Mobile
devices are changing how we communicate from the way we receive news, interact
with others to even going about our daily tasks. Even in social settings, such
as dinner with friends, people are actively engaged and using their phones
whether they’re checking their emails or scrolling through their Instagram
feed.
There are a
variety of social apps ranging from dating to sharing videos. Sure, you can
call, text message or video chat someone, but now there are so many other
channels to communicate through. Want to show your friends what you’re up to?
Send a Snapchat. Trying to figure out where to go out tonight? Check Wigo to
see ‘who is going out.’ No time to date? Download an app. Think a friend would
appreciate a picture? Tag them on Instagram.
While all
these apps provide new forms of mobile communication it seems that users are
more engaged in using their mobile devices and checking these apps than in
actual social settings with face-to-face interaction. However, in a sense it does open up an
interesting opportunity for news outlets.
The
traditional news industry is struggling. The average consumer of news spends
very little time on a news site or reading a print publication. However, for
example, E! News or USA Today will post a photo with a caption and a link to
the full article on Instagram. Other publications will tweet a quote, picture
or a brief statement about a current event or article with a link to the full
story. Snapchat aggregates live feed for events such as the X Games, the Golden
Globes and even the recent blizzard, Juno. Snapchat also added a new feature
called Discover in its most recent update that tells stories from different
editorial teams.
