Bigmouthmedia Search Engine News: /brand-monitor/

Google pays users to give up their privacy

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:36:00 GMT

Google will pay you to give up your online privacy.

In a new project called Screenwise, Google is offering to pay users up to $25 (£15) to share their search history.

People who sign up to be Screenwise panellists will receive a $5 (£3) Amazon voucher for installing the Google Screenwise browser extension. Participants will then earn an additional $5 (£3) for every three months of participation up to one year.

Though, the fine print on the Screenwise landing page states that gift amounts for participating longer than a year will be reviewed.

The search giant hasn't been overly specific about the details that members of the panel will share, but did state: "As a panellist, you'll add a browser extension that will share with Google the sites you visit and how you use them."

The company also said of its goals, "What we learn from you, and others like you, will help us improve Google products and services and make a better online experience for everyone.

In an official statement about the programme, a Google spokesperson stated: "Like many other web and media companies, we do panel research to help better serve our users by learning more about people's media use, on the web and elsewhere.

"This panel is one such small project that started near the beginning of the year. Of course, this is completely optional to join.

"People can choose to participate if it's of interest (or if the gift appeals) and everyone who does participate has complete transparency and control over what Internet use is being included in the panel. People can stay on the panel as long as they'd like, or leave at any time."

For those interested in joining the Screenwise panel, they must be 13 years or older, have a Google Account (or sign up for one) and be willing to use the Google Chrome browser.

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Ofcom caps broadband and phone line prices

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:12:00 GMT

Talk may be getting cheaper, as Ofcom recently proposed an Openreach price cut.

The telecoms regulator, Ofcom, wants BT Group to cut the prices it charges to internet providers and others who sell services using its lines - calling for an £87.41 price cap on broadband and phone line services and an £11.92 cap on using a broadband line only; dropping the prices from the current £91.50 and £14.70, respectively.

The Ofcom proposals have been submitted to the European Commission for approval, which has one month to comment on the changes. If approved, Ofcom says the new rates could take affect from April.

This is the third time that Ofcom has set the prices BT's wholesale division, Openreach, charges companies for the use of its lines - which Ofcom says it does because the company has a dominant position in the market.

BT, however, isn't overly pleased with the changes this time around. In a statement, the company said: "We disagree with some of the underlying assumptions that they have used to determine these controls.

"Our primary concern throughout this process is to ensure that we are able to achieve a fair rate of return in order to continue our investment in the future of the UK's communications infrastructure.

"We will consider all options available to us, including appealing, after Ofcom confirms its final decisions."

Ofcom has said that the new price cuts were determined in part by an assessment of the costs Openreach incurred running the network of underground ducts used to carry copper lines to properties.

Industry experts also state there was growing pressure from Europe to bring down the cost for alternative operators to access incumbents' networks.

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Angry Birds boss doesn't see Piracy as a bad thing

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:36:00 GMT

Rovio boss Mikel Hed has said he doesn't necessarily see piracy as a bad thing when it comes to Angry Birds.

Speaking at the Midem conference in Cannes, the Angry Birds maker explained the company sees efforts to pursue pirates in the court system as 'futile' - so long as pirated products are not harmful to the brand or ripping off fans.

"We could learn a lot from the music industry, and the rather terrible ways the music industry has tried to combat piracy.

"We have some issues with piracy, not only in apps, but also especially in the consumer products," he said. "There is tons of merchandise out there, especially in Asia, which is not officially licensed products."

Hed also explained he believes there is a lesson to be learned from the music industry - namely, approaching customers as fans, rather than users.

"We took something from the music industry, which was to stop treating the customers as users, and start treating them as fans. We do that today: we talk about how many fans we have," he said.

"If we lose our fan base, our business is done, but it we can grow that fan base, our business will grow."

Hed also took the opportunity to discuss new avenues for the popular mobile game, saying the company hasn't ruled out working with musicians in the future.

Rather than just a game, Rovio sees Angry Birds as its own channel - where users are spending as much time in the app as they are with their favourite TV shows.

