Archive for the ‘smartphones’ Category
Thursday, April 26th, 2012
 Apple continues to dominate smartphone and tablet activations among enterprise users.
Apple’s iPhone 4S hit a record high number of activations for the first quarter of 2012, claiming the number one device spot overall, with 37 percent of all activations (four times that of any other device).
So says the quarterly device activation report for the first quarter of 2012. The full report from Good Technology provides a breakdown of smartphone and tablet devices activated amongst Good’s enterprise customers, which include eight of the top 10 financial institutions, seven of the top 10 healthcare organizations, half of the Fortune 100, and companies from every major industry.
The iPad 2 claimed the second spot overall, with 17.7 percent of activations for the quarter. With less than one month on the market, the new iPad, released in March 2012, rocketed to the number four spot with 4.3 percent of all activations for the quarter, and an impressive 12.1 percent of activations in March alone.
We wonder here at the TechJournal if the breakage issue disclosed by Consumer Reports (the new iPads were severely damaged by a waist high fall) will eventually be a problem if they are used as an Enterprise mobile device? On the other hand, its dictation feature could certainly be useful in an Enterprise setting.
Amongst Android devices, the Motorola Droid took the top spot, with 1.6 percent of all activations, making it the seventh most popular device for the quarter. Overall, Android smartphones represented 26.1 percent of all activations for the quarter, while Android tablets came in at 2.7 percent.
BYOD and Tablets Drive Substantial Year-over-Year and Quarter-over-Quarter Activation Growth for Good
The number of Good customers deploying iOS and/or Android devices grew by more than 50 percent over the past 12 months, while the average Good customer deployment size more than doubled over the same period.
Even more impressive, in Q1 2012 alone, Good’s activations grew by 50 percent over Q4 2011, and were nearly double the two previous quarters combined.
“BYOD smartphones and tablets combined with proactive, company-owned iPad deployments are driving rapid growth both the size and number of new deployments amongst our customers,” said John Herrema, Good Technology’s SVP of Corporate Strategy.
“This includes significant growth in the number of Good users who have both a smartphone and a tablet, with the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 as the most frequently occurring combination.”
Enterprise Users Driving Tablet Adoption
A recent Gartner press release[1] forecasts 118.9 million tablets will be sold this year. Good found that iPads collectively represented roughly 97.3 percent of its tablet activations for Q1 2012.
Apple’s continued growth is not only being driven by consumers and the overall BYOD trend, but also by proactive enterprise deployment of iPads.
Apple’s iPhones and iPads remain the clear choice amongst end users when it comes to both BYOD and large company-driven deployments in verticals such as Financial Services, Business and Professional Services, Life Sciences and Healthcare.
Life Sciences witnessed the highest rate of growth in the quarter for iPad net activations by industry, steadily increasing from less than three percent in October 2011 to nearly 14 percent in January 2012.
This growth mirrors anecdotal data around proactive iPad deployments to sales forces in that industry, most notably among Pharmaceutical and Biotech companies.
“With Windows 8, we expect more competition for Apple and the iPad in the enterprise tablet space, especially for proactive, company-owned device deployments,” said John Herrema, Good Technology’s SVP Corporate Strategy.
“On the smartphone side, we just released support for Windows Phone 7.5 last week and it will be interesting to see how it performs over the coming quarters.”
Here at the Techjournal we’ve seen numerous reports of other new tablets from makers that include Google, Samsung, and others likely to challenge Apple over the long term, especially with less expensive models and different form factors.
Tags: Android, BYOD, enterprise tablet & smartphone activations, Good Technology, iPad, iPhone 4S, Motorola Droid, Q1 2012
Posted in Digital Devices, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
 You may not know where you are sometimes without checking Google Maps or a GPS unit, but your iPhone knows. While this is a boon to investigators in criminal and civil cases, it raises spooky Big Brother concerns as well.
“IPhones record every step you take and when you took it,” says Mark McLaughlin of Los Angeles based Computer Forensics International. “Armed with that location data, examiners can draw a Google map of the route you took and the exact time you were there, down to the second.”
The iPhone’s location data is automatically captured from two sources; nearby cellphone tower sites and any wireless data network – like the Wifi network at your local Starbucks.
Unfortunately for the iPhone’s owner, this data collection feature can only be stopped by turning off the phone’s wireless transmit and receive capability – also referred to as airplane mode. However, the previously recorded data will still be there and will be recoverable.
iPads use the same location tracking technology.
Data searched includes active and deleted items
Digital forensic examiners like McLaughlin, routinely use cutting edge software tools when analyzing iPhones and other smartphones on civil and criminal cases. They start by first making an exact copy of the phone’s entire memory – which includes active and deleted data. Then the copy is searched either visually or by using keywords for relevant evidence to the case.
This data can be a boon for attorneys and investigators working on civil and criminal cases. It could provide the corroboration to put a cheating spouse at a specific residence when they should have been at work. Or it could be used to tie individuals together in a criminal conspiracy where they otherwise couldn’t be connected.
McLaughlin says, “This location data capture shouldn’t be a problem for most iPhone owners. But if you’re trying to hide where you’ve been, leave the iPhone at home.”
Tags: Big Brother, Computer Forensics International, iPhone location tracking, Mark McLaughlin, privacy
Posted in Apple, Internet/New Media, IT, Security, smartphones | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
 Personal mobile devices used at work can present a security problem. A poll of ForeSee federal government clients shows that one-third of e-government websites currently has a functional mobile site or mobile app and more than half (53 percent) are planning or developing a mobile site, app, or both, providing evidence that federal government agencies are beginning to recognize the benefits and opportunity of the mobile channel for serving citizens.
The new findings come as part of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) E-Government Satisfaction Index, a quarterly report on the state of customer satisfaction with e-government, which customer experience analytics firm ForeSee produces in partnership with the ACSI.
“Consumers are adopting smartphones and tablets in droves, and these mobile devices are transforming the way people access the Internet,” said Larry Freed, president and CEO of ForeSee.
“Mobile is the next frontier in e-government satisfaction. It is commendable that some federal agencies are budgeting for mobile platform development when they are facing other hurdles—like tighter security requirements and budget cuts—that private-sector companies do not necessarily have to worry about.”
