The Mobile Marketing Blog - TellMyCell

Apple Is Finally Making a Budget Phone

 

In late January, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook announced that Apple had achieved its most successful quarter—an impressive $76 billion in revenue and $18.4 billion in profits. Sounds pretty good, right? But what else would we expect from the one of most innovative companies in mobile technology? After all, the company has earned the title of “world’s most valuable,” and by all accounts it’s the most successful company of the 21^st century. 

So, if profits are sky high, and more products like the Apple Watch are in the works, why would Apple release a budget device last week?

 

What’s in a Name?

Before we get into why Apple would release a budget smartphone, let’s take a look at the device itself. The iPhone SE is the cheapest phone Apple has ever introduced to market. Basic specs include a modest 4-inch screen, 326 ppi, embedded M9 motion processor, 12-megapixle iSight camera, and Touch ID on the Home button. 

Truth be told, this phone isn’t exactly new. Said Kate Knibbs of Gizmodo, “There is nothing new or distinctive in the size, shape, look, hardware, or software of the iPhone SE.”

Apple’s ‘new’ budget phone is more-or-less the iPhone 5S, but it’s been relabeled a low-cost smartphone to meet specific market trends that could otherwise cause problems for the company.

 

The Big Picture

Apple closed a huge quarter in December of last year. While it was, strictly speaking, the most profitable quarter the company had ever seen, these four months were only about 2 percent more profitable than the same time from the year before. 

This information is relevant for a few reasons. Apple’s year-over-year trends between 2010 and 2015 were far more significant. For example, between 2014 and 2015, Apple enjoyed a 30 percent increase in sales, and revenues were skyrocketing fivefold in some cases. But that’s not what we’re seeing from the company anymore. 

Apple has done a great job of maintaining the company’s position as a luxury brand—new phones usually go for as much as $650, a hard pill to swallow if you’re used to operating a cheaper device. The 16GB iPhone SE will cost about $399, with payment plan options available. Apple’s even offering free phones for people who sign up for a special two-year contract. So, how does this fit into the big picture of why Apple is offering a budget phone at all?

 

Why Now?

Until recently, Apple’s product lifecycle was pretty short—people would get a new phone before there was anything wrong with the old one. But that’s slowing down on several fronts, particularly in China, where budget phones have become increasingly successful.

If the product lifecycle is lengthened, Apple has no choice but to go after new users, users who may prefer smaller devices, or users who could never afford a $650 phone. 

Repacking old phone iterations isn’t a bad idea—but it certainly makes you wonder why the phone was so much more money in the first place. In some ways, this undermines the company’s luxury branding, cheapening the value of each new device or wearable that comes to market. If everyone has an iPhone, it’s hard to call one a luxury item. 

 

Israel Launches Distress App with Texting and Video Capabilities

Mobile technology is increasingly being used by police departments and first response units across the United States. Text 911 in particular has proven highly successful, often in emergency situations where texting is the safest option.

Now, emergency responders across the world are following suit. Israel is the latest country to introduce various text message services, but they’ve gone further still, with live video distress call capabilities. The first-of-its kind service could be a real boon not just to citizens in trouble, but as part of evidence gathering that could help convict offenders.

Until now, Israel - like most countries - has used an outdated emergency call system, which only takes voice calls. By not making full use of the technology available to the vast majority of the public, emergency services respond more slowly, with a greater a risk of miscommunication, wasted resources and, ultimately, a citizenry that isn’t as safe as it could be.

Israel sought to improve the situation when it launched its groundbreaking platform across the country earlier this month. It enables emergency operators to see a live video stream of whatever crime or crimes are unfolding, as well as communicate with victims via text message and precisely locate where help is needed.

Available as a phone app, the country hopes to export the technology around the world. And in an unstable geopolitical climate, with mass casualty events unfolding everywhere you look, the potential is obvious - not least in the United States, where some 240 million 911 emergency calls are placed every year. Without geo location technology, the best emergency responders can do (in the event of receiving a call where the caller can’t provide information) is locate the closest cell tower. Accuracy is changeable, and never perfect - a huge problem in an emergency situation where every second counts.

Two Samsung Devices Launched in India This Month

Samsung has launched two more flagship devices, the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, which will make their way to the Indian market in the second week of March. The mobile device juggernaut is hoping to improve sales and breathe new life into the slowing smartphone industry. 

 

An Important Market

India is recognized as an important market with regard to virtual reality handsets, and the country is seeing an increase in sales despite the current global sale decrease. Research firm IDC notes that the global smartphone market saw shipments increasing from 1.30 million units in 2014 10.1 percent to 1.43 billion units in 2015. India is currently one of the world’s fastest-growing global markets thanks to shipments increasing by 28.8 percent in 2015 to 103.6 million units over the previous year.

