This is interesting; it’s ben few months when Twitter “warned” social media app development companies to stay away from developing any new Twitter client app. Now, probably after realizing the real regime of developer’s community, Twitter has decided to support API developers by launching an interactive way of knowledge sharing YouTube channel.
The new API developers channel will contain set of events, seminars and learning session videos which will help Twitter API developers to have better understanding on Twitter development platform and develop more sophisticated bolt-on applications.
The Kick-off has happened with the videos from Devnest event, which talks about Guardians, Klout and Quora.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzMhjkr4W_w
Ina n email to the Twitter Development Talk mailing list, Developer Relations Manager Jason Costa promised more content on YouTube channel soon. Such videos will showcase Interviews with
engineers on how and why they built something? An overview of how to consume the Streaming API? An OAuth debugging tutorial?
Twitter hired Jason Costa last April after the company went through steep criticism from global developers’ community over Twitter client app development episode. This resulted in focus-shift of many prominent developers and development companies from Twitter platform.
Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 is, apparently, gaining traction among mobile users as the monthly ad impressions from Windows base mobile handsets have increased by 92% month-on-month. However, the overall mobile ad impression market share of Windows OS is mere 1%. Interestingly, Google Android has secured top position with 53%, beating its closest competitor Apple iOS which has managed to secure 27% of mobile ad impression market.
A latest mobilemix report from millennial media, a leading independent mobile advertising and data company, claims that has managed to narrow the gap with Apple’s iOS in mobile ad revenue market. Google Android has improved its revenue market share from 36% in April to 43% in May. While the Apple iOS which has secured its lead position with 45%, lost 2% of its market share compare to 47% in April.
Despite of iPhone 4 debut in many new countries like India, Apple has laid down to 27% of ad impression market losing 4% market share. However, Apple still remains top manufacturer (all devices) beating Samsung and RIM by ad impressions. Around 30% of ads impressions got generated through Apple’s devices including iPhone, iPad and iPod. Samsung and RIM stand at number two and thee position with 13.59% and 13.30% of ad impression market through all devices.
For Mobile advertisers, iPhone users must be the most popular ones as 16.53% of ad impressions have been generated through Apple’s iPhone. RIM’s BlackBerry Curve and Motorola Droid users are the rest who gave the maximum contribution to mobile advertisers.
The overall mobile ad market is primarily driven by smartphones. While 67% of overall mobile ad market has been driven by Smartphones, a significant contribution has been done by connected devices. 17% of mobile ad market has been riven by connected devices, like iPad, iPod, Nintendo, Sony PSP etc., which can access web but can’t be counted under mobile phones.
Amazingly, report has revealed that people are more comfortable and fascinated towards mobile ads through Touch devices. 60% ads have been generated through Touch screen devices, followed by Touch & QWERTY devices which have got 16% of mobile market share.
As the technology is heading towards the advancement companies are transforming their services to the next level and allowing users to perform task easier either by “instant” results or by “voice”. Following the same technological aspect, today Google has added various features to desktop search engine at an event called “Inside Search” at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, which allow users to perform the search either through their voice or by images.
Now you don’t need to juggle your fingers on keyboard while you need to perform any search activity on Google from your desktop. All you need to do is click on a mike icon placed at right hand side of the search box and say whatever you want to search. Google will instantly recognize your search criteria through your words and produce the best related search results.
Similarly, for images, Google has gone a step ahead and added the feature in image search which self-recognize the picture and perform search related to that image. Like voice search, users will notice an image icon on right hand side of search box. Whenever users want to perform the related image search, the will have t click the same icon to upload an image. Once uploaded, Google will recognize the related content or places of that image and will produce the images related to uploaded image.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99BfDnBZcI
Finally, Google Fellow Amit Singhal, who leads Google’s search algorithm and ranking team, announced a new version of Google Instant, called Instant Pages.
