The 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing Blog

Introducing Google Wallet September 21, 2011 – 12:44 pm				Mark

On September 20, Google released a new mobile app for the Sprint Nexus S 4G, the Google Wallet. The new Google app allows you to pay for goods with your mobile. How you may ask? The App virtually stores your plastic card information and releases it when you tap your mobile on the purchasing device. 

For those of you with a CitiBank Mastercard, you are able to directly place your card information into the Google App. For those who arent, youll have to purchase Google Credit points, which you can then spend. As an added incentive our friends at Google have seduced us with ‘recieve the first $10 dollars free’.

Before leaping into this great new invetion, ones finds himself asking, how safe is the mobile wallet? Well the Google Wallet has two layers of security.  The first, is a simple two layer PIN code.  Layer one is the pin code for entering your Anriod phone and layer two is a different access pin for the Google Wallet App. This security system prevents the ordinary theif from picking up your phone and using it to purchase goods. Security layer two is desingned to stop internet thiefs from hacking into your account. Your Google Android phone has a secure element chip in it. That is, another mini computer which stores your cards information. This information is encrypted and can only be accessed through MasterCards contactless reader. Google reassures us that the secure element chip has different layers and levels of security, which cannot be hacked. However, if your phone is stolen, you simply call up your bank and cancel your card like you would if your wallet was stolen. I guess somethings never change…

The verdict is out, and Google awaits to see if the public trusts Google Wallets security – and if so, will the everyday man adapt his life to include the Google Wallet?

I for one, think Google Wallet may not be a instant worldwide success but just wait six months to a year. The mobile phone world is drastically changing and with it so are our lives!

Posted by Mark
Posted in blog, Mobile Applications | No Comments »
Tags: android, citibank, google, google wallet, mastercard, mobile, nfc chip

Microsoft’s New Operating System Windows-8 Developer Preview in both x86 and x64 September 15, 2011 – 2:54 pm				Mohsin Sharief

Microsoft starts to promote its next Windows operating system at the Developer-focused, ‘BUILD’ conference in Los Angeles, CA. The Company is guiding and encouraging software developers to create new applications for the next generation operating system.

Steven Sinofsky, President of Windows says that a device with an old Atom processor and 1GB RAM would be enough to run Windows-8, even Windows-7 can run well on that configuration. Windows-8 has improved on system performance and speed on more powerful devices – tablet computers, Mobile Devices, desktop and laptop PC’s. The operating system which is due to released in 2012, works with ARM low power processors. The company will soon reveal details on the chips that will be integrated into desktop and laptop machines.

Microsoft Corp. is also planning to launch its own marketplace; “Windows Store” for Tablet PC’s as well mobile devices. It is being introduced with number of Metro-style apps. The company is ahead of its growing competition in the mobile device and Tablet sectors.

Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky showcased some of the new changes at BUILD. Internet Explorer’s new version-10 will be able to switch between the standard desktop view and Metro style UI. The design language applications of Windows-7 are now easily compatible to run through Windows-8 devices. Sky-Drive storage supports integrated cloud based applications like Mail, Calendar and apps with the user’s Windows Live ID, which will have the new Metro UI process.

Windows has been controlling its growth due to market competition. The global market for Desktop Systems and laptops are slower than in the past, whereas for tablets – they are expected to reach over 70 million at the end of this year and grow up to 300 million in 2015.

For more discussions and conversations about Windows-8, please head over to the forums: http://win8.ms/forums

Posted by Mohsin Sharief
Posted in Business News, Digital Media, In The News, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing, News | No Comments »
Tags: Build 2011, build2011, developer conference, IE10, Microsoft Windows 8, operating system, OS, Steven Sinofsky, Win 8, Windows 8 Developer Preview

New Version of iPhone Expected in Quarter 3 July 6, 2011 – 12:16 pm				Mohsin Sharief

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has placed orders for key components to be used in next-generation’s iPhone to prepare for a third quarter launch.

