By Meghna Murali
Popular social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are known for updating breaking news from time to time. By the tap of a single button, a particular news can be shared with the entire world. Joining in on the fun, Google has come up with an app called Bulletin for publishing hyperlocal news. What makes this app different from that of Facebook and Twitter? Will it be able to compete with Twitter, considering that it is already popular among people?
Bulletin: Not just another social networking app
As the name suggests, the app has an interface which resembles that of a bulletin board. The main aim of the app is to publish hyperlocal stories on the go. One need not be a professional journalist to publish his or her story. The app is extremely user-friendly. Google draws inspiration from phrase citizen journalism. Even so, what is unique about Bulletin? Is it like other social networking apps? The company has laid a strict foundation for the app. The creators of the app have created a set of rules and regulations. Thus, Bulletin cannot be used like any other social networking app. It is an experimental app and is in the pilot phase.
What can one do with the Bulletin?
The app looks a lot like an online bulletin board. Thus, people can post pictures, videos and texts of local events. One can also publish news articles related to the weather forecast. The information spreads much faster and people living in nearby local areas are informed about day to day events in a timely fashion. One can also attach his or her photo along with the article and share the information across the web. Links to the articles can be sent via text messages and social networking applications.
According to a Google Spokeswoman, “The app gives people an easy way to tell stories about what is going on around them—ranging from local bookstore readings too high school sporting events to information about local street closures.”
Will Bulletin succeed in the near future?
There are a lot of websites that publish local news. Some of these websites thrive, while others are disbanded due to issues over legality. The creation of a sustainable business model for continuous local news coverage has been a major challenge for the news industry. The introduction of Bulletin can resolve the above-stated problem. Being part of such a big technical platform, the app immediately gathered attention. The fact that an article published on Bulletin can be found after a quick Google search cannot be underestimated. The company is not focused on the employment of local journalists. Conversely, the app promotes amateur journalists and normal citizens to publish articles without any hindrance. It brings all the small hidden stories into the limelight. As of now, the company has launched the app in Nashville and Oakland for the purpose of testing.
Featured Image Source: Pexels
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