5 startup apps for journalists from SXSW Accelerator

Last weekend the seventh annual SXSW Accelerator startup competition took place, seeing a variety of companies showcase their ideas for the future.

Forty-eight startups competed in the six categories which ranged from entertainment and content technologies to wearable technologies.

While many of the technologies are still in beta their possible journalistic applications are already evident. Here are five of the best from the competition that could have huge potential for journalists.

1. Vhoto


Vhoto logo from http://vho.to/media

Vhoto is a photography app that allows you to export the best possible stills from your videos. Once downloaded you can import or record a video into the app, it then analyses the video and gives you a selection of high-quality stills to choose from.  

If you are a journalist who has spent an age attempting to get the best screen shot from a video to put with your story then this could be the app for you.

2. Stickypop


Screen shot from http://www.stickypopapp.com/

Currently in beta stage, Stickypop boasts a "user-created virtual newsfeed attached to a specific location" known as a spot. These 'spots' only allow people in your location to view them, leading to numerous networks based around the world.

People can then post messages to these spots known as "sticky's", allowing for anonymous conversation between people in the same location.

With the tag line "What's poppin' in your spot?", the app has obvious benefits for journalists reporting on a particular event as they may be able to log into the app and access quotes from people commenting on what is going on around them.

3. Cloudstitch


Screen shot from http://cloudstitch.io/

Cloudstitch is a web app made to "add dynamic content to any site." The premise of the app is to allow journalists with no programming training to add interactives to their website.

For anyone who has struggled to add spreadsheets to their articles this could be extremely helpful as it requires no knowledge of Javascript.

You can read more about the software here.

4. Ocho


Screen shot from http://www.ocho.co/#/

Ocho is a video-sharing platform in the same vein as Instagram and Vine. With it you create short-form videos – up to eight seconds long – that can have filters and hashtags added to them.

What makes this app different, other than the running time, is it insists using your iPhone in landscape mode and allows voice-overs, enough to attract funding of $1.65 million (£1.12 million) from Dallas investor Mark Cuban.

The Ocho Facebook page reads: "We have entered the App Store with an ambitious mission: to weave Ocho into the fabric of global communication by making the social video experience personal, visually striking, and easily digestible."

While many have attempted to enter the video-sharing space, Ocho are confident they will succeed.

5. Platypus TV


Screen shot from http://platypustv.com/

The advent of social media and mobile has brought with it the practice of 'second screening' – checking the internet and social media while watching television.

With Platypus TV you log in with Facebook, select the program you are currently watching and join the conversation. You can also select a program that has already aired and see what people thought of that particular show.

If you are an entertainment journalist or just curious about what people thought of last night's Eastenders then this app could be great for grabbing user quotes. Much like when broadcasters promote hashtags, if the app takes off we could see broadcasters actively engaging with their audiences through it.

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