Samsung is a leader in both the Indian and global markets, as it had over 21.4 percent of the global market share by the end of the December 2015 quarter. The company has a 26.8 percent share in India. 

 

More “Convenient and Fun” 

Samsung Electronics President of Mobile Communications Business, DJ Koh, notes that the tech giant believes in a world that’s “brighter, sharper, more convenient, and more fun.” Samsung continually aims to deliver on this vision via the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 by combining functionality with elegant design. The intended result is a “seamless mobile experience.” 

Both phones feature the first dual pixel camera on a smartphone, which is designed to produce brighter and sharper images whatever the light situation due to their apertures opening wider and letting in more light. These phones’ shutters don’t require staying open as long, which significantly reduces the chances of blurry images. The Galaxy S7 is 5.1 inches, while the Galaxy S7 Edge is 5.5 inches. Each features 3D glass and metal construction, and is dust and water-resistant. 

There’s also a hybrid SIM card tray that allows you to insert a microSD card for up to 200GB of additional storage. In some countries, the tray may be used in conjunction with a dual SIM card. Both phones work with the $100 Gear virtual reality headset Samsung unveiled last fall. Additionally, the tech company is working on a 360-degree camera that makes it possible for anyone to capture and share virtual reality images. The Gear 360 camera will be available within a few months.

 

Teaming With Facebook

Samsung is currently working with Facebook to stress the virtual reality aspect of mobile phones and social media platforms. Mark Zuckerberg joined Samsung at the Mobile World Congress show in Barcelona, Spain, to announce the partnership, where he noted that while virtual reality has mainly been used for gaming purposes, its role is changing. This is why Facebook is making the investment: to “deliver these social experiences.” 

The new phones begin shipping on March 1, and Samsung is offering advanced order options. Free Gear VR headsets will be available in some markets to those who place advanced orders, including the U.S. 

 

Telus Promises Record-Breaking Refund in Premium Text Message Probe

Have you ever felt like your wireless carrier was ripping you off? That’s exactly what happened to thousands of former customers of three leading Canadian-based telecommunication companies. The Competition Bureau, a telecom watchdog, brought the investigation to focus in late 2015, when it challenged Telus to refund customer for charges made for premium text messaging services like ringtones and trivia games. The Bureau were originally seeking $10 million in customer rebates, but settled after Telus, a Vancouver-based telecom giant, offered $7.34 million, the largest-ever settlement reached by the organization. 

According to one report, while Telus did not personally gain from these premium services, they did support advertising (pop-up ads, apps and on social media) that misled their customers into signing up for subscriptions costing up to $40. After a five-month investigation, the bureau said third party providers collected these fees. Current and previous customers of Telus will be contacted soon to collect their rebates.

 

Score one for the consumers!

Meanwhile, there’s other shady behavior to report from our telecom neighbors to the north. In addition to the Telus investigation, the bureau is also investigating Rogers and Bell, for similar illegal charges collected by a third party. In March of 2015, Rogers agreed to pay $5.42 million in damages. The Bell investigation is ongoing. 

 

Lessons for Consumers

There are a few major takeaways from this telecom debacle that everyone should pay attention to. First, let this be a lesson to everyone enrolled in a carrier’s auto pay system. Never looking at a bill or service charges could mean you’re getting charged for services you don’t know about. If you don’t look for these fraudulent charges, you’re only going to notice them when they’ve impacted your checking account. Make an effort to observe and understand your usage fees and extra charges each month to avoid accidentally paying a third party for ringtones and apps you don’t want. 

Also, this event serves as a huge wake-up call to people in Canada (as well as the U.S.) that these large telecommunications conglomerates are trouble if not supervised or regulated. The carriers are conduits used to exploit their customers. While they get slapped on the hand with a hefty fine, third party offenders are none the worse for wear. It’s important that illegal charges like the ones in Canada be taken seriously by the general public.

In a time when cell phones have become less a personal preference and more a living necessity, it’s imperative that the public is protected against the potential wrongdoing of the telecommunication companies at home and abroad. We rely on them every day to make our lives run smoothly, each carrier is extremely profitable, and yet they would allow this kind of behavior to occur again and again. 

Until we can ensure regulatory action to prevent these types of fees and charges, all individuals should be looking at their cell phone bills to ensure they don’t become victims.

Last Call for Motorola

The Motorola brand will soon be no more. Smartphone manufacturer Lenovo is giving the U.S. mobile phone trailblazer’s name the ol’ heave-ho due to an acquisition over two years old. 

Motorola invented the cell phone, with famous creations including the flip phone, the Razr, and the iconic Brick. David Beckham is one of many well-known faces who enjoyed the Razr. 

