New Report Assesses Content Consumption on Mobile Web

Content on 10-inch tablets is mostly shared by email, while content on mini-tablets and the iPhone is more often shared through Facebook. That’s one of the findings of a new report about Content Consumption on the Touch Web.

The report, by tablet publishing and ad provider Onswipe, is based on more than 150 million touches per month that the New York City-based company registers on its platform.

More Sharing on iOS

On minis and the iPhone, the study found that email remains the second choice for sharing, at 29 percent for minis and 32 percent for the iPhone compared to 42 percent for Facebook sharing on minis and 50 percent on the iPhone. On 10-inch tablets, the numbers are nearly reversed, with 48 percent of users sharing via email, compared to 32 percent through Facebook.

Twitter sharing is less consistently related to decreasing device size than Facebook sharing. Thirteen percent of sharing is conducted through Twitter on the larger tablets as well as on smartphones, compared to 24 percent on minis. For all three platforms, sharing through Pinterest is five percent or less.

Mobile Device stats Sharing

The report also found that, despite the huge popularity of Android-based smartphones and the growing popularity of some Android-based 10-inch and mini tablets, iOS-based tablets still account for an overwhelming portion of content sharing — 75 percent of shared content, versus 22 percent for Android.

e-Readers Linger

Interestingly, while iOS device users overwhelmingly employ Apple’s Safari browser (75 percent) for touch-based content, and Android device users nearly universally use the default Android browser (97 percent), Google’s Chrome browser is about equally popular on both platforms (2.33 percent on iOS versus 2.13 percent on Android).

Mobile Browsers used
 

Onswipe found that, although there are many more iPhone users than iPad ones, more than half (54 percent) of all mobile web traffic comes from iPad users. It also said that users of a tablet such as Amazon’s Kindle Fire, which is marketed with a slant toward e-reading, spend substantially more time on sites than those who own the Nexus 7 or the iPad tablets. The report said the reason could be that Fire owners tend to favor long-form content, such as e-books.

However, size does not necessarily matter in this regard. Owners of seven-inch, fully-featured web tablets, such as the Nexus 7, spend the same time on web sites as do those who have a 10-inch tablet like the iPad.
 

 

 

Source : cmswire[dot]com

Mobile App of the Week: Staying up to Date with your Business Contacts on Linkedin

For this week’s Mobile App of the Week our focus is on the LinkedIn iPhone app. This app version of the business social networking site gives users the ability to connect with their LinkedIn contacts and manage their profile on the go.

When users first click on the app and have signed on, they’re directed to the app’s home page where they can choose to go to their LinkedIn profile, groups, inbox or see updates. From there, users can browse their contacts, make new connections, update their status, edit their profile and see what they’re contacts are up to through the news feed.

Requirements

The LinkedIn app is a free download from iTunes. It's compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and has been optimized for iPhone 5. Users must have iOS of 4.5 or higher.

If you aren’t an iPhone user, there is also an Android and Windows Phone version. The Android version is available in the Google Play store for users with versions 2.1 or higher, while the Windows Phone version is available for those who have Windows Phone 7.5 or higher.

Pros

As was mentioned, users have access to all of the features they have on the web version of LinkedIn, as well as a few mobile only options. Some of these features include:

• Being able to view and recommend jobs.
• Updating and editing your profile.
• Read suggested industry news of the day.
• Users can search based on a job title or keyword to see all their contacts that relate to that search.
• Receive suggestions on who should be part of your LinkedIn network.
• Ability to enable and receive push notifications.

Users, upon their initial sign in with the app are promoted to sync their calendar with their account. If a user chooses this option, LinkedIn says that the information isn't stored within their server and notes that users have the ability to opt-out or eventually sync their calendar by changing their settings. 

Final Thoughts

As a basic app, the LinkedIn app is merely a mobile version of the LinkedIn website. With this in mind, there isn't much that sets it apart from the site, besides being more compact.

This app would be useful for those who need to have their LinkedIn profile and contacts on hand in meetings or when they’re away from the office. If you’re not someone who spends a lot of time away from the office or uses their LinkedIn profile as a essential business tool, than you shouldn't bother with it.

