The Daily Crunch 08/02/16

Instagram isn't even being coy about copying Snapchat Stories, Salesforce's acquisition strategy skews more Google Docs than Oracle's and Twitter aims for Gold at Rio. All that and more in The Daily Crunch for August 2, 2016. This email will disappear after 24 hours.

1. Instagram steals from Snapchat

Facebook has tried (and failed) to copy Snapchat in the past, but now the company's Instagram wing is taking a clear cue from Spiegel and Co. Instagram's new Snapchat Stories are functionally identical to Snapchat Stories, in that you create video and photo slideshows that disappear after 24 hours. Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom isn't even trying to hide it, saying Snapchat "deserves all the credit." But some things like placement differentiate Instagram's offering: The photo sharing app will put Moments at the very top of a user's main feed, meaning they aren't tucked away like they are in Snapchat. We'll see if users appreciate further messing with the main Instagram waterfall.

2. Salesforce adds a co-op word processor to the lineup

Salesforce is adding some more variety to its offerings as rival Oracle doubles up on its core business. Quip, a cloud-based collaborative word-processor created by ex-FB CTO Bret Taylor, got picked up by Salesforce for around $750 million. Quip earned praise for being mobile-first, but its real strength at Salesforce may be how well it can work as a co-op tool for teams.

3. Is Rio the perfect moment for Twitter Moments?

For those who still believe in the bull case for Twitter long-term, Rio might be a near-perfect proving ground. The Olympics are the reason behind Twitter's revamp of Moments, which will provide live, real-time info about select sports. It'll also offer live video highlights via Twitter Amplify. This could present a means of accessing Twitter's value for people who yet to fully grasp what its live, news-oriented product can do for everyday audiences.

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4. Microsoft beautifies its box

Microsoft has a new Xbox One on the way, but in the meantime, it has a nearly new Xbox One it would like you to take a look at. The Xbox One S isn't the so-called 'Scorpio' 4K gameplay-sporting powerhouse, but it is a much better designed take on the Xbox One S, with a hardware build that feels like a tool rather than a toy. It's a fun 40 percent smaller than the OG Xbox One, and it ditches the massive, pound-cake-like power brick that you likely stubbed your toe on at least once.

5. Secondary market looks to VR to disrupt dealership sales

Online car sales have a steep disadvantage versus in-person dealerships: you can't get behind the wheel. Now one online used car seller, Vroom, is looking to bridge that gap using VR. The company has a virtual showroom containing 30 painstakingly 3D-rendered virtual automobiles, built from actual vehicles on sale on the marketplace. You still won't get a sense of road feel, but at least you won't be buying blind.

6. We interrupt your Facebook Live stream to bring you this very important message

And now for a word from our sponsor: Not actually, but expect to hear those words more when tuning into Facebook Live streams. The company is testing ad breaks that will pop up after five minutes of streaming, and can last as long as 15 seconds. During the test, the ads are just being lifted from other Facebook campaigns, but in the future, custom ads targeted to Live audiences make a lot more sense. Is Facebook becoming TV in ways audiences won't appreciate before it becomes TV in ways that they definitely do? This is just a test, so it's hard to say so soon.

7. 100 million is a lot of Pokemon trainers

Pokemon Go has crossed over into the 100 million-install territory, a rarefied realm even for apps that have been around a lot longer than three weeks. The sensation is causing some sensitivity, however: NY Governor Andrew Cuomo might make Pokemon Go trainer a blacklisted occupation for convicted sex offenders currently on parole. Meanwhile, players who leaned on services like Pokevision to keep a step ahead of wild Pokemon showing up in their neighborhood are also out of luck. Turns out that misuse of Niantic's API was a huge server suck, and instead Niantic is going to replace its own in-game radar with something actually useful down the road.