In this issue we look at moderating perspectives on a few hot topics. First up, we follow up on our earlier coverage of bots and use cases. There are lots of good reasons to be excited about the growth and range of applications for bots, but the hype has been a bit much. We have chosen four short articles to get you current. Next up, Stickers as a serious content type, then thoughts on the utility of video, purposeful merging of web and mobile, and interesting ideas on product placement.
Wrong Narrative. Wrong Mindset. Wrong Solutions.
Don’t worry, this is about bots not politics, and Sar Haribhakti’s view is balanced.
If you even remotely follow tech news, it is very likely that you have read outlandish claims like “Bots are the new apps”. There are way too many misconceptions around conversational products. Read More
Bots in 2016: Mid-Year Check In
Sam Lessin is a big fan of bots because of the potential for developers in general, and in particular for the personal assistant his company, Fin, is building. His experience and thoughts on the challenges of bringing bot-based products to market will help developers and product managers tune expectations.
The past six months have shown that building compelling bots is very challenging. Completely automated bots aren’t ready for prime time and hybrid services with human involvement cost a lot to develop. How developers can make money from bots also hasn’t been clarified. But I’m still bullish on the shift to bots. Read More
Personal assistant bots like Siri and Cortana have a serious problem
Good general explanation of why Alexa et al struggle to meet user expectations. Read More
The Death of Apps has been Greatly Exaggerated
Analyst Jan Dawson looks at the numbers.
Bots are a fascinating new element of mobile user interfaces and have potential in certain well-defined use cases. However, as a threat to the app model, they’re fundamentally limited for a couple of reasons. First, bots are not a fit at all for the vast majority of apps. Put another way, for the apps that generate the vast majority of revenue. Read More
The Elements of Stickers
Stickers as a serious content type. Connie Chan should convince you there is more to Stickers than you probably thought.
Stickers aren’t just frivolous little punctuation marks to be inserted in text messages. They can be replacements for entire sentences, and help create a new medium for communicating and storytelling… And sometimes stickers can convey what words cannot! This form of visual communication has become so popular … in WeChat and LINE — that it is not uncommon to see a deep thread of multiple messages without a single word. They’re not just for those crazy young kids. More notably, stickers are commonly used in professional, not just personal, chats as well… Read More
Video and Speed
I’m sure you know the feeling — you see a link to something that looks interesting, follow it, and when it turns out to be a video clip, you shake your head and kill the tab. The problem with video is it’s just too slow.
Totally agree. Give me words to skim please. Tim Bray discusses watching (some) video faster and listening to sped-up audio. Read More
Building for a future mobile web
Paul Kinlan makes a case for progressive web apps as a way to combine the best of native mobile and mobile web apps. His discussion is useful beyond Google’s progressive web activity.
A new way of thinking about how we build apps and content experiences for the web is needed. One that is progressive in allowing us to build for the web at large, but takes inspiration from the deeper engagement that can be found in native app platforms. Read More
James Bond, Dunder Mifflin, and the Future of Product Placement
…my children shouted in annoyance. They rousted me from bed, complaining that something was wrong with the TV… Trying to explain that there are advertising breaks so people can sell them things was a deflating experience… Their incomprehension was total… If interruption-based advertising is no longer an option, and if traditional product placement is no longer the answer, how can brands reach consumers while not offending their sense of empowerment and leveraging their desire for immediate gratification?
Laurent Muzellec makes a case for “interactive product placement”, and “reverse product placement”… Read More
Main conference: November 29 – 30
Workshops: December 1, 2016
Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston
Short takes
The topic may be slightly scary but you need to know what’s coming… 2 terrific #MarTech talks on the rise of AI in marketing via chiefmartec.com
Lots of orgs will need to make a similar choice, but this is big one… Salesforce will only support Nexus and Samsung Galaxy phones to avoid Android fragmentation via recode
Yes, something like this… Why Wearables Will Replace Your Smartphone via ITNews
eBooks down, print up… U.S. Publishing Industry’s Annual Survey Reveals Nearly $28 Billion in Revenue in 2015 via AAP
An optimist’s view of Getting Google and Publishers to Share Love — and Data via Medium
Differences… AI, Apple and Google via Benedict Evans
The UK takes a stab at a Data Science Ethical Framework via gov.uk
Growing without video dependence… Bustle’s Slower but Steady Growth Path via The Information
Different levels of maturity… Enterprise MarTech Assessment: More Social Than Mobile via Medium
CMS, etc., corner
Should command a serious salary… The 6 skills every content strategist must have via Medium
Some good questions re What does a decoupled WCM architecture really mean? via Real Story Group
Digital Asset Management Round-up, June 2016 via Digital Clarity Group
Bright future or death spiral?… via EContent
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The Gilbane Digital Content Conference: Content Management, Marketing, and Digital Experience helps marketers, IT, and business managers integrate content strategies and technologies to produce superior digital experiences for customers, employees, and partners.
