NFC – test deployment in Milan

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Nov 072012
 

NFC technology is starting to be widely deployed – except for the iPhone, it is available on all other handset platforms. Sadly, so far, it was difficult to find something to test your NFC handset on – it is much like the problem of storing an impressive Galaxy Note II in a Galaxy Note II case where no one can see it.

In the inner city of Milan, a trial has now been set up by a local carrier. It allows users to use their handsets to perform the following actions:

  • Use vouchers
  • Pay for food
  • Find out about sightseeing spots

Find out more via the URL below – videos from the 3GSM can sadly not be embedded:
http://www.mobileworldlive.com/videos/feature-nfc-tour-of-milan/25883

On app types, user loyalty and monetization

 Metrics Maid  No Responses »
Nov 012012
 

In today’s mobile industry, a variety of monetization methods compete – when creating an application, deciding on the correct revenue generator can make or break the bank.

The analysis house Flurry has now provided us with the following graph – it shows which applications commandeer a high degree of loyalty:
On app types, user loyalty and monetization

Of course, this also has an impact on the choice monetization methods:

On average, Quadrants I and IV (the right-hand side) are better suited to subscription and advertising-supported models. The main reason is that these apps have perceived enduring value by consumers over a long period of time, and therefore more successfully retain their user bases. For ad-supported apps, high repeat usage translates into more ad impressions served. Categories on the left-hand side, Quadrants II and III, are better suited for one-time download fees. Additionally, quadrants II and IV (top left and bottom right) are likely best for in-app purchase models. For Quadrant II, the intense usage means that consumers find very high value during a short window. This creates the opportunity to offer new content or functionality during “binge” usage. Adroit social game makers are masters at driving in-app purchases during a consumer’s greatest moment of engagement. For Quadrant IV, because the user will return again and again, there also exists the possibility to find new ways of increasing value, which includes offering add-on functionality or content for a fee.

Hit the link above to find out more…

What Indian users really do on their cell phones

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Oct 312012
 

India is one of the largest markets for mobile applications and mobile web surfing – in fact, many people in India only have a cell phone.

Opera now shares the following bits of data which show what users do while surfing on the run:

Top 10 website categories in India

  1. News Portals
  2. E-commerce
  3. Social networking
  4. Education
  5. Travel
  6. Search
  7. Cricket
  8. Download portals
  9. Job portal
  10. Government websites

What do you think?

e-paper displays used for price tags

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Oct 312012
 

Prices tend to change frequently, especially as inflation raises. At some point, using a digital screen becomes more affordable than permanentely reprinting paper price tags.

While running across a store in Vienna, I stumbled across this – a e-ink based price tag:
epaperpricetag tnl e paper displays used for price tags

Looks like the price of the technology is becoming lower and lower – have you seen any weird e-paper applications recently?

50% of mobile ad clicks caused by “fat fingers”

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Oct 312012
 

Most mobile ad solutions – Microsoft’s system is explicitly excluded here – pay developers only for clicks. Obviously, this motivates coders to create GUI layouts where it is easy to mistakenly tap on an ad to drive revenue.

Pace Lattin now brings us the following interesting quote:

A new study by GoldSpot Media claims that almost 50% of all clicks on static mobile ads are actually “fat finger” clicks. These aren’t just clicks from those who visit McDonald’s a bit too much, but from the general population who accidently click on the mobile advertisement and then close the app within two seconds. This means that they weren’t at all interested in the advertisement, but instead were just trying to exit or move around.

Of course, this causes significant problems for advertisers. Low rates of user engagement lead to lack of further funding, which comes to hurt developers as the clicks become worth less and less.

Have you ever mis-clicked an ad?

App gives advertising revenue back to users in “lottery raffle”

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Oct 232012
 

Some years ago, the idea of using advertising to monetize business apps was considered insane – now, it is commonplace. The next step in the transformation of the mobile economy now sees developers giving back advertising revenue to their users.

We have now received the following press release – the highlighting is done by yours truly:

NINEPOINTEIGHT LLP releases Sweepstakes Free 1.0, the free iOS app giving away real cash prizes everyday. All sweepstakes are completely free to download and enter. As a special launch promotion, prizes have been set at a guaranteed of minimum of $20.00 USD daily and $100.00 weekly for the app launch through to at least December 1. Prize values will increase in value as the number of users increases.

All prizes are for real money in US Dollars, payable to a users Paypal account. These free sweepstakes are initially being funded out of pocket by NINEPOINTEIGHT LLP as a launch promotion, and long term are made possible by advertising displayed within the app. Note that any clicks on advertisements are not a requirement of entry and are completely optional. Apple is not a sponsor or involved in these sweepstakes in any manner.

. . .

Find out more via the URL below:
http://www.ssfreeapp.com/

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