Facebook Gains Mobile App Ground and Improves Developer Experience

by Holly Shoemaker

Facebook has started to generate revenue from mobile apps. Yesterday, Facebook announced that its mobile revenue grew faster than expected in Q2 2012. 

Facebook reported the following:  

• The company now generates 14 percent of its revenue from mobile ads. 

• Mobile usage rose 61 percent from year to year with a monthly average of 604 million users. The company also reported an average revenue per user rate of $1.29, up one percent from last quarter earnings, but still down 9 cents from Q4 2011.

• Revenue from payments increased 13 percent to $176 million.

• In total, advertising revenue increased 36 percent to $1.09 billion, up from 28 percent in Q2.

News for Developers

Facebook also announced an SDK update for Android last week, designed to make it easier for developers to distribute and promote apps. The company noted the release is the largest overhaul to date for SDK Android. Developers may download the release in the Android Dev Center.

Earlier in the month, Facebook announced that it has almost completed its redesigned Google Android app. It is supposedly in the testing phase, but the company has not released specifics or a date.

Concluding Thoughts

Facebook has made steps to improve mobile apps for its users and developers, and Google left an opening. While Google remains the number one provider of smartphone software, it missed targets because if its increased reliance on lower-priced ads. 

While all of these details bring some good news to Facebook, the company will have to maintain a balance with its mobile ad stream without damaging a user's experience with too many ads, and it will need to drive the price of its mobile ads up. At the same time, the company needs to retain its focus on improving the Android experience.

Google Announces Nexus 7: Which Tablet Market Does Google Want to Play In?

by Holly Shoemaker

It is becoming more challenging to keep up with Google’s image. The company has demonstrated it wants to move beyond a search and software company with its acquisition of Motorola Mobility and its changes to things like Google+ to provide social components to rival Facebook. Today, at its annual developer’s conference, the company showed off the expected Nexus 7 tablet.

While some have concluded the tablet was designed to compete with the iPad, the price point of $199 puts it more in line to compete with the Kindle Fire and Nook tablet. The Nexus 7 weighs in at 12 ounces, compared to the Kindle’s 14 ounces. A 16 GB model is also available for $249. The tablet is available now through the Google Play store and will start shipping in mid-July.

Concluding Thoughts

At this time, it is unclear which tablet market Google wants to play in. At last year’s developer’s conference, the company launched the Samsung Galaxy, a high-end tablet to compete with Apple’s iPad. However, Apple just won an injunction against selling the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 in the United States. Perhaps Google's strategy to play in many areas anticipated the upcoming lawsuit.

Let the Map App Wars Begin

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple made it official this week at is annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) that it will no longer rely on Google Maps as its default map application. At the conference, Apple unveilved its own Apple Maps. In addition, many people have said that Apple shunned Google in favor of Facebook. Apple also announced that users will soon have the ability to sign into Facebook from their iPhones.

Overview of Apple Maps

When the iOS 6 deploys this fall, users will have the ability to gather traffic information from other iOS users and turn-by-turn navigation will also be integrated into the operating system. The app also takes advantage of Siri. Apple's voice-activation assistant will provide spoken turn-by-turn directions. TomTom also announced that it will provide Apple with "maps and related information." The app will also have a flyover feature that provides 3D-drawings for all major cities. Users should be aware that the iOS 6 is only available on the following devices: iPad 2, the new iPad, the fourth-generation iPod Touch, iPhone 3 GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

Let the Map Wars Begin

While Google Maps will no longer be the default map app for Apple, users may still use Google Maps on their iPhones. Although, I concede that Google Maps lacks functionality for iPhone users when compared to Android ones. Therefore, it is not a complete "break up" if iPhone users still want to use Google Maps.

Despite the somewhat blow to Google, its product will remain beloved by many. In February 2012, comScore reported that 71 percent of people in the United States who looked at a map that month, did so using Google Maps. While Apple has a loyal following, Apple Maps has a lot to live up to. Users should also keep in mind that Google announced its own changes, prior to Apple's announcement. Soon, Google Map users will have the ability to use that app without an Internet connection and the company announced its own 3-D enhancements. Let the map wars begin!

