Google Restores December; Bluetooth Issue Remains

by Holly Shoemaker

This week Google released version 4.2.1 Jelly Bean to its Nexus devices. The release aimed to fix the glitch of forgetting to include the month of December in its People App. As a point of clarification, because of the posts out there that claim Google stool Christmas, never mind some of us celebrate a holiday that begins earlier that month, December always showed up in the calendar app.

Fix Fails to Address Bluetooth Issue

Now that people may once again enter birthdays, other dates or remind themselves that Christmas is the same day every year, unlike Hanukkah which never starts on the same day, Google may need to address another issue. Since version 4.2 of Android, many users have complained about the inability to use Bluetooth. The patch did not address the issue for those hoping to connect Bluetooth-enabled devices to Nexus ones. It looks like Google needs to work on version 4.2.2.

Consumer Reports Electronics Issue: Barnes & Noble Praise; Updated Tablet Rankings

by Holly Shoemaker

Consumer Reports Annual Electronics Issue has hit the stands. In this part one of two blogs, I have recapped the latest trends and rankings for tablets, with smartphones to follow. These are new ratings when compared to Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2012.

Tablet Buying Guidelines

• Trends – The non-profit agency says to keep looking for better screen displays at lower prices. Besides mentioning the obvious choices of the Kindle Fire HD and Google Nexus, Barnes & Noble’s nine-inch Nook HD+ at $270 is described as "an even bigger game changer." The model features a retina display close to Apple's and a lower price point. At the time of print, the model was unavailable for testing.
• Still an App Gap – Apple retains its praise for its selection, quality and innovation of apps over Android. Magazines also get a special mention as many have their own apps for iPad. Barnes & Noble's appears to want to gain ground on Apple. The Nook HD+ has a more-square design, specifically designed to make magazine reading easier. Barnes & Noble also features the 100 best-selling magazines.
• Laptop-Like Tablets – While the Microsoft Surface debuted too late for testing, many tablets feature more laptop features, like Samsung’s Series 5 and Series 7 Slate models.

Tablet Rankings

In the seven-inch range, Samsung still reigns. The Galaxy Tab 7.7 ranks first with a score of 82, followed by the Pantech Element at 77. In the WiFi only category, the Toshiba Excite comes in first with a score of 80, followed by Google Nexus at 77 and the Amazon Kindle Fire HD 16 GB at 77.

With little surprise, Apple remains at the top in the nine- to 12-inch category. In the WiFi plus category, the iPad scores an 85, followed by the iPad 2 at 81. Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 ranks second with 83, after the iPad with the same score. Asus has many models that also make the list.

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.

Plea to Apple: No Need to Become Less Secretive

by Holly Shoemaker

I recently read a special on cnn.com regarding how Apple should become a more open company. The article argued that Apple is more transparent than people think because it has to hold itself accountable to customers, employees and shareholders. That point is not a unique argument to companies. All of them, to some degree, need to divulge certain information, with public companies having a higher burden of course.

The article also argued that as Apple continues to grow, it will by default become less secretive. Apple has already grown throughout the years, and the company maintains that secrecy helps the company’s product development. With stock hitting record highs after the iPhone 5 launch and the Court upholding its patents, Apple does not need to become more open. In addition, the article discussed how Research in Motion (RIM) had to make itself more accessible to the public. RIM had no choice as it continues to suffer from not releasing the BlackBerry 10 update.

There are two areas that Apple will have to continue to work on: gaining customers trust back on Apple Maps and ensuring that it holds true to its word on improving working conditions in Chinese factories. That may take a little more time as Foxconn continues to gain bad press.

Concluding Thoughts

Consumers know that one way Apple retains its position in the marketplace is through secrecy. It also keeps its staff members to upholding those standards. Despite Apple coming across insincere at times, it has a formula that works and loyalists will remain true to the brand. Apple will continue to sell products because of its name.

Google will always remain more open and it should stay that way. Open-source technology differentiates the companies and assists consumers with choice. Besides, with Microsoft saying it may become more like Apple that is enough for now.

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.

Apple Issues Insincere Map App Apology: No Plans to Offer Google Map Equivalent

by Holly Shoemaker

Today, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook issued a letter of apology to customers to address the disappointment and performance of its iOS 6 Apple Maps.

Overview of Apology

Apple apologized for the frustration its map app has caused, and said the company continues to work on improving functionality.

In the letter, Time Cook had no choice but to mention the option of using other apps until Apple addresses all issues – the letter even mentions Google Maps and Nokia Maps. However, Microsoft’s Bing gains the first mention, showing that Apple will not go out of its way to admit its mistake of splitting with Google Maps too soon.

Concluding Thoughts

Apple’s apology does not come across sincere. Instead of sticking to an apology, the company took the time to praise itself on the number of people using iOS 6, and stated that customers have searched for half a billion locations.

The letter should do little to diminish people’s frustrations with the application and its latest operating system. The numbers also do not equate to success when people retrieve incorrect information from the app. Furthermore, a letter of apology does not change the outcome that Apple has no equivalent product to Google Maps, which used to come as the default map app on previous iPhones. On Tuesday, Google confirmed that it had not submitted a map app to the Apple’s Apple Store. 

Apple prematurely severed its ties with Google here – being Apple only gets the company so far. It will have to quickly deliver an updated and tested application to its loyal customers. If not, Android and other products like Nokia Maps will continue to gain more customers.