C_NCENTRATE #569: 'Twitter Blue' Supersubscribers, Global AI Index + more
'The first good decision you make each week.'
THIS ISSUE OF C_NCENTRATE IS FREE THANKS TO
Waydev helps software engineering leaders gain complete visibility of their teams with a data-driven story of key business initiatives.
‘TWITTER BLUE’ IS PAID TWITTER
$2.99 a month and a slew of features that some argue should be free or aren’t really features. Is Twitter about to kick an own goal on its quest to make megabucks? Quite possibly so.
Researcher Jane Manchun Wong, broke the news late on Friday. Twitter has made no attempts to hide its subscription ambitions, but the details are telling exactly how the company is thinking when it comes to feature sets or levels. Most commenters/detractors spotted that the proposed ‘undo’ button is very much like the ‘delete’ feature that already exists (also, people can still screenshot any part of Twitter). I am most intrigued by ‘Collections’, a feature that will let users save and organise their favourite tweets into collections - something that other apps previously allowed (Flipboard, for example). Collections offer Twitter a big opportunity to pump a lot of signal back into and out of Twitter. The other opportunity is to bundle in a company that Twitter acquired last week, Scroll. Why Scroll? The platform lets people read content (blog posts etc) without ads which is something that research shows time and again is something that people are willing to consider paying to see removed. Engadget sums the issue ahead of Twitter up nicely:
Blue would be part of a broader effort to reduce Twitter's dependence on ads and steady its income. Whether or not it works is another matter, of course — many are used to Twitter being free, and there's no certainty that even frequent users will pay to upgrade their social network experience. - Engadget
The biggest area of concern - or interest - is whether the move will mean fewer ads and suggested content. Power users (many journalists in particular) voiced concern in this area. There is a lot of sense around Twitter turning off ads for premium users, but it’s unlikely right now as it learns who will pay for these features. The ‘Blue’ play is another in a series of monetisation plats (TipJar being another) that Twitter is pushing. The platform is looking to the future with a range of potential new features after a busy period with an ex-President and a renewed sense of purpose and opportunity laid before the company amidst interesting times. The question is, will users go blue?
__ DO __ Watch this move closely; it's a pivotal moment for Twitter's future. // __ DON'T __ Think this is a popular move; many expect and want Twitter always to be a free and fair platform. This move goes - somewhat - against this, but the realities of having stakeholders who need to see returns and plays made is a powerful one that even CEO Jack Dorsey can't resist forever.
FRIENDS OF C_NCENTRATE YOU SHOULD USE/WORK WITH:
Identity // MOO.com // 20% off use 'XN5MF6' (new customers only).
Live Video // Groovy Gecko // Their clients include Mark Zuckerberg and co.
Sleep // Motion Nutrition // Free sample of Power Up and Unplug, you just pay shipping.
Read // Stack Magazines // Amazing, independent, bi-monthly magazine inspiration.
AR/VR // Sliced Bread Animation // Immersive technology experience experts.Coworking // Fora // Coworking for adults.
Coffee // Apostle Coffee // Smooth blends powered by wind, solar and natural gas.
Tea // Grass People Tree // 10% off everything, use ‘GPTTEAHOUSEFAM” at the checkout.
THIS ISSUE OF C_NCENTRATE IS FREE THANKS TO WAYDEV
Waydev helps software engineering leaders gain complete visibility of their teams with a data-driven story of key business initiatives.
Are you ready for augmented influencers? > 6 mins
WeWork CEO: “Your least engaged employees want to work remotely.” > 4 mins
Volkswagen says it can profitably sell a self-driving system for €7 an hour. > 5 mins
Tortoise media has created a Global AI Index that is worth your attention. > 6 mins
Volkswagen says it can profitably sell a self-driving system for €7 an hour. > 5 mins
Could we stop ransomware attacks by making it illegal to pay up? > 5 mins
Scientists say there’s little benefit to correcting people on Twitter. > 5 mins
The UK is a nation of supersubscribers, but who else? > 7 mins
How to spot - and hire - lifelong learners. > 5 mins
‘Thursday’, the dating app that only works on Thursday’s, is about to launch. > 2 mins