comScore: Mobile "Search" gaining.

From Mobile Marketing Magazine

comScore, which specializes in measuring the digital world, has revealed mobile search is gaining in both popularity and frequency of use in the US and Western Europe.
comScore M:Metrics reports that in June 2008, 20.8  million US mobile subscribers and 4.5 million European mobile phone subscribers accessed search during the month, an increase of 68 and 38% from June 2007, respectively. The UK had the highest penetration of mobile subscribers using search at 9.5%, followed closely by the US at 9.2%.
“It is interesting to note that as we see the number of mobile search users increase, the frequency of activity is also growing,” says comScore Analyst, Alistair Hill. “The number of people accessing mobile search at least once a week grew 50% in Europe, with France and Spain leading at a rate of 69 and 63%, respectively. Meanwhile, the number of US users accessing mobile search has more than doubled as a result of expanded 3G penetration and Smartphone adoption, as well as the proliferation of flat-rate data plans. We have also seen a substantial improvement to the mobile search offerings in the US market.”
Google is the preferred brand for browser-based searches with a 60% share of mobile searchers in all countries measured by comScore M:Metrics. Yahoo! ranks second in Germany, Italy, UK and the US. In the US Yahoo’s  mobile searcher penetration is 34.6%, more than double its share in most other countries

What these statistics also reveal is that the comfort level with viewing a mobile device as “more than a way to make phone calls” really is gaining traction. With regard to brand marketing, (hey, it’s my day job yo) these new mobile search stats are significant for two reasons:

1. It proves that more consumers are doing search tasks out in the field that were once constrained  to their desktop machines, and from a brand viewpoint that could just as likely be product comparisons as it could be looking up word definitions or directions. We know that a major portion of research preceding a brand purchase happens online. Brands that can optimize and reach their savvy users with mobile content on searched demand will have an advantage , especially as the “Power-Users” of today gradually become the average users of tomorrow.

2. With location-based services and software popping up on more and more phones, “Search” is about to get even more granular, more localized, more precise, more useful. These increased numbers justify more development of these kinds of tools and services. Brands that realize this and adapt to this kind of scheme  will also have advantages.

WiFi now available in-flight on American Airlines

Finally in-flight WiFi has arrived. For those of you like me who’d rather get some emails answered, do a little bit of browsing and VPN access during flight the time has arrived.

This morning American Airlines officially launched their broadband service on 15 nonstop transcontinental flights plus some of their New York-San Francisco, Los Angeles-Miami (all services with Boeing 767-200’s). This service will allow passengers to send e-mail, instant message, access corporate VPN and browse the web while flying. Although a bit pricey ($12.95 for 6 hours), you can now spend your time surfing from 36,000 feet. The system is called Gogo and is run by Aircell. The technology is provided by Aircell as well. You’ll be able to pay for the service when you first open your browser in flight.

A $1 billion market by 2012 is estimated to come into airlines with this kind of service. Delta Airlines is planning on using a similar service American is using. They have promised to outfit all their domestic fleet with WiFi by mid-2009. JetBlue is testing WiFi access on their San Francisco-New York flights. Alaska airlines is actively testing on some of their flights. Southwest Airlines is testing a system that was developed by Row 44 from California. It was just a matter of time, but the other major airlines will now be trying to catch up. Hopefully, they will all see that passengers are willing to use these services.

Currently there are only two different technologies being tried for WiFi in flight:

• The Aircell system leverages the existing cell tower network, is more conventional and uses an air-to-ground service that connects to cell towers. The only problem with this technology is that bandwidth is probably going to be a bit flaky (at least with early versions) as the plane’s comm systems switches from tower, to tower, to tower while moving faster than any normal cell phone user would. No reference was made to the bandwidth available to the passengers.
• The other technology uses satellite communications plus WiFi b (802.11b) access points. It can be implemented in planes, boats or any other vehicle that is expected to be far away from cell towers.