With this feature enabled, the top results come pre-loaded, allowing for near-instant page display and shaving vital seconds off the average search. “Speed is still the killer app,” said Singhal. Instant Pages will be rolling out in the Chrome browser only, over the next few weeks.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jn93FDx9oI
All above features are currently supporting Chrome browser and users will have to download an extension to use any of these services. Google has decided to roll out above features in phases and it will take few months for all users to get new features.
As expected, Apple has officially welcomed US mobile users who are willing to pay the cost of iPhone 4 outright without having any subsidy or network carrier restriction. From Today, unlocked Apple iPhone4 will be available in U.S. starting $649 onwards. Till now iPhone4 is available in US only through network carriers like AT&T or Verizon.
Unlocked version of Apple iPhone4 will be available for U.S. customers in 16GB and 32 GB variants. The 16GB model would cost $649 and 32GB at $749. Also, iPhone4 unlocked handsets will be available in White and Black both colors from the beginning.
Such move from Apple is being considered as an initiative to strengthen US market share only at the cost of Android which is available with range of handsets through many various handset manufacturers like Sony, Samsung or upcoming Nokia (with Windows Phone 7 platform). Users on Android don’t have to stay committed towards any carrier and this provides an extra edge to Google Android across the globe.
Apple’s primary sales channel in U.S. is network carriers which offer iPhone at subsidize price and with latest move company is trying to tap the relatively smaller but important market which inherits the habit of frequent jump among networks. Mostly students and untraditional service class people come under this category.
One other fact which has made Apple to release unlocked versions of iPhone4 is company’s fifth generation iPhone5 which is expected to launch in next few months – sometime at the beginning of summer this year. Company is trying to sell unlocked version of iPhone4 now and later iPhone5 at subsidize price with a firm commitment towards any network carrier. In current mobile era when people are fascinated of holding two mobile handsets at a time, idea doesn’t seem to be a bad one by all the ways.
Trust, it didn’t surprise me much as it was inevitable and Facebook is also heading towards the wall in respect to hold their financials close to heart. But what has really stunned me is whopping $100 billion IPO value! Facebook is aiming S -1 filing by end of this year which will lead to an IPO by early next year, says CNBC.
Though, considering current financial scenario of Facebook in private market this is apparently not be a challenge Facebook need to be worry about. Last week, Facebook valuation stood close to $85 billion in private market and by the time company will hit the floor for IPO, $100+ billion target could easily be revised on higher side – if the growth of Facebook will remain constant for next two quarters.
There are close to 685 million users associated with Facebook roughly and its expected that company will achieve 1 billion user mark by end of 2011. However, based upon last week’s analysis on Facebook penetration in U.S., which claims the downfall, the party time may get postponed for a quarter or two.
It was July 2010 when news about possible Facebook IPO initiative surfaced first time ever. Later, in order to buy gain more confidence towards revenue and improve user base, Mark Zuckerbeg postponed the IPO for 2012.
This time Mark will not be having any further bandwidth to further postponed or do any changes due to the act known as “the 500 rule”. As per the Security and Exchange rule 500, any company which hits the 500 investors mark, will have to open its financial every quarter to Security and Exchange Commission, just as public companies do. And it’s again expected that Facebook will hit 500 investors figure by end of this year.
At the time when market is powering with the fresh rounds of investments, people are again turning back to share market and a recent IPO of LinkedIn has already witnessed the marvelous success, it makes all sense for Facebook to go for IPO with maximum paybacks.
At this time, I am recalling the statement from Hollifield who works with a venture capital firm “There’s definitely the market demand and appetite for a very successful IPO and Facebook’s IPO is going to be a huge watershed for the whole Valley.”
It seems that Nokia is losing mobile battle from all the corners and companies who were trailing with big margin once will end up its 14 years long regime. It will be none other than Korean electronics giant Samsung which will replace Nokia from its supreme position in smart phone industry. Interestingly, Apple will follow Samsung soon only to pull down Nokia at number three position.
As per Nomura – a leading financial institution –Samsung will take over the smartphone crown from Nokia this quarter ending its 14 years long dominance.
