Ad Exchanger

How best to capture and leverage mobile data is a question of critical importance to advertisers. App analytics and advertising firm Flurry approached it from numerous angles at its SourceDigital13 conference last week. AdExchanger caught up with CEO Simon Khalaf to talk about the company’s new mobile RTB platform and what’s top of mind for mobile ad buyers.

AdExchanger: What’s going on with your new mobile RTB platform, Flurry Marketplace?

SIMON KHALAF: We’re on target to go live by the end of July. Our goal is to have 20 DSPs when we flip the switch. We’ll be passing a lot of data through the DSPs and we’re working with them to take advantage of that data. That’s the challenge: how do we create segments that DSPs are interested in and also signals that they can interpret?

What kind of data do you provide?

We provide location, age, gender, and about 40 segments that we have computed. For example, is this a first-time mom, soccer mom, car enthusiast, gambler etc. We have this type of data compiled for about 1.1 billion consumers worldwide. That will give the buyer, the DSP, insight into the context so they can decide what kind of ad unit they want.

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IDG Enterprise

IDG Enterprise’s 2013 Consumerization of IT in the Enterprise Research Details Main Stream Adoption of Mobile Devices, the Increasing Use of Business Apps and Cloud and Security Challenges

Digiday

Mobile’s not a nice-to-have anymore. The year of mobile might be hard to pinpoint, but there’s little doubt we’re entering a post-desktop era of ubiquitous computing and media consumption.

Here are 15 stats that all brands should know about mobile.

The U.S. is at 101 percent wireless penetration. (CTIA)

1 billion smartphones will be shipped globally this year. (Gartner)

Apple beats all other phone manufacturers in customer satisfaction for smartphones. (J.D. Power and Associates)

59 percent of mobile users are as comfortable with mobile advertising as they are with TV and online ads. (InMobi)

85 percent of mobile users prefer mobile apps over the mobile Web. (Compuware)

For more stats click here

VentureBeat

ComScore’s Digital Future report for 2013 just came out, and the analytics company has a lot to say about what happened in 2012 … and what might be coming up in 2013.

Online advertising, for one thing, was way up, with almost six trillion display ads published in 2012. That’s up 500 billion from 2011. Shockingly, AT&T accounted for a massive 1.04 billion of them, more than double the next largest online advertiser, Microsoft, which bought almost 50 billion impressions.

ComScore’s massive report also includes data on the top web properties, the battle for search dominance between Google and Bing, and smartphone market share, among other things.

Facebook, for instance, is the most popular app on phones in America, according to ComScore, showing up on 76 percent of phones. That’s impressive, but not as impressive as Google’s utter domination of the mobile charts. The search engine/social network/advertising giant has no less than five of the top six mobile apps in the U.S. Google’s apps such as Maps, Google Play, Google Search, Gmail, and YouTube take positions two through six.

View the report’s findings… 

IDG News Service

Coming up on World Tech Update this week Dell goes private, the EU considers new cyber security rules and BlackBerry’s Q10 potential delay.

Forbes

The explosion of the mobile Web has sparked a debate over the best approach for developing applications that give consumers and employees what they have come to expect: access to whatever form of content they want, whenever and wherever they want it. In fact, 2012 may be remembered as the year HTML5 – the catch-all term used for the latest protocols that define the content, layout, and navigation of Web pages through browsers – took the Internet by storm. Yet concerns surrounding HTML5’s architecture linger, along with a debate concerning the use of native mobile apps versus apps developed for the mobile Web.

Why should anyone care? Because as consumers spend more time on their smartphones surfing the Web, downloading apps, playing games and streaming movies, app creators must determine how best to create richer and more functional experiences across an ever-growing number of device platforms.  The wrong choice can result in considerable extra expense, or in users being dissatisfied with poor quality and lack-luster performance.

Compared to previous versions of HTML, HTML5 makes it easier to create feature-rich Web-based applications that can be updated remotely with new functionality without requiring users to download and install an update each time. Generally speaking, HTML5 helps reduce the functionality gap between mobile websites and apps.

Read more… 

eMarketer

Trends emerge in app preferences of iPhone vs. Android users

Which web and mobile properties found the largest audiences in 2012? According to Nielsen, Americans on the web were most inclined to search, socialize, shop, browse or, of course, look things up on Wikipedia.

The two US sites that averaged the greatest number of monthly unique visitors were web giants Google and Facebook: the former averaged over 172 million monthly unique visitors, the latter close to 153 million. Large online media sites Yahoo! (#3) and AOL (#7), shopping juggernaut Amazon (#8) and search offerings from Microsoft (#6) and Ask.com (#10), all found their way into the top ten as well.