So, what does this mean for us Mobile Users? Well, for one it means we are now able to connect, no matter where we are. I am not sure that prices will come down, but at least if you are in urgent need to connect, you will soon be able to do it from all the major airlines.

Polo Going Mobile

Courtesy of Reuters (by way of MobileCrunch)

Using phones to buy items such as train tickets or products in vending machines is commonplace in Japan, but the trend has yet to catch on in the United States.

“We recognize that in America this is going after somebody who is more comfortable with technology,” Lauren told Reuters. “The truth is that in other countries, it’s becoming a part of their culture. The trend is coming, and as a fashion company it’s very important to identify trends and get ahead of them.”

While early adopters of new technologies are often young, Lauren said the move is not aimed at a specific age group.

“This is about someone who’s interested in our brand and interested in technology, and wherever the two meet, that’s what’s appropriate,” Lauren said.

I don’t want to sound dramatic, but I find the quotes in bold to be, well… downright courageous! In the advertising world, we have been talking about this concept, technology and its promise (especially QR codes) for years. It’s great to see a company out there that is willing to take a risk and make a statement about their commitment to a market place that, frankly, in another two or three years, we won’t even remember living without. Does that sound bold? Do I jest? Nope.

The biggest issues with any new technology (i.e. M-com) are the hurdles presented by lack of standards (multiple platforms, network specific limitations, multiple deployment schemes, etc). When standards are not in place or are competing for dominance, it makes it harder on the user to have a solution that is “easy”. When its not easy, you will lose brand loyalists that are not simultaneously interested in the brand AND  the new tech bringing them the brand. Polo is cognizant of this and is at least starting, with power users in mind. However once it becomes super easy to, I don’t know, say… BUY STUFF WITH YOUR MOBILE DEVICE WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT MOBILE DEVICES, then a brand could also capture that consumer that couldn’t care less about what kind of phone they are purchasing it with, or how to set up the purchasing app or any of the details of mobile gadgetry that we geeks hold sacred. When a tech like M-com becomes easy and compelling, users will take it seriously.

And when users take it seriously, it finally makes sense for a brand to jump into the space because they can count on a return for their investment. Dig? Brands just worry about which ever methods for purchase by users and deployment by brands are the most popular (which will no doubt be the the one that is easiest  for users) and jump on the bandwagon. Snowball effect. Badda bing. Badda boom. Mobile millions.

I know what you are thinking…. You are either thinking, “duh” or you are thinking, “um, there’s a lot more to it than that dude”.

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Know your enemy

This comment was left recently at my blog  in a post where I was talking about a video showing a laptop thief in plain action:

its actually quite simple go to best buy when its busy, ask for something compact like me i asked for a mac book air, i shoped for a bit hid it under my coat mind you it was winter at the time, so i was not standing out like a sore thumb, picked something out got to the register paid for it, i walked out the alarm went off, and said oops and showed the guy my reciept with my bag and cd i bought, and walked out, went home played around with my new mac book air for a few weeks, and then sold it on ebay now $1,800 richer :D number 1 way to get away with it stay calm, the goon squad at best buy cant touch you or intercept you, all they can do is call the cops but if you notice a lot of store drones looking at you thats a good hint to GTFU and scan your suroundings for signs of the MAN on your tail.

I’m not saying that whoever wrote this is for real a thief but judging by the spelling this could be the case. The main reason I’m posting it now in the main page is to show our readers how these guys work. Every store should train employees in the same way Casinos do. A simple one hour training showing all these little tricks could save them thousands of dollars. Sometimes a video surveillance system is not enough.

ULTRA MOBILE PC TIPS: How to steal a laptop

California Judge Says Early Termination Fees Illegal

This is only for one State and the appeal in inevitable, but Early Termination Fees are a blight to consumer advocacy. They say it is to subsidize handset prices, while others say it is to lock consumers into a provider regardless of satisfaction and price gouging.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The fees that cell phone carriers charge customers who break service contracts took a big hit in a California courtroom when a judge said such charges by Sprint Nextel Corp. likely violate state law.

