You can’t shop anywhere without running into a legion of Redboxes. Now it looks like the cardinal-colored entertainment kiosks are keen to transfer their physical omnipresence over to the digital world.
After shoring up its presence on iOS, Windows Phone, and Android (including the forked Kindle Fire tablet), an official Redbox app has just touched down in the Windows Store.
Redbox lovers will find a lot to like, though there’s nothing groundbreaking here. In addition to the Most Popular, Coming Soon, and Newly Released lists of movies you’d expect to find in an app like this, the Redbox app can tap into your device’s location to pinpoint kiosks near you, using Windows 8’s baked-in Bing Maps as a backbone. Not sure where a particular kiosk is located relative to you? The app can even provide directions.
That’s a lot of Redboxes!
Once you select a specific Redbox location, you’re able to search the games and movies available in that particular kiosk. (Pro tip: Right-click on the main screen to bring up a bar with Movies, Games, and Featured tabs at the top of the screen.)
Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), often seen as the most progressive tech company in America, will expand its Appstore so “that developers can now submit their apps for distribution in nearly 200 countries.” Amazon may not have a ready customer base in most of those countries, but the announcement makes its reach seem impressive, even if it is ineffective.
In Amazon’s race to dominate, or at least have a prime position, in the mobile app development business, it finds itself behind Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG). Apple’s massive distribution channel through its iPad and iPhone products, and the many years it has had its own store, give it a built-in advantage. Google has leverage of its own because of the nearly universal adoption of it Android mobile operating system. Its large share of the mobile OS industry cannot be underestimated as an app distribution network, via Google’s own store. Developers with direct relationship with Google can create products for both Amazon’s Kindle and all other Android products
Amazon Appstore for Android was created to help Amazon steal some of Google’s native app developer network. Why developers would not favor Google’s own developer system and store is a mystery. That means most of Amazon’s success with app distribution will be based on its own Kindle Fire tablet, to a substantial extent:
Developers throughout the world are experiencing strong monetization and user engagement through Kindle Fire and the Amazon Appstore.
As far as anyone can tell, the Amazon Appstore is the e-commerce company’s attempt to help sales of its Kindle products, and nothing more. The risk in that is that the Kindle may be overwhelmed by all the other Android-based tablets that have flooded the market. But in the hope of bolstering its position, the company said:
Amazon Expands Global App Distribution to Nearly 200 Countries – Developers Should Submit Their Apps Soon to Reach Millions More Active Amazon Customers
Developers around the world reporting high monetization rates with Kindle Fire and Amazon Appstore
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)– (NAS: AMZN) – Amazon.com, Inc. continued the global expansion of its Appstore today by announcing that developers can now submit their apps for distribution in nearly 200 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, India, South Africa, South Korea, and even Papua New Guinea and Vatican City. These apps will be made available in the coming months when the Amazon Appstore for Android launches internationally for consumers. Registered developers who want international distribution will have their apps automatically made available for download, unless they designate otherwise. This international expansion is the latest in a series of Amazon Appstore for Android launches, which have included the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Japan. Signing up is easy and developers can get started today by visiting the Amazon Mobile App Distribution Portal.
Developers throughout the world are experiencing strong monetization and user engagement through Kindle Fire and the Amazon Appstore. The success is being driven by Amazon’s large customer base and industry-leading e-commerce features like 1-Click purchasing, Amazon’s APIs for In-App Purchasing (IAP) and A/B Testing, and GameCircle, Amazon’s gaming experience for Kindle Fire. A recent study of more than 500 games that utilize in-app purchasing on Amazon found that GameCircle-enabled mobile games earned 83 percent more average revenue per user (ARPU) than non-GameCircle games.
“Amazon’s platform is a complete end-to-end solution for developers wanting to build, market and monetize their apps and games on Kindle Fire and Android devices,” said Mike George, Vice President of Apps and Games at Amazon. “Allowing developers to target distribution of their apps and games in even more international countries is yet another important milestone as we strive to serve consumers and developers globally. Many of our existing developers have localized their apps and games for international consumers, and we look forward to working with new developers that have been waiting to bring their apps to more Amazon customers across the globe.”
