Tag: apple mobile app

Pricing 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.

People taking the subway in the Big Apple will find it easier with the use of their smartphones.

This year is off to a promising start for mobile commerce in New York City, where a new app has been created to help with some of the major changes that are happening to the public transportation system there.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority s releasing a helpful iOS app to assist riders with their trips.

It has been announced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTS) that it is now going mobile with a brand new app designed for Apple device users such as iPhones. This lets those smartphone users who take one of seven train lines plan their trips in a way that is more detailed that has ever been made possible before.

This mobile commerce application from the MTS is meant to make a tremendous difference in the use of the system.

It is the first of its nature for the largest system of subway trains in the United States. The mobile commerce application uses data regarding the location of the trains to help to provide commuters with exceptionally specific and accurate details. This includes arrival times that are right up to the minute,

At the moment, this mobile commerce feature is available only on 7 out of the 24 total subway lines in New York City. However, many speculate that if this app proves to be popular and successful, then it will be expanded for use in the other lines, as well. This would likely be a gradual process.

The seven lines for which there is data through the mobile commerce app are “updated signals yoked to centralized computers able to transmit location and speed data for every train in motion,” said the Wall Street Journal.

This is precisely what is required to be able to obtain this type of information for a live mobile commerce app, but it has come with quite a price tag for the MTA. According to the authority, the new signals installation came with a cost of over $228 million, which will be stretched over a period of 11 years. The MTA also pointed out that an Android and Windows Phone edition of the application will also be released soon.