A report from Juniper Research claims that companies sending coupons via mobile barcodes will enjoy a massive surge in the coming lean years.
According to the report, consumers looking for savings are far more likely to use targeted coupons sent direct to their phone. Read more
The mobile devices hold much more potential, most particularly in advertising. According to a report, the mobile marketers have one big advantage over online marketers – and that is by means of a personalized advertising approach.
In a partnered study of OgilyyOne and Acision, mobile marketing is predicted to be much personalized as we move into the future. Why? Because consumers are controlling the types of messages they receive, how and when the messages are received. Read more
Is social media a fad? Or, is it the biggest shift to worldwide industrial revolution? This new video reveals astonishing statistics to prove that social media is indeed a revolution.
Batteries set to become $60 billion industry by ’13
So far in 2009, battery companies have received over $600 million in venture capital funding, compared with $478 million garnered for 2008, according to research analyst Lux Research. The investment isn’t without reason. In a report released Tuesday, Lux predicted that the energy storage market will grow to become a $60 billion industry by 2013.
Facebook Usernames: 50+ Million Claimed and Counting
In a post entitled “Designing the Facebook username land rush,” Facebook’s Srinivas Narayanan reveals the number while explaining the difficulties of building a system capable of handling 200,000 signups in 3 minutes and planning for contingencies (aka the so-called “nuclear option”). These are subjects we actually discussed with Facebook’s Jared Morgenstern and Guy Rom at Facebook headquarters the night of the launch.
All About iPhone In China/Asia, Interview with iPhonAsia
iPhone is so attractive and Asia holds such a huge mobile market. In Japan, iPhone is getting quite popular; nobody knows the exact date yet but we know it is stepping closer to China; it is not very clear about iPhone in South Korea, but at least they are in talk for a long time; and it is already rocking HongKong and Singapore. Recently, we had a great pleasure of interviewing with Dan Butterfield, managing editor of iPhonAsia.
Mobile money roundup: banking, finance and payments in mobile
Here’s a round-up of some of the mobile money stories that have been of interest to us this morning. We’ve got pieces from America, Asia, Africa and India. iPhone check feature: The USAA is a smaller bank in America, serving mostly military personnel. But it has just launched a very interesting product – an iPhone application that allows you to deposit your check through your iPhone. You take a snap of the front and a snap of the back, hit send, and it deposits with USAA. Cambodian mobile banking: Cambodian mobile service provider Smart Mobile and WING have launched a mobile money service. It allows Smart customers to send and receive cash, and make payments, via top-up cards.
Worldwide phone sales drop 6 percent — but smartphones shoot up 27 percent
Low-cost Nokias will probably ensure Nokia’s dominance of the non-smartphone market for another year. But the low end is no longer the place to be. A new report from Gartner says worldwide sales in the second quarter of 2009 dropped six percent from Q2 2008. But phones classified by Gartner as smartphones shot up 27 percent. Many people buying new phones, says the report, want either a QWERTY keyboard or a touchscreen. Still more, though, are buying on price.
Federal Communications Commission seeks answers over Apple rejection of Google Voice app
The Federal Communications Commission late Friday afternoon dashed off three letters to Apple Inc., AT&T Inc. and Google Inc. over Apple’s reported rejection of the Google Voice application for the iPhone. The letters seek detailed information on why Apple is said to have rejected Google Voice and pulled previously approved third-party applications from its App Store (see story). They also want an insight into Apple partner AT&T’s role in the rejection of the Google Voice app, which would offer voiceover IP telecommunications services that directly undercut the carrier’s voice offerings.
Base campaign strategy on target audience’s mobile habits: Forrester
Mobile marketing is gaining momentum even in a down economy, according to a study by Forrester Research. One in four interactive marketers in the United States is currently using mobile and nearly half of these (47 percent) will increase mobile spending this year.
