App.net
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App.net global feed as of January 2014
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| Web address | App.net |
|---|---|
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Type of site
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Social networking service, microblogging |
| Registration | Required |
| Available in | English |
| Owner | Mixed Media Labs |
| Created by | Mixed Media Labs |
| Launched | August 8, 2012 |
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Alexa rank
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42,470 (December 2015[update])[1] |
| Current status | Active |
App.net is an ad-free online social networking service and microblogging service which enables its users to write messages of up to 256 characters.
App.net provides their own web interface to the service, Alpha, which is used by some users. However, they encourage use and development of third-party applications.[2]
History
The name 'App.net' was previously used for a service that let app developers showcase their applications. However, on July 13, 2012, Mixed Media Labs announced that App.net would change its purpose to be an ad-free social networking platform. As designed, it is similar to Twitter, but has no advertising, instead relying on user and developer subscriptions. Mixed Media Labs began directly crowd funding, with a goal of $500,000 and about 10,000 backers.[3][4]
Mixed Media Labs had exceeded the goal by August 13th, 2012, raising at least $750,000 with over 11,000 backers. The service is currently in alpha.[5][6]
App.net launched annotations on September 1, 2012, allowing applications to attach arbitrary metadata to posts. This is intended to allow more complex features to be built using the App.net infrastructure.[7] On October 1, 2012, App.net started an incentive program. They will divide a $20,000 monthly pool among participating developers based on application usage and user feedback. Mixed Media Labs' goal is to encourage developers to build on the platform.[8][9]
On November 29, 2012, App.net began a free-trial invitation program. Users can invite a friend to use App.net. If the friend accepts, they can use the service free for a month.[10]
On February 25, 2013, App.net became a freemium service. Users with a paid plan can invite people to get a free tier account with a few limitations.[11]
In May 2013, App.net hit 100,000 users.[12]
On November 21, 2013, App.net announced Broadcast, a way for users of the App.net service to send and receive push notifications about the things they care about. These push notifications are sent through the App.net app on iPhone or Android. As part of the freemium model Broadcast is free to members of the App.net service with channel analytics available to App.net users with a developer-tier account.[13]
On January 25, 2014, App.net launched Backer, described as a way to crowdfund features. The first project to use Backer originated from App.net itself, in which the company asked if they should accept Bitcoin as a form of payment for the paid tiers. Some of the details for Backer are:
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You don't have to integrate App.net APIs to use Backer.
We handle the entire process on a turn-key basis. If the project is successful, App.net sends the money to the project owner. If the project is not successful, the project owner has no further obligation or work to do.
Successful open source Backer projects are not charged a fee. Successful proprietary Backer projects will be charged a 5% fee. Unsuccessful Backer campaigns incur no fees.
— Backer, backer.app.net
On May 6, 2014, the founders announced that subscription renewals had been so poor that there were no longer funds to retain development staff for App.net and future operations would be on a maintenance-only basis using contractors.[14]
References
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- ↑ http://blog.app.net/2014/01/14/improvements-to-app-net-broadcast/
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
- App.net
- @ADN - the official App.net account.
- Appdotnetwiki.net - the App.net Wiki.
