The Mobile Marketing Blog - TellMyCell

Microsoft Releases A New Bing Android App...On Verizon

Microsoft's recently released Bing app for Android comes with an interesting twist:

Microsoft August 30 released an official Bing for Mobile Android App for customers of Verizon Wireless, an exclusive arrangement that underscores how Android has become a significant mobile platform to rival Apple's iPhone.

Owners of Android-based smartphones such as the Motorola Droid, Droid 2, Droid X and the Droid Incredible can download the free application from the Verizon Wireless Marketplace.

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The app is the latest step in Microsoft's $500 million deal to have Bing featured on Verizon smartphones and feature phones.

This pact was viewed as quite the coup when the companies announced it in January 2009.

The deal guaranteed customers could access voice and typed search queries, as well as location-aware searches to access maps, directions, traffic information, information on local businesses and other info from Microsoft Live Search, which has evolved to Bing.

Read more @ eWeek.

In Case You Missed It: Last Week's Most Important Mobile Marketing News (August 23rd Edition)

We know how hard it can be to keep up with all the stories that come across our screen, so every Monday we're recapping the previous week's most important stories.

• Shots already fired over Facebook Places privacy - The Social (cnet)
• Google Maps for Mobile Hits Milestone - Mobile Marketing Watch
• Verizon testing unlimited text/talk/data plans for $100 in select markets - MobileCrunch
• What Facebook 'Places' Means for Marketers and Developers - Ad Age
• Nokia to buy mobile analytics firm - cnet News

Getting Personal: Location-Based Text Messages

Thanks to a new program designed by Placecast and Location Labs, companies such as North Face can make their mobile messages more personal through location-based SMS messages. Smartphone users are not the only ones who have access to this program, users with standard telephones can use this as well, which means that potentially 180 million people in the United States have access to this. The North Face is the first retailer to use this program. They have created geo-fences around their stores and hiking areas which are popular among their customers. When a customer, who has opted in for their SMS messages, has entered a geo-fenced area, they will receive a message tailored to their whereabouts.

"If they're near a store, customers may receive a message about a new item in the store. But, if they're at Lake Tahoe, and they have noted that they are a biker, they might get a msg about a great biking trail. A different customer may receive a msg about a great swimming spot, based on their preferences," according to a representative from Placecast.

To read the entire article, click here.

To learn more about mobile marketing, visit TellMyCell.

A New Meaning For HBO's "It’s Not TV, It’s HBO" Slogan

The Time Warner-owned TV powerhouse is expanding their “HBO Go” services for the iPad as well as other mobile devices with hopes to make is easier than ever to access popular HBO movies and shows. They want customers to be able to keep tabs on their favorite movies and television shows wherever they are.  According to Bloomberg, the service will be provided to already paying subscribers for no additional cost and should be available by early 2011. This could potentially attract more viewers to their iPad’s rather than to their televisions.

“There is value in exclusivity,” HBO co-president Eric Kessler, noting that viewers “are willing to pay a premium for high quality, exclusive content.”

To read the entire article, click here.

The Use Of Mobile Is Rising In Popularity For Numerous Reasons

Mobile marketing has grown so quickly for more than a few reasons. For one, it allows people to act on impulse -  no more planning your days down to the exact detail, now you can make arrangements on the go. People have began to rely on their mobile devices for almost everything they do. Mobile phones have essentially become private secretaries, with alarms and alerts reminding you of dinner plans or business meetings. So what's the upshot?

“Mobile has trained consumers to expect speed. Brands and the media cannot be slow to react when people can consume and produce content anytime, anywhere.”

To read the entire article, click here.

To learn more about mobile marketing, visit TellMyCell.

Hit Them Where They're Weak: Location

If the rumors that Google plans to become the ‘new Facebook’ with Google Me are true, then we suggest they use location to their advantage. In most areas Facebook rules over Google, but location is one thing that Google still holds over Facebook. With Google Maps, which is the most popular online mapping tool, Google dominates in that area.

“Right now, this is the biggest exploitable gap in Facebook’s armor that we can see for Google to exploit, and one that if done right, could change how we look at social networks.”

To read the entire article, click here.

In Case You Missed It: Last Week's Most Important Mobile Marketing News (August 9th Edition)

We know how hard it can be to keep up with all the stories that come across our screen, so every Monday we're recapping the previous week's most important stories.

• Gowalla Officially Released Write API, the Right Way - Programmable Web Blog
• Android users prepare to have your minds blown with Lonely Planet’s new augmented reality Compass guide features - The Next Web
• Secretary of State Is Mobile Donation Evangelist - Mobile Marketing Watch
• “Try Before You Buy” Section Added To [Apple] App Store - MobileCrunch
• DailyCandy Deals Delivered to the Phone - New York Times Bits Blog

In Case You Missed It: Last Week's Most Important Mobile Marketing News (August 2nd Edition)

We know how hard it can be to keep up with all the stories that come across our screen, so every Monday we're recapping the previous week's most important stories.

• Millennial Publishes S.M.A.R.T Report For June, Shows 77.4M Users Of The US Mobile Web - Mobile Marketing Watch
• Foursquare wants to be “the new age experience provider” for brands - TNW Location
• Mobile Web traffic grows, not slows, during summer - Mobile Marketer
• Apple starts patenting mobile app ideas - unwiredview
• 10% of applications in the App Store for iPad boast in-app purchases - MobileCrunch