Sales of Android phones have risen by more than 300% since the beginning of 2010! With 1 in 10 mobile contracts sold in the UK now running on Google's mobile operating system.
From the beginning of 2010, most of the UK's major mobile operators have started selling a number of Android based mobile devices, running on Google's Linux-based software. The HTC Desire and HTC Legend are among the devices hailed by critics and consumers alike. HTC, the Taiwanese manufacturer of many devices running Android, posted a 41% global sales increase for the first six months of 2010.
"The figures suggest an increasing number of consumers are now asking for Android handsets by name," said GfK analyst Megan Baldock. "Operating systems are no longer simply a by-product but a key selling point in their own right."
Posted by jen | Comments (0)
Apple had just announced that iPad will be available in Ireland from this Friday, July 23rd. The iPad is the newest Apple device to hit the Irish market and it aims to revolutionise the way we consume media on the go!
iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface.
Those who want to be one the first to get their hands on one in Ireland can purchase the iPad through Apple’s retail stores and also through Apple authorized resellers from Friday!
Posted by jen | Comments (0)
Aiming to increase the success of the Android App Market and reduce the gap with the Apple App Store, Google has released a web-based system which it says needs "NO programming knowledge" to write your own app.
The program, known as App Inventor, is attempting to bring app programming and creation to the masses. The web based application makes the whole process simpler by removing the tedious process of writing code and allow users to drag and drop display elements and use blocs to specify the app’s behavior. The creators said that there are blocks available for just about everything you can do with an Android phone, as well as the more depth function calls.
Google said it had been working on the system for a year and were pitched at those with little knowledge of programming.The programming system was developed with the help of computer scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who created a similar coding system known as Open Blocks.
Obviously Google’s main objective in producing the system is to increase the number of apps in the Android App Market and to add allure of their platform. However it will remain to be seen if App Inventor will lead to thousands of useless basic being developed or genuinely useful apps that will allow Android really challenge Apple as the rulers of the App space.
Posted by jen | Comments (0)
Women make up nearly half of all iPad users according to consumer research published by Yahoo.
Early research by Yahoo demonstrated that women represented 34% of all iPad users in the first month after launch in April. However, they now make up 49% of the 3m US iPad users.The iPad is most popular with people aged 35-44, who account for 28% of all iPad users.
Ashley Cheng, Yahoo senior target marketing manager, said, “Another notable difference is which properties these users are visiting on the Yahoo network.Traffic to Yahoo Groups, Yahoo Shopping and Yahoo Travel increased 28%, 25%, and 22% respectively.” Source: NMA
Posted by jen | Comments (0)
Foursquare are moving things to a higher level with the introduction of a new tool called “Location Layers”. Location layers will effectively tag information onto geographical locations.
To give a clearer picture, say you are near a location that was used in a famous film; you would receive an alert giving you information on that location and its connection with the film! The possibilities are endless for the type information that could integrated, such a live news needs, historical facts and more importantly commercial brand information!
The idea that brands can feed consumers information based on their current location sounds very promising, however foursquare would have to try and prevent it from descending into location information overload…
Posted by jen | Comments (2)
1 in every 7 minutes of media consumption today is done through the mobile device!
Posted by jen | Comments (0)
The UK public have donated £1.75m via
SMS to the BBC’s Children in Need appeal!
Text donations were launched on
Monday 26th October 2009, with viewers of BBC’s the One Show being asked to
text in to support the presenter they wanted to participate in the latest
children in need challenge. Each SMS donated £5 with donations capped at seven
maximum per day.
The SMS drive was bolstered
further, as the mobile networks kindly waived their usual fees and the Treasury
confirmed that no VAT would be charged. Gift Aid was also available meaning an
additional £1.40 for every eligible £5 donation – creating a potential extra
income of over £500k.
"This is the first time BBC
Children in Need has used SMS to interact with our supporters" said Anna
Bennett, Director of Operations and Finance, BBC Children in Need. "The
donation mechanic has made it easy for our supporters to donate and has helped
us to reach a wider audience."
Text lines stay open till
midnight tonight – so hopefully SMS can help raise even more money for such a
great cause!
Posted by jen | Comments (0)
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of
marketers believe mobile will be the medium to see most growth over the next 5
years, according to new research conducted by the Internet Advertising Bureau.
The survey, conducted amongst
a panel of over 100 senior-level UK agency representatives,
investigated their knowledge and understanding of mobile advertising, as well
as general attitudes towards the medium.
The research also revealed that currently some 95% of digital budgets include
spend on mobile, with only 5% of UK marketers not yet investing in
the medium.
Posted by jen | Comments (0)