U.S. mobile adoption catching up to Asia, Europe: Study
The United States may be closing in on Asia and Europe in mobile technology adoption, according to a study by Mobtext. The reported boost in consumer adoption of mobile technology means that marketers are approaching the prime time for mobile marketing opportunities. The study found that SMS, MMS, location-based marketing, mobile Web and branded content are the major components of growth in the mobile marketing space.
Entrust, Clickatell partner to enhance mobile security
Entrust Inc. has signed a deal with Clickatell to expand its ability to send one-time-passcodes (OTP) to mobile devices via SMS. Oftern referred to as soft tokens, the partnership for OTPs expands the options available to customers using the Entrust IdentityGuard authentication platform.
Merchants turn to iPhone app to reach tourists
For some local merchants, downtown business development is going mobile. Mobilefringe along with the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (B.I.A.) is launching the Mobile Yonge iPhone application on their m3 platform. The Mobile Yonge application will have the ability to show promotions and events that will appeal to both visitors and residents of the popular Toronto area.
Mobile gaming market to reach $18B by 2014: Study
Due to the growing number of wireless subscribers in emerging markets, the mobile gaming market is predicted to reach $18 billion by 2014, according to a study by Pyramid Research. The predicted $18 billion in growth represents a 16.6 percent growth rate according to Pyramid’s study titled, “Mobile Gaming in Emerging Markets: Five Year Forecast and Impact Analysis.” The study takes the growth of emerging markets and puts it into context with the mobile gaming industry as a whole.
“This is also important to Google because mobile will be a priority as it cannot really make gains in the market in terms of a search engine. With Android mobile, it creates a new avenue for search and can elevate itself above Baidu and Yahoo.”
TheTMSway Co-Founder and CEO, Frederick Saurat, shared insights in the recent news between Google and Apple’s race in China’s Smartphone market. In an article wrote by MEDIA’s Anita Davis, Frederick Saurat pointed out the importance of Andriod phone’s head-start in China, and that China Mobile and Google could largely share to the potential pool of Smartphone users in the market.
Google’s move of expanding its presence in China’s Smartphone market is described as a pre-emptive strike against Apple’s iPhone. The news about Andriod Mobile’s release in China came out after Apple is said to have signed a contract with China Unicom to sell its 3G iPhone in the market.
Meanwhile, Frederick Saurat noted that the Andriod Mobile could create a new avenue for searches, and that Google may bank on China Mobile’s 45 million internet mobile subscribers. Read the article here
The mobile technology is seen to continuously strengthen its presence in the global market; and consequently, this medium has created a unique role in the worldwide advertising scene.
In a recent study on consumer behaviors and attitudes toward mobile advertising, Starcom USA revealed that mobile subscribers are using the mobile phones to connect to ads or offers in other media. This, somehow, is a good catch for millions of marketers worldwide.
Starcom: Mobile Data Users Connecting To Ads In Other Media
By: Mark Walsh (MediaPost)
Almost two-thirds of mobile content consumers use their handheld devices to act on advertising in other media like out-of-home ads and digital videos, especially while on the go, according to new research from Starcom USA.
That’s among the key findings from the second phase of the agency’s ongoing study of mobile consumer behavior and attitudes toward mobile advertising. Starcom released an initial set of research findings in January 2008 based on a survey of both light and heavy users of mobile data in Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco.
Among the earlier results was that while people are not averse to advertising on mobile devices, they object to the lack of relevant ads. Working with comScore on its latest round of mobile research, Starcom found 63% of mobile data subscribers are using mobile phones as a way to access ads or offers in other media.
“What’s happening is the mobile device is becoming a gateway to further dive into brands or advertising to get more information about products being promoted,” said Brandon Starkoff, senior vice president and mobile activation director at Starcom. That can range from billboard ads featuring mobile short codes to in-store promotions to print and TV advertising. Read more
Advertising Will Change Forever
In this recession, marketers have learned that interactive marketing is more effective, and advertising less effective, per dollar spent. While budgets for online have decreased, they decreased less than other budgets. Six out of ten marketers we surveyed agreed with the statement “we will increase budget for interactive by shifting money away from traditional marketing.” Only 7% said “we have no plans to increase our marketing budget.”
