According to Nielsen, a market research company, 45% of tablet owners watch TV and use their tablet together at least once a day, and 69% say they do it at least several times a week! Only 12% of tablet owners said they never use their tablet while watching TV.
Nielsen found that women are more likely to look up information related to an ad they see on TV, whereas men are more likely to look up general information related to a TV program they are watching. Men were also found to be far more likely to check sport scores on their tablets than women (44% vs 24%). Younger tablet users are more likely to use their tablet in front of the TV than older users; with the only activity older users tending to use their tablets for more is checking email.
Overall, checking email is the most popular activity for tablet owners while watching TV (61%), followed by visiting social networking sites (47%) and looking up information about TV programs.Checking sport scores isn't far behind at 34%.
Nielsen's report also found that females spend 61.2% of their tablet using/TV watching time during prime time while watching Dramas. (See below for more statistics).
Source:
http://techcrunch.com/2012/04/27/report-69-of-tablet-owners-watch-tv-and-surf-the-web-simultaneously/
Many companies use emotional advertising to tug at the heart-strings of consumers as a method of building rapport and being relatable. That is exactly what Google is doing with its new TV commercial (see link below). In my opinion, this advertisement is perfect! In this ad, a guy Mark is trying hard to get his ex Jen to go out to coffee with him by using a collage of Google Docs spreadsheets, photos and videos to give Jen reasons why she should agree to meet up with him. Google has also released similar ads for Chrome, Google+ and its other products over the last year or so. Although these ads don't focus on technology so much, they focus on what technology can do for users and are very relatable. If I were Jen, I would say 'YES!' to Mark's offer!
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pTjHCCU2E4c
Apple is always looking for new ways to innovate and make their products even better; including its plans for the next iPhone. Instead of using a number of separate layers for the phone, Apple is considering "in-cell" touch display technology. Not only would in-cell display make the phone thinner and lighter (which would be nice considering it is speculated that the new iPhone will have a larger 4 to 4.3 inch display), but it would also allow for streamlining in the manufacturing process which would drive efficiencies and reduce cost.
The current "on-cell" display is layered like a sandwich, with the bottom layer containing the back light, then a layer containing the LCD section (with the red, green, and blue-colored pixels of the display), then a top layer of glass, followed by the touch layer then finally topped off with a layer of tough glass. In-cell display technology eliminates the middle layer of glass, combining the LCD and touch sections into a single layer.This can be accomplished by using the same electrodes to handle the signals for both touch control and pixels of the LCD. We'll have to wait and see if Apple is able to have this technology perfected before the next iPhone launch...something tells me they will!
Source:
As mentioned in the previous post, 'Draw Something' is an awesomely successful app! However, when Zynga purchased the app from OMGPop a few weeks ago, the two companies agreed that the acquisition would bring new features to the game. As promised, the app has been updated to add commenting, the ability to save drawings to your photo library, and the ability to share drawings on Facebook and Twitter directly through the app. The app was also updated to include easy undo for correcting mistakes, a pull down to refresh for updating your gaming queue quickly, and an increase in the cap of drawings from 99 to 999. Zynga is considering adding photo sharing, saving and chat abilities in the future.
My concern with these updates is based on the theory of "if it's not broke, don't fix it." 'Draw Something' was hugely successful based on its original version and I hope adding too many new updates doesn't distract users from the app, or cause a loss of interest. I know every time Facebook undergoes an update there are many unhappy users as a result; I hope for the sake of 'Draw Something' that this isn't the same case.
Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/19/tech/mobile/draw-something-app-updated/index.html?iref=allsearch
Every day new apps are launched and some are huge successes (like 'Angry Birds' and 'Words with Friends') and others are complete failures. One of these blockbuster apps is 'Draw Something,' which is a digital variation on Pictionary with a Hangman aspect to it. The app, created and released by gaming developer OMGPop, has attracted more than 35 million users in two months since its release and spent weeks as the number 1 free app on the iPad and iPhone. The draw to 'Draw Something' is that people like to doodle; it's fun, easy, and takes minimal thinking. Also, this app is targeted to everyone and not too competitive.
