New Google Play metrics, ex-prisoners’ socialization from Facebook, ‘Deep Nostalgia’ trend, and more
Parler tries in vain to return to the App Store, Trump wants to create a new social network, everyone makes a copy of Clubhouse, animating photos is a new trend, Facebook launches an app for re-socialization of ex-prisoners, a new social network for young people promises to delete those who turns 26 years old. This is a short summary of March in the mobile industry. More news and details are below.
Almost everyone copies Clubhouse, but some — TikTok
Facebook creates a clone of Clubhouse. So far, judging from the leaked screenshots, the resemblance is striking. So what? No need to reinvent the wheel! Twitter is already testing Twitter Spaces, it is the analog of the Clubhouse too. They openly demonstrate how the development and prototyping are going. They promise to roll out soon before Clubhouse launches its Android version. And more about the ‘format cycle in the mobile industry’. Snapchat develops a TikTok Duets-like feature — Snap Remix. Netflix rolled out ‘Fast Laughs’ — surprise! — it’s a TikTok-like feed of funny videos. So far, it’s only on iOS. Instagram announced the launch of ‘Live Rooms’ to four people to live stream together (before, only two people could). Where have you seen this feature before? Right, on TikTok.
Animating photos, nostalgia, and lip-syncing
In March, the app MyHeritage released a new feature ‘Deep Nostalgia’ that animates old family photos. It has topped the App Store and it is still there. Other apps follow the animating portraits trend. There is a notable example — TokkingHeads released a similar feature and climbed up to 12th place in the ‘Entertainment’ category. Now they’re in the top 30. More vivid examples are Avatarify, animating any photo, Wombo and Piñata Farms. For example, why not sync, ahem, with Michael Jackson’s lips to sing a song with his facial expressions?
Parler can’t return to the App Store, Trump wants to create a new social network
Parler would like to reach the top again, but it can’t return even to the App Store. Meanwhile, Donald Trump plans to create his own social media network. One of the companies negotiated with was an unknown platform, FreeSpace, with a mission to ‘make the world a better place’. The app includes a news feed, user profiles, and group messaging.
Apps for ex-prisoners, youngs and introverts
Facebook tests an app for ex-prisoners, re-entering society. Re-Entry App has already announced an early access at the some users’ Instagram feeds. There is a new social network for young people — Limit App. No boomers allowed. They say that they’re not ageist, they just want to let the young people be themselves. On the one hand, they solve the ‘aging’ problem of social networks — when trendy apps can’t stay relevant because of new audiences. On the other hand, olds and brands provide growth and money. There is another news from Bumble, who has announced Night In, it’s a new feature in the US and Canada. It allows you to go on a virtual date and play online games on it. This is good news for introverts.
The App Store gets more complaints, Google Play reduces the price limit
Some news from the world of judicial battles. The Apple and Epic Games case is due to restart on May 3. The judge believes that the case is significant enough that the court should hear it with witnesses and popcorn. The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority starts its own investigation after developers complained about unfair terms in the App Store. Google Play, in turn, is lowering the minimum price limit in more than 20 markets across the globe, including Latin America, EMEA, and APAC. Developers will be able to set prices in the range of 10-30 cents U.S, that will allow them to reach new users.
Updated Slack, new markets in Spotify, and lite version of Instagram
Slack has become a full-on messenger — it’s launched a universal system of direct messages called Connect DMs. It allows chatting with any user. Facebook targets emerging markets — it has launched Instagram Lite. It is a lite version of Instagram for Android — it takes up 2MB. This version is available in 170 countries. Spotify updated its app — soon it will become available in 36 new languages and over 80 new markets.
TikTok is against bullying, Facebook supports creators
Facebook expands monetization options for creators, adding short video ads. Including a one-minute video too. Ad will play after 30 seconds of a video. TikTok introduced more detailed analytics for marketers. Now it’s easier to evaluate performance of ad campaigns (CTR, number of impressions, video view rate). TikTok also released new commenting features to prevent bullying. Creators will be able to filter out inappropriate comments before those comments go live.
ASO news: Google Play metrics and App Clips statistics
New metrics have been added in Google Play Developers Console: DAU/MAU, average purchase value, 28-day returning users, purchases per buyer and etc. Also, Google Play added targeting to certain islands and archipelagos for particular countries. On July 1, 2021, Google play drops commissions to 15% for the first $1 million in a year of revenue developers. If you earned $1,300,000, then the commission of 30% will apply to $300,000. The App Store started to show App Clips metrics to developers, plus, they test using tags in search.
P.S.
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