Meanwhile, the quarterly update of the ACSI E-Government Satisfaction Index, also included in today’s report, shows that satisfaction with federal government websites remains high. The E-Government Satisfaction Index scores 75.2 on ACSI’s 100-point scale.
More than 300,000 survey responses were collected during the first quarter of 2012 to produce the Index. Satisfaction, though high, has hit a plateau and hasn’t varied more than 0.3 from the current score over the last seven consecutive quarters.
Satisfaction with government websites drive government efficiency by increasing the likelihood that citizens will turn to the website before other more costly channels. High satisfaction also increases the likelihood of positive word of mouth recommendations.
As smartphones and other mobile devices continue to proliferate, government agencies will have another efficient channel with which to serve its constituents .
“The online sectors of the economy generally outperform all other sectors in the ACSI, in part because the web is convenient and provides access to a plethora of information and options at the click of a mouse,” said Claes Fornell, founder of the ACSI.
“Mobile has the opportunity to take that convenience a step further because few people leave the house without their cell phone. They are as ubiquitous as your keys, and smartphones are still proliferating.”
“Federal agencies are lagging the private sector in building their mobile platforms, but federal employees are smartphone users, too, and e-gov webmasters are among the more tech savvy government employees,” said Dave Lewan, vice president of public sector business at ForeSee. “They see how mobile affects their own lives; how could they not see it in the future of citizen engagement?”
Tags: ACSI, American Customer Satisfaction Index, e-government, E-government satisfaction index, ForeSee, moible, smartphones
Posted in Best Practices, Government/Defense, Internet/New Media, Mobile, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture, Telecommunications | Comments Off
Thursday, April 19th, 2012
 Just more than half of smartphone owners-51 percent- accessed travel content on their devices during the three month period ending February 2012, with nearly 1 in every 5 smartphone owners using their device to book air travel or hotel reservations, according to the new comScore Travel Advisor report.
“The on-the-go convenience of smartphones has facilitated their emergence as an essential companion for travelers,” said Mark Donovan, comScore SVP of mobile.
“We all know how hectic a travel experience can be, but smartphones have really stepped in to meet a variety of needs for travelers, such as coordination of schedules, locations, trip itineraries and transactions.
“With more than half of all smartphone users now engaging with travel content, there has never been a better opportunity for suppliers and OTAs to invest in their mobile strategies to provide a great experience and win loyalty from their customers.”
Smartphones Become Pocket Travel Agents for Growing Number of Americans
During the three month period ending in February 2012, 51 percent of the smartphone audience accessed air and/or hotel content on their device, with 4 in every 5 mobile travelers accessing both air and hotel content.
The most popular air travel-related mobile activity was checking airfare prices, in which 26 percent of all smartphone users engaged. Smartphone users were nearly as likely to look up an airline phone number, flight schedules, and check a flight’s status, each of which was conducted by 25 percent of the audience.
While many of the most popular behaviors were consumers seeking information, they also engaged in transactional behavior. 21 percent of smartphone consumers checked in for a flight on their device, while 18 percent booked a flight on their smartphone and 10 percent cancelled a flight.
Top Mobile Air Activities while Planning a Trip or Traveling During Previous Three Months
February 2012
Total U.S. Smartphone Subscribers Ages 18+
Source: Custom Mobile Travel Advisor Survey
% of Smartphone Owners
Checked airfare prices 26%
Looked up a phone number (i.e. airline) 25%
Looked at flight schedules 25%
Checked a flight status (arrival/delays) 25%
Looked up airport information 24%
Checked in for a flight 21%
Received price alerts for flights 19%
Booked a flight 18%
Received SMS alerts for a flight status 17%
Tracked the status of a checked bag 13%
Cancelled a flight 10%
Among hotel-related mobile activities, looking up hotel address/directions was the most popular (conducted by 29 percent of smartphone owners), followed by researching attractions or things to do near hotel (23 percent). Reading hotel reviews and comparing hotel prices and availability were performed by more than 1 in 5 smartphone owners in the past three months, while 18 percent used their device to book a hotel room.
Top Mobile Hotel Activities while Planning a Trip or Traveling During Previous Three Months
February 2012
Total U.S. Smartphone Subscribers Ages 18+
Source: Custom Mobile Travel Advisor Survey
% of Smartphone Owners
Looked up hotel address/directions 29%
Looked up/ researched attractions/ things to do at my destination/near my hotel 23%
Looked up/researched places to eat at my destination/near my hotel 22%
Read a hotel review 22%
Compared hotel prices & availability 21%
Booked a hotel room 18%
Received price alerts for hotels 18%
Looked up/researched ground transportation at my destination/near my hotel 17%
Cancelled a hotel reservation 10%
Males and Younger Audience Segments More Likely to Consume Travel Content
Compared to the average smartphone owner the mobile traveler was more likely to be younger and male, a fairly typical profile for early technology adopters. 62 percent of smartphone owners that accessed travel information were male, compared to 52 percent of the entire smartphone audience, while 78 percent of smartphone travelers were between the ages of 18-44, compared to 63 percent of the total smartphone audience. Mobile travelers tended to have similar income levels compared to the average smartphone owner with approximately half of each audiences residing in households earning at least $75,000 annually.
Donovan continued, “Both OTAs and suppliers need to understand the demographic and behavioral characteristics of these mobile travelers in order to build effective mobile strategies that complement their online presence.
Failure to develop a strong mobile presence could result in unsatisfied customers and lost opportunities to convert new audiences, leaving brands vulnerable to competitors who adapt more quickly to addressing consumers’ shifting consumption habits.”
Demographic Profile of Smartphone Travel User
February 2012
Total U.S. Smartphone Subscribers Ages 18+
Source: Custom Mobile Travel Advisor Survey
% of Mobile Travel Smartphone Audience % of Total Smartphone Audience
Gender:
Male 62% 52%
Female 38% 48%
Age:
18-24 21% 17%
25-34 33% 25%
35-44 24% 21%
45-54 11% 16%
55-64 8% 9%
65+ 4% 6%
Household Income:
$25k to $50k to $75k to $100k+ 26% 34%
Tags: comScore Travel Advisor report, demographics, mobile air activities, smartphones, travel info
Posted in Analytics, Digital Devices, Internet/New Media, Mobile, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture | Comments Off
Thursday, April 19th, 2012
 If you own a mobile device, whether it is a smartphone, tablet, notebook or laptop, we bet you’ve played one or more mobile games.