Nokia mainly lost the battle due to fact that neither company tapped the Smartphone market at right time and focused on developing any self-owned compatible platform like “Bada” nor it adopted other dominant platforms like Android. Unfortunately, Nokia tried to control whole mobile market single-handed and failed to understand the market transition and consumer demands.
It’s not the company as which is responsible for Nokia’s crumbling situation today; it’s all their software wings which has forced Nokia to face loosening ground. Even if Samsung leads over, It’s Nokia’s failure against Google Android and Apple iOS.
Overall Nokia still makes more mobile phones than any other company due to its strong position in basic mobile handsets and wide network in emerging countries. However, company has started facing challenge in this market from small and local mobile manufacturers like Xerin, Maxx, Five and many more.
Lately company has decided to switch over to Windows platform from Microsoft for smartphone arm. This move has resulted in a mix response from inside and outside the company. Till now company is only expecting to capitalize on future success of Microsoft-Nokia marriage but dents and immediate losses have started emerging in the form of company’s Top executive departure. How far company will succeed in it is a debatable issue but only relief comes as a part of a recent study which claims that Windows phone will lead the smartphone OS market but to Samsung by 2015.
Perhaps, this may relax Stephen Elop – CEO of Nokia – till an extent that is facing constant heat from all corners on Nokia’s market share decline; The Windows operating system for smartphones is expected to leapfrog the iOS system, mobile OS used in Apple’s iPhone, by securing significant share of mobile market in next few years. However, Google Android will float at supreme position despite of such major shifts in the field.
These predictions are based on a Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker report by International Data Corporation (IDC).
The report stamps Android as the leading mobile OS with 43.8% market share by 2015, followed by Microsoft’s Windows Phone at 20.3%. Apple’s iOS platform – used in iPhones –will lag behind at 16.9% market share by same duration. Undoubtedly, this would be a significant improvement for Windows Phone which is expected to secure mere 3.8% mobile market by end of this year, as per IDC.
By end of 2011, Android is projected to settle down with 38.9% of market share, IDC says, followed by Nokia’s Symbian at 20.6% and then iOS at 18.2%. Though, Symbian has been declared dead by Nokia and won’t stay in any competition in next few years, its constant declining market share is largely based upon Nokia’s traditional dominant in global market, particularly those which are still hooked up with traditional mobile phones. Keeping all such figures and scenarios in mind, Nokia has decided to support Symbian devices until 2016.
Last year, the marriage of Nokia –Microsoft went ahead despite of immense pressure and reservation against such move from stake holders and many board members. This has also resulted in departure of many top executives from Nokia including Lee Williams – Head of Symbian Foundations – and most recently Rich Green – CTO Nokia. Though, Stephen Elop managed to get hold the confidence of board members lately, Nokia has been accounted on loosing many grounds including MeeGo only to bet big with Windows Phone platform. Nokia’s shares have been plunged deeper in last six months but it will all pay off in long run if Windows Phone will be able to fly-off in the market with the predicted figures by IDC.
It’s expected that nearly 1 billion smartphones will be shipped in 2015 alone which is more than double the 472 million projected to ship this year. The growth is obvious; constant declining smart phone cost, cheap data plans and upward dependency on mobile activities and apps will only fuel the mobile market growth year-on-year.
By all the figures, predictions, facts and verdicts there is one thing which can stun the mobile growth dynamics – Ongoing legal trouble to Android software patent. Recently, it has been learnet that Microsoft is earning more from Android sales than its own Windows Phone software sales. If Microsoft wins the ongoing legal battle with Google Android, handsets manufacturers will have to omit huge chunk of revenue share to Microsoft which will surely hurt Google Android adoption rate.
Android Booster is a one stop solution for boosting your Android device performance. It’s one of my favourite application on Android platform. NetQin Developers bundled this software with many useful utilities because of which people don’t have to download different softwares for purposes like TASK MANAGEMENT,UNINSTALL MANAGEMENT ,MEMORY MANAGEMENT etc.