"Already our apps are becoming channels, and we can use that channel to cross-promote - to sell further content," he said.

"The content itself has transformed into the channel, and the traditional distribution channels are no longer the kingmakers."

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Nokia profits take a big hit

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:00:00 GMT

Having once dominated the global cell phone market, Nokia Corp on Thursday posted a fourth-quarter net loss of €1.07 billion (£897 million), even as the company's first Windows smartphones went on the market in Europe and Asia.

The Finnish company had been trying to stage a comeback with the Nokia-backed Window phone, which analysts originally slated as an iPhone killer.

Unfortunately for the company's bottom line, Nokia said its net revenue from both mobile phones sales and its network divisions fell from €12.6 billion (£10.6 billion) in the fourth quarter of 2010 to €10 billion (£8.4 billion) during the same period in 2011, with smartphone sales dropping by 23 per cent.

On the bright side, Nokia is optimistic about its 2012 prospects. The Windows-powered Lumia 710 and Lumia 800 hit the market in Europe and Asia in November, and Nokia CEO Stephen Elop has said that "well over" 1 million have already been sold.

"From this beachhead of more than 1 million Lumia devices, you will see us push forward with the sales, marketing and successive product introductions necessary to be successful," Elop said.

"We also plan to bring the Lumia series to additional markets including China and Latin America in the first half of 2012."

Lumia phones may be gaining traction, but the company will undoubtedly face continue stiff competition from Apple's iPhone and Google's Android OS. Just this week Apple boasted record profits from its holiday sales of iPhones and iPads.

The company said it would not provide annual targets for 2012 as it was a "year in transition," but Nokia expects to "about break-even" in the first quarter of this year.

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Apple profit doubles from holiday sales

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:36:00 GMT

Apple made some serious bank over the holidays.

Apple announced on Tuesday that it brought in revenues of $46.33 billion (£29.8 billion) and a net profit of $13.06 billion (£8.4 billion) in the quarter ending 31 December 2011 - smashing Wall Street projections and making it the highest quarterly profit on record for the company.

Cupertino also sold a record number of products over the holidays - 37.04 million iPhones, 15.43 million iPads and 5.2 million Mac computers.

The numbers were also good for Apple shareholders, as Apple shares soared as much as 12 per cent following quarterly profit report.

Though, not overly welcome news to Apple's largest rival in mobile operating systems, as Apple's net income exceeded the total revenue posted by Google for the same period.

"We're thrilled with our outstanding results and record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs," said Chief Executive Tim Cook in a statement. "Apple's momentum is incredibly strong, and we have some amazing new products in the pipeline."

Analysts expect the rest of 2012 to be a very good year for Apple, as well - particularly with the likelihood of a new iPad coming in March, a redesigned iPhone being introduced in the summer and an Apple-branded television set later in the year.

Peter Oppenheimer, Apple's chief financial officer, also said, "We are very happy to have generated over $17.5 billion in cash flow from operations during the December quarter."

He also told analysts that the company and its board of directors are "actively discussing" uses for the cash increase, including potential acquisitions and investments in the supply chain. "We're not letting it burn a hole in our pockets," he said.

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Samsung denies RIM rumours

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:12:00 GMT

Samsung has gone into denial - at least in terms of denying the company was ever interested in buying Research in Motion.

The world's second largest handset maker, Samsung Electronics Co, has firmly stated it is neither interested in acquiring the ailing BlackBerry maker, Research in Motion, nor licensing its operating system.

"We haven't considered acquiring the firm and a not interested in (buying RIM)," Samsung spokesman James Chung said. He also added that Samsung had not been approached by the Canadian-based firm for a takeover.

The denial comes on the heels of a report by website Boy Genius Report, which cited unnamed sources as saying that RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie was "going hard after Samsung."

Following Samsung's public repudiation of the dealings, Nasdaq-listed RIM shares dropped by 5.3 per cent after having previously jumped more than 10 per cent following the tech blog report.

Analysts agree with Samsung's position, stating there is no merit to the handset maker buying RIM.