WWDC Stresses Apple's App Dominance

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple focused on mobile solutions at its 2012 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this week. While Apple, as expected, did not announce a release date for the next iPhone, the company took the time to rattle off statistics in its keynote address. The company also focused on Mountain Lion, its updated operating system, which should help Apple continue to dominate the market.

App Store Numbers at a Glance

 

At the conference, Apple stressed the following statistics:

• The App Store is available in 155 countries.
• Apple had paid $5 billion to developers for App Store downloads.
• Users have downloaded 30 billion apps from the App Store.
• The App Store has 400 million accounts.
• A total of 650,000 apps are now available in the App Store – 225,000 of them were specifically designed for the iPad.

According to Gartner, Inc., an information technology research and advisory company, the App Store should generate $58 billion in sales by 2014. By providing the above statistics, Apple gave concrete reasons as to why developers should continue to make apps for Apple. After all, developers need to meet goals and make profits too.

How Google Play and Facebook Compare

• The Google Play store, formally the Android Market, has more than 500,000 apps available.
• Facebook opened its App Center to users on June 8, 2012. The App Center opened with about 600 apps. The App Center is available on the web, iOS and Google's Android operating systems. Last month, Facebook reported that it sent users to Apple's App Store 83 million times.

Concluding Thoughts

While much of the focus at the WWDC came as no surprise, Apple's focus clearly showed the company believes it will continue to dominant app downloads and sales. Even OS X Mountain Lion brings features like messaging and apps from the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to the Mac. Developers received a preview of Mountain Lion back in February. In July 2012, users may purchase Mountain Lion in the Mac App Store for $19.99.

Facebook to Enter Smartphone Market?

by Holly Shoemaker 

Facebook has had its share of good and bad press regarding its initial public offering (IPO). Despite that press, Facebook seems likely to advance its plans to gain more customers in the mobile arena. Late last week, the New York Times reported that Facebook may attempt to enter the smartphone market.

According to reports, Facebook has hired six former software and hardware developers who worked on the iPhone. The report also indicated that one newly hired employee worked on the iPad.

Background Information

Facebook’s attempt at entering the smartphone market is not new. In 2010, the company unsuccessfully attempted to build a smartphone. A report last year also speculated that Facebook and HTC entered into a partnership to build a smartphone nicknamed “Buffy.”

Concluding Thoughts

If Facebook is successful, its smartphone should not pose a threat to Apple as Google is the company trying to create a more-integrated web experience built around is products. The timing of this news also comes as Google finalized its acquisition of Motorola Mobility last week, a move that left some phone device makers like HTC upset.

Facebook knows it needs to improve its mobile position in the marketplace. If Facebook can advance its smartphone plans, it will give the press, investors and consumers something to focus on besides if the company had a successful of unsuccessful IPO. The answer to the IPO question will always depend on the person asked.

Google Plus Expands as Google Continues to Redefine its Products

by Holly Shoemaker

Google has taken another step to transform its image from a basic search and software company. On Wednesday, May 30, 2012, the company replaced Google Places with Google+ Local, or Google Plus Local. The new feature is designed to help users create an integrated web experience using the company’s products.

Google has said the move will allow users to share local information including Zagat reviews. Google purchased Zagat in September 2011.

Will Google+ Local Approach the Levels of Facebook?

Google Plus launched in September 2011. To date, it has about 100 million users, compared to Facebook’s 900 million accounts. The company and tech insiders say Google+ Local may help the company better compete as Google needs to find ways for businesses to interact. This move could provide a good starting point.

While Facebook still has the more integrated web experience, Facebook knows it needs to gain speed in the mobile arena. On that thought, Facebook has not given up hopes of building a new smartphone, which is discussed in my next post.

