Tag Archive for 'Apple'

Codename: Buffy

11.23.11

Back in late June of this year, mobile phone company HTC released the Status - touted as the first “Facebook phone.” The idea was to add a convenient Facebook button on the front of an Android-based phone to easily share one’s mobile life quickly. We almost completely forgot about these phones, as they were essentially a competitive flop in a world of super-smart smartphones. Consumers didn’t exactly rush to pick these off the shelves. The rumor mill is turning out a new theoretical gem, and this time her name is Buffy.

Codename: Buffy (yes- just like the Vampire Slayer... or iPhone Slayer), is the newest project that’s said to be brewing in the Facebook laboratory, alongside HTC. The newest reports come with more than just a codename that creatively proclaims itself the iPhone killer. A phone on its own, self-sufficient platform, Buffy would allow Facebook to be a fully integrated part of the mobile experience. It is said that its apps would all be made with HTML5 (the same coding that has brought you barrel rolls on Google, and some of the most creative digital projects of late), which leads to a range of possibilities within the software. On Android and iOS phones, there are still limitations to how far Facebook may integrate itself. Sharing has certainly been made easy, but imagine being able to add someone’s Facebook name to your contacts just as easily as you could add a phone number on a night out.

However, Facebook’s alleged attempt to enter the mobile market still seems risky. Although the phone arguably has been years in the making, reports say the phone is still a long way from hitting the market - possibly as long as 18 months. With Blackberry, Android, and iPhone competing for market share, why would Facebook want to attempt to join the clutter? Maybe its feelings were hurt when apple chose Twitter as its social-network-of-choice for integration with the new 4S. Or just maybe Facebook really does have some groundbreaking mobile ideas. After all, they did create one product already that has revolutionized the way the world works. Can they do it again?

Facebook_mobile-phone_Buffy_HTC

SHARE: FACEBOOK | TWITTER

iPad Trumps iPhone

10.12.11

We’ve all recognized the success of Apple in their ability to put out consistently good, market-changing products. The iPhone has dominated the smartphone market, and the iPad has trumped all other tablets. Have we ever considered if one is better than the other?

On Monday, web analytics firm, comScore released the results of a study that concluded that more web traffic is being driven by iPads than by iPhones. In the study, the iPad accounted for 97.2% of all tablet web traffic, with 46.8% of all iOS traffic (compared to the iPhone’s 42.6% share.)

Also revealing, is the fact that a majority of tablet web users are young, wealthy males and in terms of activity, are shopping more than they are reading on the devices. All brands with e-commerce sites take note: nearly half of tablet owners have completed a purchase using the device. For digital marketers, this study provides some interesting insight into the way we should continue to build web properties.

Are tablets really the future?

With the light that this study has shed on the tablet vs. mobile debate, it would appear that in addition to mobile-friendly sites, developers will need to be creating tablet-optimized applications that take advantage of big-screen experience. In addition, as public wi-fi continues to become more widely available, it seems that these trends will only continue. As you plan your next site-overhaul, it would be smart to think about how important it is for you to optimize the site for traditional browsers, mobile phones, as well as, tablets.

SHARE: FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Mysterious iTunes Message

11.15.10

There is a mysterious message on Apple.com and iTunes.com today:

iTunes Mystery

Apple is trying to build buzz about something, but what could it be? It has something to do with music and iTunes, since it's on the iTunes site and not just Apple.com. Apple has been slowly rolling out their new Ping social network for  iTunes, so it's possible that it's related to this new feature. But really, why would an update to an existing feature require a super secret launch?

Facebook and Google have both been introducing some pretty heavy new features and technology lately (Facebook email?!), so iTunes could be trying to keep themselves in the ring. Here are some of my guesses as to what this is all about:

1. Maybe iTunes will finally start offering music from The Beatles, who have had a poor relationship with Apple that started with legal issues of the use of the company name and has spread to content. Though this is pretty unlikely... Yoko Ono did call iTunes "a devil box".

2. iTunes could be rolling out a more user-friendly user interface because, let's face it, the iTunes store is janky and hard to use.

3. Along the lines of all the e-reader love lately, iTunes could be releasing some kind of bookstore or e-book maker or book reading iPad words books something something. Something.

4. iTunes is announcing a new wireless music format that wirelessly (and headphonelessly) beams music straight into your head from any iOS device. This seems like the most likely option.

What do you think?

SHARE: FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Table Connect for iPhone

11.4.10

table connectTable Connect for iPhone is an amazing new technology for those Apple lovers. Works well for my great grandma as well.

SHARE: FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Did Atomic Tom fool Tech Crunch?

10.18.10

On Friday there was a great article on Tech Crunch about how the band Atomic Tom decided to put on an impromptu concert using their iPhones. It's left us wondering if this was an honest happening  or just a publicity stunt of this newly signed band. Yup they are signed to Universal Republic. (Thank''s Zac!)  Tech Crunch's article was picked up throughout the industry and honest happening or not, it turned into a publicity stunt. On Friday the article states that it had just under 300 views, and now its just under 1 Million views. Publicity stunt or not, the video is sick. And the views much deserved.

SHARE: FACEBOOK | TWITTER

FAKE APPLE NEWS

07.26.10

Are you emotionally unstable because of poor reception from your iphone 4? Have you come to curse “the spinning wheel of death” on your macbook? Have you waited for hours in the rain for an ipad, only to learn they are sold out? Bitter Apple fans rejoice, have we got the site for you. Check out scoopertino for all the fake Apple news articles you didn’t think you needed to read.

SHARE: FACEBOOK | TWITTER

The Future of Magazines and The iPad

05.18.10

The endangered magazine industry thought the iPad would be their Knight in Shining Armor, but alas magazines are being heavily censored begging the question; will the iPad really help? Magazines we frequently read, Purple, Love, and French Vogue are being forced to censor the content. Every issue of a magazine released is the result of hard work and incredible artistic ability, it is a shame these magazines are being so heavily censored. To read more about it visit Blackbook.

SHARE: FACEBOOK | TWITTER