Posts Tagged ‘scvngr’

Posted on December 20, 2010 - by Wayne Sutton

How Google plans to dominate location in 2011 with 9 different products

Leading up to 2010 everyone said it would be the year of location-based services. The blogs were all saying location, location, location as the next big thing and apps such as Foursquare, Gowalla, Yelp, Whrrl and TriOut were all trying to capitalized on the opportunity. While most location-based services are mobile applications for the iPhone and Android with the steady momentum in the location space what does it mean for the search, especially Google. For most part of the year Google Latitude, Google’s most popular location-based application was only available via a web application for the iPhone and as in opt-in feature on Android powered devices. But Google Latitude provides very little features outside of updating your location in real-time and/or “stalking” following your friends.

Then there were the failed acquisitions for Google. Earlier this year Yelp turned down a half billion dollars buy out and recently Groupon declined Google’s 6 billion dollar deal. Before trying to acquire Groupon Google promoted their vice president of search products, Marissa Mayer, to a new role focused on location and local services. Regardless of being turned down from both Yelp and Groupon and with Marissa in charge Google has a list of location-based related products for the enterprise, small business and location-based fanboys to choose from. Here’s the list of Google location related products.

Google Latitude

See where your friends are right now.
Google Latitude lets you stay close with your friends from your phone, computer, or both

Google Places

Local recommendations powered by you and your friends

Google HotPot

Rate places and get personalized recommendations.

Google Maps

(for web and mobile devices)

Google Tags

Google Tags are yellow markers that allow business owners to promote important aspects of their businesses in Google Search results. Scroll over tags on Google or click on the sponsored link to view offers, photos, or other select features.

Google Boost Ads

Boost ads are eligible to appear in the “Sponsored Links” section of Google.com and Google Maps search result pages.

Google Goggles

Google Goggles lets you use pictures taken with your mobile phone to search the web. It’s ideal for things that aren’t easy to describe in words. There’s no need to type or speak your query – all you have to do is open the app, snap a picture, and wait for your search results.

Google NFC with mobile devices

(New)

Google.com Search location filters

TBD:

Google +1

aka Google.me future social networking layer.

Google Ventures Investments:

SCVNGR and Miso

Google clearly has a plan to dominate the location-based industry in 2011 with all nine of their products and when Google +1 launches I’m sure location will be a key element linking all the data points. If not Google will probably make another attempt to acquire a location-based platform and this time not make the same mistake as when Google purchased Dodgeball in 2005.

Will Google dominate location in 2011 or will Google look to acquire another location-based service? How many Google location platforms do you use?

Posted on October 6, 2010 - by Wayne Sutton

Video from #GEOchat at SCVNGR HQ: What is SCVNGR, how is it being used & why it’s more than a scavenger hunt.

Yesterday while in Boston for #geoM, I had a chance to visit Boston’s location-based startup SCVNGR for another #GEOchat live show. For the show I sat down with @NickHerbold SCVNGR’s Guru & Recruiter and went on a tour of their amazing office space. You can watch the live show below.

Here are some of the questions I asked with Nick Herbold @NickHerbold

1. Tell us about SCVNGR, when did it launch and how it’s different from other LBS
2. Who is SCVNGR target business (small, b2b, large brands) ? and users?
3. Your title says, SCVNGR guru and Seth is chief Ninja, you like to have fun with titles what are some of the other titles here at SCVNGR and your role with the company
4. With SCVNGR you’re focus is all about the game play, do you see that is the leading way to gain more users and why?
5. How would you describe SCVNGR ‘s brand/identity?
6. Will game play lead to mass adoption outside of the early adopters/geeks?
7. What do you think will make LBS in general more successful? Will it be the game play, more coupons/rewards or something else?
8. SCVNGR works with various museums and universities. Universities are an ideal target but why museums and what have some of the most popular museums in terms of activity?
9. Are there any unexpected/surprised use for SCVNGR that you didn’t think you would see people using the app for?
10. How has being one of the google venture backed companies played a role in the success of SCVNGR ?
11. If you could implement one feature to make SCVNGR better what would it be?
12. What has been the most requested feature people wanting to see from SCVNGR?
13. I was walking the other night and saw the SCVNGR window cling and play SCVNGR poster, how does a businesses go about receiving one of those?
14. What advice do you give businesses to help increase the amount of check-ins / (play SCVNGR)?
15. Seth said yesterday at #GEOm that SCVNGR is already making money, what’s SCVNGR revenue model?
16. What would be your number one reason you would tell someone to use SCVNGR over other LBS?

Thanks SCVNGR & Nick for the interview.

Posted on October 4, 2010 - by Wayne Sutton

#GEOchat live show tomorrow from SCVNGR HQ & SCVNGR window clings/poster with QR Code spotted in Boston

Tomorrow while I’m in Boston for #geoM and FutureM events I’m stopping by SCVNGR HQ to host another #GEOchat live show. The live show will be hosted on the SocialWayne.com/live url and feel free to leave any questions you have for SCVNGR and/or about location-based services in the comments. Also while walking downtown Boston last night I saw both of the images included in this post. The SCVNGR window cling and the “Play SCVNGR” poster. Is interesting to see other location-based services do offline marketing and/or provide a way for businesses to promote their location special offline. Have you seen other location-based services provide window clings & posters for businesses using their platforms?

