Author: Dan Gendro

Nokia looks to boost Lumia popularity through use of high-tech software

Nokia has been working to promote the qualities of its Lumia handsets for some time. The company realizes that it will take more than a sleek design to gain the favor of consumers, many of whom have already been won over by Apple’s iPad tablet. As such, Nokia is focused on bolstering the software features of Lumia devices. Earlier this week, Nokia brought the Nokia Music streaming service to Lumia mobile devices in the U.S. Now, the company has set its sights on augmented reality and is getting some help from AOL.

Enhance AOL now available for Lumia devices

AOL and Nokia have teamed in an attempt to bring one of AOL’s applications to Lumia devices. The application is designed to be an entertainment hub and is called Enhance AOL. The application can be used t find information on local movies and concerts, overlaying this information on a real-world environment using augmented reality. In this regard, Enhance AOL is very similar to Nokia’s City Lens augmented reality application, though with a more acute focus on entertainment rather than pure navigation.

Lumia owners now able to make use of Enhance AOL features

Lumia owners will be able to make use of the various features of the Enhance AOL application. Not only will consumers be able to find information on nearby movies and concerts, they will also be able to purchase tickets online using the application. The application will also give Lumia owners access to the SHOUTcast feature, which will grant them access to full-legnth album previes and more than 55,000 radio stations.

Partnership may help Nokia compete in mobile market

Augmented reality has become a primary focus for Nokia in terms of boosting the popularity of the Lumia line. The company has been working on introducing new augmented reality applications into the Lumia for several years but has been met with only modest results. The Enhance AOL application may provide the Lumia with the momentum it needs to compete with Apple in the mobile market.

Snapdeal has released a new “brand stores” concept for mobile businesses.

India’s largest online shopping site, Snapdeal, has just announced the launch of its “brand stores” concept, which will give retailers the opportunity to create their own e- and mcommerce store on the company’s site.

This is expected to boost sales by 50 percent over the next year.

The company has set a goal of approximately $120 million (Rs 600 crore) in revenue for its current fiscal year. However, at the same time, it has high hopes for its mcommerce results, believing that about half of the purchases that will be made on the website will have been made through the mobile platform within the upcoming two years.

The Snapdeal brand store works to help many offline and local retailers to step into mcommerce.

It gives those businesses the opportunity to reach the rapidly growing number of online shoppers. According to the CEO and founder of Snapdeal.com, Kunal Bahl, “Brands will be able to decide the look and feel of their page, customise product selection, manage promotions and exclusive launches.”

Though the companies will be able to take part in the brand stores part of the website for free, according to Bahl, there will be a revenue-share model that will be based upon the sale of the goods.

Currently, there are approximately 3,000 businesses that are already taking part in the brand stores element of the Snapdeal website. The company is also in negotiations with around 2,000 more businesses, which they hope will “be onboard soon.” Bahl stated that “We plans to have 10,000 brand stores in the next 12 months.”

Snapdeal is viewing the brand stores as a concept that brings with it a very large opportunity in both e- and mcommerce. Bahl added that he believes that the concept will only continue to grow, and with it, innovations will build alongside. He stated that a number of brands, including those that are quite big, have not yet established their own online presence. Many don’t have the capability or the in-house expertise for the back end operations of such a venture, such as the payment requirements and the logistics. It is in this space that the company is hoping to make the biggest mark.