The Mobile Marketing Blog - TellMyCell

Can Wileyfox Compete in the Android Marketplace?

 

Later this year, Wileyfox will debut two new smartphones in the Android market. The prospect of greater diversity in the smartphone arena is appealing, but is there space for new devices in a seemingly saturated marketplace?  

You have to give the British business some credit: after all, it’s not every day that a company attempts the impossible. Wileyfox has two models lined up for release: the Swift and the Storm. The only thing more generic than the product titles is the styling of the phone, which looks pretty standard: big, slick screen and beveled edges—no sense in reinventing the wheel, right?  

What the phone lacks in aesthetics, however, it makes up for in personalization and price. We’re all so acclimated to high smartphone prices that the thought of buying a $200 handset sounds more like a gimmick than a feasible alternative to a luxury-priced iPhone. This is where Wileyfox begins to separate itself from big competitors. At about $200 for the Swift and $300 for the Storm, these budget cellphones aim to provide users with an affordable device with some interesting features. 

 

New and Exciting Features

The three most relevant and distinguishing features consumers are likely to notice focus on specific user preferences. Wileyfox has chosen to use Cyanogen OS rather than regular Android, which allows the user to customize settings that we normally don’t think about while using a smartphone—things like font, interface graphics, and colors to name a few. This OS also allows a bit more security with regards to app management. Additionally, the phone comes with Truecaller, which is yet another layer of protection against spam and telemarketers. 

Lastly, these phones come unlocked and ready to travel. Some say this is the smartest thing about this smartphone. Currently, most smartphones come locked, or ascribed to a certain service provider, which uses a designated network (GSM, 4G, LTE, CDMA) to offer service. While traveling outside of your local service area—especially internationally—staying connected to the network becomes increasingly problematic if not altogether impossible. Both Wileyfox phones have a dual-SIM feature, which allows the phones to travel easier without needing to connect with different carrier technologies. 

A lot of people are noting the similarities between Wileyfox and China’s budget version, called OnePlus. Wileyfox chose to install the same operating system, and plans to use similar viral marketing strategies to win consumers. But, so what?  Wileyfox is probably going to make the biggest impact on its home soil, solving a problem that most people in the EU deal with on a regular basis—outrageous roaming charges. 

Will Wileyfox be able to compete in the Android market? The jury’s still out. However, it’s no coincidence that the phone has been designed to move more freely while roaming, or that the security is beefed up for people on the go. This phone directly answers a need the people in Europe have. Will we see much of Wileyfox here in the US? That’s still up for debate. The Swift launches later this year in Europe and Asia, which will presumably be a test run for any chance it may have of surviving in the US Android market. 

How to Merge Text and Instant Messaging in Hangouts

 

To merge or not to merge text and instant message in Hangouts: that’s the question. On August 18, Google revealed a standalone website for its messaging and chat service, Hangouts. Now, users don’t have to go digging around through Google+ or Gmail and can instead use the new, dedicated URL to access IM, voice calls, video chats, and SMS.  

In addition to the new URL, Hangouts received a much-needed “interfacelift.” Users are now greeted by the same sleek design we’ve come to expect from Google, including fewer buttons on the screen and large landscape photography covering most of the background.

But back to the question: should users combine text and instant messaging? The verdict is still out on this question, and the move is likely going to be received with mixed reviews depending on how people interact with these individual features.  

On the one hand, it’s nice to jump around from SMS and chat, especially if you’ve got contacts that use the same technology for the same purpose. There’s also an advantage for users who may not check their Gmail inboxes often or rarely leave them open to check messages. 

However, things can start to feel clunky and disjointed if your contacts don’t use Hangouts frequently via mobile. 

 

Understanding the Switch

All of the fuss started months ago, when Google felt pressure to create a standalone page for its service, similar to Facebook’s messaging app Messenger, which already has a standalone page.  

The overhaul in version 4.0 includes updates for both Android and iOS, but appeals mostly to the already-loyal Gmail user who is most likely to use this free service.  

And if that’s a good fit for you, then you’ll surely want to make the mobile connection to various messaging tools within this service. To do that, simply download the latest Hangouts version 4.0 and get into your settings on the left side of the slide-out menu. 

From here, you can make Hangouts your default texting app by touching SMS disabled and selecting Hangouts in the list of texting apps. 

Next, you need to enable merges conversations, which will merge SMS and Hangouts conversation into one strand. Then you can select SMS, Hangouts, or Google Voice from the touch icon on the left side of the screen while texting. 