The judge, in a tentative ruling issued late Monday, said Sprint will have to pay $18.3 million to customers who sued over the fees and credit $54.8 million to those who were charged but did not pay the fees.

The same judge is considering other lawsuits against telecommunications companies over their so-called early termination fees, which can range from $150 to $225. This month Verizon Wireless agreed to pay $21 million to settle an identical lawsuit just as trial was starting.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Bonnie Sabraw rejected Sprint’s argument that a state court had no business deciding an issue the company said should be left for federal authorities. And while her ruling isn’t legally binding outside the state, it cut to the heart of an ongoing debate in other state courthouses and in Washington, D.C., over the fairness of the fees.

Who would have believed that a San Francisco Judge would have made a good decision? :-)

(of course it is an anti-business ruling, so perhaps that is why)

Link

Sprint Nextel up for sale

With the US dollar devalued internationally, foreign investors are finding many opportunities to buy up struggling US companies.

NEW YORK (AP) — South Korea’s SK Telecom Corp. is in talks to buy struggling U.S. wireless carrier Sprint Nextel Corp., business news channel CNBC reported Tuesday

An agreement would be at best weeks away, CNBC said, citing people familiar with the talks.

Sprint shares closed down 4 percent at $7.94 after initially spiking on the report.

U.S.-listed shares of SK Telecom, Korea’s largest mobile-phone service operator by subscriber numbers, fell 2 percent to $20.67.

Sprint spokesman James Fisher had no comment on the report. No SK Telecom representatives were available in the early morning hours, Korean time.

CNBC reported that private-equity firms would provide financing for the deal, since SK Telecom’s market value is about half of Sprint’s $22.6 billion.

Sprint has been losing subscribers for some time, but it’s still the third-largest wireless carrier in the U.S., with 52.8 million subscribers at the end of the first quarter. Its stock has lost half its value in the last year, and there have been reports that the company has been talking to other possible acquirers, like T-Mobile USA.

Link: http://www.baynews9.com/content/26/2008/7/15/365394.html?title=CNBC:%20Korean%20carrier%20in%20talks%20to%20buy%20Sprint

http://www.sktelecom.com/

http://www.sprint.com/index.html?brand=Nextel

Business Data Accessibility with "Mobile Data Now"

One of the frequently heard promises of the handheld mobile device and services industries has long been instant and easy access to business data from any location at anytime.  The practical fulfillment of that promise has been nothing less than illusive, if not downright disappointing.

Along comes “Mobile Data Now” from Mobile Data Now Ltd in New Zealand.  According to their website: “Mobile Data Now provides a platform for accessing business data and applications by simply using the messaging applications users have on their mobile phones and are already familiar with, such as email, SMS and instant messaging.  If you can send a message, you can use Mobile Data Now.“

For years I have been intrigued with practical prospects for the deployment of mobile solutions that easily provide actionable back office information to mobile workers.  Accordingly, I will be taking an in depth look at “Mobile Data Now” and will be reporting back with a complete review.

In the meantime, you can learn more directly from the Company at their website.

Copyright ©2008 Richard A. Bilancia — All Rights Reserved

A Buyer’s Market in Smartphones

Larry Dignan has a great article about the financial changes going through the smartphone market in the Between the Lines column at ZDNet today. He notes the financial pains of such world beaters as Palm, Sony Ericsson and RIM (yes, even RIM) and comes to some very astute conclusions:

While RIM, Palm and Sony Ericsson aren’t exactly comparable their relative stumbles do indicate that there may be more leverage for IT buyers. Handset makers are being squeezed and you might as well join in the fun. RIM vs. Apple’s iPhone. Palm vs. Motorola. Penny saving commodity devices vs. gadget lust. The actual scorecard doesn’t matter. It all adds up to leverage for buyers of all flavors as these parties battle for market share and increasingly discount their wares. Meanwhile, the discounting will escalate if customers balk at those pricey smartphones.