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New Tech Talks, Appalooza Product Showcase and Social Media Contest Highlight What’s New, What’s Cool and What’s Next in the World of Apps and App Development

Framingham, Mass.–––IDG World Expo today announced new and expanded content and events that aim to decode app development, put the spotlight on the latest tools for the mobile lifestyle, and give attendees the power to try, learn and play with the newest iOS and OSX innovations, all at Macworld/iWorld 2013 (Twitter: @MacworldExpo; Event hashtag: #iFan13), the Ultimate iFan Event. Appalooza, one of the most popular areas of the show floor, will feature developers showcasing hundreds of the latest creations for everything from productivity, gaming and IT to education, music making, photography, and much more, all built for iPads, iPhones and MacBooks. Macworld/iWorld will take place January 31-February 2, 2013, at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco. Registration is now open.

“Apple technologies are a driving force in today’s mobile lifestyle, and nothing demonstrates the innovation, creativity and excitement of this lifestyle more than the proliferation of new iOS and OS X apps hitting the market each day,” said Paul Kent, vice president and general manager of Macworld/iWorld. “Macworld/iWorld brings together developers big and small to showcase the latest and greatest apps that will change the way you work, live and play and learn. Nowhere else can you learn about a new app directly from the person who created it, or try out your favorites before you hit ‘buy’ on the App Store. This is where apps come to life.”

Highlights of app-related content at Macworld/iWorld 2013 include:

Expo Hall: A Showcase of Mobile Apps

The Macworld/iWorld 2013 expo hall will feature hundreds of developers—more than 40 percent of which are first-time exhibitors—showcasing the latest hardware, software, apps and accessories for the Mac, iPhone, iPod and iPad. Appalooza companies will showcase the best new iOS and OSX apps, including:

• Art Authority—an app that stunningly displays paintings and sculptures by major western artists from ancient times through current-day. Art Authority is currently used by Seton Hill University in multiple art classes and is under evaluation by many other educational institutions.
• BeLight Software, Ltd.—a Mac software company that specializes in desktop publishing, home design and data protection apps.
• Byte Squared, Ltd.—a company that creates productivity apps, including business apps for editing business documents on the iPhone and iPad.
• Creaceed SPRI—a developer of creative and user-friendly photo and film apps for the Mac, iPhone and iPad.
• Flint Mobile—a mobile payments company that is creating the easiest way for on-the-go businesses to accept credit cards and to find new customers through social marketing via an iPhone app that enables merchants to process credit card payments securely using only their phone.
• Get Cloak—a service for the Mac, iPhone and iPad that keeps users safe when connected to public wireless networks like those found at coffee shops, hotels, airports and conferences.
• iPresent—a company that develops a dynamic interactive iPad app for sales teams.
• MacPaw—a premier Mac development firm dedicated to designing and creating reasonably priced Mac software apps that are intuitive, easy-to-use and extremely useful to its worldwide customer base.
• Naturespace Holographics Audio—creator of the most sonically and spatially accurate recordings of the natural world available with two iPhone apps, “Naturespace: Relax Meditate Escape Sleep” and “Thundergod – The Naturespace Thunderstorm Collection.”
• Publications Intl. LTD—a worldwide publisher of books, including Children’s Cooking, Special Interest and Education, for the iPad.
• SugarSync—a one-stop shop for the best of the Cloud, syncing users’ files, music and moves wherever they go.
• xTuple—an app for the Mac, iPhone and iPad that enables users to manage and enrich customer and prospect relationships on-the-go.

App-Related Tech Talks

The Macworld/iWorld 2013 agenda boasts more than 60 new educational sessions, interactive panel discussions, practical “how-to” presentations and “tips and tricks” learning opportunities with a host of sessions focused on apps and app development, including:

• “The Studio in Your Pocket,” a full-day workshop with Michael Koerbel and Anna Elizabeth James, iPhone filmmakers at Majek Pictures, will explore the latest video, photography and audio apps for both iPhone and iPad.
• “Appalooza: Mobile Applications for the Musician,” with Michael Carrera of Berklee College of Music, will highlight the coolest mobile music apps available to help attendees practice, perform and create music – anytime, anywhere on their iOS mobile device.
• “iPhoneography: AppAlchemy,” a Tech Talk with Dan Marcolina, photographer, iPhoneography event organizer, and author of the critically acclaimed book/iPad series “iPhone Obsessed,” will show attendees how the combination of picture choice and multiple-app processing can turn a simple snapshot into a statement.
• “iOS Development for Beginners,” a full-day session with Matthew Purcell of Canberra Grammar School and his Year 10 iPhone and iPad Application Development class, will provide attendees a workshop on iOS app development.
• “The iPad Mobile Office – You Can Take It All with You,” an interactive session with Phil Goodman of Goodman Consulting and Benjamin Levy of Solutions Consulting, designed to teach attendees how to harness the power of iOS and facilitate daily business tasks. The session will highlight the most empowering iOS apps in the App Store that will fundamentally change one’s work life.
• “Name That App,” an app-guessing game with John Soward of Dataseam and John Turner of Assistronics, will allow contestants, picked from the audience, to guess an app based on seeing a partial icon.
• “iOS Productivity Tools,” with Allison Sheridan of Nosillacast Mac Podcast, will introduce attendees to various iOS productivity apps designed to make lives easier, including note-taking apps, word processors and spreadsheets, the best reminder apps, and more.
• “Xcode for IT Admins: Exploring iOS and Cocoa,” a full-day workshop with John Soward of Datastream, John Turner of Assistronics, and John Sterling of Volar Video, will teach attendees the basics of app development using Xcode. Participating attendees will get a chance to build an app and work through some of the tools in the Apple developer’s tool chest.
• “iPhoneography: from Shooting to Storytelling,” with Emmy award-winning photographer Richard Koci Hernandez, will teach attendees how to combine the basic principles of good photography, a variety of different iPhone camera apps, and various stealth techniques to capture unique unguarded moments. 