How it Works:
Users can scan their social-network contacts for someone to play with or opt for a random playmate. The app then gives the user three choices of things to draw; ranging in difficulty. Once the user has selected an option, the user draws it with his/her finger on the touchscreen, using the basic colors provided in the app. Your friend has to guess what you've drawn, then he/she draws a picture for you in return. If pictures are guessed correctly, players win virtual coins which can be cashed in for features or hints within the game.
I am not a technology-buff and do not even own a smartphone, however, I would 100% recommend this app to others! I noticed my roommate playing this app a few weeks ago and asked about it. She let me try it out and instantly I was hooked! I give this app 5 stars; so easy to use and fun!
Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/13/tech/gaming-gadgets/draw-something-app-appeal/index.html
It seems like everyone uses the internet today; whether it's to check Facebook, go on Twitter, email friends and family, or to check the news and weather. I was shocked when I came across an article that stated that 1 in 5 adults actually doesn't use the internet...that's 20%! Although the internet has become way more accessible in recent years, and is a staple tool in most people's daily lives, the article stated that the primary reason 1 in 5 adults don't use the internet is simply because they're just not interested.
Among current non-internet users, almost half (48%) feel that the internet is irrelevant to them; that they don't want to use the internet and don't need to use it to get the information they want or as a means of communication. The next-most common reason for lack of internet use was due to not having a computer or that using the internet is too expensive, difficult or a waste of time. Only 20% of non-users say they know enough about technology to start using the internet if they wanted to, and only 10% said they have an interest in using the internet or e-mail in the future.
Not surprising, though, are the demographics that make up these non-users. Mostly they're older; 59% of US seniors don't go online. Also, 60% of US adults who never completed high school don't use the internet. Additionally, 40% of people with an annual household income lower than $30,000 don't use the internet. People with disabilities are also less likely to use the internet; one-fourth of US adults live with a disability that interferes with activities of daily life and only 54% of these adults are internet users.
Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/13/tech/web/pew-not-using-internet/index.html
There truly is an app for everything; including children's books! FarFaria, a new subscription-based children's storybook app for the iPad, offers a collection of nearly 100 stories with more being added all the time. The stories are both independently sourced and illustrated as well as sourced from the public domain, like Peter Rabbit. The app is free to download, but requires a $3.99 per month subscription to access the content; with a free one-month trial. This is a great alternative to buying individual books in the iTunes App store or other kids' books apps that rely on in-app purchases. FarFaria does not bog up the app with pop-up ads, prompts to purchases, or anything else that would get in the way of a child viewing a story. The app was soft-launched in February and a public launch is expected next week.
The platform of FarFaria is based on a map of make-believe lands where stories are grouped by genre.The lands are aptly named: "Picture Point Island," "Fairytale Forest," "Fable Hills," "Loony Lagoon," "Classics Grove," "GoodLand" and "Bedtime Bluffs," for example. The stories are appropriate for a broad range of ages; from toddlers to about eight years old.
Source:
http://techcrunch.com/2012/04/12/farfaria-brings-a-hulu-for-kids-stories-to-the-ipad/
A new app has been released for iPhone and Android called PayDragon which offers an easy way to order food via a smartphone. The app particularly targets those who are busy yet are hungry and in need of a meal quickly. Each participating restaurant has only four to six items on its PayDragon menu; the stripped-down menus and lack of customization make the process streamlined and allow restaurants to service more customers more quickly. The app works by users tapping on the item they wish to order, hitting 'pay,' and then the order is complete. From here the user waits for an alert saying that their order is ready for pickup. This app may not be best suited for picky eaters, but most restaurants are trying to include at least one vegetarian option on their limited menus. There is a 'Discover' tab that allows users to see nearby participating restaurants.The app has launched in Los Angeles area restaurants and food trucks.
