Developers: Small Business Owners Need Mobile Solutions Too

by Holly Shoemaker

A recent survey commissioned by Bank of the West, a financial services holding company, and conducted by Harris Interactive provides some insight into developing apps and mobile solutions for small businesses. 

Overview of Findings

From the period of July 30, 2012 to August 29, 2012, Harris polled 504 owners of small businesses. The poll defined these businesses as having two or more employees with annual revenues of less than $10 million.

The survey showed that small businesses rely more on traditional technologies like email, instant message and texting, followed by calendars and scheduling and then GPS.

When it comes to using more advanced mobile technologies, the survey shows some positive trends:

• Nine out of 10 small business owners use mobile technology on smartphones, tablets and other devices.
• Eighty-three percent of respondents said individuals/entrepreneurs and small business could benefit the most from mobile technologies.

News for Developers

While 56 percent of the respondents said that security concerns prevented them from implementing more mobile technology, relevance outranks that factor. In the poll, three out of five, or 58 percent of respondents said that mobile technologies lacked relevance for their businesses.

These results show a gap in the market that app developers could use to their advantage as 68 percent of respondents said that mobile technology could increase efficiency and grow business. Respondents would like to see solutions that target more effective customer processes like payment and expense reporting.

Purple Haze All Around: Apple Blames iPhone 5 Users

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple is not doing itself any favors. After an insincere map app apology, the company now says that the purple flare seen on the edges of some photographs taken with the iPhone 5 is related to user error.

Apple’s Stance

Pictures may show a purple flare if users aim the smartphone near a light source, which causes a reflection typically on the edge of a photograph. Apple suggests users take photos away from bright light and change the angle of the shoot. These are not suggestions that users could not figure out on their own.

My Investigation

I consulted a professional photographer, Alan Rosenberg, to get an expert opinion on the iPhone 5 camera issue. While he confirmed light sources may cause the issue, he said it also depends on what covers the lens. When light hits the lens, the covering may cause the flare.

So what does Apple use to cover the lens? The iPhone 5 has a sapphire cover that protects the camera’s lens. That crystal material could cause the purple haze seen in photographs.

Concluding Thoughts

While Consumer Reports gave the iPhone 5 high ratings, better than the iPhone 4S, and noted the eight-megapixel camera was one of the best cameras tested, Apple’s response is ridiculous and intuitive. The company basically says do not look directly into the sun. It makes me think as a child being told not to look directly at a solar eclipse. To me, the response is also like saying do not use flash with a lot of light or the picture will look like an x-ray.

Apple never likes to admit fault, but it ignores a basic rule of business – the customer is always right. In this case, as well as the map app one, Apple just shows poor customer service and insults its loyal users.

Kindle Direct Publishing: Easier than iBooks?

by Holly Shoemaker

Earlier in the year I discussed how education by Apple will not reach those in need and how the Department of Justice (DOJ) looked into e-book price fixing. In addition to using e-books to try to transform the education industry, individual authors look to do the same with self-publishing. To that end, Amazon’s expanding Kindle line does not just provide competition with iPads, but an outlet for individuals to become their own publishers.

Amazon announced that 27 out of its top 100 Kindle books used Kindle Direct Publishing. Instead of dealing with publishers, Amazon says authors publish directly from its service, and authors have the ability to participate in the company’s 70 percent royalty program.
 
Better Choice than iBooks?

Both outlets give authors options not always available through traditional book publishers. Self-publishing via Amazon provides a less stringent way to get published when compared to Apple's iBooks. While Apple released the iBooks Author is January 2012 as a competitor to Kindle, it makes it more difficult for self- publishers. As it does with apps, Apple has final approval of what it makes available, and published books require an ISBN. With Kindle Direct Publishing, authors choose the royalty program and publish their content.

Nokia's B2B Focus Takes Map App War in New Direction

by Holly Shoemaker

Nokia’s recent announcement that it will continue to leverage its maps and locations platform by licensing its technology to Oracle will help Nokia build a niche with business-to-business (B2B) customers. It could also assist the company with its financial and perception problems in the smartphone industry.

Nokia Reaches B2B Clients

Opus Research reported that mobile advertisements associated with maps or locations made up approximately 25 percent of the $2.5 billion spent on ads in 2012, with the figure expected to grow as mapping technology does.

While Nokia formed a deal with Groupon in August, the company’s map offerings to large corporations holds a distinct advantage over Apple and Google, companies that focus more reaching individual consumers. Currently, more than 110 countries use Nokia’s turn-by-turn directions compared to 56 countries for Apple and 39 countries for Google Maps.

By partnering with a large company like Oracle, Nokia shows what its Location Platform offers to corporations. Oracle gains the ability to combine Nokia’s mapping capabilities with its own software. Nokia also retains a good position because it owns, builds and distributes its mapping content. Furthermore, Nokia does not require a data connection to run its location-based applications.

Concluding Thoughts

This is a good strategic move for Nokia, and the company makes the most out of its acquisition on Navteq, which it acquired in 2007. To date, Nokia’s location and commerce unit makes up four percent of its revenue. As the company continues to enter into agreements with large Internet companies, Nokia escalates the map app war in a new direction. It also makes a statement when a competitor ditches its own maps for Nokia - that is what Microsoft did with Bing Maps. The company showcases Nokia’s Location Platform on its Windows 8 phones.

Researcher Claims Threat to Android Memory Cards

 by Holly Shoemaker

Apple’s app mess continues to garner attention, but security researcher Ravi Borgaonkar last week warned users about potential Android threats, noting that he informed Google of security vulnerabilities in June. He claims those using Android’s operating system risk disabling or wiping clean data such as contacts. In particular, those who open website links on a mobile app with malicious code could trigger an attack destroying memory cards in handsets made by Samsung, HTC, Sony Ericsson and Motorola.

The researcher also calls out the Galaxy S III. Samsung acknowledged that an issue affected early models of its flagship device, but said a software update issued in June fixed the problem. Despite that, Borgaonkar claims the fix was not publicized enough.

Outstanding Problems?

Borgaonkar claims that those using Gingerbread, Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean remain vulnerable to attacks, and that Honeycomb, used for tablets, still needs testing to determine risk. Samsung said it will conduct an internal review to assess the threat level to other devices and encourages users to check for software updates to lessen threats by going to the “Settings: About device: Software update” menu.

Real Concern?

Security threats must contain some type of vulnerability. At this time, the risk level remains uncertain. Those who want to obtain data look for some way to profit from it. While Android by default opens its apps to more risk, always assess the potential for vulnerability before panicking.