"An acquisition would enable Samsung to have its own operating system but the cost is too high. Samsung didn't buy HP's webOS either for the same reason...BlackBerry sales are collapsing and one plus one will not become two," said Lee Sun-tae, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities.

Samsung has traditionally favoured organic growth over major mergers and acquisitions, though it has been warming to the idea as it seeks to boost software capabilities to compete with Apple and Google.

In a time when most companies are scaling back growth plans, the South Korean company announced yesterday it would invest a record 47.8tn won (£27 billion; $41.7 billion) to upgrade its factories and equipment and towards research and development.

The company also said it would hire 26,000 new employees this year.

Sun-tae also said: "Samsung's got strong cash flow to make bold bets in new technologies. No other IT company can beat it in terms of investment and that's how Samsung finds new revenue sources ahead of rivals and widen its gap."

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Facebook hands out Visa cards to researchers

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:25:00 GMT

Facebook continues to build on the success of its bug bounty program, offering vigilant developers custom Visa cards as a reward for their efforts.

"White Hat Bug Bounty Program" Visa debit cards are being awarded to researchers and developers for finding and reporting security holes on the social networking site directly to Facebook rather than making the information public.

The incentive program was instantly popular with users - Facebook awarded more than $40,000 (£25,716) to developers who reported security bugs in its first month.

After receiving the Facebook Visa cards, researchers can use them to make purchases or create a PIN and take money out from an ATM. The program also allows Facebook to add more money to the cards as researchers continue to report bugs.

Facebook's security response team manager Ryan Mc Geehan told CNET the new initiative is Facebook's way of doing something special for those who help keep the social network free from malware and hackers.

"Researchers who find bugs and security improvements are rare, and we value them and have to find ways to reward them," Mc Geehan said.

"Having this exclusive black card is another way to recognise them. They can show up at a conference and show this card and said 'I did special work for Facebook.'"

Mc Geehan also said the company will continue to find ways to make researchers and developers feel valued.

"We might make it a pass to get into a party, for instance," he said. "We're trying to be creative."

By reporting confirmed bugs, researchers can make between $500 (£321) and $5000 (£3210) for their efforts, and according to Mc Geehan, Palo Alto has already paid-out to more than 81 researchers.

"Whenever possible we're going to try to load-in White Hat researchers into products early - as soon as they are in production." This, Mc Geehan says, will help Facebook "get an early warning on anything they find."

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Facebook introduces private Page messaging

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Facebook is making it easier for brands and consumers to communicate with one another in private.

The titan of the social network recently began rolling out a mechanism that will allow brands to communicate privately with consumers via their Facebook Pages.

However, unlike with Twitter, where either party can initiate a direct message, Facebook will require the individual initiate the conversation.

Using a "Message" button on a brand's Page, consumers will be able to privately message companies - much like they currently do with their "friends". Once that is done, though, the conversation is open to both parties.

The feature will also allow brands to privately respond to comments or posts on their Pages.

Social media has long been marketed as a tool for one-on-one engagement with customers, but has to date primarily been used as a one-to-many platform.

Private Page messaging opens up the possibility for more effective one-on-one communication and a greater level of customer service on Facebook. It also has the added benefit of allowing brands to more discretely address customer feedback.

"This could perhaps reduce the airing of dirty laundry that a lot of brands experience when angry consumers take to the brands' Facebook Wall to communicate something negative," Jake Wengoff, global director of social media strategy and research at the research firm Frost & Sullivan, told Direct Marketing News.

But, social media experts are also warning of the potential negative side effects of increased private communication.

A Page's visibility and worth is increased by its fans' interactions with their friends, such as comments and shares. More private messages could ultimately lead to fewer public comments and somewhat curtailed growth.

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Mac App Store reaches 100 million downloads

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:24:00 GMT

Whether you're a PC or a Mac, people have certainly been app happy this year.

Apple announced yesterday that the Mac App Store has sold over 100 million apps in less than one year, coming on the heels of Android's own annoucement last week that the Android Market downloads have reached the 10 billion mark.