Source:
http://techcrunch.com/2012/04/12/paydragon-launch/
The Yellow Pages are yet another casualty of the digital age, with AT&T announcing its plans to sell its Yellow Pages business to Cerberus Capital Management. The business has been struggling for years since up-to-date listings became just a click away and easily accessible on the internet. Although the Yellow Pages directories go out to about 150 million homes and businesses in 22 states, they are more likely viewed as junk mail and being thrown away than as a valuable aid. AT&T attempted to stay on top of the digital age by launching YP.com but had limited success, taking a $2.9 billion write-down in 2011. Cerberus plans to put a fresh and modern spin on the business with AT&T maintaining a significant stake in the new venture.
I believe it was just a matter of time before the hard-copy Yellow Pages became extinct; after all, even novels and textbooks are being converted into digital copies viewable on tablets and e-readers. Why would any household want to maintain the burden of enormous, cumbersome phonebooks when there are more convenient alternatives to obtain phone numbers and addresses?
Source:
http://money.cnn.com/2012/04/09/technology/ATT-sells-yellow-pages/index.htm
Experian Marketing Services, a digital marketing firm, released a report stating Pinterest as the third most-visited social-networking site in the U.S.; behind Facebook and Twitter. Pinterest lets users "pin" photos and info from the Internet onto virtual boards along with comments. Last month Facebook had more than 7 billion total visitors; Twitter had 182 million; and Pinterest had 104 million U.S. visits (not including mobile traffic); putting it ahead of LinkedIn, Google+, MySpace and Tumblr.
Pinterest launched in March 2010, but has grown rapidly only in the past six months; traffic jumped 50% between January and February. Pinterest skews female with about 60% of users being women, and to the middle of the country; being most popular in Missouri, Utah, Alabama, Oklahoma and Kansas. An iPad app is expected soon.
Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/06/tech/social-media/pinterest-third-social-network/index.html
Many people age 21 and over can relate to the stress and hassle associated with being too drunk to drive home after a night out at a bar, and having to figure out a way to pick up their car the next morning. Well, thanks to a new service called StearClear, the agony of retrieving your car could be eliminated. StearClear has been up and running for only a month in parts of New Jersey and is a way to get you and your car home safely. Although several communities have some sort of designated-driver program, this is the first franchise of its kind. StearClear works off three mobile applications: an iOS/Android app for end users (the drunk people), one for the drive teams, and a third for franchise owners which lets them view a map of their drivers' cars in action along with customer requests. The drive teams consist of two people: one who drives the customer's car and the other who follows in their own car, carrying the customer.
Drivers are assigned shifts but can make themselves available at any other time as well. When customer requests come in, drivers "bid" for the pickup via their own app by saying when they can get there; obviously customers typically choose the driver closest to their location. The cost per customer is $20/per pickup plus $2.50/mile with a special rate for premium members. This pricing is around the same as local cab rides, depending on your area, but is much cheaper than a black car service.
Franchise owners pay $30,000 to buy a block of 70,000 people (around 6 to 12 zip codes) and keep 80% of the revenue. StearClear is currently undergoing its first public test, which will last for about 3 months.
Source:
http://techcrunch.com/2012/04/06/too-drunk-to-drive-but-still-wanna-get-your-car-home-theres-an-app-for-that/
According to CNBC's All-American Economic Survey, 51% of US households own at least one Apple product. That means that just over half of all US households are Apple owners! This seems like a paradox considering that just over a decade ago Apple was almost bankrupt with a market share of about 2% worldwide. Then with the advent of the iPod and iPhone and then the iPad Apple was able to gobble up market share and even create new markets! Apple truly is an AMAZING company!
The survey revealed that of the households that own Apple products, they own an average of 3, making the overall ownership rate of the American public 1.6 Apple products per household. The survey showed that Apple buyers tend to skew male, young, with higher education and incomes (77% of households making $75k+ have an Apple product). Households with children also increase the likelihood of owning an Apple product; 61% compared to 48% with no children. The survey further showed that both Republicans and Democrats are equally likely to own Apple products.
CNBC's survey polled 836 Americans via both land-line phones and cellphones over 3 days in March.
Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/29/tech/gaming-gadgets/household-apple-products/index.html