 

 

Source : cmswire[dot]com

Apple and Samsung Slug it Out in the Smartphone Wars

No one else comes close as the two heavyweights for tech gadgets blow the field away with their latest figures. Apple reported its third-quarter iPhone 5 launch profits, but Samsung is way ahead in overall sales. 

Sales Apocalypse Incoming!

Next quarter, Apple will report its figures for the recently announced iPad 4, iPad mini, new iPods and new Macs. It threatens to be the biggest thing since The Beatles, which for some men in suits talking numbers is pretty scary.  This quarter, Apple merely reported the 5 million iPhone 5 sales and a few other bits and pieces (get the detailed numbers here). 

The company reported $36 billion in revenue, $8.2 billion in net profit, based on sales of 26.9 million iPhones, 14 million iPads, 4.9 million Macs and 5.3 million iPods. iPod sales were down almost 20% from this period last year but could well ping back up as the new models launch, Mac sales sneaked up 1%, but will all those new models may well go ballistic while iPad sales are up 25%.

That lot represents a record September quarter for Apple, and it is expecting $52 billion in the next quarter (and Apple usually underestimates these numbers)! Shareholders get a dividend of $2.65 per share. 

Enter Samsung's Powerhouse

Samsung, with its far wider product range (including the new mini Galaxy SIII) and the fact that it makes stuff for a lot of other companies (including Apple, as well as Google's new 10-inch tablet), manages to make Apple's figures look pretty small. The company sold 56.3 million smartphones, which accounts for over 31% of the global market, double Apple's 15% figure. However, Samsung's stock value is just a third of Apple's.

However, its financial figures are pretty comparable with net profit for the South Korean firm doubled to a record 6.6 trillion Korean Won, around $6 billion in 3Q, powered by smartphone sales and huge demand for its processors, display panels and use of its manufacturing base.

The figure isn't higher than Apple's as Samsung struggles with the lumbering HDTV market (although its large TV panel sales are back in profit), and making all these things is expensive, with continuous rising costs in Asia. There is no breakdown yet on how the Samsung Galaxy SIII is selling (Samsung say it has shipped 20 million). That will be the key point of comparison for many, and while Apple is expected to surge next quarter, Samsung is looking at reduced profits. 

Anyone Else?

The other smartphone makers are so far down the scale it seems rude to compare them. The analyst firms will produce their next comparisons in the coming weeks, but it doesn't look like good news for anyone outside the top two. 

On the tablet front, Amazon also reported its figures with a $274 million net loss, but only stated that the Kindle FIre HD (which it sells at a loss) was the No. 1 product across Amazon stores worldwide. With the product just hitting Europe and Japan expect it to continue to dominate in the run up to Christmas and the company to benefit from content sales.

Despite their legal battles, both must be pretty happy at the top of the pile, and it is hard to see how even almighty Windows Phone 8 and Surface or Lumia and Asha sales could propel Microsoft or Nokia anywhere close, that is a battle that will take years to win. 

 

 

Source : cmswire[dot]com

Samsung Starts at Home with Galaxy Note II Launch

 Samsung is expecting monster sales of its new supersize smartphone which launches in South Korea today, a territory that Apple has not yet launched the iPhone 5 in. 

Samsung's Triple Threat

Celebrating the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note II in its home country, the company's head of mobile has predicted sales some three times that of its predecessor. The original Note sold over 10 million units according to Samsung, which will make this device, that straddles the smartphone and tablet markets, a major force with its own niche. 

Samsung announced the Note II at an event back in August, The specs include a slightly larger 5.5″ HD Super AMOLED screen running at 1280×720. Inside is a 1.6GHz quad-core CPU with 2GB of RAM (with 16, 32, and 64 GB options and a microSD slot) plus dual cameras.

A chunky 3,100mAh battery and LTE and HSPA+ offer fast communications and a long uptime. It is available in white or grey with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The device is out now in Asia, with a European roll out in early October and American markets near the end of that month. This device, with the Galaxy SIII and full Tablet Note models, give Samsung a growing edge on its rivals. 

Fighting in Many Markets

That launch is unlikely to be threatened by the on-going litigation between Samsung and Apple (currently under appeal), as this is one device that Apple can't claim the company has copied. With the Note II to launch in over 128 territories, it is a major part of Samsung's thrust to promote itself as the No. 1 Android device maker, even as it prepares to support the Windows Phone 8 launch. 

