Sunday, October 18, 2009

Nokia's Comes With Music barely tops 100k users worldwide - the beginning of the end?

"Digital music research firm Music Ally reports the mobile music effort has signed up 107,000 users worldwide. According to Music Ally, 32,728 consumers signed up with Comes With Music as of July 2009--Australia follows with 23,003 subscribers, trailed by Singapore with 19, 318. Music Ally notes that Comes With Music is faring more successfully in emerging markets than in developed Western nations, where the competition is stiffer.
a Nokia spokesperson told Music Ally. "This is a very fast rollout for a service of its kind, especially when you consider the music is a mix of global and local content for each location. In terms of innovation, Comes With Music is a significant shift for both consumers and the industry alike. Nokia will continue to bring new services to market and we will continue to add further countries and partners to our Comes With Music rollout"
Read more: fiercemobilecontent - http://tinyurl.com/yzwlw6a

How To Twitter

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Monday, March 09, 2009

Snaptu - cool web mobile platform

A mobile application with widgets to facebook, twitter, news, picasa, weather and more. The cool thing about it is that you can add widgets that you are interested in and delete the ones that you are not using. However, the option of adding widgets is quit limited (mainly in London). so I would rather add my own widgets for each section, news, weather, etc. Personalization should be part of Snaptu strategy vis-a-via the wall garden approach of the mobile operators. A prompt replay from snaptu explains that it is possible to add blogs etc by using add URL feature.

The updating on facebook and twitter works fine I would rather have the option of updating my status on facebook and twitter at the same application rather than open each one separately, more like ping.fm application integrated into the staptu.

I was very exited when I managed to add the google calender widget and see my calendar on my Nokia E71 S60 since it is not possible from the google calender site (doesn't support symbian devices in Israel)

I hope the next version of Snaptu will be more stable as this one shut down a few times
Overall, I liked the solution, the real potential is developing and marketing a platform for personal applications and widgets.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Twitter users - city dwellers with middle income, bloggers, age 31 and surprisingly enough mobile and internet addicts...

A survey (http://tinyurl.com/cmlvjb) in the US revealed some facts about Twitter users:

  • 11% of online adults use Twitter or update their status online 
  • overwhelmingly young - 19% online adults ages 18 to 24 have ever used Twitter, as have 20% of online adults 25 to 34. 
  • the median age of a Twitter user is 31. In comparison, the median age of a MySpace user is 27, Facebook user is 26 and LinkedIn user is 40.
  • Twitter users are slightly more racially and ethnically diverse than is the full U.S (big time globalization) 
  • Twitter users are also slightly more likely to live in urban areas, with 35% of Twitter users living in urban areas (compared to 29% of all Internet users) 
  • Wireless Internet users are also more likely to be users of Twitter and other status updating services
  • The use of Twitter is highly intertwined with the use of other social media; both blogging and social network use increase the likelihood that an individual also uses Twitter. 
  • 27% of bloggers Twitter, compared with just 10% of those who do not keep a blog. Overall, 13% of Internet users have created a blog. 
  • Twitter users are more mobile in their communication and consumption of information. Twitter users are also significant consumers of blog content; 21% read someone else’s blog “yesterday” and 57% of Twitterers have ever read a blog

Monday, March 02, 2009

Welcoming google on twitter?


Yep, congrats to google (or is it actually to twitter) for joining the popular micro-blogging Twitter. the new media industry is changing so fast, it seems like yesterday Microsoft acquired a $240 million equity stake in Facebook, valuing the company at a whopping $15 billion (http://tinyurl.com/7sasep). Now-days the new kid in the block is Twitter and roamers are that Google is actually considering...

