What Hive "needs" is more features that can be promoted as features, rather than Hive. I had great hopes for Hive's 2nd layer communities as interest-based gateways to Hive
The second part of the article does touch on one feature of Hive. A lacking one that is in the works. Its exactly what you say here.
Promotion of features of hive in the context of the eyes of the wider market. Smart contracts are one of those things.