They can be compelling. From slingshotting Angry Birds at laughing pigs, blasting away at tanks or bad guys, or trying to dunk a paper wad in an trash can, they’re great time-killers and may even have some beneficial effects on hand-eye-coordination and concentration.
Here’s an infographic from BusinessDegree.com that takes a look at how these little games became such big business:
Created by: BusinessDegree.net
Tags: Angry Birds, big business, businessdegree.com, in-game-purchases, iPhones, mobile games, most popular apps, Rovio, zombies, Zynga
Posted in Angry Birds, games, infographic, Internet/New Media, IT, Mobile, mobile games, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture, Telecommunications | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
 Prema Gupta, co-founder of Khush singing into a smart phone. By Allan Maurer
If you’re planning to launch a mobile app, Prerna Gupta, CEO of Khush, has three tips for you.
Gupta, named one of FastCompany’s Most Influential Women in Tech 2011, founded Khush, which sells the La Di Da mobile apps sold through the iTunes store, in 2009. The app analyzes a users voice when they sing into their iPhone.
Using state-of-the-art algorithms to analyze the pitch and structure of the vocal input, it uses that information to compose a unique accompaniment in real-time that matches the song.
The app, which originally sold for $2.99, has been downloaded more than 2 million times and its demo videos on YouTube garnered more than 65 million views.
Khush, which originated as one of Atlanta-based Shotput Ventures first eight companies raised funds from Shotput, Georgia Tech’s Venture Lab, Rackspace executive Pat Matthews, 500 startups, and angel investor Yee Lee. It was acquired by sonic iPhone app firm Smule in December 2011.
Gupta is one of dozens of Internet gurus, mavens and thought-leaders headed to he Digital Summit in Atlanta May 9-10. She plans to discuss several trends in mobile app development, such as the need to build social components into apps and gaming, particularly those that are extremely social. “I’ll elaborate on what’s behind these trends and why everyone is into them,” she says.
We asked Gupta what advice she would give mobile app developers.
Three tips for mobile app developers
First, she says, “Put something out there. When you’re first starting with any type of consumer tech, the tendency is to want to make it perfect. So you keep building, keep building and don’t launch.
But the experience of putting it out there is important and will make you smarter. You learn so much when you launch and get user feedback.”
Second: “Don’t be discouraged if you’re not an overnight success. Apps that succeed right away are a small percent of those produced. The idea that if it doesn’t go viral right away you are a failure is a myth. More often, it takes several months to gain traction.
Third, “When you are creating an app, don’t cram too much on one screen, especially with the small iPhone screen size. Ask yourself, ‘what is the one thing this app is trying to do?’ Get that right. After you launch, you’ll find out what people want and add to it selectively. Don’t put 100 things in to start.
Khush, Gupta notes, added a new app called Sonify in July last year. “It did well and was the number one free app on iTunes for several weeks when it launched, which means it was number one in the world.”
New Songify app introduced last year
Songify turns speech in any language into singing. It resulted from feedback received from users of La Di Da. Users expressed some apprehension about singing, “So we wanted to take it a step further and all you have to do is talk,” she says.
We like that. People turn off the hot water in the shower if we sing.
They created the Songfiy app with a YouTube pop band, The Gregory Brothers, who are famous for taking news clips of people talking and manually editing them to make it sound like singing.
Tags: 500 Startups, app development tips, Digital Summit, GA Tech Venture Lab, Khush, La Di Da, Pat Matthews, Prerna Gupta, Shotput Ventures, Smule, Sonify, Yee Lee
Posted in Apple, entrepreneurship, Events, games, Internet/New Media, IT, Marketing, Mobile, mobile games, smartphones, Startups, video | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
 Tablet devices have emerged as the leading second-screen alternative to television for viewing full-length episodes, according to “Tapping Into Tabletomics,” a new study released today by Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
The study also found users are more emotionally attached to their tablet devices than to others, a fact marketers are sure too find interesting.
The new research examines consumer behavior and emotions around the tablet user-experience, with a focus on tablets as TV and the dual-screen experience.
Drawing on a national online survey of more than 2,500 people ages 8-54 as well as qualitative, in-depth interviews with dedicated tablet users in New York and Los Angeles, “Tapping into Tabletomics” found that, in just a few years, tablets have risen to second-screen prominence for full-length TV (FLTV) show viewing, ahead of computers.
Out of total time spent watching FLTV shows, 15% of viewing occurs on tablets.
Desktop, smartphone viewing delcine
Since tablets came into play, FLTV show viewing on desktops and smartphones has declined the most. Top genres viewed on tablets – comedy and music – align more with computers than the TV. Reality is the top genre viewed on television, followed by drama, science fiction and sports.
MSO app users, Netflixers, Apple TV owners, AirPlay users and Whispersync users are very aggressive tablet users. These services lead to significantly higher levels of FLTV show watching on tablets.
- Among tablet owners who subscribe to a cable company that offers streaming apps, about half report downloading the app. These MSO app users spend 20% more time on their tablet than non-MSO app users.
- 24% of Airplay users watch FLTV shows on their tablets, while the same can be said for 22% of MSO app users and 19% of Netflix users.
- Over one third of both AirPlay (35%) and Whispersync (34%) users say they watch more TV on their tablets because of these apps.
The Dual-Screen Experience
While watching television, many respondents use tablets to multitask or as a complementary experience via apps like MTV’s WatchWith and VH1′s Co-Star, designed as add-ons, rather than distractions, to the television screen.
“Our audiences are some of the most deeply engaged and active across social platforms,” said Colleen Fahey Rush, Executive Vice President and Chief Research Officer, Viacom Media Networks. “Co-viewing apps create more meaningful ways to reach them and represent an entirely new level of engagement for fans of our content.”
