Strategic Social Networking - Archive

Zwoor Mobile App Zeros in on Trade Show Content

Zwoor, a mobile app tool for conferences and trade shows, has enhanced their event app with a photo taking feature. According to the press release, “Zwoor.com Mobile App Adds Picture Taking to the Conference and Corporate Event App – Attendees Can Now Create and Share a Candid View of Collective Knowledge Via Photos” the improvements are delighting event attendees.

The app offers the ability to categorize data and pictures based on a particular event agenda. The app also integrates with social media avenues and provides candid insight. With the ability to generate real-time analytics and content with photos, this new feature provides a way for attendees to zero in on sessions and in-conference events relevant to their particular focus.

The app isn’t just adding value to the attendees either. Event planners using Zwoor possess new methods that demonstrate value for business planning purposes.

Ken Burns, External Relations at Zwoor, explains the development as a continuous innovation cycle:

“With the monthly drumbeat of innovation, Zwoor.com continues to lead the industry on the richness of features for mobile apps. Our “free demo app for your event, with no commitment to buy” shows how confident we are in the value and quality we provide.”

Traditionally, trade shows are overwhelming with lots of content and big crowds cramming everything in over a short duration of time. It is often grueling and time consuming to achieve for attendees and event planners to achieve maximum benefits of the event. Zwoor offers the ability to reduce costs, maximize reach and increase engagement. That sounds like a win for any conference or event planner..

Sandy McIntosh, May 10, 2012

Will Angry Birds Revolutionize Social Networking in China?

In China social networking is heavily monitored and America’s premier social-networking site, Facebook, is restricted. These factors are troubling for Internet companies since China remains the world’s largest web market.

However, one Internet rage has managed to break through the great firewall of China and is taking the country by storm. According to the Washington Post in an article titled, “Angry Birds Maker Works on Winning Players in China,” Angry Birds, Rovio Entertainment Oy’s popular touchscreen mobile game that involves birds being slung at pigs, has been downloaded more than 100 million times in China. According to Henri Holm, senior vice president of Rovio Asia, this is largely because of the growth of smart devices in the country especially those using the Android and iPhone operating systems.

With Angry Birds downloads expected to surpass the 100-million mark in 2012 Rovio is naturally seeking to expand its Internet distribution with Chinese social-networking companies like Renren Inc., Tencent Holdings Ltd., and Sina Corp.

Apart from tapping into China’s 513 million Internet users Rovio sees great advertising potential since most Chinese users are playing the free version of the game on which ads can easily be placed.

“Advertising is one of the ways we can monetize,”

Holm told the Post.

Another way is through Angry Birds merchandising; so far the most profitable arena for Rovio. The company is also exploring the possibility of making a version of Angry Birds that is compatible for the 10 percent using China’s HTML5-based web browsers.

So far companies like Renren are handling the matter coyly telling the Post in an email,

“We often have discussions with companies like Rovio, as we constantly look for potential partnerships and joint products that would further enhance our user experience.”

Pete Fernbaugh, April 19, 2012

Facebook Seeks to Overcome UX Vulnerability with Instagram Acquisition

Facebook has recently announced the surprising news that they are set to acquire the popular photosharing app Instagram for a head-scratching $1 Billion dollar price tag. The Inc.com article “3 Simple Reasons Instagram Is Worth $1 Billion to Facebook” speculates about the possible advantages of the buyout. The three main benefits highlighted in the article include revamping the “clunky”, non-user-friendly interface of the current Facebook mobile app, maintaining users during the rise of mobile social networking competitors (who have simple and stylish features to boost user experience), and combating a negative “uncool” stigma that Facebook will have to shake, especially with all of the smaller, hipper competition gaining momentum.

From the article:

“User experience is a high point of vulnerability for Facebook,” says Robert Fabricant, vice president of creative for the design firm Frog, which is based in New York City. “Yes, it built such a fundamental infrastructure for sharing, but most of its attempts to create a good user experience have been, frankly, feeble.”

It is easy to join the crowd in speculating why Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg would shell out so much cash to improve the number one social networking app (and #2 overall website, after Google) instead of redeveloping his own competing photographic application. The three reasons in the Inc.com article are likely part of it, as are the “squashing the competition” theories and the obvious perk of gaining Instagram user data. Even for Facebook, $1 Billion is a bold investment, and they will have to win a lot of doubters over with an experience that will please Instagram and Facebook users alike.

Derek Clark, April 18, 2012

Will Google Beat the Competition or Back Down

Google is re-examining their plan regarding Wallet, Google’s mobile-payment app, due to staff changes and slow acceptance in the market. Wallet allows users to pay for purchases on the spot by tapping a mobile device. This story is outlined in an article, Google Reconsiders Wallet Strategy Due to Slow Adoption, on

Rick Oglesby, an analyst at Boston-based research firm Aite Group, has this to say:

“They are in a bit of a re-evaluation pattern right now. It’s going much slower than anticipated.”

Also, a comment from Nate Tyler, a spokesman for Google:

“We continue to work hard to develop Google Wallet and build the partner ecosystem to make it possible for everyone to pay with their phones and get great deals while shopping,”

Whether Google will meet the fierce competition and succeed with Wallet is yet to be determined, however, as doubtful as it may seem presently, you can be sure Google will not be backing down. The popularity of the smartphone and projected revenues for this industry will keep Google moving forward with development of this project.