In what will be a critical time for all players, Samsung will be looking for the Note II to give it an edge against the likes of Nokia, HTC, Apple and others. One year on from the launch of the original, will the follow-up see the success of the first model, or are Note users a happy bunch with the 'tweener device?

 

 

Source : cmswire[dot]com

Apple's iPhone 5 Goes On-Sale Around the World

       Today marks the launch of the latest iPhone. We'll update over the course of the day with any drama or quirks, as the residents of the lucky launch territories get their hands on Apple's newest upgrade. 

Stories From the Stores

The Apple iPhone 5 hit the stores today in territories around the world. Things got off to a shaky start for the rather maligned Maps app in iOS 6.0 as it couldn't even find the Apple Store in Sydney, Australia. The countdown to the sale there was met with a rather tired cheer due to some customers who'd been queuing for days to be at the front of the line. 

Here's a pic by Twitter user Jen Dudley Nicholson of the final countdown, she also points out there were no iPhone 5 covers in the store, making for nervous moments for those who don't like their naked iPhones to get dinged. 

Britain's Stiff Upper iLip

In London there are reports of queues of 800+ people around some stores for the new phone (I genuinely thought most people wouldn't be that bothered, so color me impressed). The doors have just opened in stores and we'll try and get some news from the frontlines. 

 If you're not at a store in the U.K., then you can order an iPhone 5 from most stores. A tip here, the 16GB and 32GB models seem to have two week backlogs in most places, which may well grow as interest picks up, but you can pick up the 64GB model with just a few days wait, although that may well change.

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Source : cmswire[dot]com

iPhone 5 Smashes Pre-Order Records, New Kindle Fire Out Now

       How busy are the credit card exchanges today? Early reports suggest the iPhone 5 sold out some 20 times faster than the iPhone 4S managed, while anyone can now get their hands on a new Kindle Fire HD tablet from Amazon.

Going, Gone

The first shipments of Apple's iPhone 5 smartphones have sold out some 20 times faster than for the previous model. While that is a pretty meaningless statistic, the practical fact is that shipping times are now up to two weeks past the launch date (21 September) for new orders. If you've missed out on the first batch, be prepared to wait. 

After the keenly-watched launch, and despite the negative press, it is the consumer who is the ultimate arbiter, and it looks like they're voting in huge numbers with the pre-order stock selling out in around an hour, as opposed to just under a day for the iPhone 4 and 4S launches. Remember, if you're left twiddling your thumbs, iOS 6.0 will be available on 19 September to give you a taster. 

Go, Go, Quick

If you want some new hardware today, then Amazon is shipping its new Kindle Fire tablets, unveiled earlier this month. The high-selling rival to Apple's iPad, the new model ups the power stakes with a HD model and gives the company a handy head-start on Apple's mini-tablet, which should be unveiled next month. 

While Amazon doesn't make much money on its tablets, it rakes in the cash via content sales and Amazon's massive loyal user base. Apple's loyal fans on the other hand seems happy to upgrade tablets at will and the new model should easily boost the 86 million plus iPads that are already out there. And at a new price, there could well be many new buyers. 

Certainly, both are likely to find their way into Amazon and Apple "families" with multiple devices in the home. As this trend evolves, both will have to come up with new ways for multiple users to share the same content, which will be a neat trick to pull off, as users look for better features and not just new hardware. 

 

 

Source : cmswire[dot]com

Post-Launch Reflections and Opinion on the iPhone 5 Unveiling

 Apple expended huge amounts of time and effort creating what it considers to be the ultimate smartphone. What does the world think of the new iPhone 5, and what could Apple have done better as it faced an impossible task to live up to the hype? 

A Spectacular Non-Event

Poor Apple, the largely unwarranted beating was always coming, although some would say it was long overdue. But, the tide of expectation for a new iPhone is now something that even Apple cannot match. That is in part due to its own obsessive quest for secrecy, one that is casually blind-sided by the supply chain, eager leakers and the insatiable curiosity of the press. 

