App.net
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Screenshot | |
Type of site | Social networking service |
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| Available in | English |
| Owner | Mixed Media Labs |
| Created by | Mixed Media Labs |
| URL | App.net |
| Registration | Required |
| Users | 30,137[1] |
| Launched | August 8, 2012 |
| Current status | Active |
App.net is a social networking platform developed by Mixed Media Labs.
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.[2][3]
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.[4][5]
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.[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, app.net began a free trial invitation program. Users can invite a friend to use app.net. If the friend accepts and provides a credit card number, they can use the service free for a month.[10]
References
- ^ "Adnusers". Adnusers. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
- ^ "Announcing an audacious proposal". Dalton Caldwell. July 13, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ^ Simonite, Tom (July 20, 2012). "A Social Network Free of Ads". Technology Review. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ^ McCracken, Harry (August 13, 2012). "App.net Made Its Goal. But Can It Make It?". TIME Techland. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ^ Lardinois, Frederic (August 12, 2012). "App.net Reaches Its $500k Funding Goal With 38 Hours To Spare". TechCrunch. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ^ Caldwell, Dalton (August 8, 2012). "App.net is not vaporware". Dalton Caldwell. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ Panzarino, Matthew. "App.net gets annotations, allows for attaching all kinds of sweet metadata to posts". The Next Web. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ "App.net Will Start Paying Developers $20K A Month To Be Part Of Its Ecosystem, Beginning October 1". TechCrunch. September 27, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ "New Incentive Program Financially Rewards Developers for Using the App.net API". ProgrammableWeb. October 2, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2012.
- ^ Mitchell, Jon (November 29, 2012). "App.net Members Can Now Invite Friends With A Free Trial". ReadWrite. Retrieved November 29, 2012.