Google Wave: It’s innovative, but is it truly useful? – Techworld November 9, 2009
Posted by pannet in Internet & Communities.Tags: Collaboration, Google, Google Wave, Internet, Wave
add a comment
Google Wave is a groundbreaking real-time collaborative tool that has the potential to be an ideal way for members of a group to work with one another. But it’s not clear how useful it will be in the real world. It’s the kind of tool that you want to use, but one that you may not be able to figure out how to fit into your work life. [...]
So why would you use it?
How useful will Google Wave really be at work? Imagine, for example, that a geographically dispersed group in an organization needs to decide when and in what area of what city to meet.
The group starts a wave discussing the meeting time, place and agenda. A gadget links to a group calendaring application so that the members of the group can view one another’s schedules and find potential times to meet. People make a variety of suggestions and use a polling application to take a vote deciding on the time of the meeting.
Next, people make suggestions for places to meet and include annotated Google maps for each suggestion. The members review one another’s suggested locations, and the polling gadget lets everyone vote on where to meet. In the end, the group can make a decision in a matter of minutes; if the discussion had taken place via email, it could have lasted for days.
What’s missing
The biggest drawback to using Google Wave in its current preview version isn’t what’s there, but rather what’s not there — direct communication to the outside world. For a service built for communication, it’s surprising how much of an island Google Wave is — it doesn’t even integrate with Gmail, much less other mail clients and services. There also are no links to social networking sites or instant messaging tools — not even Google Talk.
For example, your list of contacts in Google Wave is entirely separate from your list of contacts in Gmail. Worse yet, when you click Manage Contacts in Google Wave, you don’t even get to manage your Google Wave contacts. Instead, you get sent to Google Contacts, a list of your Gmail contacts, which doesn’t include your Google Wave contacts. Eventually, Google will hopefully integrate Google Wave with Google Contacts. But given that Google Contacts is in beta and Google Wave is in preview, it’s not at all clear when or if that will happen.
In other words, to be truly useful, Google Wave needs better integration with other services. For example, you should be able to start a wave directly from Gmail with other Gmail users who also use Google Wave. You should also be able to see your Gmail contacts from within Google Wave and send them an e-mail message using Gmail. And you should be able to start Google waves with your contacts on social networking sites. None of these things are currently possible.
The bottom line
There’s no doubt that Google Wave is an innovative tool for real-time group communication. Spend a little time with it, and you’ll most likely begin to want to use it. But it doesn’t solve the biggest problem with Internet communications – their fractured nature.
People use a variety of e-mail systems, a range of social networking sites, different chat clients … the list is a long one. There are too many ways to communicate, and no way to integrate them all. In fact, Google Wave makes the problem worse because it’s adding yet another way for people to communicate without integrating other services.
Some observers believe that Google’s eventual goal is to have Wave replace all those services. But no matter how grand Google’s ambitions may be, hundreds of millions of people around the world are not going to desert the way they communicate. Abandoning their current e-mail and social networking tools would be far too disruptive to their work and personal lives. What’s more, Google Wave doesn’t have the kind of social networking features that are built into sites like Facebook, and it’s not designed to replace them. At this point, Wave is only an adjunct to those services, best suited for very specific projects that require live (or close to live) collaboration.
If Google figures out a way to integrate Google Wave with e-mail and social networking services, Wave could become a very powerful business tool. For now, though, the integration isn’t there. So if you do ride this version of the Google Wave a few times, it will probably be just for fun. In a world already overrun with online services vying for your attention, it’s not clear that Google Wave will ever become a critical part of your Internet-based communications.
Indoor Navigation, The new gold rush? | BDNooZ November 9, 2009
Posted by pannet in Mobile & Gadgets.Tags: GPS, Location-based service, navigation, Smart Phones, Smartphone, Smartphones
add a comment
[...] The New York Times published in October Stops and Starts of GPS Apps “… those portable devices [GARMIN, TOMTOM etc] are under attack from a new source: the smartphone, and particularly Apple’s iPhone. The newest version of the iPhone’s operating system supports turn-by-turn navigation … According to a report from the iSuppli research firm, GPS applications for smartphones are about to explode, growing from 2.5 percent of users today to 10.5 percent in 2013. And half of those will be iPhone owners…”Even Forbes Magazine refers to this trend in warfare terms Google’s Navigation Bombshell “…Location-based service providers suspect the search giant is working on a free navigation app… Google, which generally gives its software away for free and recoups its investment through advertising, would likely sell ads within the navigation application rather than charge users… In early October, Google decided to use this data for its U.S. maps, ending a licensing agreement with map provider Tele Atlas…The shift is telling because companies like Tele Atlas require partners such as Google to pay fees for each person who uses their data…” [...]