Monetization Success
P2 Games is a UK based publisher of interactive games. “We launched our Kindle
Smaller tablets are all the rage these days. Tablets with displays of 7 inches to 8 inches are turning out to be the sweet spot with consumers, balancing mobility and usability while carrying lower price points relative to larger tablets with displays of 9 inches to 10 inches.
Amazon.com was the first to show the market the way, with its 7-inch Kindle Fire being the first mover in the smaller-sized segment. Google followed suit nearly a year later with the Nexus 7. Even Apple has come around, launching its iPad Mini late last year, which is quickly eating into full-sized iPad sales.
Now Microsoft is preparing to get in the 7-inch game, according to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal. Insiders say that a 7-inch Surface is set to enter production later this year, which is a relatively recent development since last year Microsoft had no plans for such a device. The WSJ report is but the latest piece of evidence pointing toward Microsoft’s inevitable move downmarket.
Not only has the software giant been incentivizing OEMs to explore smaller touchscreen devices through a series of discounts and price cuts, but also Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8.1 update (code-named “Blue”) will include support for 7-inch tablets.
The company has also tweaked its guidelines for Windows certification to a similar effect, reducing the minimum supported resolution. The company said the change was not meant to encourage OEMs to use lower resolutions, but instead was to allow them to explore “designs for certain markets.”
In doing so, the company also seemingly acknowledged that its choice of a 16:9 aspect ratio may have been misguided, since using Surface in portrait mode is comical at best and downright awkward at worst. Microsoft is opening the door to a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is what Apple uses in its iPads with much success (Amazon and Google both use 16:10).
Even Amazon is having a hard time selling its 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD. The e-tailer just got aggressive with that device’s pricing, and the price drop presumably isn’t because Amazon was selling so many of them.
Microsoft has no choice if it hopes for any semblance of tablet success. A 7-inch Surface is coming.
It’s been a frustrating path for Microsoft investors, who’ve watched the company fail to capitalize on the incredible growth in mobile over the past decade. However, with the release of its own tablet, along with the widely anticipated Windows 8 operating system, the company is looking to make a splash in this booming market. In this brand-new premium report on Microsoft, our analyst explains that while the opportunity is huge, the challenges are many. He’s also providing regular updates as key events occur, so make sure to claim a copy of this report now by clicking here.
LifeApps® Digital Media Begins Operations at Sports One Group
Sports One Group, a digital wholesale marketer and seller of promotional and team athletic apparel, begins operations under LifeApps®
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– LifeApps Digital Media Inc. (OTCQB: LFAP) (“LifeApps”), an emerging growth company and designer of applications (“apps”), new media, products and next-generation social networks for sports, health, fitness and entertainment enthusiasts, is pleased to announce that operations at Sports One Group have been successfully transferred to LifeApps and the business is operating under newly appointed Director, Zoe Sophos.
“We are very happy with the ease of the transition of Sports One into the LifeApps family,” stated Zoe Sophos. “Customers are continuing to receive the excellent services, customer service and products they’ve come to expect from Sports One and we are gearing up to bring new brands and products to our catalogue in the coming weeks. We are working on adding some new features to the Sports One web-store and customers will begin seeing the added benefits of these new features soon.”
LifeApps acquired the business of Sports One Group, a wholesale supplier to the promotional products industry providing athletic apparel, uniforms and decorating services, on April 1, 2013.
About LifeApps Digital Media Inc.
LifeApps is a digital media company focusing on health, fitness, sports publications, and next-generation social networks. The company is a leading, authorized developer, publisher and licensee for Apple iOS – iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad – and Android tablets on Google Play and Kindle Fire and Androids via Amazon Mobile Marketplace. Health, fitness and sports enthusiasts can benefit from the expertise of top-tier sports physicians, performance fitness trainers and professional athletes through LifeApps® multi-sport and fitness publications and mobile apps. These subject matter experts create the skills, drills and workouts that are featured in the family of LifeApps® Digital Media products and publications.
