applications
Companies have new tool for consumer opinion insight
More companies are starting to use a tool that can swiftly analyze large numbers of opinions on the Web, including blogs and social networking sites. It's called Mass Opinion Business Intelligence (MOBI), developed by a California-based company, and works by providing a real-time feed of relevant consumer sentiment, gathered from millions of sites. Full article.
Mobile Wars! Apple vs. Google vs. everybody else
The struggle for mobile dominance has entered a new phase, and will probably last for some time. Now that cell phones can talk to each other and handle the same websites and e-mail systems, winning means making products that function more effectively and appealingly. While others competed on price, Apple focused on making its products reliable and easy to use, and Google’s Android ecosystem is growing at a blistering pace. The best hope for the mobile also-rans is that Apple and Google get greedy. Full article.
Android Market Website
Android-based phone users can now go online to buy their apps, instead of using the Android Market app on their phones. Users can now see on the website what apps they've bought and downloaded. Full article.
Facebook in privacy breach
A recent Wall Street Journal investigation found that many of the most popular applications, or "apps," on the social-networking site Facebook Inc. have been transmitting identifying information—in effect, providing access to people's names and, in some cases, their friends' names—to dozens of advertising and Internet tracking companies. Facebook said it is taking steps to "dramatically limit" the exposure of users' personal information. Full article.
Cellphones Now Used More for Data
Although almost 90% of households in the US now have a cellphone, the growth in voice minutes used by consumers has stagnated. Instead of talking on their cellphones, people are using the extras that iPhones, BlackBerrys and other smartphones were designed to do — browse the Web, listen to music, watch television, play games and send e-mail and text messages. Full Article.
Mobile Industry Strikes Back at Google and Apple
Feb 16, 2010 – Twenty-Four operators that included AT&T, Verizon, Telefónica and others, announced the formation of an alliance to build an “open platform” to deliver applications to all mobile phone users. The goal of the Wholesale Applications Community is to establish a simple route to market for developers to deliver applications and services to a wider customer. Full Article.
Flip Side: Why the Jury's Still Out on the Apple iPad
The challenge for Apple is whether it can convince the millions of consumers who already own an iPhone or iPod Touch, or are content with their notebook computers, that it’s worth shelling out at least $499. Until Apple gets developers to create more iPad-specific applications that showcase the hardware, it may face the same apathy that plagued other rival devices.
Great Gifts for Entrepreneurs: Productivity Tools
Entrepreneurs are by nature hard to please, but productivity tools just might just do the trick if you’re looking for a great gift. Full Article.
New Applications: Worth the Cost to Small Businesses?
A number of new services help even the smallest and most local of businesses make apps, but entrepreneurs need to consider whether they have the hours or the staff needed to maintain apps and keep content fresh. Full Article.
Google Voice Lets You Use Your Own Phone Number for Services
Google will now let you use your existing cell phone number with some of Google Voice’s services: online voicemail, automated text transcripts, and custom voicemail greetings. Full Article.