Avoiding the competitor’s strengths and striking at their weaknesses
All (accurate) navigation systems are based on GPS data. If the weakness of GPS receivers is that they need a clear view to the sky to successfully determine location, the strategy is to attack the indoor world. Additionally, the GPS accuracy lies between 50 to 500 feet, the strategy then is to find customers that need higher accuracy (~10 feet). The third, but not the last weakness, is the need for maps. As we saw before, Google has generated large amount of map data, and in general the market is dominated by TeleAtlas and Navteq. The strategy is to navigate to “uncharted territories”.
Redefining the Battleground – Embracing indoor navigation.
A few weeks ago I was approached by an inventor with a (published) patent. The general idea calls for an indoor navigation system that uses no GPS data. His idea is very good and to my judgment relatively easy to implement.
The system automatically detects a signal directly from sensors, without requiring the communication with a central system, data plans, or even cellular communication. These sensors are small pocketsize Bluetooth transceivers. There is no need for pairing as every Bluetooth device’s tag has a unique ID. This ID can be used for locating the tag.
Indoor navigation – A winning strategy that redefines the navigation ecosystem?
There is infinite number of indoor navigation applications. The most intuitive one is a person walking into a mall that wishes to locate a specific store, or a particular aisle in a department store or even a specific item on a shelf! From here, you can apply the same principle to a customer looking for a specific conference room, a particular booth in a tradeshow, a ride in an amusement park, or a known piece of art in a museum. If not for the convenience, do it to save a tree. No more printed maps. Go Green!!!
The advantage of using Bluetooth is that this technology is ubiquitous, it’s implemented everywhere. Additionally, is a low cost, low power technology, and when it’s relatively free of obstruction it can provide a ~2 meter error range. Furthermore, a Bluetooth infrastructure can be used for purposes like remote monitoring and control among others.
The ecosystem is completely redefined. An architect with CAD drawings is now a map provider. Every single facility is now a navigable site. Every big retailer willing to drive customers to specific products is a potential customer (they can “route” them through the sales isles if they want). Every shopping property management firm is a customer, as well as convention centers organizations or associations like the Global Retail Executive Council.
We have an ecosystem where the traditional navigation giants are not necessarily present, and there is no defined leader (yet-11/09).
The business opportunity – define a new market
Indoor Navigation redefines Location Based Services as we know them today. The first companies to enter this market will be able to define, create, implement and license ($) new standards and applications. Imagine this: I installed an indoor navigation application in my phone/PDA and subsequently downloaded the map of the mall I usually go to. Next week I’ll visit San Francisco, and upon arrival I would like to visit a local shopping center, or use it at the convention I’ll attend. My application will be useful ONLY if the map of that SF mall or convention center is compatible with the one installed in my phone. For sure I’ll NOT install an additional application per site I visit. This is just the tip of the iceberg. [...]
Adobe releases Photoshop Mobile for Android November 8, 2009
Posted by andre in Uncategorized.Tags: Adobe, Android, Google, Photoshop
add a comment
In a hugely significant step, Adobe have released a mobile version of Photoshop for the Android platform. Photoshop for Android represents a real vote of confidence in the Android platform, as Adobe is huge and Photoshop is its crown jewels. [...]
The video of Photoshop for Android is below. It’s very comprehensive, though, so ends up being overly long, but it does walk you through pretty much everything the app can do.
In particular, Photoshop for Android will let you do the following:
- Crop, straighten, rotate and flip your photo
- Use image and colour correction filters, such as saturation, tint, and exposure, on it
- Add effects, such as soft focus
- Alter the colour of the photo (accentuating the photo’s blue, for example)
- Upload your pics to Photoshop.com
- Share them with your friends
Read the full article here Adobe releases Photoshop Mobile for Android – MobileMentalism
Windows 7 sells 234% more copies than Vista | VentureBeat November 7, 2009
Posted by hruf in Enterprise 2.0, Internet & Communities.Tags: Microsoft, Windows, Windows 7
add a comment
It looks like all the positive buzz round Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system paid off in sales. Windows 7 sold 234 percent more copies during its first few days on the market than Vista did during the same period of its release, according to research by the NPD Group. [...]
It looks like all the positive buzz round Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system paid off in sales. Windows 7 sold 234 percent more copies during its first few days on the market than Vista did during the same period of its release, according to research by the NPD Group. NPD’s data covers the week of Oct. 18 to 24. Windows 7 only launched on the 22nd, but these numbers also include pre-sales from the days before.
via Windows 7 sells 234% more copies than Vista | VentureBeat.
