1.14.2016
Good to Know: Earlier this week, the White House got itself its very own Snapchat account. If you haven’t quite mastered the app like DJ Khaled, here’s a 101 guide on how to get there. #BlessUp … But be careful, even DJ Khaled has screwed up while snapchatting (US $80K gone in 30 seconds) … Ouch!
THE SKINNY
When Growing Up Isn’t So Hard to Do …
Seventy million subscribers and available in more than 540 million households across the globe … Online streaming video service Netflix is growing like gangbusters.
When You’ve Gotta Watch Your Back …
Netflix may now appear as a mere blip in the broader content radar, but traditional media moguls should be worried … very worried. The New York Times advises that media execs should give Netflix’s potential some serious thought while at Davos, an annual pow wow of the who’s who in politics and business that’s happening next week.
Porque?
Well, the company’s been pouring a ridiculous amount of money into producing its own original content and decided to expand globally in just one day. Most people believe this approach should’ve failed, but Netflix seems to be defying the odds. It’s strategy seems to be working well. The company’s being compared to the early days of e-commerce company Amazon. Apparently, back in the day, some people thought Amazon’s unconventional approach would fail too.
Haters Gonna Hate …
As Netflix’s growth continues, naysayers don’t think it’ll be able to keep subscription prices for its content low. One skeptic thinks that the best Netflix can do is to reach a “modestly profitable business, just not a spectacular one.” Others beg to differ. They’re thinking more content down the line. Perhaps a Netflix-owned studio? And, dare we say theme-parks?
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?
In More News …
As Netflix expands, some countries aren’t quite sure what to do with the service. And by some countries, we mean Kenya. Regulators in the East African country can’t seem to agree on whether Netflix is like old school television or more like YouTube or Facebook. If it’s the former, Netflix can expect some of its content to be censored if the government flags it as “inappropriate.”
When The Discussion Takes A Sharp Left …
The World Bank recently put out a report on the Internet and its impact on the global economy. The bank didn’t hold back and is basically telling people not to buy into the Internet-hype. According to the report, everything’s not all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to the Internet’s economic and societal benefits. Turns out digital technologies are creating more of a division between the haves and the have-nots. Whether the Internet will play a positive role, ultimately comes down to the country and its governance system. The World Bank is piping up during an interesting time – just as Internet companies are pushing to bring access to less developed areas.
What You’re Not Gonna Do Is …
Egypt’s government is playing no type of games when it comes to protests leading up to the fifth anniversary of the Arab Spring uprising against the country’s then-leader Hosni Mubarak. The Egyptian government just arrested some people for allegedly using Facebook to incite more protests. If you’ll remember, back in 2011, people turned to Facebook and Twitter to organize and protest before the country shut down access to the social platforms. The current government doesn’t want a repeat so they’re taking action to shut down channels for protests (including cultural centers).
THE STREETS ARE TALKIN’
U.S. election season is in full swing, and civic platform Change.org is out with a new service – Change Politics. The goal? Get educated on where candidates stand on certain positions and even pose questions to them directly if that’s what you fancy.
New dating app ideas are a dime a dozen these days. The latest? “Once” will attempt to use the beat of your heart to help you find the one. FitBit or Android Wear device not included but necessary.
Snapchat needs more people … You know, it needs to compete with the Instagrams of the world. So, it’s trying to woo people over 35.
Speaking of competition, new app Upshot is moving into Snapchat territory. It’s basically Snapchat for events. You can privately share pics of a night out with friends, and they’ll disappear after a week.
Twitter is integrating live stream videos from Periscope into your tweet timeline now …
Making moves … SurveyMonkey’s got a new CEO, Zander Lurie – formerly of GoPro … Google nabs Caroline Atkinson, President Obama’s Economic Advisor, to lead its global policy team … More Yahoo VPs dip out on the company.