The advent of digital media has transformed how we consume content and stay updated with the latest turn of events happening across the globe. Although the traditional method of gaining news content from TV channels is not eradicated, the majority of the not-so-old population prefers switching to any short news app for all the latest updates and scoops. Using online platforms for news content provides a convenient and hassle-free experience to users who look forward to concise and compact pieces of information rather than the influx of unwanted details.
Not only text news apps, short video news, too, has gained momentum in recent years as users need to have a glance to know what, when, and where it is happening. Digital migration has changed how we shop, travel, and manage finances, so why should the entertainment and media industry remain an exception? In the forthcoming years, we will witness a more revolutionized approach to curating and distributing news content to these media channels.
The driving force behind the anticipated revolution of digital media and journalism is not singular, but several factors contribute to this cause. Thanks to the proliferation of the latest technologies and our quest to use them in the right way, let’s check some of those innovations:
- Roll out of 5G & wi fi 6: The Internet is best enjoyed at the highest speed it functions. Developing such remarkable speed-boosting technologies like 5G will work in favor of the digital media industry. Users will have a smooth experience with faster loading times for short news online, uninterrupted streaming, and superior video and audio content quality. Increased bandwidth will provide opportunities for new ways of creating user engagement and interactivity.
- Virtual reality & augmented reality: what would be better than teleporting the users right in the middle of all the action and drama? VR is a game changer in multiple aspects, and this advanced technology will thoroughly change users’ perceptions of digital media. A great example of this is the New York Times VR app. With a highly immersive and fascinating experience, it provides a whole new level of connectivity and empathy to the users.
- Combating the ad-blockers: Blocking advertisements has become a common practice by users nowadays to eliminate all distractions and unnecessary suggestions. However, this advancement can cost dearly the news in short apps and websites that count on the revenue generated by these third-party endorsements. To cope with this, some apps have integrated the anti-ad-blocking feature. According to this feature, users cannot proceed further without disabling the ad blocker, as blocking ads can hamper the sustainability of these apps in the long run.
- Automation in journalism: The way robots take up essential roles in a range of manufacturing and service industries, it is not surprising that robots can also handle the role of forefront journalists. If not at the front end, these technical bots can contribute to the back-end process of analyzing data, identifying trends, and verifying the credibility of news sources. In this way, they would be a great helping hand to content creators (for example to curate news in 60 sec), publishers, and news content distributors.
- Data storytelling by scrolling: Data visualization is another tool implemented to enhance the user experience by giving more insights as the user keeps scrolling. Texts integrated with impactful images are doing the trick of providing the data in bite-sized chunks and amplifying the scrolling experience of users.
All these features will increase the universality of short-form news apps and change how media houses interact with their consumers. These attributes will act as a stepping stone to new heights of media advancement.