The newer version of iPhone is expected to be thinner and lighter than the iPhone 4 and said to have an 8-mega pixel camer. The iPhone will operate with Qualcomm Inc.’s wireless baseband chips, a person familiar with the matter tells the Wall Street Journal.

A source at one of Apple’s suppliers says the company is looking to meet its goal of 25M units by the end of this year-2011. Apple said it sold 18.65 million iPhones in the fiscal second quarter, which ended March 26. Last month after returning from a trip to Taiwan, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty said Apple will commence production on the next version of the iPhone this August.

Shipments of the new iPhone could be delayed if Hon Hai can’t improve its yield rate as the new iPhone is “complicated and difficult to assemble, the WSJ says.

Posted by Mohsin Sharief
Posted in Digital Media, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing, News, Social Media Marketing, Video Sharing | No Comments »
Tags: apple

Virtual Farm Reaps Profit July 4, 2011 – 2:45 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Zynga’s IPO bid last week for a reported $20 billion is not too surprising.  The virtual social gaming application, according to the WSJ, generates a profit margin of more than 30% of prnot including stock compensation expenses.  Unlike most games tied to social media networks, Zynga does little interactive marketing. Their pure product engages users to pay for tokens which are redeemed with one click.  Another interesting point in the Journal article discusses the success of Zynga in the future.

Zynga‘s elevation was tied to their partnership through Facebook, whose wealth of personal data made it a simple driver for revenue growth.  Executives at Zynga now seem to want their application to leave the nest, so to speak.  They have yet to be a factor in Apple’s massive App Store, where users can sync digital content across platforms. Web analytics rank them outside of the top ten in downloads.  Android represents another option should Zynga develop a program using its standards.  Check that. Zynga has struck a partnership with AT&T to carry the mobile application.

In due time, it appears that Zynga will reap more of a digital harvest when the bid is accepted.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Mobile Applications | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency nyc, new york interactive marketing agency, social media news, web marketing new york

GET IT Mobile Shares And Spreads Content June 28, 2011 – 2:18 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Mobile marketing has been conducted in a haphazard fashion through digital connectors. I have spoken several times about the slow pace of platform scale development. This has annoyed content executives who want to diversify their ad packages for consumers.

Quite possibly, this San Jose tech firm will put them at ease.  GET IT Mobile offers a mobile marketing platform for leading brands to connect with their audiences who are deluged with content from all angles.  How will they do it? These are some features of product differentiation:

• Web analytics – A partner site with measurement tools on par with other leading dashboards, customizable for your small business. Campaigns can be set up  at your discretion
• Landing Page Flexibility – Brands can customize their pages according to hardware platform due to the inclusion of product landing pages.
• Brand Experience – I like the shortened GET.IT URL. Links are becoming another domain where companies can stretch position and generate visibility.

The press release from EON offers more tidbits on the value of this new platform for businesses. After you review those, then GET IT over here.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Content Marketing, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency, get it mobile, mobile marketing company, mobile marketing news

Exceptional Mobile Marketing Campaigns June 24, 2011 – 12:53 pm				Rohini

Smartphones and apps are changing the way people access information, communicate and even shop. Mobile marketing is the future of marketing with the shift from PC to mobile happening at an alarming rate. Companies are employing innovative ways to hold their audience’s interest via text messaging, apps and unique mobile ads. Mobile marketing requires content to be engaging and interesting enough to hold a customer’s span of attention while he/she rides the train, waits in a queue at the airport or spend time browsing on their phone. Below mentioned are a few examples of brilliantly designed mobile ad campaigns.