What future for the mobile phone in a multi-platform world? November 5, 2009
Posted by hruf in Mobile & Gadgets.Tags: Android, Apple, iPhone, Market Trends, Mobile
add a comment
Customer journeys, such as finding new music or communicating with friends, no longer take place within the confines of a single device or service. Users may combine several devices or applications to achieve their objectives, creating a new set of challenges when designing user experiences which excel in this multi-platform environment. This essay brings together 5 of the leading thinkers in digital industry to explore the concept of multi-platform mobile user experience ahead of a major new MEX conference (2nd/3rd December 2009, London) on this same theme.
By Marek Pawlowski (PMN), Thibaut Rouffineau (Wireless Industry Partnership), Lisa Whelan (SocializeMobilize.com), Andreas Constantinou (VisionMobile) and Matt Lewis (ARCChart). (more…)
T-Mobile USA Will Add Its Own Channel And Carrier Billing to Android Market November 5, 2009
Posted by andre in Mobile & Gadgets.Tags: Android, AppPack, Checkout, Google, Market, Marketplace, Payment, T-Mobile
add a comment
T-Mobile USA is increasing its investment in the Google Android platform even more, by improving the application experience, according to a keynote given by CTO Cole Brodman said this morning at Open Mobile Summit this morning in San Francisco.
The company said that in time for Thanksgiving, T-Mobile will introduce a T-Mobile Channel, which will provide recommended content for the Google Android devices. Already, T-Mobile is providing a so-called “AppPack,” which suggests 34 free and paid apps. The bigger announcement today is that T-Mobile will soon enable carrier billing, which will allow customers to buy apps using their monthly bill, rather than having to use Google Checkout. [...]
Here’s what T-Mobile has witnessed in terms of myTouch consumer behavior:
- About half myTouch users visit the Android Market at least once per day.
- 80% of myTouch users browse the web at least once per day, and 2/3 say several times per day.
- Nearly half of myTouch users say they have “completely customized” their myTouch.
- More than 40% of myTouch users access social networking sites multiple times per day.
via Updated: T-Mobile USA Will Add Its Own Channel And Carrier Billing to Android Market | mocoNews
Google Android 2.1 hits the road November 5, 2009
Posted by andre in Mobile & Gadgets.Tags: Android, Eclair, Firmware, Google, Update
add a comment
Not much to say actually but the first Android devices with firmware 2.1 have been spotted in the wild. This is especially interesting as the first Android devices with firmware 2.0 “Eclair” are expected to be released not earlier than this week. Eclair got some pretty good press coverage because of the surprising announcement of Google Maps Navigation which is considered being the killer application for the Android platform. Android 2.1 is reported to be a minor update that will be released towards the end of 2009. It will focus on bug fixes for Android 2.0.
The above diagram shows parts of the usage statistics for the game Puzzle Blox Arcade! which is available on Google Android Market as a free download.
AndroidAndMe.com has a short article worth reading over here.
Best Buy embraces digital delivery of home video: Yahoo! Tech November 4, 2009
Posted by pannet in Multimedia.Tags: Amazon, Apple, cinemanow, DVD, Netflix
add a comment
Best Buy Co. is trying to nudge consumers away from its stores’ DVD aisles by making it easier for them to rent and buy movies over high-speed Internet connections.
The largest U.S. retailer of consumer electronics is setting up its digital delivery service in partnership with CinemaNow, which has deals with the major movie studios.
The software making it possible to shop CinemaNow’s video library will be included on all the Web-connected devices sold in Best Buy’s more than 1,000 U.S. stores. That means consumers who buy flat-panel TVs, Blu-ray players, personal computers and mobile phones from Best Buy would be able to get downloads of videos the same day they are released on DVDs.
The alliance marks the latest step away from the DVD format. Consumers are getting more ways of finding home entertainment with just a few clicks instead of traveling to a video rental store or waiting for a disc to be delivered through the mail.
Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc. and DVD-by-mail pioneer Netflix Inc. all have been winning over consumers with their own digital delivery systems. Blockbuster Inc. also has a deal with CinemaNow that lets people rent movies over the Internet.
Netflix gave an indication of the growing popularity of new video-delivery methods in its earnings report last month. It said that 42 percent of its subscribers streamed at least 15 minutes of video through its Internet-viewing service during the last quarter, up from 22 percent at the same time last year.
via Best Buy embraces digital delivery of home video by AP: Yahoo! Tech.