Overall, television continues to provide the best experience. When asked about everything from sound/picture quality to watching current episodes to ease-of-use, the TV experience won on every dimension.
One participant said: “If I’m looking forward to watching a sporting event or going to watch my favorite TV show, I still watch them on TV because it’s just not the same. The iPad is too small to watch something like that.”
Today’s Tablet User
“Tapping Into Tabletomics” also offers a snapshot of today’s tablet user:
- 62% use their tablets daily
- Daily tablet users spend an average of 2.4 hours per day on their tablets
- 85% of tablet use is for personal reasons versus business
- 77% of tablet use is alone
- 74% of tablet usage is done at home
- Most media activities on the tablet, such as playing games and watching TV shows, peak with the 18-24 demo
Users have emotion connections to their device
The research reveals emotional connections to this device unlike any other in the household. More than 50% of respondents said their tablet makes them feel happier and more relaxed, while 49% said tablets make them more effective at managing life.
Forty percent agree that “my tablet brings out the best in me” and 39% said tablets boost creativity.
One participant succinctly summed up her close relationship with her tablet: “The iPad is my form of entertainment, relaxation, fun, and opportunity to get information. It’s my personal space, in a sense.” However, not all tablet users feel the same.
“Tapping into Tabletomics” revealed varying degrees of tablet love across four distinct segments of tablet users.
- Power Trippers (18%): younger users, often male, that love their tablets and use them for everything.
- Cool & Efficient (23%): frequent users that rely on tablets to be useful above anything else.
- Happy-go-lucky (28%): light users that view tablets as a friendly source of enjoyment and entertainment.
- Proceeding with Caution (31%): the lightest and often less technologically-savvy users that stick to basic activities.
Rush continued, “We found that the tablet is a jack of many trades – it offers video and social experiences, it’s a source of information and it’s portable. But despite its versatility, other devices prove irreplaceable.”
While tablets provide both emotional and functional benefits, most tablet owners are not ready to purge their smartphones, laptops or gaming consoles. A vast majority, 65%, would replace their laptop before their tablet because it lacks the work functionality, and 77% would replace their iPhone before their iPad.
Tags: consumer behavior, dual screen, PCs, smartphones, tablets, tv viewing, Viacom
Posted in Digital Devices, Internet/New Media, Marketing, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture | Comments Off
Friday, April 13th, 2012
 A study of nearly 3,000 active U.S. social networkers by Performics shows that mothers are more versatile, present, active and engaged users of social networking sites, compared to other women.
According to the study, mothers are approximately 61% more likely than other women to own a smartphone.
They are also more likely to be active on social networking sites; for example, they are 16% more likely to visit Facebook daily and 46% more likely to visit Google + daily. Additionally, they are 75% more likely than other women to trust information they receive from companies through social networking sites.
“Moms continue to take advantage of the little spare time they have by utilizing all the tools at their disposal. This includes their mobile devices and social networks,” notes Daina Middleton, Global CEO of Performics.
“Increasingly, as a segment of the social networking population, moms perception is their voice can be leveraged to influence, participate with, and promote brands.”
The study shows that moms, more so than non-moms and the general public, trust brands on social sites and often look to that interaction as the primary point of contact. Given that mom bloggers, a sub category, control more than two trillion dollarsworth of purchase power, this is a significant finding.
For example, they are 45% more likely to make a purchase as a result of a recommendation on a social networking site than other women. In fact, the top industries most affected by this behavior include:
- Apparel: Moms are 54% more likely to make an apparel purchase
- Automobile: Moms are 64% more likely to make an automobile purchase
- Travel: Moms are 46% more likely to make a travel purchase
The data also shows that moms actively champion their favorite companies and brands on social media. These “mombassadors” are more likely than other women to:
- Recommend companies/brands via social sites (34%)
- Discuss companies/brands on social sites after seeing an ad elsewhere (48%)
- Talk about companies/brands they follow on Facebook (24%)
- Link to a company/brand ad (23%)
- Post a company/brand ad (53%)
- Post interesting or relevant content about a company/brand (50%)
“Brands have an opportunity to motivate moms to participate through their social media properties,” adds Middleton. “In this age of participation, moms expect a constructive, two-way relationship. To stay current, build loyalty and, in many cases, drive sales, brands must provide that meaningful connection with their customers.”
Tags: mothers, Performics, social media engagement
Posted in infographic, Internet/New Media, Marketing, smartphones, social media | Comments Off
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012
A significantly higher percentage of iPhones than Android phones connecting to the Internet via Wi-Fi networks, according to digital measurement firm comScore.
“With the rise in adoption of smartphones, tablets, and other connected devices, network operators have seen a surge in mobile web activity and face new challenges in keeping up with data demands while maintaining their quality of service,” saidSerge Matta, comScore President of Operator and Mobile Solutions.
“As bandwidth usage increases and the spectrum becomes more scarce, operators, OEMs, and others in the mobile ecosystem should understand the different dynamics between the use of mobile and Wi-Fi networks to develop strategies to optimize resources and provide their customers with continued high-quality network service.”
iPhone Users Significantly More Likely to Use Wi-Fi than Android Users
A U.S. analysis of Wi-Fi and mobile Internet usage across unique smartphones on the iOS and Android platforms reveals that 71 percent of all unique iPhones used both mobile and Wi-Fi networks to connect to the Internet, while only 32 percent of unique Android mobile phones used both types of connections. A further analysis of this pattern of behavior in the U.K. shows consistent results, as 87 percent of unique iPhones used both mobile and Wi-Fi networks for web access compared to a lower 57 percent of Android phones.
Mobile and Wi-Fi Internet Connection Activity Across iOS and Android Smartphone Platforms
February 2012
United States and United Kingdom
Source: comScore Device Essentials |
| Smartphone
Platform |
% of Smartphones that Browse Only
via Mobile Networks |
% of Smartphones that Browse via
Both Mobile and Wi-Fi Networks |
| United States |
|
|
| iOS |
29% |
71% |
| Android |
68% |
32% |
|
|
|
| United Kingdom |
|
|
| iOS |
13% |
87% |
| Android |
43% |
57% |
U.K. Smartphones Show Higher Incidence of Wi-Fi Use Compared to U.S.
