March 2, 2010
Posted by Carl
In marketing today, it is becoming commonplace for any which brand to build an iPhone app just to tick a box. To say ‘we have an iPhone app’ is deemed to be ‘cutting edge’.
Have brand managers and marketers completely forgotten the reasoning behind communicating with their audience, and the fundamentals of marketing?
I get furious when I see pointless applications hit the market from short sighted brands, with no consideration for market segmentation or consumer base, and the latest is no exception.
The Conservative party has just launched its iPhone application which will supposedly “help both existing supporters and floating voters learn more about their policies, connect with them on social networks and share political news with their friends.” (read more…)
February 15, 2010
Posted by Carl
The first day of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona usually throws up a few surprises, but I am not sure anyone expected what went down on this cold day in February.
After a complete anti-climax of a press event from Nokia, their faces were well and truly rubbed in the dirt by Steve Ballmer and the Microsoft team. A technical hitch at the beginning of the presentation was the only speed bump in a smooth ride for the Microsoft team, whose presentation has been greeted with great aplomb. Windows Phone 7 is a completely new product from Microsoft that encapsulates a vast range of services and offerings focussed on the consumer (which Windows Mobile before it never seemed to grasp). Where did that come from?!
For me, there were several key USPs that make Windows Phone a very promising inclusion in the smartphone operating system wars.
- UI designed with UX – The UI behind Windows Phone is so heavily user experienced focussed, it goes above and beyond any other produced by Microsoft. Designed for the fast paced ‘at a glance’ lifestyle, it has gone lengths to redesign traditional and even the latest UIs to create a functional and enjoyable experience for its users. OK, so the UX market is dominated by the Apple iPhone OS, but until it embraces widgets and multitasking, it will fall behind.
- Multitasking – Multitasking is the main advantage that Android has had over the iPhone OS, and it seems with a decent UX, it could really challenge the market. Lets just hope it is glitch free as running multiple apps could create some headaches.
- Office for mobile – The Microsoft Office package is the worlds most common utilities packages for personal and business use, and it has received an overhaul for Windows Phone that promises to offer a whole new experience for its users, as well as ensuring a smooth cohesion between itself and the desktop counterpart
- Current service offering extensions – Windows phone will support Xbox Live and Zune in the entertainment arena, offering an opportunity for customer retention, as well as attracting new users with connected purchase decisions.
Microsoft has created a product to support the personal nature of the mobile phone. By taking into account the user experience, they have developed a UI that appeals to a users preference, offering relevant information that can be personalised to a seemingly ‘nTH’ degree. Only time will tell whether this is Microsoft’s fight back onto the mobile scene; all I know is that it is a major step back in the right direction.
For a good summary of the keynote, check out a break down here. Or for the official press release, click here.
February 3, 2010
Posted by Carl
Well Ladies, Gents and Mobsessives. We are back.
Its been a long period of silence I know (*slaps wrist*) but the past few months have not just been incredibly hectic, but I have also been looking into the future of Mobsessed and the way I want my readers and the industry to digest its content. I have some substantial ideas in the pipeline which I hope will make this a staple of your blog reading diet! So for now, please wait with baited breath, as I promise it will be worth it. In the mean time, if you haven’t already seen it, take the time to digest the information in this superb presentation from Rudy De Waele and some of the most brilliant minds in mobile.
September 30, 2009
Posted by Carl
O2 have launched their latest ad campaign with the help of a few brutes from the England Rugby Union team. Completed by those clever clogs at VCCP, it has been created to help promote the free sim cards promotion that many operators are involved in nowadays. Its brilliantly executed, and the England lads are showing footballers how to at least try and act in an advertisement! (read more…)