URL Redirect and Testings Keys to Successful QR Codes

by Holly Shoemaker

With the increase in smartphone use, quick response (QR) codes are becoming a way to get the latest deals and promotions out to consumers. They were an integral part of holiday shopping, and the U.S. Postal Service and others will continue to place emphasis on them as part of their marketing campaigns in 2013.

What is a QR Code?

A QR code is simply a readable bar code that stores up to 4,296 characters of information in its data. Bar codes may come in different patterns, multiple shapes and colors. However, the pattern in the corners should always remain clear.

Designing an Effective Code

While the color, pattern and shape of the code may vary, there are some basic guidelines developers should adhere to when developing a QR code:

• Keep the code simple – A more complex code will lead to a larger code pattern, meaning the image projected on the smartphone will become larger for the consumer to read. Therefore, developers should simplify the code to keep the image easy to read.
• Use a shorter URL – Keep the URL small. When the URL becomes larger, so does the pattern of code. When the code stores more information, the image becomes harder to read.
• Create a URL Redirect – The URL itself is often the biggest long-term challenge for developers because QR codes cannot be edited. If the code needs altering, companies will need new marketing materials because the old code becomes void. To avoid the costs associated with printing new materials to accommodate a new code, create a URL redirect or URL forwarding. This allows developers to have the code land where it needs, without changing the URL itself. A URL redirect also keeps the URL shorter, easier to manage and allows the developer to change the end location without the need for editing.

Always Test and Test Again

As with all apps, developers need to test the code. First, print the code to make sure it fits the needed specs. Then use a few different scanners to ensure the bar code works. Make sure the phone works across platforms and devices so test on iPhones and various Android devices. Developers should also test with different lighting as the end user will not always scan the code under the same lighting conditions.

Concluding Thoughts

Keep the URL short and the pattern easy to read. If the URL goes astray from where the end user needs to land, the code itself becomes useless. Therefore, test the code to ensure it works under multiple conditions to take into consideration multiple scanning scenarios.

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.

Samsung Undercuts Nokia: Debuts First Windows 8 Smartphone

by Holly Shoemaker

After the verdict in California, a Samsung attorney said the company had already put plans in motion to differentiate its products from iPhones and iPads. At the IFA trade show in Berlin today, Samsung did just that. In a move that undercuts Nokia, Samsung announced that in Q4 2012, it will offer its first Windows 8 Phone, the ATIV S. Nokia is expected to announce its new Lumia Windows 8 smartphones on September 5, 2012 in New York.

Overview of ATIV S

While the ATIV S is not the first Windows-based phone, it is the first Windows 8 one. It will feature a 4.8-inch HD display, HSPA+ support, a 1.9 megapixel front-facing camera and a 1.5 gigahertz dual-core processor. At this time, the price has not been released and the phone lacks LTE connectivity, which has analysts speculating that T-Mobile will become the first carrier to sell the phone. In January, T-Mobile started selling the Lumia 710.

Concluding Thoughts 

While I discussed in June how the rumor of Samsung buying Nokia lacked rationale, perhaps more news will follow if Nokia fails to gain traction when its releases its Windows 8 phone. One thing remains certain - Samsung shows no signs of losing its number one spot as the world's largest handset manufacturer; the company dethroned Nokia to gain that honor.

Apple Drops YouTube App: Google’s Search Engine Next?

by Holly Shoemaker

Earlier this week, Apple announced that when it releases iOS 6, its latest operating system, the company will no longer offer Google’s YouTube app as a pre-installed one on iPhones and iPads. At is developer’s conference earlier this year, Apple announced that it would also drop Google Maps from the new iPhone.

Licensing Issue?

Apple said that its license with YouTube ended, but that consumers may still use YouTube via the Safari browser. At this time, Apple has not said if it will replace YouTube with another app.

Concluding Thoughts

It is no surprise that Apple continues to drop apps associated with Google. As the race to win the smartphone market continues to heat up, so will the app war. Analysts expect that Google needs to worry about a larger matter – that Apple will drop Google as the default search engine on the iPhone. While that is unknown until the contract expires, Apple should think of how that move could affect its customers. Google is still the largest, and in my opinion, most effective search engine. Sorry Bing – I do not think Google’s potential loss will become Microsoft’s gain.

China: The Ally in the Map App Battle

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple escalated the map app battle at its annual developer’s conference this past June with its decision to drop Google Maps as the default map application on its upcoming iPhone. Now, the company selected AutoNavi Holdings Ltd. as its map partner for future iPads and iPhones in China. AutoNavi has worked with Google since 2006.

Concluding Thoughts 

AutoNavi should profit on both sides and gain an edge over its competitor, NavInfo Co. Auto Navi announced last June that Samsung chose its navigation app for the Galaxy S III. For Apple, the move is strategic and makes sense for its Chinese customers. China remains Apple’s second largest market behind the United States. Its move to partner with AutoNavi, a company that also knows Google, should help Apple continue to build its consumer base in China.

Apple to Enter Pre-Paid Phone Market

by Holly Shoemaker

Apple may have entered new territory with its announcement of its new map app, but Apple will soon enter a new market – the pre-paid phone market. Both Virgin Mobile and Cricket Wireless will sell pre-paid iPhones.