So, when Tim Cook stood up and showed off what everyone already knew, the iPhone 5 launch was guaranteed to be a bit of a let-down. Something hideously exacerbated by Apple's insistence on having no live broadcast. So, while Google parachuted and abseiled in Project Glass, and Samsung wowed the world with the Galaxy S3 on Facebook, all we see are low-res photos of Apple busybodies looking pleased, to no great effect (you can belatedly watch the keynote here, but why would you?). 

Sapphire Brilliance Dulled

Still, take the cynical blinkers of journalism off and Apple delivered a stellar new product. Double the power for the same price, a bigger, better screen, 4G and improved WiFi, a new OS with better features. The trouble is, these are all features you can find on other phones, so while brilliant in their own way, the magic is gone from smartphone events like this, especially as Apple insists on this cookie cutter presentation year-after-year.

In future, it is probably best for all concerned just to upload a shiny HD video to YouTube and be done with it. While Apple might be stoked by a sapphire crystal in the new iSight camera, it is impossible to feel that excitement watching a text feed update. 

There was also the lack of immediate post match gratification, with no instant launch of the new iOS or iTunes, no chance to crash an Apple website in the rush to pre-order. Even the new iPods aren't turning up until October, so there was no chance to rush out and "try it, feel it."

Perhaps the worst piece of news of the day was Apple's evolution to the new "Lightning" connector. While that's fine in itself, charging US$ 29 for the adapter ($39 for the adapter lead) is something that a company with hundreds of billions in the bank just doesn't need to do, and this will lead to a lot of grumpy customers with legacy equipment.

Through the Eyes of the World

So, many commentators are grumbling over the lack of surprises and the impossible position Apple finds itself in. If Apple keeps saying "this is the best product we've ever made," while the company might believe it, those with a phone that already does "feature x" or has "hardware capable of y" can rightfully scoff. 

ZD-Net led the way with the questions, wondering if iPhone 5's lack of tangible pizzazz leaves the door open for Windows Phone 8, with the new Lumia looking decidedly different. Wired does a great job highlighting Apple's dichotomy, citing the iPhone 5 as both "amazing and utterly boring". 

Personally, as an iPhone 4S owner, I'll be happy to wait until my contract is up (when the iPhone 5S should be out). Most of the features of iOS 6 will work on my model, and the extra screen space or extra power doesn't impress me.

No doubt millions of more-hardcore Apple users will be tossing their old phones into the recycling bin in the rush for the latest model. But, those moments of unbridled joy and passion at Apple and telco stores seem to a thing of the past for most. At the end of the day, no matter how much internal magic there is, iPhone is now just another smartphone. 

 

 

Source : cmswire[dot]com

The Best Of Apple's iPhone 5 Announcement

What to expect when you're expecting more than an iPhone 5 live blog.

Shortcuts: iPhone 5, iOS 6 and iTunes 11.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is on stage for today's event, and as is customary begins the presentation with a look at Apple's stellar numbers--everything from sales to app downloads. "The iPad accounts for 91% of the web traffic of all tablets. Now, I don't know what these other tablets are doing," says Cook. "They must be in warehouses and store shelves or maybe in some people's bottom drawers." Apple has just announced the iPhone 5. Fast Company will be distilling the news here. This is not a liveblog (there is more than enough of that going on elsewhere). We're going to compile the best analysis, punditry, and insights on the announcements from across the digital world as the event unfolds. If you'd like to be part of the story, add your comments here, tweet @fastcompany, email or fax 212-389-5496 us if that's your thing.

iPhone 5

It's 18% thinner and 20% lighter than the 4S model. It's the same width as the existing iPhone, but taller--"It's because of your hand," says Phil Schiller. "It should fit there. That's how we designed the iPhone 5."

"New iPhone is thinner and lighter, yet it'll still peek out the top of your Mom jeans pocket, so you'll have to untuck your shirt."

— David Lidsky (@davidlidsky) September 12, 2012

The display is now 4-inches wide (up from 3.5 inches in the current model). As predicted, the screen has been improved to 326 ppi with 1136 x 640 resolution. Yes, it will include LTE for superfast wireless connectivity (if you can find it reliably working in your city). Apple is working with In the US, Sprint, Verizon, AT&T for LTE. In Canada, Rogers, Telus, Bell, among others. You'll also get improved Wi-Fi: New Wi-Fi, 2.4ghz and 5ghz on 802.11n. And a new A6 chip that will make the phone run twice as fast and make Temple Run twice as rad. Unfortunately, that app and many others will be shown with black bars on either side until the app is upgraded to the new screen resolution and width.

