Tech journalists may have been wrong about Meerkat but they're right to get excited about new apps

The danger of a herd mentality in tech hack circles is real, including missing out on mainstream products, but a nose for interesting news goes beyond analyticsTechnology journalism – and US technology journalism in particular – is getting a roasting every bit as stinging as Justin Bieber’s recent Comedy Central special, in an opinion piece by mobile industry expert Tero Kuittinen published on tech site Boy Genius Report.Titled “Meerkat is dying – and it’s taking US tech journalism with it”, it pulls no punches in its assessment of whether recent, excitable coverage of video-broadcasting app Meerkat was matched by actual downloads and usage.“Meerkat’s highest daily ranking on the U.S. iPhone download chart was No. 140, on March 20th. At this point, the app had already generated thousands of news stories and blog posts, most of them enthusiastically describing it as a hit. But actual American consumers never showed the slightest sign of warming up.Meerkat’s ‘success’ was the creation of a handful of West Coast tech bloggers who managed to lure major newspapers into covering a phenomenon that did not exist.“Writing about the mobile app industry is a curious niche; you don’t actually have to understand download statistics, different product segments or other industry fundamentals. Unlike movies, fashion, cars or the book industry, you don’t have to focus on products that possess real consumer appeal. In the United States, app industry reporters can simply choose to cover an... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2015-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #book industry

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Amazon, B&N comply with Apple app rules

Written By: Bookseller Staff Publication Date: Tue, 26/07/2011 - 09:14 Amazon has followed digital manufacturer Kobo and retailer Branes & Noble in complying with Apple's app purchasing rules. The retailer removed the "shop” button that sent consumers to its site to buy ebooks on Monday... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple imposes app purchasing rules

Written By: Philip Jones Publication Date: Mon, 25/07/2011 - 09:45 Kobo has removed the direct e-bookselling links from its Apple apps, following new rules brought in by Apple earlier this year. read more Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-07-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette Filipacchi launches Elle iPhone app

Hachette Filipacchi is expanding its Elle brand onto the mobile platform with the launch of a magazine iPhone app. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2011-07-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Just The News That's Fit to Read: Summify Launches an iPhone App

Sometimes keeping up with the Internet can seem like an endless assignment. The tweets and Facebook posts scroll infinitely, the email piles up, and news sites and blogs publish around the clock. That's why Summify seems so different. Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2011-07-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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E-booksellers silent on eve of new app rules

Written By: Bookseller Staff Publication Date: Thu, 30/06/2011 - 09:30 CNN reports that Amazon and Barnes & Noble are remaining tight-lipped on the eve of new app rules being introduced by Apple. Today, 30th June, is the deadline for app makers to get in compliance with Apple's strict new... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2011-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple Changes Rules on In-App Subs

Apple has changed its rules for in-app subscriptions and content access in the App Store. Reports are indicating that the most significant change is access to content purchased outside of the app without a corresponding in-app subscription requirement, and a concomitant relaxation of pricing... Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2011-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Financial Times Thumbs Nose at Apple with Web App

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[ AdWeek | 2011-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers Starting to Name-Check iTunes "Top Grossing Apps"

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[ Folio Magazine | 2011-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Secret World of Apps

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[ AdWeek | 2011-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Excitement and relief over Waterstone's future

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-05-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Report: 40 Percent of App Users Opt To Share Data With Publishers

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[ Folio Magazine | 2011-05-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Build an App on Any Budget

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[ Editor & Publisher | 2011-05-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Adobe Aiming to Be the App Fulfillment Middle Man

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[ Folio Magazine | 2011-05-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sandra Boynton Demonstrates App, Signs Books--and a Few Nooks

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2011-05-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Al Gore's Next Invention: The Future of Books? (Cheap Shot, But Cool App) [NetworkEffect]

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[ AllThingsD | 2011-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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App Roundup: More Publishers Develop For Droid

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[ Folio Magazine | 2011-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Faber app nominated for Bafta

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-04-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barnes & Noble Moves Forward With Plans To Allow Android Apps on Nook [Mobilized]

The bookseller is proceeding with plans to open its own Android app store for the Nook Color, announcing new tools for developers and promising they will get a 70 percent cut of revenue. The first apps and store are due out with a major update to the Nook software due out this spring. Continue reading at AllThingsD

[ AllThingsD | 2011-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Gardners Hive will look to apps post launch

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[ The Bookseller | 2011-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bonnier Spins Off Mag+ App Platform

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[ Folio Magazine | 2011-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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