To enable Google Voice, you need to complete one further step by selecting your Google account instead if SMS under account settings. Then, you should be good to go.

How to Make Road Trips Easier With a Smartphone

 

Driving is stressful at the best of times - but remember how much harder it was before the vast array of apps, satnavs, online traffic data and other tools now at our disposal became available?

These days, mobile devices help us overcome - or at least mitigate the worst effects of - everything from inconsiderate fellow road users to traffic jams. Let’s take a look at a few key ways in which smartphones have made planning and executing road trips easier:

 

Crowdsourcing Information

Of all the sat nav apps on the market, Waze has proven the most popular with the general public. Why? Because it rightly uses the general public - you know, the folks actually sharing the road - to generate more accurate data on current conditions. Designed around its community of users, who can report traffic jams, construction, accidents and other hazards, Waze is constantly updated with new information to help you find the quickest route home.

 

Google is Still Your Most Loyal Friend

Among the plethora of independent apps, Google’s own offerings remains incredibly useful tools for getting from A to B. There’s Maps, of course - still the standard bearer for satellite mapping, and a perfectly serviceable sat nav to boot - but there’s also the Google Now app (on both Android and iOS) which allows you to input all the locations you need to drive between during the day. The app will warn you ahead of time when you need to set off, and let you know if there’s any traffic up ahead. 

 

Traffic Apps

There are countless tools to warn you about impending delays. One of the best is Beat the Traffic, which includes weather updates as well as the usual traffic and construction data. The self-explanatory USA Traffic Cameras lets you view hundreds of live traffic cameras. Using geo-location technology, the apps shows you live images of traffic conditions in 58 American cities. 

 

Video

Dashcams are increasingly built into new cars as standard, but if you don’t have one, CamOnRoad is here to help. The app silently records everything that happens while you drive, potentially invaluable if you have an accident and need evidence for insurance purposes. Also comes with video navigation.

 

Speed Trap Alerts

Cameras are often placed in areas where drivers, for whatever reason, tend to go over the speed limit. Apps like TomTom come with a speed camera warning function that gives road users a fair warning so they can double check they’re driving within the law.

 

The Emmys Have Gone Mobile

In anticipation of the 63^rd Annual Emmy Awards, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has developed an app. The app features several wonderful ways to have a fully integrated experience while watching the primetime awards show. Further, the Emmy Awards Official App contains premium user value with real-time content as well as ongoing mobile archival content for the end user. Historically speaking, this marks the first time the Emmys has attempted to create an app for the show. Below is a list of some of the features of the app that will enhance a viewer’s experience:

Search Award Nominees by Category

The application doesn’t just list the categories that are televised; it includes an exhaustive list of all the awards. Once a category is chosen, a sub-menu pops up to reveal actor bios, synopses of shows, clips, photos, and fashion choices of the nominees. As the Emmys unfold, data in each category are updated in real time.

Archival Media

Using the navigational bar at the bottom of the screen, an app user can access the Emmy Awards’ archival media. This includes recordings of past awards shows, salient footage of actors, interviews, and the like. Incorporating the history of television and the Emmys into the app is innovative and dynamic, and presents a whole new aspect of the awards show to app users (particularly those users who’ve missed the Emmys in the past).

Backstage Live

“Backstage Live” offers the behind-the-scenes premium content that Emmy lovers are looking for. Using ten cameras to record the action, and Jane Lynch as your host, Backstage Live promises to give exclusive coverage and access. The app feature shows actors’ entrances and exits, greenroom moments, interviews in the pressroom, and conversations with honored artists in the Winners’ Lounge. Finally, the Thank You Cam follows winners, allowing them to dovetail their acceptance speeches with their more off-the-cuff elations.

The Emmy Awards Phone App is a testament to the variety of ways consumers can enjoy integrated media in this day and age. It has plenty of high-value media, both past and present, and incorporates media from all of the Television Academy’s myriad events. With a robust social media presence as well, the Emmys is hoping to draw in a record-breaking number of viewers on the night of the show. In the end, it appears that the directors, creators, and actors won’t be the only individuals to win this September— we present the Emmy App for your consideration. 

Has the Tablet Had Its Day?

 

One could easily spend a small fortune buying a variety of electronic devices designed to make life easier, more portable, and more efficient. From the omnipresent smartphone and highly productive desktop computer, to the portable e-reader or lightweight tablet, every device offers a unique experience. As to whether each device is necessary is still up for debate—what isn’t, however, are the declining sales of tablets reported by International Data Corporation.