I pray Apple doesn't now talk about the intricacies of wireless technology like probable ham-radio operator Jeff Bezos

— Austin Carr (@AustinCarr) September 12, 2012

First great feature: Game Center now has a time shifting mode that lets you race today and have your friend race against you tomorrow (this has been available on consoles, but it's the first time I've seen it on a mobile device).

The "console-quality" graphics thing is cool, but keep in mind the consoles he's taking about about came out in *2005*

— John Herrman (@jwherrman) September 12, 2012

Battery Life is now up to 225 hours in standby, and Schiller is promising 8 hours of LTE browsing and 3G talk time. The iSight Camera has been updated to not only be smaller, but faster. It's got an 8 megapixel sensor, backside illumination, five-element lens, f/2.4 aperture. There's a dynamic low light mode, and the lens uses some kind of sapphire crystal that Schiller is raving about. There's also a built-in panorama mode -- Schiller shows one of the entire Golden Gate Bridge that is 28 megapixels. This is something Phil Schiller actually just said: "The ocean looks bluer on the iPhone 5. Kids look happier. And the world is just a more incredible place." iPhoto has been updated with shared photo streams. The audio on the phone has been upgraded with improved speaker design and three microphones (front, bottom, and back).

A LOT of spec talk here. Much more than other Apple presentations I remember. That means, it doesn't do much that's new. It's just new

— Farhad Manjoo (@fmanjoo) September 12, 2012

There is a new Lightning connector -- a whole generation of iPhone docks and devices just became retro. But it's so small -- 80% smaller, and reversible -- oh, you'll want it. And they're already working on an adapter for your old 30-pin docking gizmos.

that new iphone 5 connector is beautiful--and probs one of the few things Ive's team gets to do anymore, by the looks of things

— Cliff Kuang (@cliffkuang) September 12, 2012

iOS 6

So far everything announced about the new OS was already introduced at Apple's WWDC event in June. The new maps features, passbook for your ID cards, VIP email, sports scores... There are a few exceptions, course.

Pricing

Pre-orders start on September 14. And the iPhone 5 will be available starting September 21. With a two-year contract, the iPhone 5 will cost $199 for 16GB, $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB. The 3GS model is gone, but 4S will still be available.

iTunes 11

Eddy Cue is on stage to announce some changes to iPod and iTunes.
Source : fastcompany[dot]com

Will iOS 6's Passbook App be the iPhone 5's Big Feature

 The world is pretty much resigned to a slightly bigger screen as being the highlight of Apple's new iPhone release. But could the real seller be iOS 6's Passbook app that brings your coupons, loyalty cards, cinema and transport tickets together, be the real highlight?

Aiming for Practicality

While the advertisements looked slick, and the feature is fun to play with, I'm yet to find anyone who lets Siri run their life for them. That was the stand-out feature of the iPhone 4S and iOS 5 launch, as Apple maintained the look of the phone and only upgraded the internals. 

While the iPhone 5 will feature a new, bigger, screen and many other tweaks at its unveiling this week, many are starting to get bored of the whole feature creep and bloat "advances" in smartphones. However, Passbook on iOS 6 could be the app that really makes some progress and sells the phone (as well as whichever previous models Apple decides it will be compatible with). 

Yes, Google has been pushing NFC and wallets for some time, and Microsoft has high hopes for similar features in Windows Phone 8, but overall, digital wallets seem to have had a limited push so far. If Apple makes a concerted effort, and achieves a high degree of user interaction and positive reaction, then all rivals will really be pushing the feature, and it could make smartphones worth talking about again. 

Replacing the Wallet?

While any sane person should be a little nervous about adding all their various account details to a digital wallet, if Apple manages the process well enough, and security is both manageable and Fort Knox standard, then it could be onto a real winner. 