The Coolest thing is the Android booster Widget. It’s totally one-click optimization to manage WiFi, Bluetooth, mobile network & power display. Android Booster optimizes your android phone via task managers, battery manager, one-click turn on/off WiFi, mobile network manager, Bluetooth manager and so on.
Memory Booster:
One click optimization through its cool widget kills idle application and hence makes lot of RAM available for other necessary applications which increases droid’s performance by a huge margin.
Task Killer:
Android booster keeps generating a check up report of your android which is graded according the stars given to it.If you have less stars then you can kill the task which you want.
Process Manager:
Real-time monitor, free up memory;
Who use my Network NOW (Traffic Monitoring):
It tells you that who is using your wi-fi / mobile network and how much they used. The most important and one of my favourite feature is that you can control your device GPRS usage which means that if you are using some data plan say 4GB then you can set the limit after which no more downloading will be allowed on your device ,saving you from penalty cost.
Save your battery (Power Detection):
This features gives you the full detail of the battery usage. Analyze the report and you will definitely save your battery
File Manager:
Manage SD card, delete/rename files/folders, etc.
NetQin claims 500,000 downloads till April this year from Android Market place with 10,000 downloads every day. You can download NetQin Android Booster app from here.
Twitter may be one of the great micro-blogging platform which has been quite a success in celebrities’ engagement and awareness but the actual usage – which essentially matters the most for any product/service – are not on very high demanding ground. A recent study by eMarketer exposes that only about 8% of U.S. population actually uses the Twitter despite of 92% awareness among people.
Back in 2008, hardly 5% of US consumers have heard about Twitter service and mere 1% adopted services for daily use. In last four years, Twitter has come a long way and today 92% people in US are well aware about the brand.
However, the growth has been stabilized in last 2 years. In 2010, 7% of US population was already using Twitter and by 2011 the appreciation was just 1% against the 5% in awareness.
Look at this comparative analysis: Facebook which is also known for colossal reach and awareness, around 42.3% of online consumers use its service regularly. While both the platform are known for information sharing and distribution, Facebook represents tighter grip over the awareness-usage gap.
Twitter is still a niche service that appeals to influencers, media professionals, celebrities and marketers, but it hasn’t yet broken through to the everyday consumer looking to share information with a network of like-minded individuals. Despite the smaller user base and smaller bucket of revenue, Twitter has been recognized as much over-valued company in online ecosystem with $7.8 billion valuation.
Twitter is also aware of such shortfalls and trying every possible way to have improved connectivity with the larger user base. The newly redesigned website, update of mobile apps, acquisition of third-party Twitter client App Company and experiment with different email notification features are showing-off Twitter’s desperation and commitment towards the market.
Twitter has been appreciated at the various forum for its idea and functionality, the only thing they need is the real connect with people and if the company can perform to do so, a long success way is ahead for the company.
Like many other regular flight passengers, you are not used to pay attention to in-flight announcements which request all passengers to switch of any electronic devices currently in use. However, the use of mobile phones always continues till the last moment of the flight take-off – which has got significant threat to your safe air-journey. Many of us are very skeptical on the possible danger from the use of electronic devices. But a confidential industry study, done by ABC News, indicates that all “active portable electronic devices” – including cell phones – always carry in-flight risk factor even if they are adjusted to flight mode.
A report is based upon 75 different incident of possible electronics interference that airline pilots and crew members believed were linked to mobile phones or any other active electronic devices. The report covers 2003 to 2009 and 125 airlines were included in the survey which accounted 25% of global air traffic.
Interestingly, cell phones emerged as the most dangerous threat which were responsible 4 out of every ten such incidents. Report says “Twenty-six of the incidents in the report affected the flight controls, including the autopilot, autothrust and landing gear. Seventeen affected navigation systems, while 15 affected communication systems. Thirteen of the incidents produced electronic warnings, including “engine indications.”