Twitter's niche for Google is not only in the social networking segment but rather in the blogging solution. Blogger doesn't seems to be the most successful product (try to use and you'll understand why) and left behind the open source blog, Wordpress. Google actually Invited Bloggers to Improve Blogger in October 2006 (http://tinyurl.com/a9slbj). Twitter is a great micro-blogging platform but regardless blogger should be upgraded and hopefully in the near future

Saturday, February 28, 2009

GarageGeeks session on Web Analytics

 
Posted by Picasa

key success factors for using Twitter efficiently


Some of the key success factors for using Twitter efficiently:

1. Creating value - to your current and future followers, post interesting articles, innovative ideas, technologies, photos and try to think what would make them exited.
2. Link it - don't forget to link to the article, post, blog you are talking about. Link in - your web-space source: blog, website and link out to "out" of your web-space source. On Blogger there are some difficulties I know...also for me it might be time to switch to wordpress.
3. Tiny URL - is also handy and convenient for your followers and space efficient
4. Update regularly - the more the merrier of course, 4 times a week is a reasonable minimum to keep your followers curious and anticipating for your next update and still they won't forget about you
5. Be active - responsive, and initiate new topics and ask for your followers' opinion
6. Interesting updates to catch attention 
7. Don't be too pushy - for corporate twitter try to actually build relationship with your followers and not only sell your product/service
8. Promote your twitter on other platforms such as your blog, email signature, website and facebook
9.Time management is critical - twitter is such a great micro-blogging community but it's definitely a time-suck platform so you should limit the time and use it wisely. 
10. Increase your followers - will have a different post on this 
and the most important thing - ENJOY IT  

Friday, February 27, 2009

Top 10 Most “Popular” U.S. mobile phones in Dec. 2008



Interesting post at the MobileCrunch with the list of Top 10 Most “Popular” U.S. mobile phones in Dec. 2008. Surprisingly (or not) Nokia with global market share of 39% (http://tinyurl.com/alfp4h) is not on the list.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Personality Branding

As industries becoming more sophisticated and the demand for creative, innovative and curious people is growing, there seems to be new roles for personality branding. In the old days people used to work many years in an organization, have a specific profession and mostly concerned with the bread and butter monthly salary. Now days, we all want to express ourselves, fulfill our potential and think about what makes us happy and we are passionate about. The dream is not only about having a respectful salary but making a difference with innovative social networking on the mobile solution and applications that will tell us in advance where we are going and what we want to do...

Standards are higher, we want to hire people that are updated, web and technology savvy and understands marketing. It's not only about resume and how many years you worked at your previous job. Here are some principles of the personality branding in the new media era:


1. we are the product! we should build and mange our own brand. Online personality branding should be taught throughout disciplines at universities. A graduate student should start focusing on creating his brand and it's time to ditch the resume...
2. From the brand value – cool, organized or detailed oriented, what are the characteristics that describes you the most or you wish to be associated with? it should be strategically considered based on your life and professional goals, character and strengths.
3. Distribution channels – your connections through social networking such as LinkedIn, facebook and Twitter, who are your friends and how well connected you are – it all will play a major role of your success. Building a wide, relevant network will be a career key success factor.
4. Promotion – being active on the web. This is our playground and it will be more comprehensive throughout all our parts of life. In other words, having a blog, initiating topics of discussion on Twitter, commenting on posts with wide exposure are some of the ways to be active and promote you personality brand online.

with a successful personality brand you are likely to win the jackpot – cool career and friends! so, It's time to set your mind on branding yourself...

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Latitude of Google or Plazes.com of Nokia?



Google latitude is a feature on google maps (that mean you have to use the google application for maps), which enables you to see where your friends are.

In order to use the latitude: first you have to sign in to latitude >add friends from Gmail contacts> after accepting your invitation they share their location and you get to see it on the map from your mobile or computer.

For marketers it will be a great tool to offer products based on the information reveled from users’ locations. Privacy will probably be an issue and controversy between generations (I can’t really see parents allowing everyone to see where they are all the time…)

Plazes.com that was acquired by Nokia last year is a web 2.0 social location based network site with a similar concept. This solution is more web oriented and Nokia is planning to adjust and customize it to the mobile. Interesting features includes creating activities on the map, get instructions to get there from Google (…), invite friends or see which one of your friends are in the area (similar to latitude). The site isn’t working on safari – mac browsers which mean than it might have problems using it on iPhones.