On the security side, Apple has announced the acquisition of AuthenTec, a company that specializes in fingerprint recognition technology, which could help secure the app against fraudulent use, enable secure NFC, all done quickly and easily. 

Passbook could popularize the digital wallet

With simple tasks like cinema and store loyalty cards all managed from the one place, Passbook could become something that offers an everyday benefit to huge numbers of users. Regular travellers will really appreciate that airlines and train companies are already up and running on the beta, suggesting the ecosystem for the app will be running from day one. 

With that, the new maps app and other features in iOS 6.0, whatever the new phone looks like, it could well be the little bits of software that help sell this year's model. 

 

 

Source : cmswire[dot]com

Apple Confirm iPhone 5 Event for 12 September

 The Cupertino-based company has sent out the invites for next week's launch event for the iPhone 5. With the iPad Mini likely shifted to October, expect Apple to focus strongly on the new hardware and software features as it struggles to offer differentiation in an increasingly level playing field of superphones. 

What's in a Name?

The Apple invite offers little in the way of hints to dig for, with a great big shadowy "5" suggesting the device will actually be called iPhone 5 rather than any of the other suggested monikers. The phone's design and iOS 6 features have been discussed to death, with most of the physical features leaked as prototype parts or actual components. 

 

Hitting New Heights?

As usual, there will be a massive wave of hype as the product is shown off in full form for the first time. Even with the new design, there are so many varied devices with screen resolutions, mega-cameras, novel materials and built-in features, that Apple could struggle to stand out from the crowd.

This time it will be the new software features that really need to shine, to help keep up Apple's momentum. After the relatively niche appeal of Siri, what can Apple add this time beyond the shown-in-beta maps and other tweaks? 

The new iPhone should be available for pre-order straight after the event (and after the Apple store has recovered from the inevitable surge and crash). it is likely to go onsale around the 21 September, but with so many users on long term contracts or having migrated to other devices, the days of huge queues flooding stores (outside China) are likely to be over.

 

 

Source : cmswire[dot]com

iPhone 5 Likely To Go On-Sale 21 September

While it would be easier to get blood from a stone, than confirmation from Apple, all the ecosystem signs are now pointing to a 21 September launch for the next iPhone, with Verizon banning all sales staff holiday from that date until the end of the month.

Ringing in the Changes and the Sales

As a spectator sport, frankly Apple could sell tickets and popcorn for its launch events. This year, Verizon has all but confirmed the date for the new iPhone by cancelling holiday from that point for the rest of the month. I'm quite happy with my iPhone 4S, I have no need for a more powerful device, or a bigger screen, or any of the other bells and whistles Apple will no doubt be offering, but for a gadget circus, this should be hard to beat.

With all signs now pointing to a 12 September launch event and the opening of pre-orders (hopefully Apple will have bulked up the web store, but I bet it will still keel over within seconds) for the iPhone 5, with it going on sale the following week. There is also the likely announcement of the iPad Mini (or whatever it will be called) which should be available in October, we're all set for another fun Fall of gadget watching.

And this year is set to be quite the event, with new Nokia Windows Phone 8 devices across all categories including Nokia phones, a new Samsung Galaxy Note and much more. But the iPhone 5 will likely be the media-enforced high point of the season and whatever technology Apple can pack into it will get the masses enthused.

Changing the Record Too

However, as we've seen in recent iterations, don't expect the huge queues and over-dramatic theatricals, smartphones aren't magical anymore, no matter how the makers try to spin then. For a start, more users are locked into longer contracts, buyers have less money, or other things to spend it on, and there is a wider range of top class devices to choose from.

Verizon will be stocking Nokia's Windows Phone 8 devices this year (according to Bloomberg), and likely giving them a great deal more space then than original Lumia devices got in other stores. So, we might have seen a peek in launch-period sales for smartphones, with the money now coming from the mid-range and emerging markets.

To spice things up, we should see some added tabloid "fury" as Apple has changed the dock connector, expect a good few "I'll never buy another Apple device ever" non-event stories. The current range of lawsuits being flung about might get even more ridiculous (expect someone to try to ban Apple from selling iPhone 5 in at least a few territories).

Either way, prepare for the excitement, or, if you're bored of the whole thing, remember to turn the Internet off that day.

 

 

Source : cmswire[dot]com