In a move the surprised almost no one and wowed few more Mashable announced the release of MashDeck – a branded version of TweetDeck allowing users access top new custom MashDeck skins and an easier way to find, read, and share Mashable tweets and content. Many commentators, twitter enthusiasts, and internet users-at-large have voiced their support or have rolled their eyes at the recent news. Many were quick to download out of loyalty and love for Mashable, or because they have yet to be introduced to tweeting from a desktop application. The other side was eager to point out that such customizations (with the exception of the skins) are completely possible to accomplish with the current version of TweetDeck. The dissenting party also hated the idea of the MashDeck completely installing over TweetDeck. (As for me, I still like Seesmic Desktop.)
While Mashable may not be the first to publish a co-branded app, they certainly have done so on a large scale. It is already understood that Mashable won’t be the last to release such an application. The real question we have here is – Will co-branded apps be a staple of uniqueness and brand loyalty in the future, or will all things MashDeck sort of spiral out of the public eye into oblivion within the next three months?
Considering the speed at which the internet moves I am more inclined to jump on the fad-wagon. I just don’t see people wanting to make a change from their current desktop client into a modded version of a different one – when the modifications are easy enough to be made in just a few clicks. While I think MashDeck and any others are “cool” for novelty’s sake, I just don’t see them lasting or competing once newer and update versions of other clients make their way to the masses.
On the other hand, co-branded apps like MashDeck and any variety of ones that come in the future may be fo’ real. Websites of sizable followings will be the primary adopters of these types of applications. These followings tend to show immense loyalty and devotion, which could manifest itself in the duration of current products and the development of future ones.
Over to you reader – Fad or Fo’ Real?
(Image is for illustrative purposes only – via Mashable.com)
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