Think mobile traffic for websites is in the lead? Think again…

May 15, 2012

Adobe has just announced its recent findings on website traffic, showing the difference in engagement between tablets, smartphones and PC’s, and it appears that consumers find browsing websites on tablets nearly as engaging as on PCs.

The use of tablets for internet browsing has grown significantly in recent times, with their popularity set to rise; and according to Adobe’s research, will generate more web traffic than smartphones by early 2013, reaching 10% of total website traffic in 2014.

Smartphones and tablets – different or the same?

Although comparable in terms of functionality, smartphones and tablets have become two very distinct and unique channels. Tablets may offer the similar mobility and ease of use that smartphones have, but with larger screens and greater functionality, it is no surprise that website traffic via tablet computers continues to grow.

In light of this news, businesses should pay particular attention to optimizing their websites for mobile usage. One clear way to capitalise on the popularity of tablets is to develop customised apps to provide tablet users with a more enhanced website experience when using tablets.

Traffic via tablets has grown much faster than smartphone traffic

Visits to websites using tablet computers have grown approximately 10 times faster than the rate for smartphones in the first two years since introduction to the market.

Unsurprisingly, however, PC’s are currently being used to visit websites three times as frequently as tablets. So although initial growth for tablet traffic has been huge, there’s still a long way to go before tablets are the first choice for internet browsing.

Brad Rencher, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital Marketing Business, Adobe, said; “As businesses rethink their digital experiences to include mobile strategies, tablets are emerging as the consumer device of choice. Digital CMOs are wise to take a mobile first approach to optimize their digital content and marketing initiatives with a focus on the tablet experience because the consumer demands it.”

What is your preferred way to visit websites? Do you prefer to browse via your phone, tablet or computer?

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Say goodbye to 4G, and goodbye to UK consumer confusion

May 15, 2012

Apple UK iPad 4GOne of the biggest selling points of the latest iPad is that it offers 4G LTE access, however this technology is only available in the U.S at the moment and has yet to arrive in the UK.

4G stands for ‘fourth generation mobile technology’ – a system that will provide ultra-broadband internet access to USB modems, smartphones and tablets, with faster browsing, gaming, and video calls, as well as 3D and HD television.

The 4G aspect in question is known as LTE, or Long Term Evolution, and will allow for high-speed data transfer and has already seen a rollout in areas such as the USA and Canada. However, the UK has yet to see a full release of LTE.

Why doesn’t the UK have LTE yet?

Whilst UK networks such as Everything Everywhere and O2 have been conducting LTE trials, both operators have stated that Apple’s new iPad will only ever be able to use 3G connectivity in the UK.

This is because when LTE hits the UK, it will use different frequencies to those in the US and the iPad, and in its current configuration, will be unable to connect to said frequencies.

Apple failed to make this clear in latest ad’s

Following dozens of complaints, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) launched an inquiry with Apple to resolve the issue in April; however after certain documents and promotional materials still advertised ‘4G LTE’, a second inquiry was opened.

A spokesman for the ASA states; “If it appears that the claims we asked Apple to remove are still appearing, we will investigate these new complaints.”

New description will help clear up confusion

Apple have now released a statement saying; “Carriers do not all refer to their high speed networks with the same terminology, therefore we’ve decided to use ‘wi-fi + cellular’ as a simple term which describes all the high speed networks supported by the new iPad… The advanced wireless features of the new iPad have not changed.”

Apple have also offered a refund to any buyers of the iPad who felt that they had been misled by the advertising

It will certainly be a disappointment for iPad owners that their functionality is currently limited to ‘wi-fi + cellular’; however, 4G is expected to hit the UK within the next couple of years, by which time, sufficiently capable technology will have been released to support it.

Do you feel let down by Apple’s misleading claims? Did you buy the latest iPad, thinking it would have 4G capability?

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Next on the agenda for Amazon? …Hello High end fashion!

May 11, 2012

Amazon high end fashionAmazon, one of the world’s largest online retailers, is now setting its sights on the fashion world after firmly planting its feet in the technology industry.

And they are not taking the feat lightly.

The fashion industry is likely to be joining the technology, publishing and toy industries currently quaking in their boots as Amazon stamps its way into their world.

Although it has sold clothing for years the online giant is now pushing a stronger focus on signing up high-end brands to really step up its game.

They mean business

Having hired models, stylists and make-up artists, as well as running an advertising campaign, it is clear Amazon are determined to make their latest venture uber-successful.

