Those who like to have their news read to them need to check out the Umano app. The app, created by San Francisco-based developers SoThree, features news stories read by professional voice actors. The app is more or less news radio on steroids. It lets you browse top stories and pick the ones you want to listen to. Users can also create playlists, download stories to listen to offline and check out what they’re friends are listening to.
Bringing news radio into the 21st century is an awesome idea. The Umano app could be a model for struggling news radio stations and newspapers. Not many people take the time to turn on news radio or read the paper, but everyone seems to be on their smartphone at all hours of the day.
Audio News Apps
The Umano App Features Top Headlines Read by Professional Voice Actors
Trend Themes
1. Audio News Consumption - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing personalized audio news delivery platforms to cater to the growing demand for on-the-go news consumption.
2. Professional Voice Actors - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating platforms that connect professional voice actors with various industries to enhance content delivery and engagement.
3. Interactive News Aggregation - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Designing apps that allow users to curate personalized news playlists, fostering active engagement and customization.
Industry Implications
1. News Broadcasting - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transforming traditional news radio stations by integrating personalized audio news apps to reach wider audiences.
2. Publishing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilizing audio news apps as a means to adapt and attract tech-savvy readers to traditional newspaper publications.
3. Voice Acting - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborating with audio news apps to offer voice acting services and explore new forms of content delivery and engagement.