Meerkat: The Latest App on the Block

There was a lot of buzz at this year's SXSW conference for the innovative new app Meerkat, which allows users to stream live-feed footage in real time. In particular it has been extremely successful on the social platform Twitter, where Twitterers are able to stream footage straight to their followers in the moment of their occurrence. Currently Meerkat has been popular with reporters and newscasters, who require the necessary tools to provide news and new information at a moment's notice. However, other professionals are beginning to look towards the app for uses in their own industry.

Real Estate consultants have begun doing live-feed open houses showing their properties to interested prospects. Likewise, sport teams like the Miami Dolphins have used the app to announce new players to their followers while famous Tony Hawk used Meerkat to give a quick performance to his fans. For companies looking for a new and quick way to reach their followers and potential customers while crafting creative engaging content in real time, Meerkat may hold a lot of potential for marketing efforts and brand promotion. 

YouTube's New Interactive 360 Degree Videos

YouTube recently introduced this awesome new feature which allows users to post 360 degree interactive footage. Using a specialized camera, you can now record videos from multiple angles at the same time. When viewers click on the video, a directional stick appears similar to video games and allows the video viewer to turn the angle of the video in multiple directions. Even more interesting, when mobile users watch videos they can actually turn their phone in the direction they wish to see the recorders perspective from; as if holding a window into a new world. For those who may be wondering why this is being mentioned on a digital marketing blog, the answer is because there is huge potential for companies, brands, and marketers to utilize this new video software to create interesting and engaging content.

Red Bull has already taken advantage of the opportunity to showcase an F-1 racing down a track for viewers to witness the high speed experience for the seat of a driver; enabling adrenaline junkies to connect that positive association with adventurous and action-packed activities with their energy drink brand. However there are a multitude of industries that could use 360 degree video to help promote their brand or products. Real estate companies could produce videos of walk-throughs  through their properties in which potential customers can now use the footage to see all angles of the house without having to make an actual trip down there. Likewise, cities and countries looking for tourism could make videos displaying beautiful and scenic part of their respective areas to encourage visitors to come see it in person. Potentially, the possibilities are endless if marketers use a little creativity. Regardless, I definitely think we will be seeing the use of 360 degree interactive footage become prominent in both online video advertisements and entertainment mediums as its popularity gains momentum.

The Components of a Great Phone App

In a recent interview, Mashable sat down with mobile guru Rameet Chawla to discuss the key components of creating a successful mobile app. In a marketplace saturated with apps from companies and independent designers wishing to cash in on the popularity of the mobile world, it has become extremely competitive for an app to truly stick out and make a return on investment. However Chawla has theorized that by taking a few important steps when implementing one's idea, a successful app can be made.

Chawla emphasizes that the main focus on the app's creation should be on how the idea is put into action and what it is doing, rather than its presentation. Churning out a sub-par product and polishing it up will win less fans than a more basic-looking app that is actually useful. App creators should concentrate on adding value to the user, people generally don't download something they don't find enticing or interesting. Chawla also mentions that for capturing the Millennial demographic, innovation is quintessential. While for older generations, an easy to use interface may be more practical, Millennials group up with technology and desire an app that pushes the limits of technology. This demographic age can very easily adapt to a more complicated interface, and seek app designers that utilize all features of the device and technology that is available at that time. Lastly, app designers should make sure to differentiate their ideas from ones already on the market to ensure they stand out among the plethora of similar apps being introduced daily.

Rameet Chawla claims by implementing all of these components, the chances of being successful in the app market place for both Androids and iPhones should increase heavily. Implement the idea in a well-planned manner, push the limits of available technology/ device capabilities, and differentiate your app from others in the market and success will eventually follow.