Archive for December, 2010

Is the Next Move for Google Your Phone Carrier?

Thursday, December 30th, 2010 by admin

With 2010 announcing the dethroning of Google’s title as “King of the Web”, they must have some plans to pull through, right? It seems their next big step could be tackling the cell phone space. Many believe they have exactly what it takes to build a cell phone service – all they have to do is launch it.

Google’s first advantage to this success is the Android. While they already support this operating system, it seems to be the obvious option for them to begin with. So many users have already grown accustomed to features and abilities of the Android, that it wouldn’t seem too difficult to gain control over the service.

Additionally, Google already has its Google Voice services which currently provides phone calls and is ready-to-use. This service has rapidly become popular between roughly a million users, suggesting its continued success through Google’s own phone service if this were to be released.

Although the process of establishing itself as a phone carrier may be tedious and would require a lot of work on Google’s part, the stepping stones are there and ready to be used. Many believe they are already considering this next triumph and say it is only a matter of time.

While 2010 announced Google had been “dethroned”, don’t expect the big-wig of the web to sit back and be walked all over. In fact, with an opportunity to take on a previously uncharted territory by its competitors, Google could see this edge as the way to regain its title.

Are Your Ads Pre-Approved by Facebook?

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 by admin

In an attempt to maintain a better grasp on the content that its’ users are being exposed to, Facebook has announce new rules for developers who are advertising within applications on the site. They have announced that only those third-party networks that have been pre-approved will be able to monetize their applications with ads going forward.Currently, only 14 providers have been approved by agreeing to Facebook’s Platform Terms for Advertising Providers. Until other companies can agree to these terms, they will be prohibited from presenting ads within applications. Although it is unsure when these rules will be enforced, Facebook has stated that current networks must agree to the terms before continuing their ads.

Due to criticism about user privacy within Facebook, these new rules appear to be their way of handling the data that is shared between the site and third-party networks. As part of the new rules, the site now directly prohibits the transfer of user data between applications.

While Facebook is buckling down on its advertising efforts, it can keep tabs on the content shared within its site and ultimately provide a better user experience. The social networking site doesn’t mention how long the process is to become pre-approved, but if you want to break into this social community you better abide by the rules.

SCVNGR Found in Times Square for Social Good

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 by admin

Location-based services underdog, SCVNGR, is teaming up with American Eagle to use social media for social good this New Year’s. Recently, Times Square has become the newest test for location-based marketing with many new services finding their way to its billboards. Those in New York’s Times Square will find SCVNGR featured on the American Eagle billboard now through the end of the year.

SCVNGR has partnered up with the clothing retailer in hopes to attract users to participate in challenges to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Consumers can now take part in challenges such as “2010 was…”, “Spot the Eagle” and “What’s your resolution”. For each completed challenge, American Eagle has agreed to donate $5 to the organization and SCVNGR will match this donation up to $10 per challenge.

The success that SCVNGR received from their Black Friday promotion with Coca-Cola has suggested this campaign will continue its’ success. After giving away over $100,000 in gift card rewards during its previous promotion, the location-based service proved its ability to gain user interaction.

With the continued growth of location-based services, and the said 500,000 users on SCVNGR, opportunities appear to be endless. While users continue to check-in and complete challenges, SCVNGR becomes a challenge to its competitors as it makes a name for itself in social media.