Apple launched its online Mac App store in January, building upon the extraordinary momentum generated by its App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod devices.

The original App Store revolutionized the app industry, now offering more than 500,000 apps for Apple's smartphones and tablets. Customers have downloaded more than 18 billion apps and continue to download more than 1 billion apps per month.

"In just three years the App Store changed how people get mobile apps, and now the Mac App Store is changing the traditional PC software industry," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

"With more than 100 million downloads in less than a year, the Mac App Store is the largest and fastest growing PC software store in the world."

The Mac App Store offers thousands of free and paid apps in various categories, including Education, Games, Graphics & Design, Lifestyle, Productivity and Utilities. Users can browse for apps in the online store and then buy them using their iTunes account.

Additionally, Apple lets Mac developers set the prices for their apps and keep 70 per cent of the sales revenue. They are not charged for free apps and do not have to pay hosting, marketing or credit card fees.

"We're using the Mac App Store to deliver new products and reach a growing base of new Mac customers," said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president of Platform Solutions and Emerging Business at Autodesk, whose products are in both the App Store and the Mac App Store.

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Timeline lands in New Zealand

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:49:00 GMT

The tides of change have arrived at the social network, as Facebook officially debuts its Timeline feature to users in New Zealand.

"Starting today, we are making Timeline more widely available as we measure speed and other types of performance. We'll begin by making it available to people in New Zealand and then roll it out more broadly in the near future," product manager Samuel Lessin wrote on the Facebook blog.

Following the announcement of the social network's new look and feel at the f8 developer conference in September, Facebook rolled out the Timeline feature to a test group of developers and users - promising to eventually roll out gradually to its 800 million users worldwide.

The timeline will reorganise the way information is presented and allow users to set custom photos on their profile pages, hide stories and share others widescreen, listen to music and share 'apps' with their friends.

"Back in the early days of Facebook, your profile was pretty basic - just your name, a photo, where you went to school... stuff you'd cover in the first five minutes you met someone.

"Over time, your profile evolved to better reflect how you actually communicate with your friends. Now you can share photos of what you did last weekend, and updates about how you feel today.

"The way your profile works today, 99 per cent of the stories you share vanish. The only way to find the posts that matter is to click "Older Posts" at the bottom of the page. Again. And again."

Users will be able to see highlights in chronological order - looking activity by year, month, and day - as well as have all their content in one place, a move that makes for "frictionless sharing," according to Zuckerberg.

"With timeline, now you have a home for all the great stories you've already shared. They don't just vanish as you add new stuff," Lessin wrote.

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Microsoft gets in on the app action

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:36:00 GMT

Microsoft is looking to get in on the app action, taking on Apple and Google with the launch of their own "app store."

The Windows Store is slated for a late February opening along with the release of a test version of Microsoft's next generation Windows 8 operating system.

"I think we are going to do great," Windows Web Services vice president Antoine Leblond said. "The reach of Windows is absolutely huge and can't be matched."

To date, Windows has only had a small presence on smartphones and tablets, where the majority of third-party applications are bought. As a result, applications written for the Windows Store will work on any devices powered by the Microsoft Software - allowing them to be downloaded to smartphones and tablet devices as soon as they become available on the market.

Additionally, the Windows Store is being pitched as a welcomed alternative to the Apple App Store - which notoriously puts applications through a strict vetting process before approving them to be sold online and requiring financial transactions to be done in-house.

"Today, one of the most frustrating things for building apps are the constraints on what you can do and what you can sell," said Leblond.

"Developers create apps to put in Apple's App Store only to have Apple stand between them and the customer while taking 30 per cent. We won't get in the way of your app and your business model."

The Windows Store will let developers set their own prices for applications in a range from $1.49 to $999.99, and will also support free applications that make their money through advertising.

Microsoft will take 30 per cent of the revenue from application sales, but after selling $25,000 worth of applications, the developer's share will increase to 80 per cent. Developers will also be allowed to keep all revenue made from in-application transactions.

The Windows Store will feature only free applications when it opens in February.

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