The major advantage of Latitude is of course google and all it’s applications such as email, Gtalk, maps etc. it will probably be embedded into Android devices. Nokia’s integration of Plazes.com will probably be under OVI services.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Sony Ericsson Idou – yes we do?

Touch screen with 12 megapixel camera (yes we want) was announced today at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. It’s expected to be the leading entertainment device of SE. Check out the sleek high quality movie clip on the site - http://www.sonyericsson.com/idou/

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Skype and Nokia – a bypass operator channel?

The companies announced skype application would be integrated into selected Nokia devices, starting with the N97. On the N97, skype will be part of the address book, which will enable users to see when their friends are online and would be able to make voice calls.

This cooperation is part of Nokia’s strategy of becoming an Internet company and offering VAS together with hardware devices. The move is interesting and it’s even more interesting to see how the mobile operators will act according to this move…

Monday, February 16, 2009

Nokia N97 – more of the same or a breakthrough?


The Nokia N97 is making a buzz at the Mobile World Congress. The new N series device will be launched in the first half of 2009.
Looks interesting and prestigious could have been a bit thicker and is definitely looks similar to Nokia 5800. It has 5 megapixels camera, but isn’t it time for 8 megapixels device following Sony Erickson and Samsung? It has Qwerty keypad, which is great, and the screen is 3.5 inches.

Also, the mobile computer, the term Nokia uses, has multiple sensors, processing power and connection speeds – “for people to create a personal Internet and share their social location”. Social networking applications are one of the most popular issues at the congress this year and operators around the world and considering actions and tactics to address the issue and increase ARPU from social networking usage on the mobile.

N series devices are the flagship products of the company and N97 is expected to replace the N95, which was a major success worldwide. Would the N97 be as successful? Time will tell…taking into consideration the intense and crowded market and the fact that Nokia is no longer a leading innovative player, 2009 might be a period for the company to focus even more on low end devices in developing markets.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Show me the money


When the web2.0 buble hipe is fading away together with it's fantacy, start up enterpernuers and senior managers realize that they are acting within the business world and therefore the leading principle is making money (yes, saying it out load). It's not enough to have a great idea, technology in place, high skilled execution and experienced people on board, you also need a potential profitable business model and positive ROI.

Taking the number of facebook's users for example, which grown 70% in 2008 and in the begining of 2009 anounced they have 95 million users. It is an impressive figure but is it being translated to revenues? not so sure about that. Flicker is making around a $1B compare to $300M of facebook with approximately half the users.

A great post about how to increase digital goods revenue is written by Jeremy Liew, Managing Director at Lightspeed Venture Partners that basically talks about increasing the gifts product portfolio, creating more payment channels and motivating users to purchase virtual gifts. It is an interesting direction and should probably be a part of the revenues mix together with advertising, applications and premium subscription.

Sunday, February 08, 2009

On my way to Scoop

While looking for the the scoop cafe on 154, rue Saint Honoré, I wondered how come my genius mobile can't tell me how far I am from the place, is it open, is there a free table and of course can I order and what would be recommended (as I was starving after the Musee d'Orsey and musee de l'Orangerie). After finally getting there and being lucky as a table was just vacant (the best table) we found out that it's definitely a chic Paris style place with branch fix menu.

This time it turned out great but what if the place would have been packed.... So going back to the important customer value services mentioned in the beginning, the technology exists it's just a matter of integration, educating the consumers and finding a pricing solution...

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Welcome to my back yard...


Facebook is turning 5 and we are getting a free token, someone said boorrriiinnnnggg?...


Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg writes, “To express our appreciation, we’ve created a “Thank You” gift, which will be available tomorrow in the Facebook Gift Shop for you to to give freely to others. In the spirit of celebrating connections between people, we encourage you to use this gift to give thanks to your friends, colleagues and family members with whom you are connected on Facebook.”