Their aim is to present themselves as a premium retailer with a high-end image for their apparel department.

Shipping costs will be the same whether it is a book or a skirt, and therefore targeting high end clothing is a great way for Amazon to increase its gross profit.

Being such a massive brand, Amazon also already has money on its side – with around $5.7 billion backing them, the company realise that investing in the fashion business is the best way forward.

With this kind of money in their hands, it would be stupid to rest on their laurels and ignore what their competitors are doing.

Competitors need to brace themselves and prepare for a fight

Fears are growing within the retail world that once Amazon has launched this venture, it will be extremely difficult to compete.

Sucharita Mulpuru, an analyst for Forrester Research , said that Amazon “has the latitude to set prices and charge whatever it wants. That is a huge threat for brands.”

This threat means that any brand not wishing to take part in Amazon’s mission will need to fight to protect itself.

Amazon appears to have no fears when it comes to its latest venture and is making some big purchases, buying entire collections to retail in some cases, and are adamant that they want to work with designers, not compete against them.

What do you make of Amazon’s new foray into the high-end fashion industry? Do you think it will succeed? Would you be willing to buy high-end clothes from Amazon?

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eBay launch ‘Image Swatch’ app to ensure you find your true colours

May 9, 2012

eBay fashion App launches in the UKEver struggled to find an item in a colour that’s the right shade to match what you already have?

Well, eBay are here to help!

eBay has launched a brand new Fashion app for iOS devices in Britain , featuring state-of-the-art ‘Image Swatch’ technology.

The app has been designed to help shoppers find fashion items within eBay UK that match the colour and even pattern of images in photographs.

App already available in the U.S

British shoppers are now being given the opportunity to take advantage of the app that was launched in the US last year. Users simply take a picture of the pattern they like the look of and eBay will seek to try and find items that have a matching colour and pattern.

Pretty handy, right?

Melanie Smallwood, UK Head of Fashion Brands for eBay, says; “The latest eBay Fashion app takes shopping one step further by allowing people to search for designer, branded and vintage merchandise at the moment of inspiration whenever and wherever they are. Whether it is a unique pattern or a colour that is to die for, the eBay Image Swatch will allow people to target their search like never before, truly reflecting their individual style.”

eBay’s growing popularity

This new feature will add to eBay’s ever-growing popularity as a shopping platform.

It is reported that an item is purchased every second in the UK on eBay via a mobile device – that’s a whopping 80,000 a day – at the least.

eBay is already one of the UK’s biggest online websites selling fashion items, with some top brands selling their products directly on the site, and with this added functionality, looks set to become a real competitor to conventional online stores.

Will you be taking advantage of this latest app from eBay?

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Happi Bday 2 U! SMS messaging celebrates 20th anniversary

May 8, 2012

Think back to a time before social media and smartphones. Yes, there was a dark age before such normalities existed! Between mobile phones being used for calls, and them being used for everything from sending emails to tweeting, there was the introduction of SMS. That’s text messaging to most of us – and this weekend saw SMS reach its 20th birthday.

SMS was first created in Europe and approved for sale in May 1992, making this month its twentieth year in existence.

Over four billion people across the world have access to mobile phones – that’s eight billion thumbs waggling as they send each other SMS messages. And despite technology moving on in recent years, SMS messaging has remained massively popular as a method of communication.

The popularity of SMS grew significantly once pay-as-you-go SIM cards were introduced. With no need for a contract, mobile telephone ownership spread, particularly among teenagers who didn’t want expensive mobile tariffs. Youngsters back in the nineties discovered the simplicity and money-saving potential of sending these concise messages rather than making phone calls, and since then other generations have embraced the idea and the popularity of text messaging has expanded.

SMS is now the most intensively used form of data communication in the world. With its simple premise and wide accessibility there’s no surprise that SMS has lasted and continues to be used around the globe.

Technology has advanced greatly in the last 20 years – however, SMS has managed to stand the test of time – particularly for those who are yet to invest in a smartphone, such as a Samsung Galaxy S3, and prefer to stick to their older handsets.

So, while it may continue to destroy the English language as fervent texters seek to squeeze ever longer messages into 160 characters, we salute SMS messaging and the ease with which we can now communicate in silence.

Do you still use SMS messaging or have you made the jump to instant messenger, BBM or even video calling services such as FaceTime?

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Could the new Samsung Galaxy S3 be the true iPhone killer?