Lenovo is a smartphone and laptop manufacturer based in China that purchased Motorola from Google in January of 2014. It launched the Moto G at the start of 2014 with success, and took Motorola from a near-0 percent market share to a 6 percent share of sales in the UK. Motorola moved over 10 million smartphones in 2014’s third quarter, thanks to the popularity of the Moto G. 

 

The Future of Moto

Despite this success, Lenovo has decided to get rid of the Motorola name, though it will keep ‘Moto.’ All subsequent Motorola phones will fall under the Lenovo brand name. Moto will join Lenovo’s Vibe line, however what will become of the Moto E and G is still unknown. The manufacturer’s Motorola Mobility division will subsequently oversee their entire range of smartphones. 

A spokesperson for Lenovo commented that Motorola Mobility continues to exist as part of the company and serves as the engineering and design foundation for all of their mobile products. 

Reception to this news has been mixed. Many believe the end of Motorola is the end of an era regarding smartphone innovation, but that doesn’t mean the brand wasn’t flailing considerably over the past several years. Kantar WorldPanel analyst Carolina Milanesi noted that, while Lenovo is a decent brand, Motorola is an icon of the mobile phone world, and getting away from that might not be the best idea.

Ironically, Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing remarked that Motorola was the manufacturer’s “treasure” following the acquisition, and that they planned to protect the Motorola brand and make it stronger than ever.

Regardless, the Moto option is popular among Android fans, and the decision to kill the Motorola brand is likely a way to emphasize Moto. It’s also a chance for consumers to familiarize themselves with the Lenovo brand, which despite being the largest PC manufacturer in the world is still virtually unknown in terms of cell phones and other mobile devices. 

Lenovo will introduce the Moto as a high-end product, and simultaneously push its Vibe phone brand in the Moto market. Relationships and sales channels within Motorola territories will be used to market Vibe phones costing less than $100. Motorola Chief Operating Officer Rick Osterloh said he intends to bring Vibe options to the U.S. market, though it probably won’t happen in 2016. Osterloh compared Lenovo’s strategy to the coexistence of Banana Republic and Old Navy, which are both owned by Gap. 

He remarked that failing to cover the market from top to bottom didn’t make a whole lot of sense.

If you owned a Motorola Razr, StarTac, or even Rokr, the Motorola iTunes phone, you’re probably feeling a bit nostalgic at the moment. 

 

 

 

Apple Dodge More Legal Wrangles

A federal judge threw out a case against Apple, claiming the tech giant used its iMessage system to intercept text messages to Android phones. The case also claimed Apple prevented these messages from being sent, but the courts ruled earlier this year that it wasn’t of the class action variety. The plaintiffs—a husband, wife, and family friend—had attempted to prove the company was violating federal wiretap laws. 

These plaintiffs were Apple users who switched to Android between 2012 and 2014. The case started when an iCloud issue prevented iMessage texts from reaching their destinations. The plaintiffs said the glitch resulted in illegal surveillance. They noted that Apple keeping the “contents” of iMessages sent from iPhones to Android phones and sometimes failing to deliver the messages was a violation of the Stored Communications Act and Federal Wiretap Act.

 

Apple’s Response 

The company argued that because the plaintiffs sued after they switched to Android, they really didn’t have a case. Apple said in its court motion that this made it impossible to know whether texts sent to their “iMessage-associated numbers went to their Apple or Android devices.” 

Apple eventually fixed the problem, but won’t have to fork over monetary compensation. The company created a website that de-registers phone numbers from their iMessage service, though users can also disable iMessage on their iPhones before placing their SIM cards in Android devices. 

“Apple takes customer satisfaction extremely seriously, but the law does not provide a remedy when, as here, technology simply does not function as [the] plaintiff subjectively believes it should,” a spokesperson for the company said in a statement. 

Several carriers are now offering features similar to iMessage, including the ability to see what the other person is typing. T-Mobile, for example, announced last summer that the Samsung Galaxy S5 and S6 phones would feature advanced messaging services through a software update. Features include “rich” one-on-one group messaging, such as near-real-time chat and the ability to share high-res photos and videos up to 10 MB. This is in addition to seeing what the person you’re chatting with is typing. 

T-Mobile says their advanced messaging service “is built to work across all devices, makers and operating systems--and wireless operators."

Ironically, some note that the Apple case is reminiscent of something Steve Jobs said in 2010. Jobs announced that Apple was going to make FaceTime an open standard, but it never happened. And while the concept of having FaceTime video chat functionality available in more devices and applications is an attractive one, it’s still unlikely to occur anytime soon. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as some industry experts argue Facetime is simply a way for Apple to keep its customers. 

Will more cases like Apple’s crop up in reaction to advanced text messaging services, or did the company nip the problem in the bud? The plaintiffs weren’t able to prove Apple broke any laws, but the issue sure did annoy a lot of users who made the switch to Android. Hopefully, other companies will ensure such problems won’t occur before they roll out advanced messaging services. 

