'Net Features : iphone applications

Connecting the Dots between Devices

Amberly Dressler — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 17:30:00 GMT

What do brands like Kia Motors, Neiman Marcus, Sony Electronics, Fox Studios and popchips have in common? The Via.Me app from RadiumOne, which helps brands connect the dots between different devices, as Keith Belling, Founder and CEO of popchips, explains.

“The ability to easily publish content across multiple social platforms and create a consistent experience is a key reason why popchips is using Via.Me to enhance engagement with our audiences across the social landscape."

Via.Me, available on iPhone (launched in March) and Android (launched in Sept.), is a cross between Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram, and has already attracted more than 12 million unique visitors to its destination website and 1 million users on its iPhone app.

The highlights of consumer features include:

Seventeen photo filters
Ability to upload multiple file types (photos, videos, audio and text)
Cross-posting across popular social networks like Facebook and Twitter
Instant notifications
Intuitive user interface

While members of this community appreciate the ability to upload multiple types of content to their different social media profiles, the Google Play reviews are mixed (3.9 overall rating). One user wrote, “This is a nice idea, but it's showing it's v1.0 colors. Took 3 times to crop the pic before I could apply a filter.” The user continued, “Going to keep the app installed and hope the buglets are fixed in upcoming fixes.”

Brands will undoubtedly also watch the apps’ evolvement, as marketers have the most to gain. According to a recent study from Lopez Research, mobile adoption has exceeded 120 percent in the United States. Since these individuals carry multiple connected devices, a unified experience across the platforms is paramount and expected.

“Today, brands can build Right Time Experiences that integrate context from mobile devices and social interactions to deliver the right information or ad at the right time,” said Maribel Lopez, Principal and Founder of Lopez Research. “Consumers do business with a brand, not a channel. Advertisers must provide experiences that bridge interactions across mobile, the Web and storefronts.”

To download and install Via.Me for Android, visit Google Play or www.Via.Me.

Need Coffee? There’s an App for That

MaureenA — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Earlier this month, Website Magazine reported on new data from eMarketer asserting that consumers have yet to latch on to mobile commerce. Starbucks hopes to change that with the introduction of two iPhone and iPod touch apps.

This week, the company announced two apps for its customers. The myStarbucks app allows users to browse stores and menus, create drinks and forward to friends. But it’s the other app, Starbucks Card Mobile, that looks to influence mobile commerce.

The Starbucks Card Mobile allows customers to the load a balance of $25 or more onto their mobile card and check the balance. And in select cities – Seattle, Cupertino, Calif., and Mountain View, Calif. – customers can purchase Starbucks' products in-store with their iPhone or iPod. The app provides a 2D barcode allowing Starbucks employees to scan and deduct payment through a customer’s mobile phone.

Though consumers are generally apprehensive when it comes to entering and transferring credit card information over a mobile device, they can manage this information through Starbucks’ website. While it’s basically the same operation, Web users typically feel more comfortable using their PC or Mac to manage sensitive information. But the option is there to manage it through the mobile device.

The three cities are a way for Starbucks to test the success of this type of commerce and convenience. So what say you? Would you use this app if it was available in your city?

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WHOIS iPhone App from Network Solutions

Pete Prestipino — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:25:00 GMT

Domain registration service Network Solutions just released a free WHOIS iPhone app which lets users of the mobile device to query the WHOIS database search tool to find information on the domain or IP including the WHOIS business listing information.

While I’m not an iPhone user it seems like it would be a very practical application for designers, developers and domainers on the go. The app is available now within the iTunes store.

"Network Solutions has been working with the WHOIS database since its inception," said Kamalesh Dwivedi, Network Solutions CIO. "The addition of this mobile capability follows the release of the WHOIS lookup mobile application for Google's Android operating system earlier this year. Extending this capability to the iPhone platform will benefit users in a major way."

"As more and more people begin connecting to the Web via mobile devices, applications like these will be tools needed by any small business owner with a Web presence. The WHOIS application validates domain and contact information and allows users to determine if desired domains are available for purchase. If other business information is listed by the domain holder, this WHOIS business listing will appear as well," Dwivedi added.

Website Magazine iPhone App

Pete Prestipino — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:25:00 GMT

Website Magazine is pleased to announce the release of its very first iPhone application. Website Magazine readers can access and comment on articles from the most recent issue as well as the daily weblog posts.

Sound interesting? You can download the application for free from iTunes or learn more about it (and see screenshots) at websitemagazine.com/iphone:

It's been an exciting process developing the app over the past few weeks, and we're very interested to see how it performs for you. If you've got a few minutes today (and an iPhone or iTouch, of course), please try it out and let us know what you think. Just send an email to editors@websitemagazine.com or comment below to share your thoughts. We'll be making improvements over the next few weeks, but who better to ask than Web professionals!