10 examples of emerging technologies that are revolutionizing the media industry
Jonathan Villa
The media industry has conventionally been the first port of call for breaking news and stories. However, today's technology means we're all content creators and publishers. It's never been easier to create new videos, spread news via social media, and grow our own audiences.
Now, innovative examples of emerging technologies are changing how we gather and deliver content. Although some of these technologies sound like they're straight from a sci-fi film, we'll show you how these ten examples of emerging technologies are being used to transform the content creation and distribution process.
1. 5G & Wi-Fi 6
Super fast, wireless technology is here with 5G data networks ready to enhance phone speed. It's also poised to help usher in mainstream virtual and augmented reality. We could see data delivered at nearly 10 gigabits per second, making everything from live streaming video to exploring augmented reality a flawless experience. 5G devices are still being developed and rolled out, but carriers from AT&T to Verizon are already competing to be the marketplace leaders of the 5G revolution.
2. Virtual Reality (VR)
The ultimate level of news interaction? Being right in the center of the action. VR promises to transport the viewer into the middle of an experience to form a better connection to the story. The New York Times VR app is a good example of VR, and its launch was accompanied by sending 1.2 million Google cardboard viewers to subscribers. The all-engrossing VR video experience builds a deeper level of connectedness and empathy with news stories.
3. Anti-ad blocking
While our latest report found that 69% of users are not currently using an ad blocker, according to PageFair, ad blocking could still account for around .8 billion in lost annual revenue. PageFair, Sourcepoint, Secret Media and Admiral have heard the industry's cry, and are pitching their own technological approaches to publishers hoping to fight off parasitic software. Some of these approaches offer "ad reinsertion" software, while others look to serve different types of ads that fit in better with a user's experience. Forbes has been testing technology that blocks ad-blocking users from their site entirely, but still offers users an incentive to whitelist their site by promising an "ad-light experience" once they turn off their software.
4. Automated journalism
'Robot journalism,' one of the industry's most controversial examples of emerging technologies, lends a helping hand to journalists, content creators, and publishers by interpreting and analyzing data to produce content. Automated journalism is also used to test headlines, source information, and identify trending stories. The Washington Post has developed Bandito, which provides real-time testing to identify the best performing content and make improvements to stories that don't quite 'hit the mark'.
5. Social outreach apps
Content creators can go beyond the usual suspects of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get consumer perspectives. Social outreach apps bring a fresh take on how the media industry engages with its audience. Q&A allows anyone to provide video answers to questions, which enables journalists to get authentic video interviews from as many people as possible, without being physically present.
6. Death of the Cookie
Google sent shockwaves through the industry when it announced it will block third-party cookies in Chrome browsers within the next two years. Although advertisers are panicking, content publishers are thrilled to hear they will hold that coveted, first-party data. The move could impact immediate revenue from publishers relying on advertising income, but will reimagine what's possible with first-party data and fostering direct relationships.
7. Data scrollytelling / visualization
Text with visuals is the perfect marriage to satisfy an increasingly mobile audience. Presenting data in interactive and bite-sized chunks is key to engagement. Scrolling is the new clicking, so transitioning between different multimedia data sources should be effortless. 'Scrollytelling' is a visualization tool that reveals more data as the user scrolls down the page. A great example of interactive data journalism is The Dawn Wall by The New York Times, which charted one of the most difficult free climbs in the world.
The world is no stranger the Internet of Things (IoT) turning our homes into smart hubs with voice supported technology. However, Business Insider Intelligence forecasts there will be more than 64 billion IoT devices installed globally by 2026. They also predict consumers spending nearly $15 trillion on IoT devices, solutions, and supporting systems. The new era ushers in new opportunities increased productivity, and a reduction of operating costs. And beyond basic voice-driven functionality, emerging IoT devices are also increasingly focused on immerse experiences with visual components.
9. Wearable journalism
Wearable technology is changing the way consumers access content. The Apple Watch makes getting the latest news as easy as telling the time. Wearable journalism is ideal for quick updates until viewers have the time to get the full story. From clothing to contact lenses, wearable journalism presents the opportunity to deliver content in trimmed-down formats without losing the essence of the story.
10. Video creation technology
Video may be the king of content for media brands, but publishing enough videos to satisfy viewers is no easy task. The best way to help your team supply the ever-growing demand for video? Investing in video creation technology – whether that means using an online platform like the Wibbitz Studio, or leveraging a video API solution. Our automated video creation solutions and online video editor makes the process quick and easy for anyone on your team.
These ten examples of emerging technologies demonstrate the advances that are radically changing the media industry. They're worth investigating to find out how they can improve your content creation and distribution processes. Who knows, after you've adopted some of these technologies, you might wonder how you ever coped without them.
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Marketing Coordinator at Wibbitz
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