 

Samsung Stays Top Dog in India's Mobile Marketplace

Selling smartphones is no small feat. How many times did you buy a smartphone this year? Once? What’s more likely is you didn’t buy a smartphone at all. That’s because U.S. consumers have become increasingly satisfied with their mobile devices, especially as prices increase and special features become more standardized. In other words, the U.S. has reached saturation, so companies like Apple and Samsung are looking for new frontiers to conquer. One such highly prized marketplace is India. 

In a recent report by a global marketing intelligence firm, the Q2 vendor share in India was analyzed to provide important insight about purchasing trends inside the densely populated country. According to the report, 26.5 million smartphones were shipped to India during Q2 this year, an increase of 44 perfect from the same period last year. 

Samsung, with just over 23 percent market share in smartphone sales, is the leader among smartphone vendors in India. However, core devices like the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge did not significantly contribute to the company’s stronghold in India. That’s due in part to unique characteristics of this specific marketplace.

 

Smart Versus Budget Phones

First, consumers in India have a strict preference for budget phones. About 50 percent of all smartphones bought in Q2 this year were low or mid-tier devices, like Samsung’s Galaxy J1, and older models like the Galaxy Core.

Samsung was able to edge out big U.S. competitors like Apple for two simple reasons: Apple doesn’t offer a budget phone, and Apple has yet to open a flagship store on Indian soil. 

Lastly, smartphone vendors in India will have to wait patiently while the market makes the slow transition from mobile phone to smart device. India’s population has yet to reach this critical mass, however, the report predicts that by 2017, India will overtake the U.S. as the second largest smartphone market globally. 

Korea’s Samsung is still top dog in India, but other companies like domestic brands Micromax and Intex, as well as China’s Lenovo, have managed to grab a slice of the pie. Micromax maintained the second position in the smartphone market with a 17.7 percent shares. In third place, Intex increased to 12 percent, and Lenovo (including Motorola) edged out fourth place thanks to its new budget device the K3 Note, which they sold 2 million units of in India for the first time ever in Q3. 

For now, smartphone vendors in India will have to wait for consumers to reach a higher saturation point before they can upgrade smartphones at the rate they have been in the U.S. and China. However, if the smartphone lifecycle continues as it has here in the U.S., vendors will inevitably see a slowing from Indian consumers in the years to come.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeremy Pollack has a B.A. in English from USC and has been writing professionally since 2001. He is the founder and editorial manager of Compelling Content Solutions, A copy writing and content marketing services company.

 

Washington Police Add More Text 911 Services

Now, there’s another way to get 911 help. In addition to dialing 911 in an emergency, you can text for assistance. 

Text messaging 911 is a tool that Washington police hope will help those who cannot call for aid. It’s a useful solution to crises in certain circumstances, but Washington police want to point out that calling 911 is almost always a better option.

The new texting services offer remedies for those who cannot call 911 in an emergency because it’s not safe to speak, phone service is out, they can’t speak, or they can’t reach traditional services for any other reason. It provides almost immediate assistance by giving people the ability to transmit their locations and the nature of the emergency via text message.

 

Fairfax County and Others Offer 911 Text Messaging Service

For anyone needing help in Fairfax County, including the towns of Herdon, Vienna, Clifton, and the city of Fairfax, text messaging 911 emergency services is an option.  

These areas join Frederick County, Maryland, in providing text-to-911 emergency services for anyone living in the counties or towns. Frederick County was one of the first jurisdictions in the United States to use the text-to-911 program. It was the first in the metro D.C. region as well.

Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T customers can text their locations and emergencies to 911, and an operator will respond with assistance. In 2014, the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules that required all wireless carriers to enable 911 emergency texts for call centers that requested use of services. The FCC has spearheaded an effort to offer text-to-911 services across the country. 

Currently, about 6,100 emergency call centers in the U.S. provide text-to-911 services. But, Steve Souder, Director of Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications, states that only about 360 centers offer 911 text messaging. This places Fairfax County in an enviable position. The county call center is one of the 5 percent of 911 call centers that give this valuable option to its residents, and to those who work in the area.

 

Why Text 911?

It’s important to note that in most cases, calling 911 is the best option. Text messages usually take longer to go through then voice calls, so call if you can. But, in certain circumstances, texting 911 makes sense. A few of the situations in which text messaging 911 is a good idea include:

 

• When a person is deaf or hard-of-hearing
• When someone has a speech disability
• When a person is not in a safe place to speak to 911
• When a medical emergency makes someone incapable of speaking
• When one is in a place where voice calls will not go through
• When storms or disasters have shut down voice service

 

The future of 911 text messaging will allow people to text videos and photos of their emergencies. The next generation of 911 services will look nothing like they do today, which is why Washington police hope people will embrace the new 911 emergency service offerings.

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.