Category: Featured News

Economics of mobile applications evolving

| March 5, 2013

Mobile Application EvolovingPricing disparity in mobile applications is gaining notice

The world of mobile applications is evolving. App developers are beginning to push the boundaries as new, more advanced mobile devices are introduced to the global market. These devices are governed by their operating systems, of which the most prolific are the iOS and Android platforms. Each operating system boasts of a devoted consumer base, which often clash against one another as the two flaunt the performance and capabilities of their favored platform. The disparity between the two platforms is becoming more apparent in the arena of mobile applications, however, and the divide separating the operating systems is quickly becoming one of cost.

SoundHound shedding light on pricing disparity

SoundHound is a simple instant music search and discovery application. It is not the first of its kind, but has become very popular with mobile consumers around the world. The application is available to both the Android and iOS operating systems  and is used quite regularly by consumers in both camps. Mobile applications are typically cross-platform, but their universal nature is punctuated by the fact that they do not cost the same on every platform. This issue is becoming highlighted by the SoundHound platform, as well as many others that are available to consumers.

Differing costs resulting from business model experimentation

SoundHound is available on the Android for $6.99 through Google Play. On Apple’s App Store, however, it is available for $5.99. The price disparity is not gargantuan, but SoundHound is one among many mobile applications that do not have singular pricing across all mobile platforms. This is because developers are beginning to test various business models and pricing points in several markets. Notably, the SoundHound application is available for the Windows Phone operating system for free.

Experimentation may be a risky venture in the mobile applications business

Testing new business models and pricing points can be very risky when it comes to mobile applications. Pricing disparity can often confuse or enrage consumers, leading to heavy criticism and causing applications to fail in the market. SoundHound has not been free of this criticism, but has managed to avoid the prospect of failure. The app has also begun to highlight the fact that the economics of mobile applications continue to evolve and that no concrete business plan has yet emerged to create a standard in the mobile space.

Mobile security becoming more serious with online companies

| March 5, 2013

Mobile Security onlineCompanies begin to consider mobile security a priority

Privacy has become more than a regulatory measure that online companies must wrangle with on a daily basis. As consumers begin to favor their mobile devices more, privacy has become a major concern for them, especially when it comes to mobile marketing and mobile security. Online companies are now fighting to prove that their privacy measures are much more comprehensive than those coming from their competitors, all in a bid to ensure that consumers have control over the data they share with the business world.

Mozilla takes steps to protect privacy

Many companies are adopting a very firm stance on the issue of privacy. Such is the case with Mozilla, which holds a very strong presence in the web browser market. Mozilla has announced that it will allow users of its Firefox browser to completely disable all third-party tracking methods in order to provide them with more security while online. This extends to the company’s recently unveiled mobile operating system, which could have major implications for the world of mobile marketing and mobile security.

Apple and Facebook look to improve mobile security

Mozilla is not alone in its enthusiasm concerning mobile security. Apple has begun requiring application on its popular App Store to receive permission from consumers before collecting geographic information and other data. Facebook, which has long been plagued by accusations of carelessness when it comes to privacy, has also been making moves to become more secure for users. The social network is currently working on a variety of privacy tools, one of which keeps a user’s personal data stored on a cloud network.

Government interest spurs action on mobile security

Much of the enthusiasm concerning mobile security may be due to the fact that the U.S. government is beginning to force companies to take the matter more seriously. The Federal Communications Commission recently introduced new regulations that require applications to inform their users that personal information is being collected. Demand for better privacy and mobile security measures has also been on the rise among consumers, forcing companies to take more considerations when it comes to protecting information.