#50 - The Race for the Next Interface
The battle for the next interface is heating up. This week Microsoft announced numerous new enhancements to Bing and Edge , transforming them into smart chat assistants taking on traditional search. The goal is not just a visual makeover, but to create a new prime destination for users through cutting-edge chat technology. Owning the interface means controlling the user journey and securing monetisation opportunities as Brian Morrissey points out. But not everyone is convinced that these chat-interfaces are the end point. Amelia Wattenberger mentions that chat interfaces have some limits in being easy to use and adaptable, hinting that the perfect interface for powerful AI still needs to be designed. As this race for the next interface unfolds, it's crucial for publishers to find their place in the new value chain and also come-up with their own ways to present content and stay in control.
Enjoy this week's selection!
IN FOCUS
Rumors suggest Vice is facing bankruptcy. In what seems like the post-BuzzFeed media era, the once disruptive digital-media company, which attracted major investments from Disney and Fox, is reportedly preparing for bankruptcy, as per sources familiar with the matter.
+ Meanwhile Ben Smith wonders what comes after the social media era.
Not everyone is giving up social. Buzzfeed, Conde Nast, DotDash Meredith, Hearst Magazines, NBCUniversal and Vox Media are among the publishers involved with a new Tiktok scheme allowing them to monetise their content through a revenue-sharing model.
+ BlueSky, launched by ex-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, is gaining attention amid Twitter's struggles under Elon Musk. It's unclear if it can replace Twitter, and if doing so would be advantageous. Matthew Ingram explores these questions.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
New data from the Medill Subscriber Engagement Index indicates that relying on page views and time spent on the site to measure website success might be misguided. The data, collected from 106 outlets, reveals that reader regularity is the most important factor in encouraging people to pay for news.
Tricky subscription offers, hidden pricing, and hard-to-cancel plans can help publishers make more money short-term. But as people learn about these tactics, using aggressive and misleading methods might hurt publishers' credibility according to Toolkits.
Bundling is not easy: A few years ago Norwegian media group, Amedia, decided to create a product that would allow subscribers to access content from across their many titles. However, the initial version of the product did not test well with users. After much revising they came up with a fine-tuned product that successfully met the needs of Amedia's subscribers.
+ Damian Radcliff has 7 tips for your subscription bundling strategy .
+ As the rising cost of living weakens consumer spending power in the US and UK, people are turning to influencers to help them discover cheaper products and services online.
AI
The most relevant AI-related news of the week is that Geoffrey Hinton, the “Godfather of AI,” has resigned from Google Brain. The reason: He wants to warn us of the danger ahead .
AI chatbots have been used to create dozens of news content farms. A new report documents 49 new websites populated by AI tools like ChatGPT and posing as news outlets.
Short:
AUDIO
Despite their impressive reach on other platforms, podcasts from NPR, Slate, and the New York Times are struggling to find an audience on YouTube. While there has been much hype about podcasters uploading their episodes to the platform, the results have been underwhelming so far. Their limited YouTube impact may stem from using images or GIFs, rather than full video podcasts with on-screen hosts.
A few weeks back Spotify announced it is investing in tech that easily converts broadcast audio to podcasts. This article by The Drum tries to find out what that means for broadcasters’ ad revenue.
+ Rather than suing anyone who uses her voice - music artist Grimes has launched an AI software - ELFTECH - to help people do it. What’s in it for her? A 50/50 royalty split.
SHORT
READ
A recent Newzoo report on PC and Console Gaming in 2023 reveals a 23% decrease in average playtime from 2021 to 2022. It also features unique segmentation models that highlight different gaming behaviors and motivations. The report covers topics such as why people play games, what features are most appealing, and spending habits on PC and console purchases.
Gen Z is driving three seismic waves for startups: sustainability, mental health, and internet-based work. These shifts are changing consumer behavior, reducing stigma around mental health, and redefining career expectations.
LEARN
Registrations are now open for JournalismAI Discovery. The Discovery course is an interactive self-guided course that will help you understand what AI technologies can do to improve your journalism.
Laws of UX is a collection of best practices that designers can consider when building user interfaces.
+ According to professor Scott Galloway storytelling is the class/skill kids should take/learn to compete in the modern economy.
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Ezra
Media & Tech | Strategy & Partnerships
1 年Merci Ezra Eeman !
Strategy Adviser for CEOs in Tech ? Guidance for keeping your business relevant
1 年Thanks for sharing, Ezra ??