo search bar incorporated into the top browser bar, but not the slightest hint of anything Googly. Interesting, don’t you think….almost like the developers are making some sort of, gasp, statement!)
To further backup the notion of customized web browsers being the way of the future, check out Flock’s recent ‘limited edition’ offering, Flock Gloss. This is the first limited edition browser I’ve come across that is more than just a short-term gimmick.
Sure, you can download a skin for Internet Explorer with your favorite brand plastered across the header that will be replaced with your new favorite brand in two weeks, but a browser built with the functionality rather than just the design to support your interests and desires has far more long term potential. Perhaps you could apply this concept to your next online campaign, instead of building a short-term banner campaign that expires in 5 days time. A bit like this innovative and highly successful Doritos campaign we saw a few months ago.
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