Cricket Versus Virgin Mobile

Cricket Wireless became the first carrier to announce it will sell the pre-paid iPhone. Starting on June 22, 2012, customers may purchase the iPhone 4S for $499.99 and the iPhone 4 for $399.99. Its “unlimited everything plan” will cost $55 a month plus taxes. However, potential customers should know that Cricket may cap data usage levels at 1 GB.

Virgin Mobile will sell the iPhone at full retail price, but will offer the cheapest monthly plan. Consumers will have to pay $649 for the iPhone 4S and $549 for the iPhone 4 upfront. Both iPhones will become available on June 29, 2012 and will use Sprint’s network as Sprint purchased Virgin Mobile in 2008. While customers may see a higher upfront cost, Virgin Mobile's plan costs the least amount of money over a two-year period. For $35 a month, customers will receive: 300 voice minutes, 3,000 texts, which Virgin classifies as “unlimited,” and 2.5 gigabytes of data per month.

Concluding Thoughts

The entry of the iPhone into the pre-paid market opens up more opportunities for Apple, additional carriers and customers who do not want to go with a traditional phone plan. By opening itself up to more carriers and consumers, Apple strengthens its position in the mobile device and app markets. AT&T may become the biggest loser as it used to be the only carrier to sell the iPhone. The biggest winner could ultimately become Sprint. Sprint has a four-year contract with Apple to sell a certain number of phones. Sales generated from Virgin Mobile will count toward those overall numbers.

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!

Apple, Foxconn to Improve Factory Working Conditions

by Holly Shoemaker

On Thursday, May 10, 2012, Apple and Foxconn, the company’s main supplier, agreed to share the costs related to improving working conditions in factories that make iPads and iPhones.

 

Background Information

Apple and Foxconn have garnered media attention in the past months regarding working conditions in some of its Chinese factories. In April 2012, 200 employees threatened to commit suicide over low wages. The same factory dealt with a similar threat in January 2012 when 300 employees threatened to commit suicide over conditions related to working on Microsoft Xbox 360 consoles.

In January 2012, Apple entered into a partnership with the Fair Labor Association (FLA). As part of the partnership, Apple must uphold the FLA’s ethics code. Based on the FLA’s inspection of Foxconn, and now its recommendations, Apple has to make improvement by July 1, 2013.

At this time, the companies have not disclosed the exact breakdown of who will pay for what costs.

Concluding Thoughts

Apple had no choice but to publicly say it will remedy conditions because of media attention, its relationship with the FLA and its reliance on China to manufacture parts.

The improvements do not just benefit Apple and Foxconn. They will benefit companies such as Dell and Amazon who also rely on the same worker base  and plants to manufacture parts.

iPhone Sales Increase Despite Weak iPhone Sales from AT&T and Verizon

by Holly Shoemaker

Despite Verizon and AT&T falling below expectations for iPhone sales, Apple’s iPhone profits steadily grew in Q1 2012.

Apple's Numbers at a Glance

Apple sold 35.1 million iPhones during Q1 2012, which beat analysts’ expectations.  Much of the growth is attributed to the iPhone 4S launching on China Unicom in January and China Telecom in March. Apple’s revenue in Asia grew by 32 percent over the previous quarter.

iPhone Numbers at a Glance for AT&T and Verizon 

• AT&T announced on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 that it activated 4.3 million devices.
•  Last week, Verizon reported that it activated 3.2 million devices for the first quarter.

Analysts contribute the drop in sales to three main reasons:

• The increase in completion from Google – Approximately half of all smartphone sales from Verizon were Android devices, while AT&T sold about 22 percent of non-Apple devices.
• Apple's selling cycle – Consumers know the pattern that Apple launches new products. Analysts say that Apple may no longer have the stamina to avoid seasonal decreases in sales. Apple is expected to launch the new iPhone, or the iPhone 5, the naming convention is unknown at this time, this summer.

Concluding Thoughts

While the numbers are down for certain carriers, Apple’s profits remain high. Because the intentional market accounts for roughly two-thirds of Apple sales, it is likely that overseas sales will compensate for any decline we may see in Q2 2012. In addition, the new iPad just went on sale in March.

What I find the most interesting is that selling less iPhones helps carriers because of the cost of selling the devices. Apple makes carriers pay high upfront costs. Therefore, selling fewer iPhones sometimes helps profit margins.

Verizon May Offer Windows 8 Phone

by Holly Shoemaker

Despite Nokia potentially not meeting market demands by partnering with Microsoft, Verizon sees the potential of working with Microsoft to expand its product offerings.

Fran Shammo, Verizon’s CEO, said the company wants to add a third software competitor. While unconfirmed, Verizon is expected to develop a phone using the Windows 8 platform, also known as Apollo. Consumers should expect the new offering this 2012 holiday season.

Concluding Thoughts

Any additional choices mean consumers gain the upper hand in dictating the direction of the smartphone market. While we have yet to truly see how Windows-based smartphones will compete, Verizon is the largest carrier, and it does provide another alternative to iPhones and the myriad of Android phones available.