The comScore analysis also revealed that 69 percent of total unique smartphones in the U.K. browsed the Internet via both mobile and Wi-Fi network connections, compared to just 38 percent of U.S unique smartphones. U.S. smartphones on the AT&T network were more likely to use Wi-Fi than those on other major operator networks, likely due to AT&T having both a greater iPhone market share and the largest Wi-Fi hotspot network in America. In the U.K., smartphones on the Vodafone, Telefonica and Orange networks were more likely to use Wi-Fi than were others on other U.K. operators.
“The difference in mobile and Wi-Fi network usage across the U.S. and U.K. suggests that there are a few factors at play affecting Wi-Fi utilization rates,” said Matta.
“In the U.K., the scarcity of unlimited data plans and higher incidence of smartphone pre-paid contracts with a pay-as-you-go data model likely contributes to data offloading among users wanting to economize their mobile usage. In addition, the current lack of high-speed data networks in the U.K. might also lead users to seek out higher bandwidth capacity on Wi-Fi networks.
“In the U.S., the increased availability of LTE, 4G and other high-speed data networks currently make it less necessary for smartphone users to offload, but it’s also possible that the diminishing availability of unlimited cellular data plans will eventually push more usage to Wi-Fi.”
Mobile and Wi-Fi Internet Connection Activity Across Carriers
February 2012
United States and United Kingdom
Source: comScore Device Essentials |
| Carrier |
% of Smartphones that Browse Only
via Mobile Networks |
% of Smartphones that Browse via
Both Mobile and Wi-Fi Networks |
| United States |
|
|
| AT&T |
42% |
58% |
| Verizon |
68% |
32% |
| T-Mobile (U.S.) |
68% |
32% |
| Sprint |
71% |
29% |
| Total U.S. |
62% |
38% |
|
|
|
| United Kingdom |
|
|
| Vodafone |
25% |
75% |
| T-Mobile (U.K.) |
44% |
56% |
| Three |
46% |
54% |
| Telefonica |
28% |
72% |
| Orange |
24% |
76% |
| Total U.K. |
31% |
69% |
About comScore
Tags: Android, AT&T, comScore, iPhone, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S., UK, Verizon, Wifi use
Posted in Apple, Digital Devices, Internet/New Media, Mobile, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Telecommunications | Comments Off
Monday, April 2nd, 2012
 According to a newly released infographic by healthcare solutions company Healthx, the rising trend in mobile healthcare apps is here to stay.
Healthx, which recently released its own mobile app to help healthcare payers connect with members, found that mobile apps in general have been downloaded almost 11 billion times since their introduction to the market.
Specifically, the healthcare app market is gaining particular speed, with experts forecasting 142 million downloads by 2016.
The proliferation of healthcare apps can be credited to the way smart phone usage has skyrocketed in recent years. Last year, for the very first time, smartphone and tablet shipments to the U.S. exceeded those of desktop and notebook shipments. Furthermore, almost 75 million Americans reported owning a smartphone last year.
Revolution in how people consume healthcare info
This technology shift has, in turn, revolutionized the way people consume healthcare information. Remote patient monitoring services using mobile networks is expected to become a nearly $2 billion market by 2014.
Experts also predict mobile will become the most popular way of accessing the internet by that same year. Such statistics generate a promising atmosphere for upcoming changes in the U.S. care management model, including Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) and Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH).
Tags: HX, mobile healthcare mobile healthcare apps independent healthcare solutions mobile health, smartphones, technology shift
Posted in infographic, Internet/New Media, IT, Mobile, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Telecommunications | Comments Off
Monday, April 2nd, 2012
 Global handset shipments will increase 29% from 1.7 billion in 2012 to 2.2 billion in 2016. The key driver of this growth will come from the smartphone segment, which is forecast to become larger than the ultra-low cost, low-cost, and feature phone segments combined by 2016.
The total shipments of non-smartphones will grow 1.08 billion in 2012 to 1.09 billion in 2016 while smartphone shipments will grow from 643 million to 1.1 billion over the same period.
“The writing is on the wall: either you have a successful smartphone strategy or you will have to steal market share to grow”
OEMs that have had historic success addressing the low-cost handset segments will be under tremendous pressure to shift their portfolio to smartphones. Considering that they currently serve consumers with low disposable incomes, these OEMs will need to deliver smartphones that are price competitive to low-cost handsets. “This emerging scenario could become a very dangerous situation for Nokia’s handset business as the smartphone and feature phone segments will not be able to support each other in trying times,” says Kevin Burden, vice president and practice director, mobile devices.
Low-cost OEMs that are shifting to smartphones, such as Huawei and ZTE, will be a key driving factor for the growth and innovation in the sub-$150 smartphone segment. Low-cost smartphones are forecast to grow from 45 million shipments in 2012 to 170 million in 2016. “The writing is on the wall: either you have a successful smartphone strategy or you will have to steal market share to grow,” says Michael Morgan, senior analyst, mobile devices.
ABI Research’s new report, “Mobile Device Shipment Market Data,” (http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1003877) provides critical data on vendor market share, vendor ASPs, and handset shipments, broken down by region, technology, operating system, and type, while also examining advanced features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, color displays, cameras, GPS, and PTT.
Tags: ABI Research, handsets, smartphone shipments, strategy
Posted in Digital Devices, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports | Comments Off
Friday, March 30th, 2012
Personal mobile devices used at work can present a security problem. Mojiva, a mobile ad network says its Mojiva MAP (Mobile Advertising Portal) highlighting mobile advertising trends in North America from November 2011 – January 2012 reports a dramatic 235 percent increase in rich media impressions, and gaming, tech and social publishers all saw significant increases in impressions.
Through the analysis of billions of ad requests, the findings showed that rich media ads experienced a phenomenal 235% spike in impressions over this three-month period across the globe.
In addition to the spike of rich media in mobile, several other device and advertising related trends are highlighted in the report:
- Mojiva continues its momentum, reporting a global reach of 1.1 billion unique devices in January 2012.
- More than 60% of ad requests in the North American region came from apps in January 2012.