Sandy McIntosh, March 28, 2012

Angry Birds the Driving Force when Shopping for a Smartphone

Rovio, the creator of Angry Birds, the popular puzzle game for touchscreen smartphones, is currently not available on Microsoft’s mobile phone Windows. This information has caused a stir on the Internet, and featured in an article, Angry Birds Shouldn’t Seal Your Smartphone Choice, on Information Week.

Richard Windsor, an analyst from Nomura, made this comment in a report:

”This is a worrying development for Windows Phone because it suggests that Rovio does not have much confidence in its future. As the standard version is already number one on the Windows Phone app store, it gives a strong indication that no one else will expect to be making money writing for this platform either.”

It is hard to believe a game would be the driving force when shopping for a smartphone, but the new Angry Bird game seems to be doing just that. However, Rovio Chief Executive Mikael Hed counters with this comment in a recent Reuters article:

“We are working closely together with Nokia to bring our games to their platforms. Our mutual goal is to bring the best possible experience to our fans, including all fans using Windows Phone devices.”

Sandy McIntosh, March 27, 2012

Using The New iPad To Boost Business

Apple’s latest version of the iPad has hit the market and sold millions. The popular iPad, with the right apps, promises to increase productivity for business in many ways. The advantages of the new iPad are presented in an article – How To Do Business On Your Brand New iPad

In a separate article, David Zumini, digital marketing specialist at CompanionLink Software, has this opinion on the iPad and how business productivity can be boosted:

“The iPad needs to get smarter. It already knows your schedule, your contacts and your location. What if it could automatically coordinate your schedule based on the time, your location and your open calendar slots? What if it could automatically send a text message to your appointments if it detects that you’re running late to a meeting? What if your iPad could provide you with important information about a new contact based on who you both know, your social profiles, and more?” 6 Things You Wish Your iPad Could Do for Business

It looks as if the iPad can be a worthwhile tool to help streamline many necessary tasks that are encountered throughout a day on the job. And, when you learn all the appropriate apps for a particular purpose, the more productive and profitable you can be.

Sandy McIntosh, March 22, 2012

The Mophie Juice Pack Saves the Day

March 21st, 2012 | Posted by admin in app | mobility | News | smartphone - (0 Comments)

At the well-known SXSW conference, Mophie Juice Pack, a phone battery pack, was the talk of the conference. While using an app such as Highlight, a people tracking device app, iPhone batteries were drained beyond use. An article, The Real SXSW “Winner” Is The Mophie Juice Pack, conveys the full story.

Also in the article, Liz Gannes from AllThingsD, had this to say:

“App developers push the possibilities of how to use our smartphones’ location awareness and reach well beyond what our mobile data plans and battery lives seem to be able to support, especially in densely populated spaces.”

Additionally, MG Siegler, a general partner at CrunchFund, a venture capital firm focusing on early stage startups, wrote:

“My single biggest takeaway from SXSW was all the talk about battery life. Every single person. All the time. People changing plans because they needed to recharge their phones. People walking around with chargers. People who were chargers. Mophies galore.”

Based on this article, battery packs like the Mophie will be a required addition to the iPhone. SXSW attendees that utilized the Mophie were much better equipped to do business, and didn’t have to waste time staying plugged in.

Sandy McIntosh, March 21, 2012

Playstation Vita for Serious Gamers Only?

March 20th, 2012 | Posted by admin in Gaming | mobility | News | smartphone - (1 Comments)

Playstation Vita, a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment is the successor to the PlayStation Portable as part of the PlayStation brand of gaming devices. A complete review of the PS Vita, with both pros and cons, is offered in an article – Review: The Playstation Vita, Sony’s Portable Powerhouse

In a separate article, Sony Announces PlayStation Vita Sales;

Andrew House, President and CEO of Sony, made the following statement:

“PS Vita was designed to deliver the ultimate portable entertainment experience, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the reaction we’re seeing from consumers and the pace at which PS Vita is selling. The market has responded and there is clear demand for a mobile device capable of providing a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within a real world context.

To sustain momentum, we’re working closely with 3rd party developers and publishers to ensure the best games and franchises possible will be available on PS Vita, and our software line up for the remainder of 2012 will have something for everyone across the globe.”

The pros associated with the PS Vita are impressive and will probably attract the serious gamers out there. However, the new Vita might not attract those that thoroughly enjoy playing games on their multi-tasking, on-the-go iPhones and Tablets that offer so many more options, as well as games.

Sandy McIntosh, March 14, 2012

Mobile Tech High Street

In the near future, mobile technology will be the biggest driving factor for success in the retail and consumer goods sector. The value of this fast growing technology is spelled out precisely in an article – Mobile Technology Will Decide Who Wins Battle on the High Street -

Tim Clifford, Partner Consumer Markets at KPMG has these comments:

“Mobile technology will help decide who wins in the retail space. Retailers must embrace mobile technology as an urgent priority or otherwise risk falling behind.

“Mobile technology is dramatically altering the retail experience and changing the relationship between retailers and customers. Success in both developed and emerging markets will depend on the swift adoption of mobile as a device for communicating with customers and for facilitating transactions.

“Consumer goods and retail companies that are slow to embrace mobile will find themselves struggling to keep up at a time when competition for market share is becoming increasingly fierce.”

Mobile technology opens up so many choices for the consumer. And, with today’s rigid competition, keeping up with such an important element that will drive the market is crucial to profitability.

Sandy McIntosh, February 28, 2012