May 4, 2012

iPhone Samsung Galaxy 3There really has only been one real contender in the field of smartphones, and that was Apple’s revolutionary iPhone, perhaps until the release of the Samsung Galaxy.

Whilst Android dutifully continued to pump out a variety of capable handsets from renowned manufacturers such as HTC, Sony and Motorola, it never quite made the impact that Samsung has had with their Galaxy phones.

In May 2011, Samsung announced the follow-up to their immensely popular Galaxy S2, and expectations were understandably high – the S2 was the biggest selling phone of 2011 and had numerous awards thrown at it.

Samsung sold more phones than Apple

Within a few months, the phone had become almost as commonly-appearing as the iPhone, and in Q3 2011, Samsung overtook Apple in smartphone sales with a total market share of 23.8%.

Yesterday, Samsung released the Galaxy S3 to favourable reviews, despite some obvious flaws. One major point of contention with both the S2 and Nexus is the overall ‘plastickyness’ that has compounded its form factor, and whilst this has allowed it to be considerably lighter and thinner than rival smart-phones, there are those that dislike it.

IDC’s smartphones analyst Francisco Jeronimo, said, “It is not an eye-catching device that will overwhelm consumers.”, however Caroline Milanesi, smartphones analyst at research group Gartner, feels very different and reassured buyers by saying; “The design is much improved, and despite the fact that it is still plastic it feels much less cheap than the Galaxy S2 and the Nexus”.

So what sets the S3 apart from the S2?

A quick look at the specs shows a clear sign of improvement and upgrade. Firstly, the S3 boasts a 720p 4.8 inch screen – roughly 0.5 inches larger than the S2, the processor has been upgraded from a dual-core to a quad-core and new goodies such as the S Beam, that allows you to transfer large files quickly via Wi-Fi, and S Voice, Samsung’s answer to Siri, all add up to an impressive package.

Samsung have clearly taken to the Android platform like a duck to water, and ensure to offer more customisation and original features as opposed to Apple’s iOS software.

Jeronimo added “Samsung definitely embraced Android, and is extending it… If Android is now the new kid on the block that can best contribute to its success, they will invest and nurture it to maximise the opportunity. But if the trend changes (and they are very good at anticipating that), they will also change the platform they embrace in the future.”

With the iPhone 5 rumoured to be released in mid-late 2012, the Galaxy S3 has made an early jump, and looks set to be one of the most important smartphone releases of the year.

Will you be buying the Samsung Galaxy S3, over the expected iPhone 5?

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6 ways to spruce up your business finance’s with a spring clean!

May 4, 2012

organise your business financesDo you find yourself struggling to find things in your business or get confused with the finances?

Then now is a great time to look after your business’s finances and get organised for the rest of the year.

After all a business that is well organised will run a lot smoother, making it easier for you to be on the right track to making your first million!

So here are six ways to sort your finances and get that spring clean well under way:

1.  Ensure personal and business finances are separated – If you are a sole proprietor, then you may not have already done this. It is important to keep your businesses finances separate from your own so you can keep proper records of incomes and spends. Opening a business credit card and a business checking account is the best way to keep finances divided to ensure all the businesses money can be recorded and tracked.

2. Talk to a tax advisor – This is crucial to ensure you make plans for a long-term strategy for your business, and to ensure you don’t get into financial trouble. Tax advisors will allow you to make sure you stay organised for your business throughout the year.

3. Think about your business entity – Are you operating as the best entity for your business and its current position? Businesses may start small, as partnerships or sole proprietorships; however they may need to operate under something more sheltering for the owner from financial risks as they grow.

4. Accurate payments – With the 2011 tax year now behind us it’s a great time to re-assess what your business has made and forecast earnings for the rest of the year. Ensuring tax payment estimates are as accurate as possible will mean avoiding having to pay underpayment penalties or losing out on money over the year by over paying.

5. It’s all about the cloud – Streamline your documents and finances by using a cloud application. Keeping these documents up to date and in sync with each other will prevent duplicates or having to change the information a number of times in different locations, which is always prone to error.

6. Spring clean weekly – By making sure the office and supplies are organised and clean, it will help you and your staff to feel energetic and ready for the day ahead. Remember a clear room, a clear mind.

Will you be spring cleaning your business and its finances anytime soon? What do you do to keep your business finances in check?

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Want to know who is spying on you via Google? You may be surprised by the results…

May 2, 2012

GoogleDo you ever Google someone after meeting them? Whether you do or don’t, it’s likely that you will be Googled by them. BrandYourself, an online reputation manager, is now helping people to find out who is searching their name.