This release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is used under the federal securities laws. Such statements may be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “future,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “plan,” “projected,” “intend,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are
It’s been rumored that Google might be releasing a version of its Nexus 7 tablet for a rock-bottom price of $149 — $10 below what Amazon charges for its Kindle Fire tablet. Considering the fact that the Amazon ecosystem undermines Google’s search engine and app store, this move appears to be an effort to mitigate the threat from Amazon’s low-cost stronghold. In this video, Motley Fool contributor Steve Heller discusses what the prospect of a $149 Nexus 7 tablet could mean for Google investors and what to keep an eye on going forward.
As one of the most dominant Internet companies ever, Google has made a habit of driving strong returns for its shareholders. However, like many other web companies, it’s also struggling to adapt to an increasingly mobile world. Despite gaining an enviable lead with its Android operating system, the market isn’t sold. That’s why it’s more important than ever to understand each piece of Google’s sprawling empire. In The Motley Fool‘s new premium research report on Google, we break down the risks and potential rewards for Google investors. Simply click here now to unlock your copy of this invaluable resource.
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LifeApps® Digital Media Inc. Adds Stan Sopczyk, former COO of Cleveland Golf, to its Advisory Board
Stan Sopczyk, former COO of Cleveland Golf, is added to growing list of former sports executives and professional athletes on the Life Apps Digital Media Advisory Board
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– LifeApps Digital Media Inc. (OTCQB: LFAP), an emerging growth company and designer of applications (“apps”), new media, and next-generation social networks for sports, health, fitness and entertainment enthusiasts, is pleased to announce that Stan Sopczyk, former COO of Cleveland Golf, will be joining the LifeApps team as an Advisory Board member. Mr. Sopczyk is a seasoned veteran of the golf industry with over 35 years of experience, including the position of Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer at Taylor Made Golf Company in addition to his time as Chief Operating Officer at Cleveland Golf.
“We are very glad to have Stan as a member of our Advisory Board team,” Robert Gayman, CEO of Life Apps Digital Media said. “He brings a great deal of business experience and contacts within the golf industry that will be beneficial to our newly launched golf fitness product, the Golf Core Grip.”
Mr. Sopczyk’s wealth of business knowledge comes from extensive career experience as the president, vice president, owner or consultant in a variety of companies directly related to the golf industry. He joins a growing number of sports, health and fitness professionals as Advisory Board members of LifeApps.
About LifeApps Digital Media Inc.
LifeApps Digital Media Inc. (OTCQB: LFAP), is a digital media company focusing on health, fitness, sports publications, and next-generation social networks. The company is a leading, authorized developer, publisher and licensee for Apple iOS – iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad – and Android tablets on Google Play and Kindle Fire and Androids via Amazon Mobile Marketplace. Health, fitness and sports enthusiasts can benefit from the expertise of top-tier sports physicians, performance fitness trainers and professional athletes through LifeApps® multi-sport and fitness publications and mobile apps. These subject matter experts create the skills, drills and workouts that are featured in the family of LifeApps® Digital Media products and publications.
Does the Surface RT have a future? Will Mr. Softy go back to making Intel-only devices? Please watch and then leave a comment to let us know what you think of Microsoft’s tablet prospects.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP HTC CEO Peter Chou, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph De La Vega embrace as they show joint products at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif., on Thursday.
By PETER SVENSSON
NEW YORK — Facebook Home, the new application that takes over the front screen of a smartphone, is a bit of a corporate home invasion. Facebook is essentially moving into Google’s turf, taking advantage of software the search giant and competitor created.
Facebook Home will operate on phones running Google Inc.’s (GOOG) Android software and present Facebook status updates, messages and other content on the home screen, rather than making the user fire up Facebook’s app. The software will be available for users to download on April 12 and will come preloaded on a new phone from HTC Corp., sold by AT&T Inc. in the U.S.
Google gives away Android, the most popular smartphone software in the world, in the hope that it will steer phone users toward Google services, such as Maps and Gmail, and the ads it sells. Compared to ads targeting PC surfers, mobile ads are a small market, but it’s growing quickly. Research firm eMarketer expects U.S. mobile ad spending to grow 77 percent this year to $7.29 billion.
