Plandids Are The New Selfie, Apple's Billion Dollar Content Play And More On This Week's CTRL ALT Delete Segment On CHOM 97.7 FM

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Every Monday morning at 7:10 am, I am a guest contributor on CHOM 97.7 FM radio out of Montreal (home base). It’s not a long segment – about 5 to 10 minutes every week – about everything that is happening in the world of technology and digital media. The good folks at CHOM 97.7 FM are posting these segments weekly on iHeart Radio, if you’re interested in hearing more of me blathering away about what’s going on in the digital world. I’m really excited about this opportunity, because this is the radio station that I grew up on listening to, and it really is a fun treat to be invited to the Mornings Rock with Terry DiMonte morning show. The segment is called, CTRL ALT Delete with Mitch Joel.

This week we discussed: 

  • Are “plandids” the latest Instagram/photo craze? A plandid is a “planned candids.” The idea is to make something look candid, when it’s really planned. No, we’re not talking about setting up a shot and choosing the best one. We are talking about pictures, where it looks like a celeb, influencer or fashionista is just casually looking down, while walking or gazing off into the distance. Some are calling it the a “newer/hotter version of the selfie.” What makes a plandid work? “A good plandid should make it seem like you had no idea a photo was about to be taken — even though you probably posed for countless takes.” What have we become? 
  • Apple made a big announcement last week. They have set aside about $1 billion to buy and produce original content over the next year. Is this about Hollywood, Netflix, YouTube or something else? They’ve already started with the reality TV app-winning show, Planet of the Apps and Carpool Karaoke – both of which have received lukewarm critical response. But, with a war chest like that… 
  • Disruption is a major theme. Always. Amazon made what seemed like a crazy announcement last week: Instant Pickups in the U.S. These are specific pick up points, where customers can pick up their items immediately after ordering them. Delivery has gone from a few days, to same day to a few hours to now. This will – if done well – disrupt online and bricks and mortar retail in a big way as Amazon looks for ways into the impulse buy side of things.     
  • App of the week: Huddle.