Appalooza Social Media Contest

From January 10-19, iFans around the world will have a chance to vote on which 2013 Appalooza exhibitor they are most excited to check out this year and have a voice in crowning the “iFan’s Favorite App.” Starting January 10, iFans can see all the Appalooza exhibitors competing for this coveted title and vote for which one deserves to win at www.facebook.com/macworldiworld. There is no limit to the number of apps fans can vote for and true app fanatics can place a vote once per day for all 10 days.

As a special added bonus, iFans who cast their vote will be entered to win an iPad mini with an iTunes gift card to download all their favorite new apps.

Be an Appalooza Exhibitor

If you are considering showing off your app as an Appalooza exhibitor at Macworld/iWorld 2013, don’t wait to sign up! Sign up by January 8 to be included in the “iFan Favorite” app contest, reaching our fan base of more than 9,000 Apple-product fanatics.

We will also be featuring one app per day for the duration of the voting (10 days). If you’d like to be considered for a spot as an App-of-the-Day during the contest, please email us at macworldiworld@schwartzmsl.com and tell us why you think your app should be featured.

Register

Attendee registration, along with information about event passes and pricing, can be found at: http://www.macworldiworld.com/register/.

For complete details on media qualification guidelines, please visit: http://www.macworldiworld.com/media-qualification-guidelines/. Please note that all media are required to submit media credentials for Macworld/iWorld.

Connect

For current happenings, news, chatter and to be part of the conversation, join Macworld/iWorld on:

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/MacworldExpo
• Event hashtag: #iFan13
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacworldiWorld
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Macworld-Conference-Expo-1636267?home=&gid=1636267&trk=anet_ug_hm.

About Macworld/iWorld

Macworld/iWorld is the world’s Ultimate iFan Event for those who use, create and love Apple products. Attendees will encounter a unique celebration of Apple technology-infused art, music, and film, as well as learning opportunities, and a shopping mecca in our expo hall filled with products and services for Apple users of all skill levels and interests. Whether a home user, an artistic hobbyist, a professional or a true Technorati, Macworld/iWorld gives attendees the chance to experience all that the amazing world of Apple-related tools can offer. Macworld/iWorld will take place January 31 – February 2, 2013 at the Moscone Center West in San Francisco. For more information, please visit http://www.macworldiworld.com.

About IDG World Expo
IDG World Expo (www.idgworldexpo.com) is a leading producer of tradeshows and events for professionals and consumers seeking world-class education, strategic business relationships, and access to industry-leading products and services. IDG World Expo’s portfolio of conferences and events includes Macworld / iWorld, the MacIT® Conference, the Electronic Entertainment Expo® (E3®), Anime Expo®, The Game Marketing Summit, Enterprise MobileNext (mNext), and Macworld Mobile. IDG World Expo is a business unit of IDG, the world’s leading technology media, research and event company.

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Contact:

Marisa Borgasano

Schwartz MSL for IDG World Expo

(781) 684-0770

MacworldiWorld@schwartzmsl.com

All Things D

Looks like we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see Facebook’s much-anticipated ad network.

The social giant is putting the brakes on a test it launched earlier this year that let it place its own ads on other developer’s mobile apps.

And while it has also been talking to publishers about running Facebook ads on their mobile Web sites, sources say those discussions have now been back-burnered as well.

The upshot is that plans to launch the equivalent of Google’s AdSense network, which has generated significant income for the search giant, won’t be showing up in the next few months.

Facebook announced in September that it would run its ads on third-party apps. But those efforts will end this month, says spokesman Brandon McCormick.

Here’s his statement, via email: “We are pausing our mobile ads test off of Facebook. While the results we have seen and the feedback from partners has been positive, our focus is on scaling ads in mobile news feed before ads off of Facebook. We have learned a lot from this test that will be useful in the future.”

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