During the last quarter of 2014, Apple’s iPad reported a 17.7% decrease in sales. In the same quarter, Samsung was down almost 20%. In general, total unit sales dropped 3.2% across all tablet manufacturers in 2014, a fact which leads some critics to believe tablets may be headed toward extinction—or, are they?

 

Size Problems 

Some experts fail that Apple and Samsung shot themselves in the foot by building larger smartphones. Despite its past aversion to increasing the screen size of the iPhone, Apple created a new model that is almost 5 inches, and Samsung’s Galaxy 6 is slightly larger. Today, most consumers are happy to do several tasks or enjoy recreational activities on their smartphones instead of on tablets.

When tablets first came to market circa 2010, they offered a basic solution to the limitations of small-screened smartphones with the versatility of desktop computers. It was a niche product for people with specific needs—well received by nearly everyone who enjoyed playing games or preferred reading electronic books. 

Most research suggests that the tablet’s once carefully etched market is now at odds with the technology—unsure of its use or relevancy. According to Gartner, the MacBook Air is expected to grow 60% in 2015, suggesting that productivity is not ideally managed on a tablet. Popular E-readers like the Kindle are still favored for their specific use over tablets, and most people can comfortably watch television on a 5-inch smartphone screen. 

Another issue that may account for the slowdown in sales is the longer lifespan essential to the tablet itself. While many consumers upgrade their phones every 12-15 months, tablets don’t implore the same urgency to upgrade. Where smartphones seem to revel in annual upgrades, the tablet maintains a more limited evolution. 

While it’s sad to see an expensive investment like the iPad become obsolete, it’s a relief to know that technology is headed toward a more inclusive user experience. Instead of having multiple devices for specific tasks or activities, wouldn’t it be nice to have just one or two? It would certainly be more cost effective for consumers.  

The future of the tablet isn’t over just yet. Apple and Android are already carving out new niches in education to make the technology relevant in the classroom. What’s more, limitations on smartphones and desktop computers work both ways: the screen on a mobile device can only get so big, and the productivity of desktop computers can only get so small. Tablets will likely remain somewhere in the middle. 

Is Your Mobile App Up to Scratch?

 

Wondering why your app isn’t capturing consumer attention like it should?  

It doesn’t take much effort to delete an app, which any consumer will do should said app not function properly or prove difficult to use. Rather than annoying the majority of your audience with an ill-fated app, take the necessary steps to put it in working order. 

Here’s a look at what goes into creating a successful app, as well as a tip or two for getting yours off the proverbial ground: 

 

Affordability 

Is your app free? Or at least extremely affordable? There are plenty of ways to make money off free apps (Instagram, anyone?), with those costing $2 or less also proving attractive to potential users.

 

Usefulness

Does the app enhance the lives of its users in some essential way? Does it provide a practical purpose? If your app doesn’t fulfill a key role in users’ lives, then it better be very, very entertaining, such as the now-classic Angry Birds. 

 

Usability

How easy is your app to use? Is it simple to navigate and understand? An App’s Usability is key to growing downloads and maintaining engagement.

 

Advertising

What kind of reach does your app boast? Showcasing your product across social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest, as well as the company blog, is a good start, especially since these sites allow you to discuss matters related to the app and otherwise engage your audience. The more you engage and appear truly interested in users’ opinions, the more buzz your app will generate. 

 

Multi-Channel Capacity

Think about your app’s channel capacity as well. Evernote is a fantastic example of a multi-channel app, as it’s available no matter where you are or what the online situation.

 

Defining the Market 

Defining your exact market also helps your app get the recognition it needs for success. Is your target audience kids? Young professionals? Teenagers? Seniors?

 

Incentives and Rewards

What’s your app like in terms of incentives and rewards? Dropbox, for example, gives additional free space to consumers when they encourage their friends to join; the friends enjoy extra space as well. Rewards such as coupons, points, and virtual goals also help considerably when trying to pique consumer interest in your app. 

 

Tips and Tricks

Additional options for monetization include thinking about what upgrades you can implement, as well as how your app performs in terms of scalability. SMS marketing is another great way to generate interest in your app, as it’s easy to use and capable of reaching a mass audience in mere minutes. SMS offers a way to introduce your app with a free trial period. Additionally, you can ask customers to share a short referral code with friends in exchange for discounts on future purchases. 

