It had to happen sooner or later. Mashable reports that Facebook takes its Open Graph to the Mobile.
In essence this means you’ll be able to see Recommendations and Like buttons and more, that will enhance your context socially.
In a recent article about Mobile strategies and the three aspects, I elaborated on Location, Relevancy and Immediacy.
When reading the given example by Eric Tseng, Head of Mobile products at Facebook, an interesting application of taking this to the Mobile is of course enhancing geo-centric marketing efforts.
The expansion of Facebook’s Open Graph perfectly fits the “triple play”. By tapping into the opportunities which are provided by location, the large amount of information that is pushed and/or searched by mobile users is contextually enhanced by your network.
How can users differentiate and make choices? Your network can at least help you making that choice.
Facebook is providing the ability to socially augment the users’ experience, instead of augmenting it with extra contents, which only adds more information and no relevant decision-making “mechanisms”.
Facebook’s user base is put on 150 million users, for application developers this could mean a new range of opportunities by the Facebook plugins. Users are already online, are already on Facebook, the extension to third party applications is logical and can fuel the usage of mobile and mobile applications.
What do you think the implications are?
Tweet]]>
WOOHOO!
Our friends at Paladin Studios, who we worked with on Twinners in 2007-08, have just released their first iPhone game called Jimmy Pataya. Will we see it on the iPad next?
In this action-arcade title, players jump from an airplane to face an obstacle course called “The Grinder”. By tilting the iPhone side to side, players dodge objects at an increasingly fast pace. The goal is to get as far as possible and earn ample bragging rights!
Adrenaline
“We sat down a day before project start, to come up with a good theme. We went from word games to racers and puzzle games, but settled on a sky diving game,” stated Dylan Nagel, product manager for Jimmy Pataya. As it turned out, that theme was contested. “Next Monday, there were big differences in the way the team envisioned the project. Some wanted an extreme sports game, others were in favour of an anime-style colour matching title.”
The solution came when early game testers gave their opinions.
“At first, we went for sky diving with colour matching mechanics. It was fun, but we had to explain the game three times to our early testers. Not a good sign.”
So they killed it, and went for the skydiving mechanic alone.
Looking back, Dylan stated:
“The project start was very bumpy, but as soon as we chopped away the ambiguities around the theme and mechanics, the concept became clear and we started picking up speed as a team. We focused on the game’s adrenaline rush that comes with the sensation of falling down at terminal velocity. It wasn’t long after the cuts when we realized that the game retained its fun factor, and was easier to pick up. Our testers loved the prototypes, and we knew we were on the right track.”
New to the game
The concept of creating an iPhone game in two weeks came from necessity, says Derk de Geus, CEO of Paladin:
“Gaming on multiple devices is an important strategy for Paladin. We have experience with online distribution and the Facebook platform, but needed to increase our platform reach. Instead of diving head-first into a juggernaut project, this game is a test case to find the hidden gems and obstacles that accompany the iPhone platform.”
And why two weeks?
“We like a challenge, and wanted to keep it compact. If we would have scheduled a month, it would have been a much bigger game. More features. But not necessarily better.”
Blog
During the production of the game, the team kept a development diary. On the studio blog, they shared the progress and decisions they made with the world. It reads almost like a novel:
“When we decided that we would try to build an iPhone game in two weeks, we knew it would be tough. We knew it would involve doing a lot of technical research, creating a lot of designs and making a lot of tough decisions. Lukas already talked about a big cut we made, which resulted in a more focused game experience. Today we sat down to review our progress, painfully aware of the impending deadline in just two days.”
All’s well Friday afternoon, the team delivered the game to the App Store for submission, right on time. Derk: “We were all set to go, and pushed the button for upload. Then it said we still needed an App Store provisioning profile. Ouch. Fortunately, after 30 minutes we submitted the game successfully, and the app was approved a couple of days later. Overall, our experience with the iPhone has been pretty good. You can definitely expect new games from Paladin in the App Store soon.”
