Consumers are adopting smartphones at faster and faster rates. Last month Strategy Analytics reported that there are now 1 billion smartphones worldwide projecting to hit 2 billion by 2015. Nielsen just published a report earlier in the summer that said more than half of mobile subscribers, 55%, now own a smartphone and that will continue to rise as 2 out of every 3 new subscribers are choosing smartphones. Also, over 85% of these smartphones are either Androids or iPhones. What else is interesting is that 56% prefer to access the internet on their smartphones OVER their computer! A recent O2 [...]
What’s Your Mobile Hook – Part 2
Last week I gave some examples of branded apps that provided a compelling “mobile hook”, or app functionality that provides a unique and often innovative utility. These mobile hooks exploit native smartphone technology like the GPS, camera etc. and effectively extends a company brand into the mobile segment. I want to dive into this a little deeper now. The Dead App Syndrome for Brands Most apps after the initial download become “dead apps.” These are apps that are rarely used and often end up on the 4th or 5th screen on your smartphone if you haven’t already deleted it altogether. [...]
What’s Your Mobile Hook?
My favorite new feature from iOS6 is really an old feature from the 2008 Blackberry Storm days, easily sharing photos directly from the camera to Facebook! That function got me hooked on smartphones back in the day where I realized that social media and mobile phones are perfect for each other. Social media is about instantly sharing your life with your friends, family and followers; your life is mobile, and your mobile phone is with you all the time. What took Apple so long? So, why am I talking about this here? Well it’s a great example of how important [...]
The Need to Take Back Control of My Inbox
I just recently noticed that I have over 10,000 email messages currently in my Hotmail inbox. In doing a bit of unscientific analysis I’d say over 80% have never been opened, and close to 90% of all my messages are newsletters from brands, companies, charities and organizations that I have “opted-in” to. I rarely open these and for some reason I have accepted the need to now “hunt” for critical messages from friends and family…” was my kids baseball game rained out tonight?”. “Did Aunt Sherry confirm her visit this summer?” Why I have accepted this inconvenience is for another [...]
See You At ‘Apps World’ North America Next Week in NYC
I hope to see you in NY next week at the Apps World event (11/1 – 11/2). I’m excited to be a speaker there. My session is on Wednesday. My topic is about the New Paradigm of Mobile Application Development. I have been personally crusading for this recently. Native app development is just too hard and expensive now for the great and innovative use cases that an enterprise can leverage with a Smartphone. Smart Online has developed a truly one of a kind app development platform that completely changes the game in this space. By re-using native code and leveraging [...]
There’s a New Paradigm coming in Mobile App Development
There has to be a better way. I’m tired of talking with customers about the high cost and long cycle time in building native smartphone apps. I have been helping brand managers unlock the possibilities of how native smartphone applications can build consumer loyalty, target new demographics and create new engagement mechanisms. They now have a better understanding that success does not mean building one uber-app for their brand that tries to do everything, but instead to focus their brand apps for specific purposes – that big yearly conference, support an innovative new marketing campaign, or product companion app to [...]