With Home, Facebook is inserting itself between users and Google, diverting them to the social network’s own ads and services. It’s taking advantage of the fact that Google places few restrictions on how phone manufacturers and software developers modify Android. By contrast, Facebook Home would not work on the iPhone without approval from Apple Inc., and close collaboration with the company.
“Facebook Home can only reside on Android because only Google was daft enough to allow it,” said independent phone analyst Horace Dediu, via Twitter.
At the launch event Thursday, Facebook Inc. (FB) CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Google was aware of the project, but Facebook didn’t work them to create Home. Asked if he believed Google could change tactics and restrict apps like Home, he said it was theoretically possible, but highly unlikely for Google to do a “180-degree change” in its stance on Android’s openness.
It’s not the first time a big Internet company has co-opted Android: Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) has gone much farther with its Kindle Fire tablets. They run a version of Android that strips out all Google services, replacing them with Amazon’s equivalents. Barnes & Noble Inc. does the same thing with its Nook tablets. These devices lie outside the Google system, whereas phones running Facebook Home still come with Google apps like Maps and the Play Store for music, movies and applications.
The Play Store has many examples of downloadable applications that modify the Android home screen — so-called “launchers.” Home, however, represents the first time a major …read more
LifeApps® Digital Media Inc. begins shipping the Golf Core Grip Workout System to Customers
On April 1, 2013 LifeApps began fulfilling pre-orders for the Golf Core Grip Workout System
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– LifeApps Digital Media Inc. (OTCQB: LFAP), an emerging growth company and designer of applications (“apps”), new media, and next-generation social networks for sports, health, fitness and entertainment enthusiasts, is pleased to announce that the Golf Core Grip Workout System is immediately available for purchase at http://golfcoregrip.com. On April 1st, 2013 LifeApps began fulfilling pre-order purchases of the Golf Core Grip.
“We are very pleased to be shipping the Golf Core Grip. This is an important product for LifeApps that will drive revenues for the Company,” stated David S. Dawson, V.P. of Operations at LifeApps. “We’ve ramped up production and we’re driving the Core Grip to market now. We are seeing the results of our multiple revenue streams approach that we’ve been building towards and the Golf Core Grip launch is a key part of that strategy.”
The Golf Core Grip Workout System is a first of its kind golf fitness product designed to improve a golfer’s overall fitness, core strength, and stability. By incorporating golf-specific exercises and functional training drills the Core Grip develops key muscle groups while reinforcing the kinematic sequence of the golf swing of lower body, pelvis, torso, arms and hands. A companion Golf Core Grip app for iOS is available free on the App Store and is compatible with iPhone (3GS – 5), iPod touch, iPad and iPad mini. The app contains full instruction, HD video instruction and recording features for using the Golf Core Grip.
LifeApps Digital Media Inc. (OTCQB: LFAP), is a digital media company focusing on health, fitness, sports publications, and next-generation social networks. The company is a leading, authorized developer, publisher and licensee for Apple iOS – iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad – and Android tablets on Google Play and Kindle Fire and Androids via Amazon Mobile Marketplace. Health, fitness and sports enthusiasts can benefit from the expertise of top-tier sports physicians, performance fitness trainers and professional athletes through LifeApps® multi-sport and fitness publications and mobile apps. These …read more
Amazon.com has expanded AutoRip to vinyl records purchases since 1998.
Introduced in January, AutoRip provides Music Store customers with free digital copies (MP3s) when they make a CD purchase. Similarly, customers who now buy a vinyl record will also receive a free digital copy added to their Cloud Player libraries. This extends to all Amazon customers who have bought from the Music Store since 1998. Moving forward, prospective customers can receive free MP3s by looking for the AutoRip logo.
As part of the AutoRip service, customers can stream the MP3s on Kindle Fire, Android phones and tablets, iOS devices, Samsung TV, Roku, Sonos, and Ford SYNC Applink-equipped vehicles. Furthermore, customers will receive free storage and backup on all AutoRip MP3s. 256 Kbps MP3
Fool contributor Kevin Chen has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Amazon.com and Ford. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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With the very obvious consumer trend toward smaller tablets, Microsoft has little choice but to release a smaller version of its Surface if it has any hopes of success. Apple recently launched its iPad Mini in an admission that there is a market for smaller devices. Google‘s Nexus 7 has a hot seller among Android enthusiasts, and Amazon.com was easily the first company to see major success with its 7-inch Kindle Fire. Windows Blue, which may be officially dubbed Windows 8.1, will lay the groundwork for smaller Windows tablets.
