Both Waze and Periscope developers recently released an update of their apps. Waze released version 3.9.4., which will include a smoother navigation, quicker route selection, and improved re-routing. Periscope, meanwhile, released version 1.0.1. It will fix various bugs, and bring videos you follow to the top of app.
The developers of Periscope posted more details, via Apple, about what's new in the version:
- Major performance improvements - (watching broadcasts with tons of users was.. well, slow, sometimes)
- We improved the ordering for LIVE broadcasts; if people you follow are live, they'll be at the top
- Fixed lots of issues where Chat wasn't working (especially when kajillions of people are watching)
- We zoomed out the map showing broadcaster's location
- Clarified the error message that some users received when trying to Tweet their broadcast. If you see this error, you should check your iPhone settings -> Twitter to make sure your Twitter account is properly logged in.
- Lots of crash fixes and video streaming improvements
However, it was noticed that the update is missing one thing: the ability to log in or out of your account. Others are hoping that Periscope developers could improve the app's log in/log out system.
It was also mentioned that a lot of Twitter users were having difficulty about the "sign out" process. Hopefully, this won't be a major issue in Periscope users, and it would be better if Periscope developers could release more updates that will bring improved log in/log out system.
Periscope is reportedly ranked No. 44 in the U.S. on Apple's appstore even though the app was just launched within the past few days.
Recently, news has stated that Twitter gained about 42% to $51 in the stock market for the year. Plus, Twitter's stocks are reportedly outperforming other social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn. This was due to Periscope.
Twitter is also hoping that they would continue to get more profits from the online video market. Reports have mentioned that Twitter invested over $100 million for Periscope.
Stock analysts are questioning if this trend would continue for Twitter, and Brian Pitz of Jefferies reportedly thinks that it would. Lately, he even has recommended a "buy" on Twitter stocks with a $65 target price.
Brian Pitz believes that the online ad market in the US will go up to at least $17+ billion by 2017. If Twitter manages to make more improvements on or before that year, the social media platform would be able to benefit greatly. However, there are some factors to consider:
1. The video streaming industry has many top players such as YouTube, FB, AOL, Yahoo!, and SnapChat.
2. Apps like Periscope can be faddish. Meerkat, for example, has suffered a big drop in interest. From 140, Meerkat's general ranking went down to 661.
3. Is live streaming something that most people really care about?
4. Will people be willing to pay for live streaming? Analysts argue that even though the apps are free, data plans are not.
Analysts conclude that it could signal a problem for TWTR stock if Periscope loses its taste.
So, for those investors who want to profit from the video industry, Investorplace.com thinks that FB is a better option right now.
Meanwhile, another app developer recently released an updated version for its community-based traffic and navigation app: the Waze version 3.9.4. In the latest version, Waze users will have the following improvements:
- Experience an overall faster Waze: smoother navigation, quicker route selection, and improved re-routing.
- New traffic bar! Know how long you'll be in a jam, tracking progress as you go.
- Learn which route Waze is taking with 'Let's go via' voice instruction.
- Get a confirmation when sending your ETA: those receiving can instantly reply 'Got it, thanks'.
- Improved support for U-turns
- General bug fixes
Waze is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. It is optimized for iPhone 5.
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