- Gaming publishers experienced a 24% boost in impressions, while Social and Tech publishers saw an impression increase of 33% over the reporting period.
- An average of 70% of users on the Mojiva network used Wifi to browse the web or access their apps, instead of their carrier data signal.
“By analyzing billions of ad requests from the North American region, we saw two strong trends around rich media and gaming,” said Amy Vale, Vice President of Global Research and Strategic Communications for Mojiva. “The increase in rich media impressions in mobile will continue to grow as advertisers begin to realize its true value and how consumers gravitate towards those ads. Mobile publishers should take note of this and ensure inventory is certified for these types of ad units.”
*For more information or to download the full report, please visit: http://www.mojiva.com/news/mobile_research
Tags: advertising, Marketing, Mobile ad network, Mojiva, North American Trends report, rich media impressions, social, tech
Posted in Internet/New Media, Marketing, Mobile, smartphones, social media, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture, Telecommunications | Comments Off
Thursday, March 29th, 2012
 Mobile app downloads returned to a more steady level in February, following January’s all-time high. The cost to acquire loyal users increased marginally during the month, according to - Fiksu Inc), the industry’s first mobile app user acquisition platform.
The Fiksu App Store Competitive Index (which measures the average aggregate daily download volume of the top 200 free U.S. iPhone apps) decreased by six percent to 6.35 million daily downloads, from January’s record high of 6.79 million.
The Fiksu Cost per Loyal User Index rose by 15 percent in February to $1.31, from $1.14 in January.
The Fiksu Indexes reveal that after a period of reduced spending in January, advertisers began gearing up for new marketing campaigns in February.
Even though Fiksu was not working with robotic install traffic sources, a decline in overall app download volume may have reflected early signs of app marketers responding to Apple’s February 6 announcement to crack down on robotic install tactics.
“As we moved out of the holiday and New Year discovery rush period, consumer download activity slowed during the month of February,” said Micah Adler, Fiksu CEO. “Still, with plentiful volume at reasonable costs, our Indexes show that February presented another valuable opportunity for mobile marketers to acquire loyal app users.”
Fiksu Indexes measure monthly fluctuations in competition for rank in the app stores, and the cost to acquire loyal users(1),helping mobile app marketers benchmark their performance against industry averages.
For Fiksu’s full analysis, visit http://www.fiksu.com/resources/fiksu-indexes#analysis.
Data for the Fiksu Indexes was sourced from more than 16.9 billion mobile app actions – such as app launches, registrations and in-app purchases – and more than 246 million downloads recorded by apps marketed via the Fiksu for Mobile Apps user acquisition platform.
1: For the specific purpose of the Fiksu Indexes, a loyal user is defined as someone who opens an app three or more times.
Tags: Cost Per User index, Fiksu App Store Competitive Index, mobile app downloads, post-holiday
Posted in Internet/New Media, IT, Mobile, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Telecommunications | Comments Off
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012
 A new report from Juniper Research finds that the mobile telecoms industry lost more than $58 billion last year — over 6% of global revenues — due to inadequate FM (Fraud Management) and RA (Revenue Assurance) processes.
The report suggests that under a ‘nightmare scenario’ whereby operators fail to implement any remedial measures over the next five years, the scale of losses could rise five-fold by 2016.
The report, ‘Mobile Revenue Assurance & Fraud Management: Business Strategies & Forecasts 2012-2016,’ finds that as operators have been obliged to integrate an ever-expanding array of devices and to simultaneously manage a surge in cellular network traffic, billing systems have failed to keep pace.
As a result, they are increasingly unable to accurately or efficiently capture the large volume of transactions that occur on the network. The complexity has magnified the scale of revenue loss, resulting in bad debts and a greater opportunity for fraud.
Protecting next-generation connectivity through RA, FM investment
However, the report recommends that operators can minimise the outflows resulting from next-generation connectivity by implementing automated system solutions that provide end-to-end visibility of the revenue chain. With sustained investment, the report finds that leakage will decline to 4% of revenue in 2016, representing a net reduction of nearly $15 billion per annum compared with 2011.
According to report co-author Dr. Windsor Holden: ‘As the industry moves more aggressively into a 4G/LTE environment, telcos risk undermining any revenue actually earned from value-added services by continuing to not invest in appropriate business support systems. Despite their initial costs, RA and FM systems demonstrate a strong case for return on investment.’
Other key findings from the report include:
- Revenue leakages will continue to be relatively higher in developing regions, particularly in Africa & the Middle East.
- Solutions are exploiting a single repository of data to reduce TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) and are integrating a number of complementary applications as the industry moves towards Business Assurance.
The ‘Assured Revenue‘ whitepaper is available to download from the Juniper website together with further details of the full report.
Tags: automated solutions, inadequate billing, Juniper Research, leakage, mobile industry, revenue assurance
Posted in Internet/New Media, IT, Mobile, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Telecommunications | Comments Off
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
 The iPhone 4S voice-activated personal assistant has many features seldom used, survey says Siri, the personal voice-activated assistant on the iPhone 4S, pleases 55 percent of users and 87 percent say they use it every month, according to a survey by Parks Associates, a market research firm.
Close to a third use it only for limited purposes such as making calls, sending texts, or searching the Internet.
Siri is touted for much more, though. Apple boasts it can schedule calendar events, invite people to meetings and play music with voice commands.
But while 26 percent of users surveyed say they use it to send email, 30 percent say they would never use it for that. Another 35 percent say they would never use it to schedule meetings and 32 percent say they wouldn’t use it to play music.
Questionable advertising
Siri, still in beta and Apple plans tweaks, but that didn’t stop one iPhone buyer, Fraank M. Fazio, from initiating a class action suit saying Apple misrepresented what Siri can do in its commercials.
Personally, we’ve found recent TV advertising for a number of Internet services or digital products somewhat misleading. An online penny auction site company – where users bid on products – suggests buyers can always get great deals. Consumer Reports took a look at several of those sites, including hte advertiser, not long ago and found that the old adage that “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t,” still stands. (See: Many bidders at penny auction sites go empty-handed).
