… And Enable Multi Tasking!

No huge surprise here in some recent research findings from RazorFish that show the smartphone as being the most favored home device. Interesting to see that the handy gadgets are enabling more multi-tasking at home, but also are enabling users to slip out of awkward social situations! The findings are based on responses from more than 2,000 respondents and also reveal the most popular smartphones at the time (Nov  2011) were the iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy S II, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and the Nokia N9. (more…)

I happened to see an online touch typing tutor and it brought back some pleasant memories but also raised some intriguing questions for the future.  I remember at university it made sense for me to acquire a Smith Corona typewriter and use that for typing my reports, since my handwriting was rapidly deteriorating given the speed at which notes must be taken.
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I‘ve only had my iPhone 4s for a couple of days, but already one thing is obvious to me: Siri is changing the way I search for local goods and services. A LOT. (more…)

Google has just launched a new service called GoMo that will allow website owners to get mobile-friendly versions of their websites.

Mobile-optimized websites are simplified versions of regular sites that are easier to read when accessed on smart phones and small-screened tablets.

GoMo will take a desktop site on demand and format it to a mobile version. To make it easier, Google will open up a storefront of it in Downtown Mobile. It will be open for a few days and business will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. Business owners can walk in and get a free mobile-optimized version of their website set up in about half an hour. Google will also pay to host the mobile website for a year.

Google’s Jesse Haines described the reasoning behind the launch of the service:

Every day more and more of your customers are looking for you…on mobile devices.  If you don’t have a site that works for mobile, you’re missing out.  61% of users are unlikely to return to a site that’s not mobile-friendly.  On the other hand, customers embrace sites that are built for mobile–consumer engagement increases by 85% with a website designed for mobile devices.

According to Google, here’s what you can do with GoMo:

• See what your customers see: Enter a website address into the GoMoMeter and see what your site looks like on a mobile phone.  The GoMoMeter will analyze your site and give you customized recommendations on how to make your site more mobile friendly.  You can even download a free customized report!
• Learn about why mobile matters: Cool infographics and the latest data will help you learn more about mobile trends and why mobile-friendly sites really matter.
• Get inspired by great examples: Look at the mobile sites of businesses who are doing it right and learn how to make your site better with our ten mobile site best practices.
• Find a mobile site builder who can help: Check out our list of mobile site developers who can help you build your mobile website.

With mobile searches gaining more and more popularity it makes sense for Google to come up with a service that helps adapt sites for mobile viewing. For those businesses that are lagging behind on mobile content, GoMo could be just what you need to “Go Mobile”.

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Some of the latest metrics about social media are out from Comscore with no huge surprises I guess… The study on mobile social media usage based on data from its comScore MobiLens service,  showed that 72.2 million Americans accessed social networking sites or blogs on their mobile device in August 2011, an increase of 37 percent in the past year. The study also provided new insights into how mobile users interact with social media, finding that more than half read a post from an organization, brand or event while on their mobile device.
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The whole world is going mobile – well, it seems like it.

According to Ofcom, 27% of UK adults and 47% of teenagers own a smartphone.  So it’s hardly surprising so many companies are looking to the mobile market and tailoring their online marketing accordingly.
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SCVNGR pronounced Scavenger is a location-based game similar to Foursquare, but offers much more. In addition to check-ins from your mobile device, you can participate in challenges, treks and earn rewards from participating companies. (more…)

Until recently, I used to put mobile social commerce in the same category as Woody Allen’s blockbusters and Rick Perry’s bad hair days; it’s something that couldn’t possibly exist. When defining it properly and exploring the possibilities, though, it turns out that mobile social commerce is flourishing.

The concept of social commerce can be taken literally, as in making a purchase directly through a social media property. This can be done, such as renting “The Big Lebowski” and watching it on Facebook. That’s happening now, but as a revenue stream, it’s insignificant. Far more important is the degree to which content shared through social media is influencing purchasing decisions, which is happening on a massive scale, as illustrated by a stat roundup on Social Commerce Today.

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Analysts believe that by the middle of the decade mobile internet traffic will increase by 400 percent. This matters for those interested in the long-term state of SEO strategy. If this amount of mobile internet use is correct, then it’s safe to assume that internet access through traditional computer terminals will decrease to some extent. Google noted earlier this year that mobile searches are far surpassing traditional desktop searches The changes could be minimal or they could be drastic. It depends on the evolving nature of 4G Android phone and Apple iPhone technology, and the resulting way in which people search for things.

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Google’s Click-to-download ads, now gets an application icon to make its apps advertisements even more visually appealing.

Before the addition of the icon: (more…)