The game is available in the App Store for a discounted price of $0.99 (€0,79). After the initial launch sale, the game will be sold for $1.99 (€1,39).
About Paladin Studios
Founded in 2005, Paladin Studios is a Dutch game development company based in The Hague. They focus on social games and applied games. As captured in the motto “Life is Play”, they see potential games everywhere. The 7-headed development team consists of a talented bunch of programmers, designers and artists.
Links
Jimmy Pataya – http://www.jimmypataya.com
Press kit with screenshots – http://www.paladinstudios.com/resources/pataya_presskit.zip
Paladin Studios – http://www.paladinstudios.com
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/paladinstudios
Dylan Nagel – http://www.twitter.com/dylannagel
Derk de Geus – http://www.twitter.com/derkdegeusFor more information, please contact Dylan Nagel:
@paladinstudios.com" href="mailto:dylan@paladinstudios.com">dylan@paladinstudios.com or via +31 71 513 2222.
Much is written about the iPad and about its launch. Now that it is available, check out the video below for a well in-depth introduction of the device.
Already, 2300 applications are available for the device.
This article discusses eight Twitter apps for the brand new iPad.
The article by the Wall Street Journal shows screenshots of several apps.
Ubiquity, social media and applications reinforce each other, the market of applications will remain growing explosively if the iPad proves its value.
If this will happen, businesses need to (re)think there strategies when it comes to platforms, target groups and visibility.
Desktop applications won’t suffice anymore, those who react on the omnipresent needs, might well win battles.
The bigger question will be: to build or not to build?
When the iPhone was released, tailormade application development had a reserved character by many, with the release of the iPad -and most probably many more to come-, mobile as a strategy becomes central.
‘Mobile First’ – Google’s new Mantra is an announcement of what is coming and will happen in the mobile and wireless industry.
How do you see the mobile industry react and evolve the next coming year?
Tweet]]>MediaPost announces that Apple is preparing a personalized mobile advertising system which could well be “the next big thing”.
Interesting are the release dates of both the iPad and iAd.
April 3rd is the official launch of the iPad, only for days later is the supposed launch of iAd.
This could well mean that there are -any kind of- ties between iAd, iPad and the iPhone.
A mobile advertising platform means serving location based ads, adding contextual relevancy to the ads, creating a second generation of proximity marketing.
In the same article by MediaPost, it points out that Google has won patents on technologies that serve dynamically ads based upon one’s location.
All that can be concluded from this is that the battle between Apple and Google is by far not over. It makes it only more interesting, competitiveness raises and accelerates innovation and developments which only benefits the users.
Let’s wait and see what happens next week. A counter-attack on Google’s AdMob acquisition and development is bound to come, a possible launch in close relation to the iPad makes it more impacting.
What do you think of a possible mobile ad platform by Apple?
Tweet]]>Jason Goecke is the Vice President of Innovation at Voxeo Labs and this article was originally posted on the Tropo blog. He’s been a friend and technology mentor to Agora Media’s Richard Kastelein since 2003 when they built the original Expatforums community as North American tech refugees in Europe.
Speech Synthesis, otherwise known as Text to Speech (TTS), is a technology that quickly synthesizes a human voice using text as input. Speech synthesis is the default behavior for voice calls on the Tropo platform. The Tropo ‘say‘ verb is the one that provides the TTS capability, by taking a string of text and speaking it back. It is of course possible for this verb to take a URL to a ‘wav’ or ‘mp3′ file for pre-recorded audio to be played as well.
When it comes to teaching your application to speak we follow the Perl ethos of making “the simple things easy and difficult things possible”. So your application may speak very well with the simplicity of our APIs, or it may be as sophisticated and emotional as you like through Tropo exposing powerful capabilities for giving your voices character.
For our first example we will simply say:
1 |
say 'I like squirrels!' |
Which then renders this audio.