Another product, Dragon Naturally Speaking, which we use, suggests in a TV ad that it is much easier to use than it actually is. Now we like Dragon, it’s a real help in transcribing recorded interviews and in doing some work with text. But as the firm’s own manual says, it works best when supplemented by using the keyboard.
Not as seamless an experience as shown
It does not work as seamlessly as suggested in the commercials even on my high end machines and is less useful on laptops I used – and all my equipment is fairly high-powered with 4 to 6 gigs of RAM, multiple core processors, and more drive space than I ever use. A senior who might be working on older equipment or a student using a low-end laptop is apt to find using Dragon a bit frustrating.
Interacting with our digital devices via voice is still a developing technology. Dragon, for instance, continually improves the accuracy and responsiveness of its product, though it has a way to go.
The ability to operate a device with voice certainly desirable for touchscreen devices such as smartphones and computers, but it also requires some hefty processing power to work well.
We suspect that advertisers in the digital space, whether for devices, services, or software, need to clean up their advertising to make it more accurate, or their may be more class action suits in the offing. People don’t like to be fooled. — Allan Maurer
Tags: Apple, Consumer Reports, Dragon Naturally Speaking, misleading advertising, online penny auctions, Siri, TV ads, voice-activated assistant
Posted in Apple, Internet/New Media, IT, Legal, Marketing, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports | Comments Off
Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
 Do you have unused mobile phones in a drawer? We do. And we’re not alone. According to new research from strategy acceleration firm Compass Intelligence, there are nearly 280 million idle or deactivated mobile phones in the United States – in need of recycling – nearly half of them smartphones.
With resources becoming scarce, creating a sustainable way to recycle and reuse mobile devices in this country and others is a growing priority for many mobile operators.
Many unaward of sellback and recycling options
The new research from Compass Intelligence leverages both primary and secondary research, and shows that mobile customers are interested in recycling their devices (particularly when they sell them back to the provider) – but in most cases are just unaware of their sell-back/recycling options.
“In many cases, we have discovered that end users have several deactivated mobile phones on hand but they are unaware they could be sold back or recycled,” says Kate Pearce, Research Strategist and Sr. Consultant at Compass Intelligence.
Average customer upgrades every 18 months
The research also indicates that on average, 25% of customers upgrade every 18 months or less. Therefore, as customers swap out devices for the newest models, gently-used devices could re-enter the market at a faster pace creating more options for price-sensitive consumers and, more importantly, relief from steep subsidies for mobile operators.
“Recycling and re-using mobile devices is not really about the environment – it’s about improving the economic fundamentals of the Mobile Operator business model,” says Kneko Burney, Founder & CEO of Compass Intelligence.
Burney adds, “This is a maturing market, with rapidly changing fundamentals, namely carrier network costs (for data usage) are sky-rocketing while ARPU is only rising moderately. As such, finding ways to take core costs out of the business, such as by lowering the needed subsidy, will help to ensure long term profitability.”
Last year, Compass Intelligence ranked the buyback programs of the four major wireless providers and scored Sprint with the highest rating.
Other Highlights from the Reports:
- At the end of 2011 there were over 278 million idle/deactivated mobile devices in the US.
- End user research indicates that nearly half of the idle mobile devices are smartphones.
- About 50% of users surveyed were aware of buyback or trade-in programs.
- Device recycling programs are expected to increase given that it is estimated only 10% of old mobile phones are recycled currently.
Tags: buyback, Compas Intelligence, mobile phones, recycling, Sprint
Posted in Digital Devices, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture | Comments Off
Monday, March 26th, 2012
The rapid adoption of smart mobile devices, such as the iPhone and the iPad, is changing how consumers interact with search engines, and advertisers are paying attention.
According to a report released today by Marin Software, an online advertising management platform for advertisers and agencies, smartphones and tablets will account for 25% of Google’s U.S. paid search clicks by December 2012, up from 5% in January 2011.
A comparison of click through rates show that consumers are far more likely to engage with search engine ads on smart mobile devices compared to desktop computers.
The popularity of these mobile devices coupled with their ad performance will result in a surge of new ad dollars for Google in 2012.
The rapid adoption of smart mobile devices, such as the iPhone and the iPad, is changing how consumers interact with search engines, and advertisers are paying attention. According to a report released today by Marin Software, the leading online advertising management platform for advertisers and agencies, smartphones and tablets will account for 25% of Google’s U.S. paid search clicks by December 2012, up from 5% in January 2011. A comparison of click through rates show that consumers are far more likely to engage with search engine ads on smart mobile devices compared to desktop computers.
The popularity of these mobile devices coupled with their ad performance will result in a surge of new ad dollars for Google in 2012.
Findings in the report:
- In 2011, paid search clicks from mobile devices on Google increased 132% from January to December. By December 2012, Marin Software projects smart mobile devices will generate 25% of all paid-search clicks on Google as a result of the explosive adoption of smartphones and tablets.
- Consumers are much more engaged with search ads on smartphones and tablets as opposed to desktops, as evidenced by click through rates that are respectively 72% and 31% higher.
- Search ads on smart mobile devices also have lower costs-per-click than desktop ads. This difference, in cost coupled with higher click-through rates on mobile, creates favorable performance conditions for advertisers and increased demand for mobile ads.
- As a result of these trends, Marin Software estimates large advertisers will more than double their mobile search budgets in 2012, helping Google’s mobile search business grow between 4 and 8 times faster than their desktop business.
- Marin Software’s report, “The State of Mobile Search Advertising in the U.S.,” outlines the key trends, projections and optimization strategies for advertisers seeking to get the most from their mobile paid-search campaigns. The full report can be downloaded at:marinsoftware.com/resources/whitepapers/2012-mobile-advertising-report.
Tags: adoption of tablets & smartphones, consumer engagement, good ad revenue, Marin Software, mobile clicks, paid search
Posted in Digital Devices, infographic, Internet/New Media, Marketing, Mobile, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Telecommunications | Comments Off
Monday, March 26th, 2012
 Consumers dramatically increased their access of Sports content across all three primary screens for web access – computer, tablet and smartphone – as they tried to stay plugged into the first 32 games of the tournament in real-time, acording to comScore Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR).