Larry goes on to site many factors shaping the current market, and comes to a set of truisms that define market conditions right now and in the near future, which are right in line with my views (see Content, Content, Content).

According to Mr. Dignan:

• Any smartphone company that is primarily hardware based is going to be toast.
• These handset specialists are in a dog fight for market share and profit margins will suffer.
• The mobile market is increasingly driven by software, which is what makes Apple’s iPhone a hot item.
• The game is to become a platform. Sony Ericsson has no platform by itself. Palm doesn’t have its act together. And RIM has an ecosystem, but its army of developers could fall behind Google, Apple and a host of other new entrants relatively easy. Increasingly, the smartphone market will be dominated by software consortiums–Symbian, LiMo, Android–established platforms (RIM and Apple) and carriers that will collect the tolls. The devices makers will increasingly lose control over their collective destiny.

Right on the money, as far as I am concerned. As so called feature phones gain more and more of the physical attributes of smartphones, and elements such as expandable memory, powerful cameras and high level mobile chips become ubiquitous and prices therefore plummet, things are going to become more and more software based. Applications and content access is where vendors will work to distinguish themselves and gain market share…and thusly profit. The OS won’t be enough anymore, now it will require the synergy of OS, Apps and content that create a platform in order to succeed.

Care to know what Dignan sees in the future, and how he rates the odds for each of the major players in the space? Read the entire article HERE.

Apple to Invade China

Official word was released before the weekend that the Apple iPhone (as Steve Jobs had hinted at a while ago) is finally entering the massive Chinese market, with a deal with China Mobile.

Reuters is carrying the following quote:

But there is no timetable for when China Mobile would bring the iPhone to mainland China, a spokeswoman said. “Apple is no longer insisting on a revenue-sharing policy, so the biggest hurdle for China Mobile to bring in the iPhone has been cleared, but there are practical issues still to be resolved,” said China Mobile spokeswoman Rainie Lei.

Apple has decided to stop requiring that wireless network companies pay it part of the subscription fees they get from iPhone users. Instead, they will subsidize the devices up front to make them cheaper.

With no revenue sharing deal, it is quite likely that Apple will be just breaking even, if not losing money on this deal. However, I can easily see it as a prestige issue for Apple, as well as a move to try and block some surprisingly successful competitors, such as the Samsung Instinct or HTC Touch Pro, from stealing the largest phone market in the world. Certainly a good business move, no matter the short term cost.

What does this mean to iPhone buyers outside of China? Quite likely a shortage of iPhones due to the sudden inclusion of all those Chinese users. If the Russian market is also signed soon (as has been rumoured), supplies could get pretty thin on the ground. If there are any hiccups at all in Apple’s supply train on these devices, we could be seeing some interesting headlines by the end of the summer. Both in terms of resources and profit margin, Apple may be cutting this one very very close.

As for that groaning noise you hear in the background, that was the thousands of iPhone knockoff makers throwing themselves off the Great Wall.

Mobilizing Your Company? Be Prepared!

When attempting to transition your place of work from not using mobile devices to using them you may be faced with some serious challenges. No matter how prepared you can be or how well laid out your project really is, you could find some opposing forces along the way. Change, specifically aimed at progress, is always something that might be feared by some people. Just be prepared to hold hands and guide through the process and get armed with a killer training program so that changes are well received.

Some of the opposing forces to mobility could be counted as concerns which might as well be perfectly reasonable, just have in mind that a good implementation will address all concerns with smart and appropriately budgeted solutions.

Some of these concerns include:

• User Adoption
• Total Cost of Ownership
• Common IT Infrastructure
• Network Concerns
• Security

[Read more]

How to Trigger the Use of Mobile Devices at Work

We all agree that Mobile Devices are a great tool, there is no question about that. Regardless of your platform of preference, they all facilitate a multitude of tasks that used to require of us doing work at the office/home office. From email to remote access to administer a server, mobile tools are a great solution.

