Tag: social networking

Mobile commerce may be in the cards for Facebook

| April 16, 2013

Mobile Commerce FacebookFacebook could be showing more enthusiasm for mobile commerce

It is no secret that Facebook is looking to appeal more heavily to mobile consumers. The social network has begun seeing its place as social media dominator slip over the past year as a growing number of tech-savvy and younger consumers begin to look elsewhere for their social networking fix. Facebook recently identified mobile as its future, but the social network’s exact plans therein are still somewhat vague. Mobile commerce, marketing, and mobile games may be part of the company’s plans to solidify its grip on the often fickle realm of social networking.

Facebook acquires Osmeta

Facebook has announced its acquisition of Osmeta, a software startup with a focus on the mobile sector. The acquisition comes on the heels of the launch of the Facebook Home application. The app serves as a sort of faux operating system, changing the way a smartphone’s interface looks and functions. The goal of the application is to make Facebook ever-present in the lives of mobile consumers by, quite literally, making the social network the first and last thing people see on their mobile devices.

Mobile plans are not yet clear

Exactly what Facebook plans to do with Osmeta is not clear. Osmeta notes that it has been working on a large project for some time, but details concerning this project are equally unclear. The company currently accounts for 19 software engineers from varied backgrounds. There is speculation suggesting that Facebook has plans for a new mobile commerce application or mobile commerce features that will be incorporated into the Home application. Facebook has shown some interest in mobile commerce in the past and has even recently begun charging for certain services it used to offer for free; services that mobile consumers must pay for if they want to use them.

Facebook may eventually address mobile commerce

Like other social networks, Facebook is currently at a crossroad. The social network is becoming increasingly enthusiastic about the concept of monetization, while it is also facing strong feedback from its users who want to see the social network remain a free platform. Whichever path it chooses, the company will remain focused on the mobile space, which will eventually bring Facebook to confront the prospects of mobile commerce more aggressively.

Consumers devote much of their time to mobile games

| April 6, 2013

mobile games consumersFlurry highlights the time investment consumers devote to mobile games and social networking

Flurry, a mobile startup that offers analytic reports concerning the mobile space, has released a new report concerning how mobile consumers use their time. Smartphones and tablets have become a very important part of the lives of millions of people all over the world. These devices are regularly used to interact with contacts, shop, watch movies, and play games and offer consumers nearly endless access to the Internet and all the resources therein. Flurry notes that there are three main activities wherein Android and iOS users spend the majority of their time.

Consumers spend most of their time in apps, specifically Facebook

According to the firm, Android and iOS users spend an average of 2 hours and 38 minutes every day on mobile applications. Approximately 80% of this time is spent within an application itself, 32% of this time is spent on mobile games, and 20% is spent by browsing the Internet. Social networking accounts for the majority of the time consumers spend on their smartphones and tablets, with Flurry’s report showing that much of this time is devoted to Facebook.

Mobile games account for large portion of time spend on mobile devices

Mobile games take up a significant portion of consumers’ time as well, with many investing their time into these games while traveling or waiting for events to begin. Mobile games are the primary form of entertainment for those on mobile devices, whereas entertainment platforms like YouTube account for significantly less time investment by comparison. Mobile games appear to be so popular because they are easy to pick up and play and most are free.

Facebook may find success through engaging consumers with mobile games

Facebook could have a significant opportunity due to how much time mobile consumers invest on the platform. The social network already boasts of 680 million mobile users accessing it every month. If Facebook can find a way to engage these people more effectively, it may be able to significantly eclipse other social networks, like Twitter and Pintrest. Mobile games may be an adequate way to accomplish this task, as consumers have already shown their willingness to play these games, especially through Facebook, which boasts of a substantial social gaming network.