1. Starplayer from Heineken

Around the time of the Champions League, Heineken developed a mobile game called Starplayer that was based on the real-time game on TV. The game could be unlocked about 10 minutes before the actual start of the UEFA game, and it interacted with users via questions that were predictive about the real game such as – corner kicks and the possibility of a goal going in. The game encouraged players to utilize their football instincts and mental skills, and earn points and badges. Starplayer could also be played online through Heineken’s facebook page.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XP5yySEZub8#at=58

2. Cornetto’s Mobile Game via Projection Mapping

Cornetto came up with an innovative street campaign using projection mapping technology in Turkey to build more brand awareness. They developed a game that could be played by 5 users at a time in a busy central square area in Istanbul. Any passerby could use his mobile to call and enter the game, and get assigned a character. If they were successful in the game, they could redeem a coupon for a free ice-cream. This game pulled in a lot of crowd as it only required the use of the keypad and hence could also be played by those who didn’t own smart phones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eXI8doq1k5Y#at=161

3. Danoo’s Digital Advertising via Bluetooth

Danoo offered digital advertising solutions across high football areas, via Bluetooth to encourage users to download content that were of interest of them from what was displayed on digital screens.  The content was available for download free of charge. Danoo’s results from this campaign were impressive, as they discovered that 10% of the people already had their Bluetooth on and about 28% chose to download information. These results were very encouraging to other advertisers.

4. Lynx – Complete the Missing Parts!

Axe, commonly known as Lynx in Uruguay ran a fun cheeky campaign using mobile marketing to engage their male audience in particular. They ran print ads with missing parts in the pictures, and encouraged users to text to a number to get the missing parts. This campaign was very effective as it got users to directly interact with the brand just to see more of the ad.

Posted by Rohini
Posted in blog, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: internet marketing agency, mobile application, mobile apps, Mobile Marketing, new marketing ideas, starplayer heineken, web agency

Saturday Blueliner Newsminer June 18, 2011 – 12:13 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Hello everyone. I had a couple work items yesterday afternoon which prevented me from posting the weekly digital media wrapup. Thus, I present to you a special Saturday edition. Let us begin with the who, what, when, why, and how.   

1.  The Webby Awards

I didn’t have a chance to watch them, but I heard this year was one of the better editions.  It took place here in New York at the Hammerstein Ballroom. They also continued the tradition of acceptance speeches with five words.  Here is a good synopsis of the event. The headline link is a portal to complete video coverage presented by YouTube.

2.  RIM Not Producing Spring Blackberries

Investors came down on the Canadian firm this week after sluggish data on earnings for the last quarter.  They also worry about RIM’s ability to maintain standing in the mobile marketplace.  Android phones and the new iPhone are scheduled to launch in September with upgraded OS servers while RIM plans to continue pushing older devices which have struggled to gain sales traction.  RIM executives feel that their products will produce juice for developers. The cup dryeth for others.

3.  Apple Trying To Shut Down Venue Recording

Many of you know that in the blogosphere, the video of a live concert experience is the new cassette recording. It can be shared in real-time as opposed to being found through tertiary sources like a music vendor or shop.  Apple is looking to earn a patent to stop all that.  According to the headline from Mashable, the motivation lies in avoiding copyright infringement with major content distributors.  The article makes an interesting suggestion that Apple could charge users a fee for recording in a public concert space.  If scaled, it could change the video sharing experience for everyone involved.

4.  The History of Email

This morning, Mashable had an infographic depicting the history of email as a communication tool.  You can view it above in the piece. According to the release, email networks existed in the public sector for a decade before the term was coded.  Some people today wonder about the future of email with the continued development of video content and social media outreach.  Quality marketers believe that email remains an effective measurement of customer preferences and tastes.  It also offers the widest platform to debate and discuss objectives of the day. Viva email!

5.  Senate Reviews Digital Privacy Mandate

From cnet.com, the Senate is looking to revise a 1986 law for modern times to protect the personal data of the public. This law, named the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, has a clause where Internet users have more protection when data is stored locally.  The article also touches on law enforcement obtaining a search warrant before obtaining data records for a criminal investigation.  Other Acts are being debated in Congress now between Republicans who refuse to budge an ounce, forcing Democrats to seriously weaken mandates before submission. Corporations, as we know, need to step up their security encryption policies before the government does it. And fast. I’m talking to you, Sony.