Google to launch Wave app store November 4, 2009
Posted by pannet in Internet & Communities.Tags: App Store, AppStore, Google, Google Wave, Wave
add a comment
Google is to launch an application store for Google Wave, its real-time, browser-based collaboration tool.
The move will enable developers to write additional software, programs and plug-ins for the online, real-time collaboration tool, which is in beta and has 600,000 users worldwide.
Lars Rasmussen, one of the co-creators of Google Wave, told attendees at the Google Wave user meetup in London last week that Google would “almost certainly” build an app store for the service. “So many developers have asked us to build a marketplace, and we might do a revenue-sharing arrangement,” he said.
Application stores are proving to be hugely popular on mobile devices, and Google hopes to extend this success to the desktop. Apple offers just under 100,000 applications for the iPhone and iPod touch, while Google’s Android operating system is also starting to take off, with the number of apps being developed for the platform doubling between September and October this year, bringing the total number to around 10,000.
“With an app store specifically for Google Wave however, the potential for something as great, if not greater then than the iPhone app store is a distinct possibility,” said Zee Kane, a technology expert with The Next Web. “Already, independent software developers have built and tested Wave applications that handle such tasks as teleconferencing and videoconferencing, but while the Apple App Store sells software only for the iPhone and touch, a Wave marketplace could stock in-Wave applications, along with desktop applications, browser extensions and a world of devices, from laptops, phones, tablets and more with built-in Wave support.”
Early reviews of Google Wave have been largely positive, although some users have struggled to find a genuine use for the tool. Some gamers, involved in multiplayer online games, have used the service to co-ordinate missions and organise in-game raids.
Google has not said when the Google Wave app store will go live.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/6495495/Google-to-launch-Wave-app-store.html
Pricing Strategies for Location Based Apps November 4, 2009
Posted by pannet in Mobile & Gadgets.Tags: App Store, Business, Location-based service, Mobile
add a comment
INTERVIEW: Mobile app stores are proving to be extremely valuable channels for getting products to market – whether you’re a big name navigation brand or an unheard of independent with a cool new location-enabled application. But a key element to maximising revenue opportunities is adopting the correct pricing strategy. GPS Business News spoke to Peter Farago, vice president, marketing, for Flurry Analytics, the mobile applications development services provider, about factors that determine pricing strategy. The number of navigation and location-aware applications added to the iPhone App Store just keeps on growing. At the latest count there were over 3,000 location apps on offer. Throw in Google’s Android Market, Research In Motion’s BlackBerry App World and the app stores of Microsoft, Nokia and Palm, and the range of applications becomes even larger.
With such an abundance of choice facing the consumer it’s vital that developers select the right pricing strategy for their products. For apps this generally requires a few basic decisions: apps can either be given away for free, with revenue generated through ads, or be paid for. Brand strength is seen as a key factor in going down the paid for route, while less-recognizable brands frequently go to market with free trials to entice consumers to try-and-buy.
Peter Farago, vice president, marketing for Flurry, said much of the learning in the market has centered on whether ad-supported apps earn more revenue than paid apps, what price to charge and when to drop price. He said navigation applications tend to remain on a consumer’s handset for a long period of time. Unlike “gimmick” apps, they are perceived as having sustainable value and therefore consistently revisited over time – making them better suited to subscription. “If it were me and I were a product manager, I would charge for a navigation app,” he said.
Flurry recently analysed over 2,000 applications for usage and frequency of use over a 90-day period, breaking them down into 19 categories. The findings showed that user retention for navigation apps is 73% after 30 days, but falls to 30% after 90 days (the average for all apps is 25%). Overall, the average navigation app is used six times per week.
Farago compares navigation apps to a valuable tool – like a hammer – that you really need but don’t use very often. “You’re going to hang on to it but not use it very often. That averages out in giving you decent repeat useage but the frequency of use doesn’t help you build a total sustainable audience that you can advertise against,” he said. [...]
He said broadly speaking developers need to give consumers the minimum amount possible to get them to maximum happiness – and then take it away. “The way I think of it is have enough of a ‘wow’ factor right away in the first 30 to 60 seconds of the experience, but at the same time hold back on a couple of other very interesting things that the consumer would want,” he said. “If you have four killer features, you need to give them the one that really sets the hook and use the other three as a promise to reel them in.”
Although it varies from product to product, the overall conversion rate for apps is between 2-10%. The rate shows there are many who try but don’t buy apps – and also reflects the vast choice consumers have. The App Store has over 75,000 apps and the Android Market has over 20,000. “At end of day, consumers only have so much capacity or interest to use a certain number of applications,” said Farago.[...]