In the video below, Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, lays it out for investors.
It’s been a frustrating path for Microsoft investors, who’ve watched the company fail to capitalize on the incredible growth in mobile over the past decade. However, with the release of its own tablet, along with the widely anticipated Windows 8 operating system, the company is looking to make a splash in this booming market. In this brand-new premium report on Microsoft, our analyst explains that while the opportunity is huge, the challenges are many. He’s also providing regular updates as key events occur, so make sure to claim a copy of this report now by clicking here.
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If there was any doubt that Google was gearing up to launch a second-generation model of its popular Nexus 7 tablet, Reuters is now chiming in with a fresh report that the search giant is targeting a July launch for the next iteration. That would put the Nexus 7 in a one-year product cycle, since the first one was unveiled to the world last July.
First-generation Nexus 7. Source: Google.
The company is reportedly sticking with Asus as the manufacturer of choice, although Big G may be ditching NVIDIA‘s Tegra for the applications processor in favor of a Qualcomm Snapdragon. That’s in line with what Pacific Crest analyst Michael McConnell predicted in February, believing that Google was planning to use a Snapdragon APQ8064.
Reuter’s anonymous sources say that Google gave both chip makers a fair shot, but ended up choosing Qualcomm due to better power efficiency. The Nexus 7 was one of NVIDIA‘s two biggest tablet wins last year, with the other being Microsoft Surface, and Qualcomm may be muscling in on its tablet turf.
Pricing is still up in the air, and Google is reportedly contemplating keeping the same $199 price point or dropping down to $149. The search giant may be hoping to sell upwards of 6 million to 8 million units of the second-generation model during the latter half of the year.
Some analysts believe that Google shipped 4.6 million of the first-generation Nexus 7 during the second half of 2012. IDC pegs Asus total tablet shipments at 5.5 million during that time frame, showing just how much the OEM has benefited from the Nexus 7 partnership, since those figures imply that the Nexus 7 comprises 84% of its tablet volumes. Asus is targeting 12 million in total tablet units in 2013.
Amazon.com is Google’s primary competition in the $199 price segment for 7-inch tablets, and the e-tailer has also set precedent for an annual product cycle with refreshes every September. Amazon’s third-generation Kindle Fire should be due out just a couple months after the second-generation Nexus 7 hits, and maybe Amazon will finally take the wraps off its Kindle Phone at the same time.
Apple‘s iPad Mini has also become a viable threat in the smaller tablet segment, even though it carries premium pricing. There’s been no shortage of speculation on when the iPad maker will launch a second-generation model with a Retina display. Some have thought an iPad event is in store for later this month, but other analysts think Apple’s moving the iPad cycle farther back.
Google’s next Nexus 7 is coming.
Is Apple still a buy? The Motley Fool’s senior technology analyst and managing bureau chief, Eric Bleeker, is prepared to fill you in on both reasons to buy and reasons to sell Apple, and what opportunities are left for the company (and your portfolio) going forward. To get instant access to his latest thinking on Apple, …read more Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance
We’re now just two days away from a media event that social networker Facebook is hosting. Despite intense competition with Google on the ad front, the main topic will be something related to Android. The event’s tag line makes it clear: “Come see our new home on Android.”
Source: 9to5Google.
While speculation has persisted for years that Facebook has been exploring a bona fide first-party Facebook Phone, that strategy has simply never made sense for the company. Even Mark Zuckerberg knows it, so investors can promptly rule out that possibility.
There’s also been talk that Facebook could fork Android in much the same way that Amazon has with its Kindle Fire family of tablets, although the problem there is that Facebook doesn’t have the necessary content pieces to launch a full-blown smartphone platform of its own.
The only remaining possibility, then, is for Facebook to pursue a new level of integration with an existing platform in an effort to expand its reach and bolster user engagement. For example, Facebook inked an important deal with Apple to get the social network integrated directly into both iOS and OS X. Nokia also unveiled the Asha 205 last year, which features a dedicated Facebook button, a device similar to the HTC ChaCha that was launched a couple years ago.
