Archive for the ‘Mobile’ Category

Posted on April 30, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

This awesome QR Code example will help you not to hate QR Codes

Looks like my friend Jeff Turner has seen enough bad QR Code marketing examples the he was about to go postal on QR Codes.

I don’t hate QR codes. I hate how QR codes are being used. I hate the lack of thought being given to QR Code use and I hate the hype over their use. But I don’t hate QR codes. QR codes are inert. QR codes are only as good as you make them. via  Jeff Turner

I know what you mean Jeff!  It’s not QR Codes as the technology but poor implementation and the lack of value people think of when using QR Codes in mobile marketing.  Lucky enough Jeff received a tweet from Jason Crouch about the Reporters without Borders book project where they use QR Codes similar to the genius QR code resume idea. Take a look:

via I Don’t Hate QR Codes | Jeff Turner.

Do you hate QR Codes or just the hype and bad implementations of people trying to use them?

Posted on April 28, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

Google announces Video Chat for Android Phones moving one step closer to unified mobile video calls

Today Google announced Video Chat for Android Phones starting with the Nexus S device as part of the Android 2.3.4 over-the-air update and will launch on other Android 2.3+ devices soon. This comes on the heels as Fring just announced their free four way video calling  service and the recent Skype acquisition of Qik video calling platform. But as RWW posted when will video calling work across smartphones natively from the mobile OS?  Example iPhone facetime video call to a google voice user and a google voice video call to a skype call?  Only time will tell but this is a good start and I’m sure Android users are happy about the pending update.

 

The offering, when it ships, sounds like it will be more compelling than Apple’s Facetime but less useful than independent mobile video chat apps like Tango that offer iPhone to Android video chat. A number of mobile video chat apps have been launched in just the past few weeks from Skype, Qik, Fring (now with group video calling on iPhone!) and others. But how long will we have to wait until Android users can video call iPhone owners without any more thought than voice calls require today? via

Android Joins the Mobile Video Chat Party but We’re Still in the Dark Ages | RWW

via: Video Chat on Your Android Phone – Official Google Mobile Blog.

Posted on April 27, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

QR Codes and augmented reality continue to evolve with Daqri

Looking to see what role QR Codes will have with augmented reality then take a look at Daqri. It’s a new startup that will display custom augmented content after a user scans a QR Code. Cool right? It also reminds me of the “earthmark” technology the guys at Mirascape are using to do something similar. Regardless take a look at the Daqri demo video below.

Daqri had one of the whizziest demos at the Launch conference. This company makes an augmented reality service that overlays 3D images onto the real world through a smartphone, using QR codes as the anchor. In other words, point your iPhone running the Daqri app at the right matrix barcode, and a floating 3D (possible moving) image will appear on the phone’s screen. We’ve seen this effect in magazines and some ads already; Daqri is just trying to institutionalize the function.

Via Daqri connects QR codes to augmented reality | Rafe’s Radar – CNET News.

Have you scanned a QR Code to display augmented content before?

Posted on April 27, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

PepsiCo Introduces new Social Vending System™

Ok, I just think this is cool and has NFC and/or QR Code but more so planned for NFC technology integration in the future. The problem is most USA smartphones outside of a few new Google smartphones are not equipped with NFC technology. Regardless it looks like Pepsi is getting ready and providing new innovative ways to interact with their mobile soda drinking customers/fans. See the press release below.

PURCHASE, NY, April 27, 2011 –Today, PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) announced the launch of its Social Vending System, a state-of-the-art networked unit that features full touch screen interactive vending technology, enabling consumers to better connect with PepsiCo brands right at the point of purchase. A prototype of the Social Vending System will debut at the National Automatic Merchandising Association’s One Show in Chicago, April 27-29.

Using digital technology, PepsiCo’s Social Vending System enables any user to gift a friend by selecting a beverage and entering the recipient’s name, mobile number and a personalized text message*. There’s also the option to further personalize the gift with a short video recorded right at the machine. The gift is delivered with a system code and instructions to redeem it at any PepsiCo Social Vending system. When the recipient redeems his or her gift, they’re given the option of either thanking the original sender with a gift of their own or paying it forward and gifting a beverage to someone else.

PepsiCo’s innovative use of telemetry with the Social Vending System also delivers tremendous operational benefits, allowing customers to closely manage inventory levels and delivery scheduling remotely, and easily update digital content online, enabling them to change messaging and media content as needed.

“Our vision is to use innovative technology to empower consumers and create new ways for them to engage with our brands, their social networks and each other at the point of purchase,” said Mikel Durham, Chief Innovation Officer at PepsiCo Foodservice. “Social Vending extends our consumers’ social networks beyond the confines of their own devices and transforms a static, transaction-oriented experience into something fun and exciting they’ll want to return to, again and again.”

Social Vending also enables “Random Acts of Refreshment” – the ability to buy a drink for a complete stranger through any other Social Vending system. For example, a consumer could send a symbol of encouragement someone in a city that has experienced challenging weather, or a congratulatory beverage to a student at a university that just won a championship. The platform holds potential to extend PepsiCo’s digital and social programs for its food and beverage brands

via PepsiCo Introduces Social Vending System™, the Next Generation in Interactive Vend Technology | PepsiCo.com.

What do you think about the new PepsiCo’s Social Vending System™ ? A great idea or does it need more technology to make it seamless

Posted on April 27, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

Google releases new smartphone data showing how everything is going mobile

79% of top advertisers don’t have a mobile optimized website

 

Today google is hosting a webinar called “The Mobile Movement: Understanding Smartphone Users” at 11am PST/ 2pm EST (Registration link). Promoting the webinar google published a blog post with a lot of data showing how everything is going mobile. One stat not included in the text of the post but in the promotional video was that “79% of top advertisers don’t have a mobile optimized website” which is kinda of shocking to me. It’s 2011 and you know how big the mobile/smartphone market is, so what are you waiting for? Contact me if you need help.

Other important mobile data from the Smartphone user study shows mobile movement under way post:

• 74% of smartphone shoppers make a purchase, whether online, in-store, or on their phones
• 95% of smartphone users have looked for local information
• 72% use their smartphones while consuming other media, with a third while watching TV
• 88% of these users take action within a day, indicating these are immediate information needs
• 71% search on their phones because of an ad exposure, whether from traditional media (68%) to online ads (18%) to mobile ads (27%)

 

Here’s the google video providing more mobile data insights.

via Smartphone user study shows mobile movement under way – Google Mobile Ads Blog.