Give your app the attention it deserves, and see if customers don’t give it the attention you want in turn. 

 

Common Misconceptions About App Marketing

 

Despite overwhelming evidence to support the growing use and success of mobile marketing, there are still skeptics spreading common misconceptions. Overcoming these mobile marketing misconceptions will take time and data-driven resources; however, the result of lifting the veil will drive better marketing strategies, improve user bases, and incite further innovation. 

Here’s a list of common mobile marketing misconceptions—debunked. 

 

Cheap users are good users

The cost-per-install (CPI) metric is a common resource used by app marketers to measure how many marketing dollars it costs per user download. While many marketers will argue this number should be low, are inexpensive users really better for the app? Not necessarily. 

In mobile gaming for instance, the top 1 percent of users spend the most money. Further, these users spend an amazing 90 percent of the total app revenue. In short, more users don’t equal more revenue. Instead, measuring the quality of a user over a longer period of time based on interaction, as well as retention might prove more useful when calculating CPI. 

Depending on the revenue model, each app should look subjectively at CPI, allowing the most effective marketing channels to drive effort. Looking at user behavior is a huge part of this.

 

User behavior data can’t improve marketing tactics 

Whether a business decides to use third-party mobile analytics solutions or develops their own internal system, gathering user information isn’t just for product people—it’s a marketing tool.  

Understanding the details of user activity provides a huge advantage to marketers, enabling them to seek out users who possess similar demographic, geographic and psychological characteristics. With channels like Facebook and Twitter, marketers can spend more time looking for quality users instead of inexpensive users. 

Additionally, mobile analytics allows marketers to retarget specific segments of a user base, pushing some users to take action within the app through a variety of initiatives. 

 

Not every industry can benefit from mobile 

Instead of pondering whether mobile is right for your industry or not, consider how it could help. At some point, every consumer will be a mobile user, and even if your business lags in technology, it’s likely your customer base won’t. According to Nielsen, more than 50 percent of mobile users are age 35 years and above.

Millennials are quickly becoming the strongest and most easily reachable marketing demographic—they simply can’t be away from their mobile device. Ignoring this fact is bad for business, so while mobile might not have fit your business needs in the past, it more than likely will be part of your company’s future. 

 

Creative ads are a one-time investment  

This has absolutely proven not true. Using an online banner ad multiple times across various websites is great for visibility, but its longevity is not favorable when left unchanged. 

Instead of one creative campaign, try multiple adds with image and copy variations. Split testing the success of different ads will provide valuable insight. Focus on what’s working and change what isn’t. 

Also, refreshing your creative will drive conversions. Different channels like Facebook and Twitter prefer fresh and current content to recycled use. On Facebook, for example, they’ll post your ads on user’s news feed more frequently if it’s changed regularly.  

By avoiding these common misconceptions, incorporating a mobile marketing strategy doesn’t have to be a nightmarish ordeal. Overcoming skepticism is the first step.

Why is Tablet Growth Slowing?

 

A new report from IDC indicates a marked slowdown in tablet adoption in recent months. Once predicted to be a long-term prospect for continued growth, worldwide tablet shipments recorded a decline for the second consecutive quarter during the first three months of 2015.  

The figures - which cover tablets and 2-in-1 devices - show overall shipments fell to 47.1 million in Q1 - a 5.9% decline from the same quarter in 2014. Forecasters across the mobile tech industry have tempered their previous predictions accordingly. But what are we to conclude from the tablet downturn? 

One of the main reasons tablets don’t perform as well as smartphones is a much slower ‘refresh rate’ - that is, the amount of time customers hold onto their existing device before upgrading. It’s common to keep using the same tablet for more than three years, and in countries like the United States - where more than 50% of households own a tablet - the decline in sales is particularly keenly felt.

Tablets also fare worse than smartphones in the necessity stakes: smartphones are considered must-have items, while tablets are still regarded as luxury items. Factor in the availability of low-cost, high-performance smartphones that do everything tablets can and more, and it’s not surprising the iPad isn’t having a late surge in popularity.

Speaking of Apple, their introduction of larger displays has undoubtedly dealt a further blow to the tablet market. The iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5 inch display; smaller tablets have 7 inch displays. There aren’t too many apps that would justify buying a tablet for the sake of an extra inch and a half. Larger smartphone displays have eaten into tablet sales.