Chances are that Facebook is hooking up with HTC again for a new smartphone dubbed “Myst.” Android Police was able to procure a system software dump of the unreleased device, and it appears that “Facebook Home” will be a launcher replacement for Android that taps directly into numerous Facebook apps and social services. Facebook Home will be built on top of HTC’s Sense 4.5, an older version of the OEM’s custom software layer.
The mid-range device looks like it will sport a previous generation Qualcomm Snapdragon and run on AT&T‘s network. There is also indication that Facebook Home is being built to support other Android layers, such as Samsung’s TouchWiz, which hints at a broader Google Play release.
By the looks of it, Facebook Home is exactly the strategy that Facebook should be pursuing: partnering with as many OEMs as possible to expand its reach and strengthen its network effects while leaving hardware to the OEMs.
After the world’s most hyped IPO turned out to be a dunce, most investors probably don’t even want to think about shares of Facebook. But there are things every investor needs to know about this company. We’ve outlined them in our newest premium research report. There’s a lot more to Facebook than meets the eye, so read up on whether there is anything to “like” about it today, and we’ll tell you whether we think Facebook deserves a place in your portfolio. Access your report by clicking here.
Amazon added a new element to its Cloud Drive service this week that expands it usefulness. The new Cloud Drive Sync app keeps files in sync across different devices and platforms, and pits Amazon Cloud Drive head-to-head against rivals such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple. However, businesses should steer clear of Amazon Cloud Drive.
The Amazon Cloud Drive Sync app is available for Windows or Mac OS X. Similar to other cloud file syncing tools, the app places a folder on your PC. Any files saved to the designated folder are automatically synced to Amazon Cloud Drive, and instantly available from any device that can access Amazon Cloud.
By default, the local Amazon Cloud Drive folder created on a Windows or Mac OS X PC includes sub-folders for Documents, Pictures, and Videos. Amazon doesn’t offer a very consistent experience across platforms, though.
The Kindle Fire stores and accesses the data through separate tabs of the mobile OS: Docs, Photos, Videos, and Music. It can get a little confusing because a JPG file stored in the Documents sub-folder on a Windows or Mac OS X PC ends up in Photos on the Kindle Fire, while a video clip stored under Documents will be found in Videos. It makes sense, logically, but may throw people off because the files are not located in the same place from device to device.
Record Social Media Activation Set for WrestleMania®29
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– WWE today announced a record-level of digital and social media initiatives during WrestleMania Week, providing fans with more access to Superstars and WWE content than ever before. WrestleMania 29 will be broadcast live on pay-per-view Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. ET.
WrestleMania 29 digital initiatives include:
VINCE MCMAHON JOINS TWITTER
Last night on Monday Night Raw, WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon officially joined Twitter (@VinceMcMahon). McMahon will reward his followers by making a “big announcement” (#bigreveal) on his official Twitter account on Friday, April 5.
WRESTLEMANIA PAY-PER-VIEW NOW AVAILABLE GLOBALLY ON MOBILE, PLUS XBOX AND SAMSUNG SMART TVS
For the first time, WWE is streaming WrestleMania 29 across all Apple, Android and Windows 8 devices and Kindle Fire tablets. The pay-per-view will also be available on Xbox consoles and Samsung Smart TVs, inside “Xbox Live” and the Samsung “Smart Hub.”
WWE FORGES PARTNERSHIPS WITH YAHOO! AND AOL, OFFERS WRESTLEMANIA DIGITAL TOOLKIT TO BLOGGERS
In anticipation of WrestleMania 29, Yahoo! Screen (http://screen.yahoo.com/wwe-wrestlemania-29/) and AOL have launched all-new channels featuring video content of WWE‘s most popular Superstars. Also, for the first time ever, WWE is providing blogs and news sites an embeddable content widget that delivers up-to-the-minute news, photos and videos of WWE events leading up to and through WrestleMania.
