People with a sense of history like asking me about the dot-com frenzy. And invariably why of hundreds of internet start-ups in the late 1990s, Moneyweb is the only independent to survive as a listed entity.
The answer is always the same. The Moneyweb Community deserves the credit. It has advised, guided, suggested and commented from day one. We’ve just listened and wherever possible tried what was proposed. That developed a culture of innovation. And a bond leading to Moneyweb becoming its community’s trusted friend on the internet.
Today marks another important milestone in our progress. We are taking another major leap into the apps economy. With a free app called Moneyweb Talk for iPhones, iPads and Android-powered phones and tablets.
As a company, after a year of development, we made our first move into the apps world a few months ago with a tailor-made product for our global play Mineweb.com. In many ways, this was like crossing a stream by feeling the stones. You see, there are PDFs repackaged for tablets; and then there are apps. They are worlds apart. We’ve never dressed up our sows to look like silk purses. And won’t be starting now.
Today we launch our second app. It delivers a live, updated stream of Fast News available at the same time it is published on the Moneyweb.co.za site. Plus a share portfolio tool which updates as share prices change. And a live feed to the Stock Exchange News Service, or Sens as it’s better known.
Those are great features.
But the killer part of the Talk App is ‘radio on demand’. Talk is primarily a radio PVR. With high quality audio available for you to access at your convenience. Obviously that includes all the interviews on our three radio shows. But what we think will really grab the attention is the app’s ability to relay to you our through-the-day podcasts within seconds of the interview being completed.
For instance, my interview with Curro’s CEO Chris van der Merwe began at 3pm and ended at 3:12. It was available on Moneyweb Talk (we’ve been testing for a couple months) at 3:13. The kind of information we deal with is most valuable when it is freshest. Moneyweb Talk ensures that when we know, you know. Comprehensive and unabridged. There’s no need to wait until 6pm to hear an edited clip of our share-price sensitive discussions with business leaders. The Talk App brings it to you instantly. You will also be able to listen to the radio shows and hear the comments of top investment analysts.
I bought an iTrip last week which plugs into the cigarette lighter and plays my phone’s audio (in this case the Talk App) through my car radio. Awesome stuff. So you don’t have to listen through headphones, although many people might still prefer that option.
And the best news of all? Moneyweb Talk doesn’t cost anything. We will be charging for an even more comprehensive app we’re calling Moneyweb Now (which is due for release shortly). Moneyweb Talk is yours to own, play with and use. Absolutely free of charge.
And although Talk is designed for mobile phones it also works great on iPads and other tablets.
This really is a free lunch. We’ve bought into Chris Anderson’s “Freemium” idea. And believe that you’ll like Talk so much you’ll be happy to pay the rand a day we’ll be charging for the Moneyweb Now App. But that’s a discussion for another time. Today is all about Talk. Download it right now at www.moneyweb.co.za/apps/. You’ll also find our help videos on the app site or on our Moneyweb YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/Moneyweb.
Can’t wait for your feedback. E-mail me at alec@moneyweb.co.za