Next, we may choose from a voice that speaks any number of languages supported by Tropo (US/UK English, Castilian/Mexican Spanish, French, German, Italian & Dutch). Lets give French a try for our next example:
1 |
say "J'aime les écureuils!", :voice => 'florence' |
Which then renders this audio.
Now, those were the simple examples that anyone may use to add a little speech to their applications. But, remember, we also make the difficult possible for those who want to really make their characters speak. As sometimes simply customizing the voice is not enough. There are cases when you’d also like control over pitch, volume and intonation. Tropo natively supports a standard called the Synthesized Speech Markup Language (SSML).
The Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) is a W3C standard for controlling the pace, tone, pitch and all around sound of computer generated voices. Here’s a Ruby script that repeats the same sentence four times; each at a gradually lower speed:
1 |
answer |
2 |
say "<speak> I like squirrels!. |
3 |
I <prosody rate='-10%'>like squirrels!</prosody> |
4 |
I <prosody rate='-30%'>like squirrels!</prosody> |
5 |
I <prosody rate='-50%'>like squirrels!</prosody> |
6 |
</speak>" |
7 |
hangup |
Which renders this audio. The previous example made use of the rate property of the SSML prosody element to control the playback speed. There are many other elements and attributes you may use, including: emphasis, phoneme, etc. To learn more about SSML and related technologies check out the W3C site at http://www.w3.org/TR/speech-synthesis/.
If you would like to call in and listen to these examples live, you may do so by dialing +990009369991429940 on Skype (free) or calling +1.408.940.5920 from any phone. What are you waiting for? Get started by signing up for an always free developer account @ Tropo.com.
Tweet]]>What interesting to see are the Synaptic Web derivatives when we have a look at the Context.
Information is being filtered and recommended, based upon interests, location, subscriptions and so on. By doing so, the offered Content is more relevant and appropriate.
When looking at the amount of possibilities that are shown in the image, understanding the -potential- power of this device is important.
Why?
First of all to understand the business environment better, secondly to adjust business strategies to these new opportunities or maybe reinforcing current strategies in order to create a better positioning and proposition.
I should at least research the impact on middle- and long term, making sure you won’t be surprised and ready to thrive or survive this mobile transformation.
(click to enlarge)
What do you think of the graphic and that what is being shown?
Tweet]]>
Of course, not everybody has all these devices, but it’s clear that we’re become increasingly mechanized beings and have many extensions that are belonging to the daily repertoire.
With the rise of the smartphone and other convergent devices, many activities can be completed at anytime and anywhere. This only will increase in the future due to more advanced processors/hardware and societal diffusion of technology in general.
What are your thoughts on the digitalization of society?
Do you adhere the Transhumanist view, that science and technology improve human lives and want to intertwine it as much as possible?
Or do you adhere the Modern World critics view which see an advancement in technology as an involution of the human being?
Or somewhere in between?
Yesterday I reported that Verizon Wireless and Skype are at the verge of changing the industry.
Today other news reached me, this time it’s Google, who’s new mantra “Mobile First” is being put as primary focus of the company. The latest acquisition in that space, AdMob, is a result of this new strategy.
Mr. Schmidt said that three areas are coming together on the mobile device, namely the Cloud, computing power and interconnectivity. All these three areas converge in the mobile device, making it a most powerful device where strategies need to be developed in order to thrive or at least, survive.
The signs are there, smartphone sales are growing at a 30% year-over-year rate, which will eventually surpass the personal computer sales.
Even more important, the adoption of the Mobile Web is growing annualy eight times faster than the Web adoption did a decade ago.
In countries like Indonesia and South Africa more searches are done via the mobile Web than via the desktop, it simply cannot be ignored.
For other key mobile trends, have a look at the 8 key Mobile Internet themes article.
These are all serious figures developments which cannot be ignored by companies if they want to keep up the high pace of emerging and converging opportunities.
What do you think of this ‘declaration’ by Google?
Tweet]]>It was bound to happen at one point, but I never thought that Verizon would be the operator to initiate this.