NEW FACEBOOK GAME LETS FANS COMPETE TO LEAD THE WWE UNIVERSE
WWE‘s new Facebook application, “Superfan Showdown,” lets players from around the world compete in fast-paced interactive trivia challenges, rapid-fire polls, mind-bending puzzles and much more. As fans go head-to-head, they earn points, climb the global leaderboard and accumulate “WWE Cash,” which can be spent to purchase exclusive virtual goods, including: limited edition badges, rare Superstar trading cards, and never-before-seen WWEvideo content.
WRESTLEMANIA 29 INTERACTIVE PRESS CONFERENCE
The WrestleMania 29 press conference at Radio City Music Hall will live stream on YouTube, Facebook and WWE.com on Thursday, April 4 at 1 p.m. ET. The interactive press conference will feature fan questions submitted via Twitter and answered live by WWE …read more Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance
While Microsoft’s current line-up of Surface tablets compete directly with devices like the Apple iPad, it still doesn’t have a mid-sized device to compete with smaller tablets like the iPad Mini and, notably, Amazon’s Kindle Fire. There is some tantalizing evidence, though, in the latest release of the Windows 8 Certification guidelines that state that Microsoft will now officially support smaller resolutions and, perhaps, screen sizes, which would allow manufacturers to create a new generation of smaller Surface tablets in the 7-inch range. …read more Source: FULL ARTICLE at Forbes Latest
There’s been no shortage of speculation on an Amazon.com Kindle Phone of some sort over the years. After all, in the age of mobile computing, smartphones and tablets go hand-in-hand and the e-tailer has made quite a dent in the tablet market to date with the Kindle Fire.
The most recent rumor about the alleged “Kindle Phone” is that the device may feature a 4.7-inch screen, which could potentially qualify it as a Kindle Phablet. What does Amazon have up its sleeve?
Rumor has it Taiwanese rumor mill DIGITIMESis fueling the speculative flames today, citing “industry supply chain sources” that say Amazon has its sights set on a 4.7-inch display, up from its previous plan to go with a 4.3-inch display.
The trade up was reportedly due to the observable consumer trend toward larger displays, even though the data shows that large devices are still a relatively niche, albeit growing, segment of the broader smartphone market. For a device with “just” a 3.5-inch display, Apple‘s iPhone 4S held its own admirably against the onslaught of Google Android phablets of yesteryear.
DIGITIMES‘ sources also say that Amazon is beefing up other specs of the device and that the company is targeting a launch during the second quarter. Amazon has reportedly tapped Foxconn as the contract manufacturer, but there have been hiccups with the production schedule.
Of course, Apple is Foxconn’s big fish and new iPhones could also be due out in June or July. That would put Apple’s production ramp right in the same time frame, and Foxconn would obviously be giving the iPhone maker priority when it comes to capacity considering the sheer volume that Apple brings to the table.
Logistics aside, does a Kindle Phone or Phablet have any chance of succeeding?
That’s what he said First off, let’s go ahead and assume that Amazon is indeed building a smartphone. CEO Jeff Bezos all but confirmed as much in January in an interview with the Harvard Business Review. The executive was discussing speculation of Amazon building physical retail stores, but when directly asked about the prospects of an Amazon smartphone, he added:
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, that’s the kind of thing where you would ask, “What is the idea? How would it be differentiated? Why wouldn’t it be ‘me too’?”
What would the idea of a Kindle Phone be that wouldn’t be “me, too”? That’s a challenging question to answer, especially when you consider the fact that Amazon’s favorite competitive weapon has always been price — a weapon that’s effectively neutered by subsidies in the smartphone market.
The price can’t be right Unlike in the tablet market, where Amazon has found success by undercutting on price, the smartphone market is chock-full of free smartphones (after carrier subsidies kick in). Assuming that Amazon isn’t willing to pay you to take possession of a smartphone, it can’t go lower than $0.
There should be no doubting now that Samsung is trying to undermineGoogle as much as it is Apple. The South Korean conglomerate’s penchant for imitation shows no sign of abating, and the company is now broadening this strategy beyond hardware and aggressively trying to get into content and services.