Mentioning one similar incident, report recalls, auto pilot was engaged at 4,500 ft and suddenly indicators started warning about the disengagement of auto-pilot by itself. Crew members were immediately advised to look out for any passengers operating electronic devices. Surprisingly, the response carried 1 active hand phone and 3 iPods. After attendants convinced passengers to switch off their devices flight proceeded without any further incident.
Are you a startup and exploring the possibilities over first or first round of funding? Then you must go through this infograpgic which primarily focused on current scenario and engagement of Investors. It also touch base the firing line whether Industry is heading towards another Tech bubble? Though, we all know that last year performed awesome for many startups and online establishments like Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn, expectations are riding high this year as many of them increased their private market valuation multiple folds or witnessed great response from their IPO.
However, with so many activities in first half of this quarter, a prominent debate has bene triggered among the Industry experts – are we heading for another dot-com – rather social media dot-com bubble this time – again? The obvious reason behind such debate is much hyped valuation of many companies who felt short towards their revenue but are over-valued in the market.
This infographic, created by Column Five for Udemy, throws some of the real facts and current scenarios and few tips towards Startups who are desperate for market investments:
I am not sure whether it’s a deliberate release by Facebook or just came to me as a bug but I have noticed major changes in the functionality and the UI of “News Feed” section. At this point of time, I am also not sure whether this is a world-wide release or roll-out will be in phases for millions of users as traditional process of Facebook. However, I must pat Facebook for making cool “News Feed” section pretty impressive, simple and attractive.
The new News Feed section has been divided into three frames. The overall achievement from this roll out seems to draw more attention towards news’ by using ‘intelligent’ scrolling and framing methods.
Unlike “Profile” section, there are no more sponsored ads or suggestions on right panel now. Going further, the right panel has been complete dedicated to “latest News Trends” titled as “Happening Now” which showcases the most active and responsive news’/updates of your network. Intelligently, the scrolling of this section has been isolated than other part of the page scrolling to keep users focused on latest news.
On the similar ground, the left panel remains complete unmovable, irrespective of News section or overall page scrolling. Unlike “Happening Now” section, this panel don’t have its own scrolling section which stretches as per the information by its own.
Company has linked the overall page scroll directly with the middle section which holds latest news and updates.
I found such changes much valuable and important as with the growing trend of news share and blogging, people were losing pace with the information flow on “News feed” section.The fish-out of all bolt-ons from this section will allow people to stay focused on latest trend and information.
To make the trending – rather “Happening Now” – section more effective and accessible, Facebook has opted the pop up method. You click on any news or update from respective section and the complete sequential thread will display in a pop up which would allow to have complete coverage of the story in a glance. You can like, update, play video and perform rest all set of activities related to such news/update in that pop-up window – without ditching current “News Feed” page.
In a similar move, last week Facebook silently rolled out a controversial “Auto Face Recognition & Tagging” feature which has been criticized by many people and online security analysts.
Update 1: As expected, sponsored ad section is back on the News Feed section, just above the “Happening Now”. It’s true no one wants to lose a penny !!
Update 2: Facebook has clarified on its new feature, giving an insight into what the “Now Happening” section will deliver:
“We are currently testing a feature within News Feed that gives people the ability to see what their friends are commenting on and “liking”, as these actions are being taken on Facebook.
This test includes a small percentage of Facebook users, just a fraction of a percent. In the coming weeks, as we learn more from this test, we’ll keep making improvements and may expand it to more people.”
Social Media has been one of the preferred sources of information and people are not irresolute to use such effective tool for personal or professional purposes. After hearing enough on Divorce, fraud and hoax case, this time Facebook has been handled as a spy tool and outcome was really shocking – depiction of a murder plan.
A 29 year woman going through some tough divorce process decided to frame her soon-to-be-ex-husband by creating a fake Facebook profile and connecting with him.
Presenting herself as a 17-year-old girl named Jessica Studebaker, Angela Voelkert contacted her husband, David, 38, on Facebook. Surprisingly, the relationship between husband and fake profile turned out as much incriminated than Angela could have ever imagined.