When applying for jobs or doing business with people, it is to be expected that you will be Googled. So, it is important for those people who search for you, that they will find something they want to see and what you want them to see – meaning none of those drunken pictures from your last night out!

How does it work?

BrandYourself uses a database of the publicly-available IP addresses of organisations. This database is used to match IP addresses of those who visit profiles with the companies that own the IP addresses.

The information of where the visitors to the BrandYourself profile work and the location is then given to the user. This provides them with an idea of who is searching for them, especially useful if they have recently applied for a job in a certain location.

Similar to the way LinkedIn displays who has visited your page within its network, BrandYourself applies the idea to the whole web.

The BrandYourself profile is a place in which the user can link to its other online profiles thus creating a higher ranking in Google’s results as linking in and out are factors Google uses in page rank.

Patrick Ambron, BrandYourself co-founder says: ‘They are being Googled. It gives them an idea of who is looking them up, and it motivates them to update their profile and make sure they’re putting their best foot forward’

There are limitations to BrandYourself

Currently the IP addresses available are only for large companies as the smaller ones will not be publicly listed, nor will personal ones. This limits the amount of information that can be provided.

However, BrandYourself are using this as a way to keep users engaged with their services rather than its main selling point.

How important do you think your online profile is?

Will you be branding yourself?

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Is Amazon adding fuel to its fire with the Kindle Smartphone?

May 2, 2012

Amazon smartphoneAmazon looks to be set on world domination – well at least where hardware’s concerned. They already have their range of Kindle’s with the newest Kindle Fire being the world’s most successful Android tablet. And now Amazon is looking to grow its product ranges even further.

Initially just a retailer, Amazon has fast become a brand in itself with the development of its own hardware devices.

So, what’s next on Amazon’s agenda?

Speculation is accumulating that Amazon are going to be venturing into the smartphone market to take their own share of it. This is no surprise considering the popularity other companies have had with their tablet and smartphone devices.

Not many people carry their tablet device with them at all times – who has the room? But most of us are attached to our phones. It looks like Amazon have realised this and seen the opportunity to become more widely accessible to people and in turn people can easily access their online store.

There is a rumour that Amazon is already developing their smartphone and will release it in the fourth quarter of this year – hopefully just in time for Christmas!

What will this mean for the smartphone market?

ABI Research Analyst Aapo Markkanen has said: “Given that Amazon’s strategy is to treat devices as a content hub rather than a stand-alone product, it’s pretty likely that price points for the smartphone would be very aggressive.”

Meaning we could finally be seeing a reasonable price for a high quality smartphone. Good news for those of us looking to embrace new technology but can’t afford the other devices out there.

It remains to be seen what standout features the Amazon smartphone will have to offer.

Will you be rushing to get your hands on an Amazon Smartphone if and when it’s released?

What features would you like to see?

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Fed up of slow mobile internet services? – 4G could be on its way

April 30, 2012

how to optimise your website for mobileEverything Everywhere (EE), the merger between T-Mobile and Orange, is moving forward with its campaign to bring 4G data services to the UK. Good news, right?

As part of its 4GBritain campaign EE wants business leaders and consumers to encourage the government to do everything in its power to move forward with the roll-out of 4G.

Olaf Swantee, chief executive of EE, has said that he was surprised how far behind the UK was.

He said: “The UK had struck me as a place where mobile technology is deployed first and yet the infrastructure is behind Germany, Scandinavia and the US. I want to do something about this issue.”

4G services have already been released in 34 other countries.

So, what’s holding the UK back?

The fact that EE is leading this campaign has caused uproar among rival phone providers as it has its own 4G agenda.

Operators are fighting over how to distribute the airwaves – O2 and Vodafone are calling on the unfairness of giving a firm such as EE a head start as they battle to get as big a share as possible. Both providers have threatened to take Ofcom to court if the auction goes ahead as already planned.

“Delays have been caused by legal challenges and threats of future litigation from various companies as they seek to defend their own commercial positions. While we recognise the need for companies to protect the interests of their shareholders, our role is to promote the interests of consumers,” said an Ofcom spokesman.

Let’s not get excited just yet. With so many complications and arguments between the mobile providers still to be settled, it looks like it could be a lengthy wait before we see 4G in the UK.

Do you think faster mobile internet should be made available sooner in the UK? And how do you think getting a better connection through your phone would change your shopping habits or the way you view content online?

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