That’s the Blue news on this Saturday at midpoint. Enjoy.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Email Marketing, Interactive Marketing, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing, Video Sharing | No Comments »
Tags: Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency nyc, digital news wrapup, email infographic, weekly blueliner newsminer

Carrier-Unlocked GSM iPhone 4 available in US online store June 14, 2011 – 12:36 pm				Mohsin Sharief

This is big news for the United States, where unlocked phones aren’t always readily available in stores for purchase and we get locked into a carrier.

Apple updated their US online store on Tuesday offering carrier unlocked models of the GSM iphone 4 – starting from $649.

Both white and black versions are available, with the 16GB and 32GB models priced at $649 and $749.

The black models are shipping in 1-3 business days while a white model will take 3-5 days. US customers can choose from AT&T and T-Mobile Networks, though data speeds will be slower on EDGE Protocol and Verizon’s CDMA Model is not available at this time.

When travelling abroad, US iPhone users who don’t want to be locked with AT&T contract, freedom from contracts and free with international roaming charges get a Prepaid SIM card from local corner store.

Posted by Mohsin Sharief
Posted in blog, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: apple, AT&T, GSM, iphone, iphone 4, Micro-Sim, unlocked

Fiscally Hip To Be Square June 13, 2011 – 5:52 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

Small businesses, as we know, need to be resourceful. They must be aware of nascent technologies before established merchants. Inherently, the partnership can provide reflexive benefits. A small business can maximize production for a minimum investment while building brand equity.  

Legion members of the mobile payment, we introduce you to Square.  Square is a free credit card service that includes many beneficial services. Signees receive a pocket-sized reader that attaches to your audio jack. The mobile application is available for use with both smartphones and tablets.  Transactions fees are static at 2.75% with no contracts or monthly fees.  This application also has the versatility of an open source platform, allowing the mechant to engage with customers coupled with altering online advertising campaigns based on financial reporting.

It will be interesting to see if Square engages with the geolocal movement spearheaded by social media ventures like Foursquare and Gowalla.  Local businesses could extract significant earnings lost to nominal ATM kiosks when cash is the only accepted form of payment.  Live artists who spend a premium on devices for recording can use Square on the road without compromising storage space.  Huey Lewis knew it all along.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Mobile Applications, Mobile Marketing | No Comments »
Tags: digital marketing agency, mobile payments news, square, square news

Apple’s iCloud Slowly Dissipates June 3, 2011 – 3:01 pm				Abdul Fattah Ismail

This will be the second story about cloud services for the week. This is the reality of today, where storage space has been consumed on the hardware front and space is above our heads. Mobile applications for the cloud are here to stay. They provide an invaluable resource for marketers who rely on data mining services. The technology sector is acting accordingly by ramping up a marketplace to place entertainment content.  

Other companies like Dropbox and Box.net long have been centers of data storage. But those companies mostly hold business documentation and carry less cache with the nominal consumer. Some of you heard that to counter Amazon and Google’s foray into mobile cloud applications, Apple plans to release its own version next week at the Apple World Wide Developers Conference. The iCloud could represent another gold standard for consumer products.

According to this report, Apple’s new iCloud service will retail at $25 per annual subscription.  They have secured music licensing deals with the four major record labels: Sony, Warner, Universal, and EMI, for a large fee.   PC Magazine states that Apple will receive 30% of revenue earned from sales. Music publishers are also solidifying deals as I type across the keyboard.  I have some curiosity on certain topics. Apple will probably answer some of these next week at the conference.

1. Will Mobile Me subscribers be able to upload all of their content from said service, including iCal, Address Book, etc?

2. Will customers who utilize Windows for their mobile devices be able to sync with the Mac OS X Lion?

PC World has these questions.  The public will get the answers when the cloud parts.

Posted by Abdul Fattah Ismail
Posted in 7 Pillars of Digital Marketing, blog, Business News, Interactive Marketing, Mobile Applications | No Comments »
Tags: apple news, Blueliner Marketing, digital marketing agency nyc, mobile applications news, new york interactive marketing agency, online advertising agency