About SCVNGR

SCVNGR is a game. Playing is simple: Go places. Do challenges. Earn points and unlock rewards! (Think free coffee!) Individuals and enterprises build on SCVNGR by adding challenges and rewards to their favorite places.

Posted on September 20, 2010 - by Wayne Sutton

This Week in Location: 30 must read location-based articles from the past 7 days

Videos

@schneidermike and @EricLeist check out SCVNGR rewards

Social Media Tulsa What is Whrrl

Blog Post

1. The real Facebook burglaries story
2. Pros And Cons Of Mobile Marketing
3. How Local Businesses can use Facebook Places
4. Plan and share your trips with Tripline
5. The U.S. is Catching Up to The World in the SMS Marketing Race
6. Nick’s Crispy Tacos offers free taco via mobile challenge
7. SCVNGR Debuts Web-Based, Self-Serve LBS Rewards Platform For Businesses
8. PlacePunch Co-Founder Discusses The Future of Location-Based Marketing [Interview]
9. Comparing Check-In Apps: the Location-Based Check-In and More
10. Skyhook Adds Location Engine to Layar App for Android
11. Sorry, But McDonald’s Did Not See a 33% Increase in Foot Traffic Because of Foursquare
12. Foursquare Gets Down To Business With Insights
13. Indoor Positioning and Navigation – The Next LBS Frontier?
14. Gap Taps Foursquare Cofounders for Holiday Ad Campaign
15. Today in Location Based Services and Apps
16. Retailers find value in location based services Shopkick, WeReward and SCVNGR
17. Local Social Media Marketing: How Your Peers Use Twitter, Facebook, And Blogs
18. WeePlaces adds Gowalla and Facebook to visualize check-ins
19. Stickybits at the Zoo
20. Skyhook: Google forced Motorola to drop our location service, delay the Droid X
21. Bravo celebrates their newest show with the Just Desserts Badge — and free desserts
22. Facebook Places Propels SCVNGR to 100,000 Downloads in 48 Hour
23. Why Geo Location Matters and Why You Should Attend Geo M
24. The Panthers Purrsuit is On — A Social Media Challenge!
25. You Can’t Beat the Location
26. 10 Ways Touring Bands Can Leverage Location Apps
27. 10 foursquare secrets worth making ‘public’
28. Case Study: McDonald’s ups foot traffic 33% on Foursquare Day
29. Fan Appz Integrates With Facebook® Places to Enable Location-Based Marketing
30. 5 Important New Trends in Location

Posted on September 12, 2010 - by Wayne Sutton

This Week in Location: 41 Location-based services articles you may have missed

Another week and that means it’s time for This Week in Location wrap up. A list of articles about location-based services. Here are 41 location-based articles from last week that you may have missed along with a few videos.

Inside the most-popular location game maker

The Video Guide to Facebook Places for Businesses

1. Tourality – Location-Based Game
2. GetGlue: The Entertainment Social Networking App for iPad
3. Miso is a PepsiCo10 Company!
4. Marketing Nuggets: Cause Awareness, Location Marketing & Getting Ideas from Local Media
5. TriOut opens new office at Design Box downtown Raleigh
6. Virgin America Sees Success!
7. Geolocation is now rewarding
8. Beyond the check-in to the check out
9. Will Check-Ins Spur the Return of ‘Must See TV’?
10. People Robbed After Checking-In On Facebook
11. Geo-location is where it’s at, but should financial services brands check-in?
12. Moviefone 2.0: National Post is using Foursquare to add content and context to the Toronto Film Festival

13. Foursquare usage curve

14. The Video Guide to Facebook Places for Businesses

15. Foursquare 2.0 to leverage webOS 2.0
16. SCVNGR Review: Could this be the foursquare of real estate
17. IFC and Foursquare: The Always On, Slightly Off Guide to America

18. Why Your Church Should Be Listed On Foursquare

19. Foursquare & Buzz: Building Community or Too Close for Comfort?

20. Location-based services not connecting with consumers

21. Colleges Discover Foursquare
22. Location-Based Services and Social Media
23. Study: Location-Based Services Users are Passionate but Niche
24. Foursquare’s Indonesia “problem” isn’t really a problem at all
25. Will Facebook Places pay off for location-based companies?
26. PlacePunch Launches Location-Based Marketing Platform For Foursquare, Twitter And Facebook
27. Reggie Bush Uses Foursquare and Stickybits for Football Scavenger Hunt
28. Context Optional Helps Brands Run Location-Based Promotions On Facebook Places
29. I’m the mayor of cinnabon on foursquare

30. Inside the most-popular location game maker

31. Volvo, H&M Eye Unique “Virtual Currency” Mobile Marketing In Booyah’s MyTown App
32. Bizarre findings from Myxer’s location based survey
33. The State of Localization, InfoGraphic
34. State of Location Based Services
35. GetGlue for iPad Wants to Be Your Couch Surfing Companion
36. Four Seasons Joins Geo-Social Gold Rush With California Campaign
37. Washington Redskins Tackle Foursquare
38. Facebook Places Propels SCVNGR to 100,000 Downloads in 48 Hours
39. Why larger firms are losing out under Google Places Optimisation
40. Location-Based Marketing Takes Center Stage At Upcoming Event- Promo For MMW Readers
41. 3 Questions About Location-Based Social Networks with Loopt CEO Sam Altman

Old School: From IBM in 2002 Location-based services: Wherever you are, wherever you go, get the information you want to know