ComSocre disclosed the findings as part of a study of web usage related to the 2012 NCAA Tournament based on data from comScore Device Essentials.
“The NCAA Tournament, like the Super Bowl or the Olympics, is one of those events where sports fans don’t want to miss a beat of the action – especially if they can’t be in front of a TV,” said Debbie Bradley, Sr. Director at comScore.
“Over the past several years we’ve seen fans become more reliant on the web for NCAA tournament coverage, especially while they’re tied to their desks at work during the first round matchups. As media formats continue to evolve, we’re rapidly seeing America’s national college basketball obsession increasingly bleed over to other screens like smartphones and tablets.
“Given the emphasis large advertisers place on these events, it’s important to consider how other media channels can be leveraged to maximize a brand’s awareness and its communication with the consumer.”
20 Percent of Sports Content During NCAA Tournament Viewed on Smartphones and Tablets
As part of the study, comScore analyzed computer vs. non-computer traffic (predominantly smartphones and tablets) for the Thursday and Friday of the NCAA tournament compared to the average of the three previous Thursdays and Fridays.
The data showed that nearly double the percentage of Sports category content was consumed on non-computer devices as other content categories. For all time periods studied, the percentage of Sports category traffic coming from non-computer devices was approximately 20 percent while other categories had approximately 10 percent of traffic coming from these devices. Friday, March 16, the second day of tournament action, saw non-computer Sports category traffic peak at 22.1 percent.
| Share of Web Traffic (i.e. Page Views) by Device for Sports Category vs. All Other Content
Thursday and Friday, March 15-16 vs. Average of 3 Previous Thursdays and Fridays
Total U.S.
Source: comScore Device Essentials |
| |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Avg. Thursday |
Thu, Mar. 15 |
Avg. Friday |
Fri, Mar. 16 |
| Sports Category |
|
|
|
|
| Computer Traffic |
80.2% |
79.4% |
79.6% |
77.9% |
| Non-Computer Traffic |
19.8% |
20.6% |
20.4% |
22.1% |
| All Other Content |
|
|
|
|
| Computer Traffic |
89.8% |
89.6% |
89.6% |
89.3% |
| Non-Computer Traffic |
10.2% |
10.4% |
10.4% |
10.7% |
Total Sports Content Consumption Nearly Doubles During NCAA Tournament
During the first day of opening round NCAA tournament games on Thursday, March 15, total sports-related traffic jumped 79 percent compared to the average of the three previous Thursdays.
In comparison, total traffic to all other web content declined 2 percent. The most significant gain in sports content consumption occurred via tablet at 94 percent, while smartphone activity jumped 83 percent and computer traffic jumped 77 percent. Friday, March 16 showed a similar story, though gains were not quite as steep as the previous day across all access screens, probably because of the greater interest in the tournament on the opening day.
However, gains in both smartphones and tablets were notably higher than computers in relation to Thursday, which may reflect sports fans’ greater likelihood of being on-the-go on Friday, perhaps due to the increased likelihood of taking a vacation day or an extended lunch break at the local sports bar.
| Increase in Traffic to Sports Category by Device During 1st Round of NCAA Tournament
Thursday and Friday, March 15-16 vs. Average of 3 Previous Thursdays and Fridays
Total U.S.
Source: comScore Device Essentials |
| |
% Change vs. Avg. of 3 Prior Thu/Fri |
| Sports Content |
All Other Content |
Total Content |
| Thursday, March 15 |
|
|
|
| Total Devices |
79% |
-2% |
5% |
| Computer |
77% |
-2% |
4% |
| Smartphone |
83% |
-1% |
14% |
| Tablet |
94% |
1% |
10% |
| Other |
78% |
-4% |
-3% |
| Friday, March 16 |
|
|
|
| Total Devices |
63% |
-4% |
1% |
| Computer |
59% |
-4% |
0% |
| Smartphone |
75% |
-1% |
12% |
| Tablet |
85% |
1% |
10% |
| Other |
54% |
-4% |
-4% |
“While all-encompassing media events like the NCAA Tournament might eat into the content people typically consume, it actually appears that most usage is incremental content consumption,” added Bradley. “When the content is highly time-sensitive – such as with news or sports scores – there’s a greater likelihood of it being consumed on-the-go via mobile devices.”
Tags: comScore, March Madness, NCAA, smartphones, tablets, tournament web traffic
Posted in Digital Devices, Events, Internet/New Media, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports, Tech life/Culture | Comments Off
Monday, March 26th, 2012
Underscoring soaring consumer interest in use of internet and social media to aid in shopping, a new national survey by Leo J. Shapiro and Associates (LJS) found that two-thirds of owners use their smart phone to aid in their shopping, and over a third do so while actually inside traditional retail stores.
While at the point of sale for an item, one in ten smart phone owners report doing price checks before they buy.
These new findings point to the striking penetration of smart phone enabled shoppers or “smart-shopping” into the everyday lives of Americans.
Based on data from a hybrid phone/online study conducted in December 2011 and February 2012 with a national sample of 314 smart phone owners, the survey found that sixty-six percent (66%) use their smart phones to aid in shopping, and thirty-eight percent (38%) do so while actually in a traditional retail store.
Smart phone owners are about as likely to access shopping information in the store aisle (29%) as in the rest of the store (25%).
While actually near point of sale, shoppers are most likely to:
- Look up facts and features (15%)
- Compare prices at different stores (11%)
- Read product reviews on retail sites (9%)
- Compare prices at retailer’s websites (8%)
“Smart phone enabled shopping or ‘smart-shopping’ is rapidly becoming a mainstream activity for smart phone owners. Given the rapid rise in smart phone ownership, traditional retailers and product brand managers face a new wave of challenges to serve increasingly informed and independent consumers,” notes Owen Shapiro, vice president of LJS.
“The use of point of sale price checks breaks down one of the long-standing advantages held by retailers on ‘blind priced’ items – products that consumers buy infrequently or that are low involvement.”
Tags: and Associates, in-store use, Leo J. Shapiro, phone shopping aids, research, smart shoppers
Posted in Internet/New Media, Marketing, smartphones, Studies, surveys, reports | Comments Off
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