However; not every company has a mobility strategy, some will just purchase cell phones to some of their key employees and management, some only management, some have no strategy at all. If your company falls under any of these scenarios, here are some ideas to turn your company into a mobile device user:

If you see yourself in the first or second scenarios you will probably have an easier task convincing your management to turn into mobile devices. If not, you may have to do a little bit more work. In any case it is very likely that you will be successful.

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Why Developers need to know about SQL Server Compact Edition (SQL CE)?

So you are a developer who works on applications that run on the desktop; or you are a project manager who has only heard of SQL Server Compact Edition… In any case, if you have hardly heard of SQL Server CE, or you are assuming that SQL Server CE runs only on portable devices, then you should read on to learn about some new powerful options available for your environment of choice.

Well, SQL Server CE in not only intended for devices who run on the Windows CE platform (Windows Mobile, Xbox 360 and many others among then) but also for PCs running XP and Vista:

WHAT? You didn’t know? Never mind, keep reading then…

While SQL Server comes in many flavors, SQL Server Express is not the smallest of them all. Yes, it’s free and it can run in your desktop if you want it… but do you really want to run a SQL Server on your desktop? Is that the smallest you can go?

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Americans Surf on their Phone more than the British

According to a survey done by M:Metrics, Americans do more mobile browsing than British. Could that all be our data packages vs. theirs? I think so. We have it much better in the US than other countries, especially Canada.

If you are wondering what Americans are looking at on their phones, they had some data on that too. Porn? No.

• Craigslist.org (1 hour 38 minutes per month)
• eBay.com (1 hour 25 minutes per month)
• MySpace.com (1 hour 25 minutes per month)
• Facebook.com (1 hour 24 minutes per month)
• Go.com (1 hour 7 minutes)

Americans Spend More than 4.5 Hours Per Month Browsing on Smartphones, Nearly Double the Rate of the British

Social networking and Internet commerce are compelling smartphone users to spend an average of four hours and thirty-eight minutes per month browsing the mobile Web in the United States and two and a half hours per month in Britain, reports M:Metrics, the mobile media authority.

Source: Fierce Wireless via Palm Blog

HanDBase 4.0

I must admit that I have been aware of HanDBase for some time, but have largely ignored it because my databases are in the millions of records and would swamp the memory of a PDA.

However, upon the prompting of a friend, I took another look at the new version 4.0 recently and was more than a little impressed with what I found.

HandDBase is a sophisticated relational database that will work on almost all PDA platforms. It allows data entry, record searching, sorting, filtering, printing, and syncing with desktop and handheld devices. It will import/export Microsoft Access or other ODBC compliant databases.

You can construct your own custom-designed database using fifteen different kinds of fields from text to numerical to date to calculating and more. It also lets you create forms for data input with a nifty drag and drop designer. The form designer is impressive. You can select colors for text, background, buttons, as well as button functions and button shape. There are drop down boxes, radio buttons, and free text fields that can contain up to 2000 characters. You can even insert graphics in the forms.

HanDBase comes with a desktop form designer application as well. You can also sync data with a desktop computer if you wish.

There are unlimited ways to use HanDBase. For example, in the personal arena, you may wish to make shopping lists, packing lists, to do lists, guest, and gift lists. You can construct a database to handle recipes, car and travel information, bible study, workouts, and weight loss.

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SplashMoney

Compared to the money transaction program I’ve been using, SplashMoney is the ultimate supreme being, the granddaddy of the universe. Instead of a black and white ho hum presentation, SplashMoney opens in full Technicolor with spiffy icons and lives up to its name from the first impression.

Delving deeper into SplashMoney, I found it to be a transaction recording program that probably has no equal. For instance, to my knowledge no other similar application allows you to access your bank accoun ts live online and sync data.

SplashMoney will allow you to create accounts for credit cards, loans, bank accounts and many other kinds of accounts. You can enter transactions, keep a running balance, create and print reports, pay bills, and synchronize data from handheld to desktop and vice versa. It will also import transactions into accounts. Of course, it will help you to keep your accounts accurately balanced as well.

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