It’s not all bad news for the large-display market, however. Cellular-enabled tablets are performing better than their non-cellular counterparts, so mobile operators are doing well from the market. Cellular devices are positioning the tablet as a genuine mobile solution, rather than a stay-at-home tool. If larger display smartphones continue to find a niche, it’s not inconceivable that tablets with cellular capabilities could meet them in the middle.

 

Apple Edges Out Samsung in Canadian Smartphone Market

 

The 2015 reports are in, and according to the international authority of leading internet technology company comScore, Canadians prefer Apple smartphones over competitors like Samsung and Blackberry. In comScore’s annual report, titled Canada Digital Future in Focus, the company outlines several metrics explaining how Canadian users navigate the digital world, and to what end. 

Like the rest of North America, Canadian users prefer smartphones to the feature phone predecessor. Eighty-one percent reported owning a smartphone; within that segment, Apple leads in market share at about 38%. Samsung follows in close second at 32.4%. What’s more, Canada’s own creation — the Blackberry — ranks third with less than 9%. 

In another mobile segment—the feature phone—Samsung leads the way with 36.8% market share; LG ranks second with a respectable 25%.  

As for the mobile operating systems, Android enjoys an incredible 50.5% market share; Apple’s iOS follows at about 38%.  

Among other findings, Canadians were shown to prefer mobile devices to desktops for nearly all online activities including: browsing the web, watching videos and playing games. Paralleling this data, tablet usage was shown to have increased as well.

comScore also reported on the activities of users and sited a few notable trends. From December 2013 to December 2014, social media interaction increased by 19% as a result of more smartphones and users increased daily usage of social networks. comScore reports 53% of Canadian users access social networking sites through their smartphones; 48% play games; almost 80% access and share photos; and 52% listen to streaming radio. 

Two notable trends of the report point to a large increase in app usage relating to retail and banking services. Canadians are also shown to use their smartphone or tablet while watching TV. comScore reports that 32.2% of Canadian smartphone users use their phone while watching television; 35% of Canadian tablet users do so while watching television.  

In December of last year, smartphone users equaled nearly 20 million users, a 19% jump from the year prior. But that’s nothing compared to the 56% increases in tablet subscribers, which is now estimated at just under 10 million users. From this critical information, insights and actions will be taken to maximize the digital investments of thousands of companies. But without digging too deep into the data, it’s plain to see that Canada is steadily increasing both its base of smartphone and tablet users. Further, both mobile devices are increasing the mobile access Canadians have to apps and social media.

If nothing else, the report shows clear indications that Canada users are wising up to the speed, ease and portability of mobile devices. 

 

PC Password Security via Mobile

 

In an effort to help individuals secure their digital identities, Yahoo took a leap forward introducing “on-demand” passwords, perhaps the first step towards eliminating passwords altogether. SMS messaging is playing a central role in this development.

Several industry leading tech companies swear by two-factor authentication as the best alternative to regular password protection. Yahoo’s new approach is similar in that user will be sent unique, time sensitive codes through an app or text message when they wish to access their private account.

However, Yahoo users who sign up for this service will become some of the first to do away with primary password protection. When a user wants to log into their account, they’ll simply be sent a password directly to their mobile device—no primary password required.

For some people, this is a great step forward. Having to remember multiple unique passwords can be daunting, especially without the assistance of a password manager. Yahoo’s new feature eliminates the burden of both. 

But don’t get too excited just yet. Users will still be responsible for a few things, including: keeping a charge on their mobile device, ensuring signal access, and protecting the mobile device from other compromises. If those things are manageable, the service is easy to set up and simple to use.

Creating better account security is a hot topic for many tech companies aside from Yahoo. The FIDO Alliance in cooperation with Google and Microsoft are pushing for even further measures to get rid of passwords, experimenting with biometricks like fingerprint and eye scans—the final frontier of protecting our digital identities. Yahoo brings their one-step authentication to the table while these other technologies require further development. 

Yahoo deserves credit for attempting to solve one of the greatest threats on the Internet. Yahoo also updated its end-to-end GPG email encryption plugin back in August. A video posted to YouTube shows users easy comparisons on how to get the plugin working with GPGTools, an exclusive suite fro Mac OS X desktops. 

Unfortunately, this feature will not be available for everyone until the end of 2015. What’s more, the system won’t be enabled on every email. Instead, Yahoo intends the use of this particular security feature will be reserved for sensitive content. 

Whether or not Yahoo’s new on-demand service will take off is yet to be seen. Few would argue that more security isn’t needed when it comes to protecting personal information on the Internet. But until users activate this feature, it does little else than nothing.