The BriefMe app has been on Apple’s app store for two days and it’s popular. It provides the user with access to top trending stories across social media. While currently US focussed, I’m finding it useful for hearing about US stories not reported on here or as much through mainstream press. I trued BriefMe having read about it at TechCrunch.
What does this mean for newsagents: here is another app to disrupt how, when and where we can access news. It also disrupts the process of curating news. These are more than fads, they are trends that will not roll back.
I know some will say this is too much to consider to take in, that they are not that connected to care. Being aware does not need you to use these apps.
A newsagent at the counter you are like a human Brief Me when you talk about news stories which you and earlier customers have discussed.