Secondly, this is a huge milestone for Skype which is trying to get access to wireless networks for several years now.
What do you think the effect of this development will be on the mobile industry and on the current relationships?
Tweet]]>Verizon Wireless and Skype join forces to create a global mobile calling community
New Skype Mobile product for Verizon Wireless smartphones brings more value to US mobile consumersBARCELONA, Spain; BASKING RIDGE, NJ, United States; and LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg, 16 January 2010 – At the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Verizon Wireless and Skype today announced a strategic relationship that will bring Skype to Verizon Wireless smartphones in March. The new Skype mobile™ product enhances Verizon Wireless’ smartphones for users who have data plans by offering a new way to call around the globe, while also giving hundreds of millions of Skype users around the world the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and business colleagues in the United States using Verizon Wireless.
The two companies have created an exclusive, easy-to-use Skype mobile offering for 3G smartphones. Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans can use Skype mobile to:
* make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on America’s most reliable wireless network;
* call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates;
* send and receive instant messages to other Skype users; and
* remain always connected with the ability to see friends’ online presence.Initially, Skype mobile will be available on millions of best-selling Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones with data plans, including the BlackBerry® Storm™ 9530, Storm2™ 9550, Curve™ 8330, Curve™ 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour™ 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS™ by HTC and Motorola DEVOUR™.
John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said, “Skype mobile on Verizon Wireless changes the game. For Verizon Wireless’ more than 90 million customers, Skype mobile adds great value because we’re effectively giving customers with smartphones and data plans the option to extend their unlimited calling community to hundreds of millions of Skype users around the globe. And you’re not limited to using a single type of phone; we’ll have nine smartphones ready right at launch in March.”
Josh Silverman, chief executive officer of Skype, noted, “People want to take their Skype conversations with them wherever they go, whether it’s on a PC, TV or increasingly mobile phones. Verizon Wireless will give US consumers the best Skype experience on mobile phones and will truly change the way people call their friends and family internationally.”
Customers interested in learning more about Skype mobile for Verizon Wireless smartphones can visit www.verizonwireless.com/skypemobile. Additional information about the service will be available next month.
Visit www.verizonwireless.com for more information about Verizon Wireless or follow the company at twitter.com/verizonwireless. Learn more and download Skype at www.skype.com or follow the company at twitter.com/skypemobile.
About Verizon WirelessVerizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 91 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, NJ, with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NASDAQ and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About SkypeSkype is software that enables the world’s conversations. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Everyday, people everywhere also use Skype to make low-cost calls to landlines and mobiles. Download Skype to your computer or mobile phone at skype.com.
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a replacement for traditional telephone service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks of Skype Limited.
There will be 1.82 billion mobile devices (smartphones and browser equipped phones), and 1,78 bilion PC’s.
Three important issues are raised in the article by MediaPost on the Gartner research.
1. Most companies have not optimized their websites for the Mobile Web. To have a good presence on the Mobile Web, an adjusted website for the device must be set in place.
2. Context will be key for mobile just as search engines are for the Web. The context will be able to service the user personalized relevant content (in time).
3. Search engines were based upon pulling information to users at their request, mobile on the other hand will be able to prepopulate or push information on unique aspects as the context, the person and content wanted at that point of time.
As outlined in my article “Mobile Marketing moving to centre of the Marketing Strategy?” , companies need to start thinking about any implications the Mobile Web might have for their business and target groups. Fast consecutive occuring life-cycles will make it much more difficult to intervene when the mobile has come to its peak of importance.
A technology like Augmented Reality, which is going to grow the coming years, will even grow further by this, where it could be possible that Proximity Marketing will have a second more contextually relevant chance. Read my article “Mobile Augmented Reality boosting Proximity Marketing” on this subject.
Last but not least, this could impact media convergence as well, where TV, PC and Mobile will blend into new cross-media experiences which shall depend much on Mobile as well.
What implications do you foresee?
Tweet]]>