Smartphone apps: the future of mobile advertising?
NEW YORK – Consumers’ insatiable appetite for mobile applications is driving exponential growth in the space, which creates opportunities for mobile marketers, according to a panel at IAB Marketplace-Mobile. Apple has generated a lot of interest among consumers, who now know that apps are a key part of their mobile experience. Savvy marketers are feeding their hunger and engaging consumers by delivering a mix of in-application advertising and branded mobile apps providing utility and/or entertainment.
China Will Surpass Japan in 2011 to Become Largest Telecom Services Market in Asia
Fueled by mobile penetration into the rural market and by uptake of 3G services, China’s telecommunications market will generate $187 billion by 2014, surpassing Japan to become the largest telecommunications services market in Asia, according to a new report from Pyramid Research.
Do-not-contact registries trump SMS opt-ins in two states
Marketers of spirits, tobacco and other adult-oriented products beware: Even if consumers opt in to an SMS campaign and verify their age, you still might be breaking the law in two states. That is because of do-not-contact programs and related laws in Utah and Michigan. These state programs, which extend to SMS, dictate that marketers who advertise adult products and services such as alcohol, tobacco, gambling and pornography cannot market to any registered phone number or address with those states.
Another record high for mobile in South Korea: Samsung announces Q2 profits
Samsung has surprised analysts by announcing record high sales for the the second quarter this year. This story will be familiar to anyone who saw LGs Q2 profit report. Samsung attributed its huge sales increase not only to greater interest in both mobile phones and TVs, but also to a boost in its memory chip business.
Mass-produced apps comprise one-third of App Store: Study
A new report from Skyhook Wireless shows that mass-produced applications are making up one-third of the Apple App Store’s volume. This research comes from Skyhook Wireless’s July Wireless LBS App report on trends in location-aware apps from the major application stores. The report researched applications from Apple’s App Store, Google’s Android Marketplace, BlackBerry App World, Nokia’s Ovi Store and Palm’s App Catalog focusing on the evolution of location-based application pricing in the two most established stores, Android Marketplace and the Apple App Store.
Do consumers get mobile marketing?
As I sat down to write this article, I polled my wife and kids – three teens, one tween and an eight-year-old) with a simple question: “When was the last time you saw or clicked on a mobile ad or marketing message?” They all looked at me as though I had asked them if their iPods make decent toast.
Samsung Goes Green with “Blue Earth”
Just about everything is going green these days. And from the looks of it, our cell phones are next to get an eco-friendly makeover. After being previewed earlier this year at the Mobile World Congress, Blue Earth, the first “solar charging phone” is preparing for launch by Samsung, the creator of this new device designed for people concerned about the environment. Down to its packaging, this phone is the epitome of “environmentally friendly.”
Mobile Goes Social and Vice Versa
The growing crossover of social media and mobile was highlighted by a pair of separate moves Tuesday involving Research in Motion and Facebook. For its part, RIM has launched MyBlackBerry, a new community site where BlackBerry users can trade views on BlackBerry apps and share tips and tricks relating to the device.
Mobile Goes Social and Vice Versa
The growing crossover of social media and mobile was highlighted by a pair of separate moves Tuesday involving Research in Motion and Facebook. For its part, RIM has launched MyBlackBerry, a new community site where BlackBerry users can trade views on BlackBerry apps and share tips and tricks relating to the device.
Black Americans most active users of mobile internet – Survey By Pewter Internet
56% of all Americans have accessed the internet by wireless means.
An April 2009 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project asked respondents whether they had used a variety of devices – laptops, cell phones, game consoles, and more – to go online using a wireless network. Altogether, 56% of Americans said they have at some point used wireless means for online access.