Samsung is naming its storefront the remarkably self-explanatory Samsung Content & Services, which will take direct shots at both the iTunes App Store and Google Play. Following its latest Apple carbon copy of the Passbook app, Samsung is now introducing AllShare Play and Find My Mobile services, which are the company’s versions of AirPlay and Find My iPhone.
AllShare Play. Source: Samsung.
The repository was launched just two days ago and the app section looks uncannily similar to Google Play. Last month at Mobile World Congress, Samsung made it clear that bolstering its content and services platform was a critical strategic goal this year, according to Korea IT News.
Going rogue There’s been some speculation recently that Samsung may be interested in forking Android at some point in the near future in order to gain more control over the user experience. However, that would entail some major risks and undoubtedly ruin its relationship with the search giant, which it still relies on for the operating system that powers all of its most popular mobile gadgets.
If Samsung were to theoretically go completely rogue, it would stop getting early access to the newest Android builds along with other forms of collaboration from Google. All of Big G’s services that tie directly into Android could potentially go by the wayside. That could prove fatal for Samsung’s prospects, especially in the important U.S. market.
It’s been done before Although if history has any lessons for us, look no further than Amazon.com . To date, the e-tail giant has been the most successful Android forker with its Kindle Fire family of tablets.
Amazon grabbed 11.5% of the tablet market in the fourth quarter with 6 million units shipped, and all of those devices are feeding directly into its own content and services offerings instead of Google’s official Android outlets. Amazon is the success story for any would-be forkers to emulate.
It all started when Amazon initially set up its Appstore for Android back in March 2011 — six months before it launched the first Kindle Fire. At the time, there was much speculation that Amazon was preparing a new line of hardware, and opening a distinct Android store that was separate from Google’s made the e-tailer’s intentions crystal clear.
Amazon wouldn’t have been able to succeed without the Appstore, and it already had plenty of other types of digital content to complement. Setting up a separate storefront is the first step on the path to forking — a step that Samsung is now taking.
LifeApps® Digital Media Announces Acquisition of Today’s New Deal
Today’s New Deal assets, including todaysnewdeal.com, acquired by LifeApps Digital Media to be enhanced for a Summer 2013 launch including an m-Commerce mobile app companion.
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– LifeApps Digital Media Inc. (OTCQB: LFAP), an emerging growth company and designer of applications (“apps”), new media, and next-generation social networks for sports, health, fitness and entertainment enthusiasts, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Today’s New Deal, a Southern California based daily deal website and email marketing newsletter service. LifeApps has acquired all assets of the Today’s New Deal website, newsletter system and Today’s New Deal’s approximately 40,000 registered users.
“We are looking forward to branding Today’s New Deal as a sports, health and fitness specific daily deals site combined with an m-Commerce mobile app companion,” stated LifeApps CEO, Robert Gayman. “The Southern California region, from Ventura County through Los Angeles and San Diego, is a very health conscious, e-commerce and mobile health friendly area. We know that the sports, health and fitness targeted daily deals that Today’s New Deal will be delivering are going to be of great interest to the approximately 40,000 existing subscribers of Today’s New Deal. We also believe narrowing the focus of the deals to our specific sports, health and fitness market will help us improve the deals that are offered through Today’s New Deal and grow its subscriber base.”
LifeApps will brand the Today’s New Deal service with a new look, new logo and a companion m-Commerce mobile app and will launch the new service this summer. David S. Dawson, LifeApps VP of Operations states, “We want to improve the usefulness of the service. We will make the online service more current and visually appealing. We will also build an m-Commerce Today’s New Deal mobile app that will further simplify users’ ability to access their deals after they’ve subscribed. We want to make Today’s New Deal Southern California‘s go-to e-Commerce and m-Commerce service for sports, health and fitness services and products deals.”
About LifeApps Digital Media Inc.
LifeApps Digital Media Inc. (OTCQB: LFAP), is a digital media company focusing on health, fitness, sports publications, and next-generation social networks. The company is a leading, authorized developer, publisher and licensee for Apple iOS – iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad – and Android tablets on Google Play and Kindle Fire and Androids via Amazon Mobile Marketplace. Health, fitness and sports enthusiasts can benefit from the …read more Source: FULL ARTICLE at DailyFinance