The gesture is appreciated and part of the “mutual faith strategy” towards the loyal users of facebook. I would of expect a more exciting way to celebrate the occasion that involves maybe an interactive program/activity, surprising design and features or even an interesting web campaign. but who knows, they might surprise us after all.

Social networking and web mobile usage


Social networking has been a driving user to be upwardly mobile. Facebook's mobile website grew from 5 million users at the beginning of 2008 to 15 million by November. The downside is that it does not support operators all over the world.


According to tech analysts eMarketer, more than 800 million people will access social networks worldwide on their mobile devices by 2012, compared with 82 million in 2007! It’s time for mobile social applications…


Some figures (http://www.news.com.au/) - Mobile web surfers go online looking for music (43 per cent), games (33 per cent) or sports news and results (32 per cent). Other users shared photographs (70 per cent), ringtones (46 per cent) and music (46 per cent).

Introducing smarta.com – LinkedIn watch out


Clean updated design with the slogan of “Think Create Growth” characterizes the new business networking site for entrepreneurs - smarta. Attractive look and feel, which implies that a serious though and strategy is behind this site for entrepreneurs. Yes I definitely feel comfortable at smarta.com…

The site is more than just a networking place it’s got interesting case studies, video diaries and business oriented content and tools. The real value is the ability to set a new business in 30 minutes and feature short video and advices on varies sides of starting and growing the business.

Users will be able to interact and communicate with different business owners and entrepreneurs, create events, groups, access Q&A forums and review case studies.

The entrepreneur of smarta is Shaa Wasmund that is backed by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Vodafone and commercial law firm Mishcon de Reya. Even Bebo founder Michael Birch has decided to invest in it as well.

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Spikko - free SMS from PC to Mobile


Spikko enables you to send free SMS from PC to mobile. Spikko solution doesn't require any downloads (telemessage, Triplay) and it's simple and straightforward. Just create a new email to number@spikkosms.com.

The interesting part is the cooperation with the operator. the SMS from PC to mobile is free but the reply SMS is charged for a lower fee than standard SMS fees. The business model is based on rev share between Spikko and the operator.

I like it because there is a value for the consumer - free SMS and attractive fee for the reply SMS. The operator is gaining a new market that is already there and now is leveraging it. Sppiko with it's creative, simple product can create interesting cooperations. I real challenge for Spikko now is to bring users and for this they either need the collaboration of the operator (I wouldn't count on it) or smartly promote it through viral marketing, SEM, PR and affiliate marketing.

Video conferencing for iPhone – it’s about time…


Apple plans to introduce video conferencing to future generations of the popular handset. The lack of video capabilities on the handset has been a major downside among customers. Tero Kuittinen, a Global Crown Capital analyst, said the iPhone must adopt a higher quality camera with video capabilities if it wishes to remain competitive with rivals Research In Motion, Samsung, HTC and LG.

Nokia has video conferencing in most of the 49 new devices launched every year but is this tech advantage is a real benefit to the leading handset manufacture? Apple will probably close the tech gap but will Nokia reposition itself as a cool, innovative and attractive brand? Time will tell they are sure trying so with the OVI.

As for the camera capabilities, after switching from my Nokia N95 8GB to Nokia E71 I can say that having a powerful, high quality phone camera (relatively of course) is useful and a basic requirement of our generation…

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Nokia's second acquisition of LBS start up


After acquiring the start up Plazes http://plazes.com/ in 2008, the next lucky company to be acquired is Bit-Side. Bit-Side http://www.bit-side.com/ , which is a German based company with 39 employees is expected to be integrated into the Nokia Service Unit.

Bit-Side is a media-sharing software company with several products such as entertainment and games software and media –sharing programs for Androis, iPhone and Symbian.

Bit-Side is expected to focus mainly on Nokia maps. Seems like Nokia is looking for location based social networking. The company has strategically decided to expand and improve the navigation/LBS/maps etc in order to gain product competitive advantage and slowly move towards offering software as a complimentary product or stand alone.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Modu Gets $7M from Qualcomm; but would it be enough to actually launch the device?


