Postr adds news, deals and weather to lock screen offering

Kiwi start-up Postr, which lets users hire out their Android lock screens to advertisers in return for cash, is rolling out new features enabling users to browse news, weather and deals from their lock screen.

The new lock screen content will come from the New Zealand Herald, GrabOne and MetService, with more content providers partners and advertisers expected to be added in the near future.

The Postr app has more than 12,000 downloads since launching eight months ago, and Postr says users have clocked up almost $40,000 in total earnings, that can be cashed out or donated to a chosen charity.

Users swipe left to engage with the content or right to go straight to the phone or tablet and earn cash for either swipe, up to a 'around $30 a month once we're fully booked with ads'.

Miles Reinartz, Postr chief executive, says offering content feeds through the lock screen of mobile phones and tablets is a technology first for New Zealand.

He says on average, Kiwis unlock their phones around 100 times a day.

"We're giving users instant access to their favourite content in one place and removing the need to unlock, find and run individual apps," Reinartz says.

The news content can be customised by areas of interest, while the deals and weather information is customised by location.

Reinartz says the app enables users to keep informed while ensuring minimal data and battery life usage.

"The new features will also help to reduce emails and inbox clutter through consolidated, quick access to personalised, up-to-date content," he adds.

Keeley Sander, GrabOne marketing director, says the percentage of customers browsing and transacting on mobile continues to rise 'so this partnership works well with our mobile retail strategy'.

"It represents a real first for us in terms of the way we are able to serve content and engage the New Zealand online consumer," Sander says.

Adds Reinartz: "While the app has been an easy way for users to get a bit of extra pocket money, we expect the new dynamic content offering to attract more diverse user demographics and therefore expand our offering to advertisers as well.