The Mario Blog

01.28.2016—3am    Post #2354
How many curated news apps can one support?

There is already the Apple News application.  Now Microsoft joins those seeking the attention of news-hungry users.  Microsoft this week unveiled yet another application aimed at iOS users. Called “News Pro,” Microsoft’s app aims to offer readers a personalized experience by connecting them to articles that match their current interests, while also uncovering other sites and stories they may like.

All of this sounds great, but I am beginning to wonder how many of these News apps can appear out there, with very similar offerings and all promising to curate content to our preferences.

I am meeting often with young entrepreneurs who wish to discuss their News app adventure with me.  They are all motivated and energized about their product.  Yet, what I find is repetition more so than innovation.

This begs the question: will we become a society where curated and personalized news apps will be the way to go, depriving us of all the serendipity that non-curated news editions offer?

True, we do want the curated content at certain times of the day (maybe twice a day), but I would not trade that for my ability to be surprised by content I never sought or that I would not have listed as preferred content in a survey.

It’s time to redefine goals and to be able to travel this thin and perilous line that divides the totally personalized news app from those that allow for a bit of serendipity.

For more:

http://techcrunch.com/2016/01/26/microsoft-launches-a-bing-powered-news-app-for-ios-devices-news-pro/?utm_source=API+Need+to+Know+newsletter&utm_campaign=022747ee98-Need_to_Know_January_27_20161_27_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e3bf78af04-022747ee98-31701869

Apple to offer subscription through News app

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-plans-offer-subscription-content-183704353.html?utm_source=API+Need+to+Know+newsletter&utm_campaign=022747ee98-Need_to_Know_January_27_20161_27_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e3bf78af04-022747ee98-31701869

Highlight

Apple Inc is working to make subscription content available through its News app, giving publishers with paywalls a new way to control who sees their articles, two sources familiar with the matter said.

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