Bertelsmann has bought digital media agency Smashing Ideas, and plans to harness it to its book publishing subsidiary Random House. Why? Apps. Smashing Ideas and Random House are already partners on making book-apps for iPhone and iPad, including Wild About Books and Pat The Bunny. In other words, the deal is about bringing app development in-house at Random House, while also (presumably) ensuring rivals can’t get Smashing Ideas to make great apps for them. Which makes us wonder – again – whether major record labels and some of the larger independents aren’t looking at pursuing a similar strategy with some of the music app platforms that are out there. Source: PaidContent
Tools: platforms to help you reach new audiences
Tools: Kaiber
In the year or so since its launch, AI startup Kaiber has been making waves,…