I started hearing a different music from Mudo’s employees in the last couple of months, after the MWC 2008. Modu has an interesting idea but would the $7M be enough for the R&D completion, production, operation, marketing and sales?


It makes you wonder if for this competitive and dynamic market a low budget penetration strategy is recommended…think about the iPod massive global campaign to get into the music players market in 2005…It seems like a successful market penetration would need deeper pockets.


After raising a gigantic figure of $100M this round is not as promising but is probably crucial for the next period. Nevertheless, raising any dollar at this challenging time is impressive.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Nokia website change – is it the best execution to its strategy?


Align with the company's strategy to become an Internet leader; Nokia launches the new updates on the main site http://www.nokia.com/ . Nokia's continues effort to penetrate the new OVI services in the market is finally revealed at the home page. I actually wondered how long it would take Nokia to distribute OVI services through all their channels, especially the main site.

Talking about it on their home page is a significant move but is it enough? Let's say I'm interested at finding out about Nokia games, why doesn't it have a link to N-gage and each of the services from the home page? Now I need to choose a region and then a minimum of 4 clicks (in cased I know what OVI is…). I'm sure Nokia's aim is to drive more traffic to it's' sites, so why not make it easy and accessible?

Nokia's multi-brand strategy (Nokia, OVI, Mosh-mobi, ect) should be re-examined as it may confuses consumers and not necessarily being as efficient as possible…

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Mobile Persuasion

Interesting presentation, iPhone Vs Nokia Tube…is it a lost battle? Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Mobile Persuasion
View more presentations or upload your own. (tags: mobile design)

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I have a dream – Personal Home Page

Getting daily invitations to join social/business networks, blogs, websites, search engines and many other online initiatives emphasizes the amount of web traffic we all consume. On one hand, information is transferred quickly and the amount of data is gigantic. On the other hand, web usability has still along way to go to meet customers’ needs.

The “Favorite” option on your Explorer, Mozilla, or Chrome is indeed helpful in managing web favorite sites but is it the ideal solution? It requires an active search of “pulling” the info required. An easy to use platform “push” based is an opportunity.

Google obviously has an interest at creating a one stop solution for all it’s web applications but is it the perfect solution?

I have a dream that when I open my laptop I will first open my personal home page with a drag and drop option for all my web data with a personalized design and recent updated news. I have a dream that my personal home page would have several widgets for search, email accounts, calendar, all contacts and easy access to my favorite sites – business and personal. I have a dream (agreed with Google) that all my info, favorites, blogs, sites would be organized clearly, efficiently and comfortably…

Monday, January 05, 2009

Mobile Trends for 2009

Taking into consideration the global economic slowdown, leading players at the mobile industry will have to adjust quickly and provide more source of revenue or increase existing channels to compensate decreasing mobile usage. Here are major trends for revenue growth:
1. SMS usage growth – despite of the economic crisis SMS usage is expected to grow, especially among the youth segment but not only.
2. Mobile advertising and ticketing/ coupons. Instead of receiving the invoice or ticket to your email, which is definitely not the best solution for the environment, customers will start receiving it as a MMS to the mobile. Easier, convenient and environment friendly.
3. Content and more content
4. Location Based Services – but not necessarily paid services. Google, Nokia and other players offer free maps; the trend of paying for navigation is yet to come.
5. Social networking on the go – the revolution of facebook, flicker and twitter will expand to the mobile as well.
6. Mobile Internet – dramatic increase of internet usage and a larger variety of services offered
7. Touch screen/ high end devices – for niche market
8. Mobile security – preparing the surface for mobile frauds and scams. Having access to growing information and billing methods
9. Bluetooth is becoming an advertising platform. Finally marketers will start to acknowledge this technological advantage for promoting products/services within a geographical area.
10. Quick Recognition/ 2DBar Codes – campaigns on newspapers and billboards that provide user with very fast access to information – anything from an SMS to a mobile link, to an application download. QR reader should be installed on the device (Nokia, Android devices).