Soon, David got comfortable with “Jessica” and predictably advised her to run away with him. With all shocking revelation to her, he admitted of installing a GPS tracking system on his wife’s vehicle – both of which are enough for criminal charges to prosecute David as per respective law of their country.
But the biggest surprise came to “Jessica” a.k.a. Angela Voelkert when her husband expressed his intention to settle his wife out of picture – and by “out of picture” he meant “deceased”
Here are some excerpts of the messages from court documents:
“Once she is gone, I don’t have to hide with my kids… I can do what I want and not have to worry about not seeing my family anymore. You should find someone at your school. There should be some gang-bangers there that would put a cap in her ass for $10,000. I am done with her crap!
… See, I am taking care of everything! I will finally be free, my kids can grow up and not be around all the hatred, it will be over. With me gone with my kids, the police can’t pin anything on me as I will be in another state, so I will be fine.
Will you be ready to go with me on the 10th? Let me know, baby!”
Though, David managed to convince the court that all his statements over Facebook were intentionally crafted as he was well-versed with the real identity of “Jessica”. Despite of other punishable statements on Facebook, court has dropped all charges against him.
Many of us stay very offensive or pro-active over social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter and fail to judge the long terms impact of their words which they broadcast to thousands people. Consequently, they some time they land up in the situation which disturb their reputation and also harm them personally till core. Now, since many countries have started accepting social media statements as an official proof, its high time for us to stay attentive to what you say and what you broadcast.
Remember, social media is like a gun; once you shoot any statement over it, it will have million folds circulation in no time – no matter how restrictive you pretend to be over it.
The force of technology shift is so strong that people are bound to maintain multiple channels of similar communications these days. After the trend of maintaining two mobile phones, users will be forced to have two Internet connections by 2015 to maintain the need and gap of Internet ecosystem. Nearly 3 billion people are expected to peg to Internet by 2015 – nearly 40% of whole world population by then.
A latest infographic by Mashable which is based on data provided by Cisco showcases the sarcastic demand in Internet usage in next four years. The Internet traffic demand is expected to touch 1 zettabyte every year by 2015.
Interestingly Middle East is going to play vital role in the Internet traffic need which is expected to witness the highest growth f 52%, followed by Latin America and Europe.
I know it may stun you by from all the corners but that the facts of today! The awe-inspiring video footage of an unidentified woman who got all her Facebook friends – count as 152 – tattooed on her arm is a hoax. Interestingly, it has been revealed by the same company who was behind broadcasting such video over the web.
Rotterdam tatoo artist extraordinaire Dex Moelker came clean to a Dutch newspaper that his unique, conversation-piece tatoo was but a mere promotional campaign. All his efforts behind such act was to advertise the services of firm that specializes in personalized Facebook gifts.
The viral video which thrilled many online website, blogs – including CNN – went viral in just few hours. The video, titled as “My Social tattoo”, first emerged on 30 May and has estimated to receive 1.5 million views from all over the world.
It was claimed that the role model of that video – the woman who got tattooed – took 2 weeks of time to have all her Facebook friends’ pictures on her arm. However, it tricked art just took 2 hours to apply and that washes off in a couple of days.
In a bold move by prettysocial – the company behind the act – admitted the little prank on his Facebook page. In the bold-faced statement company says “We guess you have already heard or seen it, but our viral video has made quite an impact yesterday all over the world! It got everybody talking, even CNN!”
Though this video stunned the whole world but it also showcases the impact and the exponential growth of internet and social media which helped this video to go viral in just few days – without judging its authenticity. The debate over the “information over Internet” mar get re-triggered for its genuinely and reliability. It will also make many countries to give second thought on their initiatives to make online information legally authentic and based on which legal action can be fired.
Anyhow, I don’t see any firm stopgap over here as social media is riding among people and Internet has already moved to IPv6. With so much of improvement and demands in place, a new challenge is ready for authorities to pre-authentication of information – if ever they want to make Internet as reliable source of information.