Calling App Developers: Facebook Accepting Apps

by Holly Shoemaker

On Wednesday, March 9, 2012, Facebook announced that it plans to allow users to download apps via its App Center, its new online store. The App Center is currently available to developers and Facebook has encouraged developers to get their apps in prior to the consumer launch. Facebook’s App Center should become available to users in the coming weeks.

What Developers Should Know

• The company plans to take 30 percent from app-generated sales.
• To date, Apple has generated more than $1.7 billion in app sales, something that has not gone unnoticed by Facebook. Guidelines for the App Center are stricter than Google, but not as strict as Apple. Facebook, like Apple, will select what applications it offers. Facebook also plans to remove apps when needed. The company will base its standards on items such as ratings and engagement.
• If Facebook does not select specific apps, developers will have the ability to build software using Facebook’s tools and promote their apps via the news feed. 

Concluding Thoughts 

The announcement times well with the company’s initial public offering (IPO), which it will hold next week. Analysts expect the IPO to become the largest one ever for an  Internet company.

This is a good move for Facebook. More users are gravitating toward the company’s mobile site, and the company needs to increase its ability to generate revenue as limited advertising opportunities exist on its mobile app.

Smartphone Payments to Replace Cash and Credit?

by Holly Shoemaker

A new study conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project has found that technology experts and some Internet users think smartphone payments will replace cash and credit card payments by 2020.

Overview of Survey Findings

About 65 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that by 2020 consumers will fully adopt smart-device swiping for purchases. They also agreed that people will trust these devices and that they will replace cash and credit cards in advanced countries.

About 33 percent of respondents agreed with an opposite statement that said people do not trust Near Field Communications technology (NFC). They do not agree that these devices will be secure and have concerns regarding privacy.

The survey tested 1,021 Internet users and experts. It is important to note the survey tested non-random, opt-in people. Respondents were invited to participate via email, Twitter and Facebook from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project and the Imagining the Internet Center at Elon University.

Concluding Thoughts

Based on the respondent pool, these results should not surprise anyone. Mobile payments will likely become another way to make payments, as we have seen with Google Wallet, or a preferred method to collect payment. However, the United States has a long way to go before thinking that most people will give up paying via cash, credit cards or debit cards.

iUnplug: The Application Designed to Help You Re-Engage with Life

by Holly Shoemaker

While this may sound counterintuitive, we sometimes need technology to realize we spend too much time plugged in. When we tune out our own needs to spend more time online, we increase our chances of developing unhealthy online habits. Now, there really is an application, iUnplug, that allows us to use the technology we need, but at healthy times, so we achieve a better life balance.

What is iUnplug?

iUnplug is affordable software that allows users to track and monitor the amount of time spent on websites and popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. You have the ability to monitor yourself, children and other users.

Not Ordinary Parental Control Software

• Unlike other parental control software, you decide when and how you block access to certain content and sites. For example, if you set aside time for family dinners, you block access during those times. You use iUnplug as an added measure to ensure you keep your online usage at healthy levels, while keeping family commitments.

• The product has a Facebook app that allows parents to monitor activities via customized keywords used in Facebook status updates. If your child uses one of the identified keywords, you receive an email.

Additional Uses

Besides using iUnplug to promote the importance of family time and to keep your children safe, iUnplug has many other uses. Those include:

• Businesses – Companies may use iUnplug to limit access to sites during specific work hours to ensure staff members remain focused. This is a good solution for companies who do not want to completely block Internet access.
• Classrooms – iUnplug allows teachers to block distracting sites while allowing access to educational ones during appropriate times.
• Individuals – If you need help to curb some of your online habits, iUnplug allows you to restrict your own usage. This helps us see it is OK to walk away from our computers or put our smartphones down.

Concluding Thoughts

Many of us know we spend too much time online. We also know Internet addiction exists and anything in excess may become destructive. Despite knowing these factors, changing our habits is not an easy task. iUnplug takes a unique approach and helps people achieve the balance they need. The product does not dismiss the importance of technology or social media sites. iUnplug helps people use sites appropriately and provides a way to ensure we keep our offline commitments. To learn more about iUnplug, please visit: https://www.iunplug.com/index.html.