Google I/O 2012 Registration Highlights Google Wallet Limitations

by Holly Shoemaker

Tickets for Google’s annual conference, Google 1/O went on sale this week. Within 20 minutes, the conference sold out.

While Google has not released exact ticket sales, approximately 5,500 people are expected to attend. Google will stream the keynote sessions and make them available via video 24 hours after a session ends. The conference takes place from June 27-29, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif.

Ticket Selling Method Highlights Google Wallet Limitations

While developers speculate if Google will unveil its latest operating system, a registration requirement has garnered much debate. Google required participants to have a Google+ account and pay using Google Wallet.

Google does engage in self-promotion here. However, it is not that different from making people use PayPal, with one exception. PayPal is accessible; Google Wallet is not. Google Wallet has limited availability on smartphones. The app only comes on some smartphones through Sprint. While a web version exists, service does not in all countries. That could have cost people the chance to attend.

Photo Courtesy of iStock

Concluding Thoughts

Given the limited availability, Google could have allowed other ways to register. I also say that because the company explained what to do if someone’s bank blocked the transaction using Google Wallet. At the same time, those who attended or tried to attend last year’s conference, knew that Google made people purchase tickets using Google Checkout, the predecessor to Google Wallet.

Perhaps Google could devote some time at this year's conference to explain when other carriers will make Google Wallet available.

Nokia’s Lumia 800C Headed to China

by Holly Shoemaker

One of my blog’s last week discussed how China gained the number one spot in app sessions and activations. Now, Nokia has announced it will start selling smartphones that use Microsoft software in China come April.

Chinese consumers will have the ability to purchase the Lumia 800C without a contract for 3,599 yuan, approximately $573 dollars, in April. Nokia also plans to launch the 610C, a cheaper priced model, in the second quarter. This move also helps China Telecom, the country’s third-largest carrier. Nokia has said it hopes to market all four of its Windows smartphones using the company’s wireless technology. Eventually, all Nokia Windows phones will become available on all three of China’s mobile networks.

Concluding Thoughts

Nokia has already taken steps to win back North American consumers. It makes sense the company is now positioning itself in China. The timing also coincides with Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, making an appearance in China this week to discuss labor violations and the trademark dispute.

As I previously mentioned with the Lumia release in the United States, Nokia and Microsoft have a lot at stake. Despite the ongoing issues with Apple in China, Nokia needs to compete. It also has to win back some market share from Samsung. In Q4 of 2011, Samsung overtook Nokia to become the number one mobile handset seller in China. Samsung had 24.3 percent of the market while Nokia captured 19.6 percent.

RIM’s Shipments Drop: Company to Stop Financial Forecasts

by Holly Shoemaker

Photo Courtesy of iStock

Last week I discussed how Research in Motion (RIM) released a BlackBerry 10 prototype to developers and a job announcement looking for a developer with Apple experience. Perhaps the timing came as the company knew it would post a net loss the following week. For the first time since the holiday quarter of 2006, RIM’s BlackBerry shipments dropped by 21 percent.

Latest Developments

RIM’s CEO, Thorsten Heins, now admits he made a mistake in January when he said the company did not need a drastic makeover. The company says it plans to focus on “targeted consumer segments,” and RIM is looking into the possibility of licensing its software and network to other providers. The company also said it will consider selling the company. What we do know is the latest loss in profits has left some executives without jobs.

Concluding Thoughts

Many analysts conclude the company continues to misread the market. I agree with that analysis. While many companies provide vague information regarding financial forecasts, RIM’s announcement that it will stop providing forecasts shows the company has no idea what direction to take. The company also lacks credibility until it releases the BlackBerry 10, which no one can say with any certainty will release around its predicted timeframe. While Hein's optimistic attitude helped drive stock shares up by almost eight percent today, RIM will need to do better than a prototype.

China Leads in App Sessions and New Activations

by Holly Shoemaker

Flurry Analytics has come out with data that shows China has become the world's leader in app sessions and new iOS and Android activations. Flurry defines an app session as launching and using an application in one sitting.

Numbers at a Glance

• The app session growth rate in China increased by more than 1,100 percent from Q1 2011 to Q1 2012. In Q1 2011, China ranked number seven.
  
• At the end of March, Flurry projects China will account for 24 percent of iOS and Android activations. In comparison, the United States is expected to account for 21 percent.
• Americans still purchase more smartphones and tablets. However, in February 2012, China, for the first time, activated more devices. In January 2011, the United States made up 28 percent of the world’s activations versus eight percent for China.

Analysis of the Data

I am not particularly surprised by this data. Yes, the large increase is noteworthy. However, China’s population and its consumer’s well-known interest in smartphones, tablets and apps explain the increase.

Concluding Thoughts

Both Apple and Google have issues to overcome in China. Apple awaits a court decision that could affect its overall brand, has dealt with claims of poor working conditions in its Chinese factories and delayed the opening of the Beijing Apple Store in January.

While Android activations are increasing, that does not necessarily mean Google sees the profits. For Android, the amount of app stores in China may become problematic. There are multiple rivals to Google Play in China, and users often download their apps from native app stores. The importance of China’s role in the app realm does not surprise anyone; the latest figures should assist app developers in positioning themselves.