05/06/11 by Bryan Butler | Blog, Marketing Blog | No Comments »
If you’ve paid attention to marketing materials that feature a phone, I’m sure you’ve noticed the default smartphone is the ever ubiquitous iPhone. Perhaps this is because Apple does a great job in creating hype around said phone, which then raises consumer awareness. How many people can say that they know what the HTC ThunderBolt looks like, or even the Blackberry Torch? The graphic designer wants to use what will be easily legible, something that will communicate instantly. Since people are familiar with the iPhone look, a designer will be more apt to use it.
Sometimes, there also seems to be a misconception of what a smartphone is. “Does it have the apps?” Everyone knows Apple has the App Store, but Android Market launched the in same year, 2008, and Blackberry App World has existed since 2009. If the designer assumes that the misconception holds true, they will cater towards it, meeting the expectations of the target market, which only reinforces the idea.
Perhaps this isn’t the reason, though. If you were to search for public domain images of a smartphone (preferably something in a format that is easy to edit, i.e. vector), most of the higher quality illustrations you’ll find will be iPhones. Designers don’t always have the time or skill to illustrate a realistic smartphone, so it’s much easier to just grab one of these, pop your screen shot into it and place into the layout. This brings up another point: the iPhone and iPod can take screen shots, something which Android and Blackberry can’t easily do (unless your phone is rooted, but that’s something we won’t get into). A designer could mock up a fake screen, but, again, they may not have the time or the skill to pump it out.
Any one of these reasons helps create the strangle hold on marketing materials that the iPhone has. Perhaps Google will release screen capturing as a base function in one of the upcoming Android OS updates, but I’m not holding my breath.
01/18/11 by Cellit Staff | Blog, Industry Blog | No Comments »
Although I have used Apple computers since 1987 and have owned 9 different iPods and iPhones in my life, I do realize that not everyone on the planet uses an iPhone or other smartphone. In fact, as today’s Mobile Marketer shows, less than 20% of Americans own smartphones.
What does this mean for your marketing or donor relations department?
It means that focusing exclusively on smartphone apps for iOS, Microsoft, Android and Blackberry could leave many of your customers or fans behind. Mobile apps –and especially games–may be all the rage right now, but simpler technology like text messaging can reach all of your customers with the message you want to deliver, when you want to deliver it.
We love helping our clients integrate apps, SMS, and mobile web into their marketing plans; contact us if you’d like to know more.
07/15/10 by Cellit Staff | Blog, Marketing Blog | No Comments »
Thanks to astounding advances in technology, mobile phones are capable of just about every function a laptop or personal computer exists for. From checking email, getting directions, shopping, accessing the internet, listening to music and taking pictures, mobile phones are bringing all forms of entertainment to wherever your destination may be.
A recent PEW survey reported that now eight in ten adult Americans own a mobile phone. Those who own a phone aren’t just making calls either. They’re taking advantage of their device’s features, software and capabilities.
Mobile phones are replacing digital cameras. PEW reports that 76% of mobile phone owners use their device to take pictures, up from 66% in 2009. The quality of photographs taken from a mobile phone is remarkable. No longer are phones equipped with just a dismal 1 megapixel lens. Most phones feature at a minimum of a five megapixels lens, with some models featuring eight megapixel lens and higher.
Camera phones have become video camera phones. Over one third of mobile phone owners record video from their devices, and feast on downloaded software to share their videos, watch others and play music and games on their phones.
Mobile internet browsing is becoming as functional as using standard web browser. Accessing the internet on cell phones increased from 25% in 2009 to 38% in 2010. Checking email also increased, from 25% to 34%.
If you’re still using a clamshell or candy bar phone, you may feel like you’re missing out. There’s no better time than now to join the movement and switch to a smart phone.
07/05/10 by Brian Bauer | Blog, Marketing Blog | No Comments »
If you’re reading this blog, you’re either a smart young professional or a budding business owner. Time is of the essence, and you’ve got lots of things to do, mountains to climb, and success to accumulate. Sad, but true – 60% of the public (read, people like you) still have either a flip phone or a feature phone (those smart-phone wannabe’s with full keyboards). And it’s time that number changed dramatically.
Here are my five reasons why you should run out right now, regardless of when your contract comes up for renewal, and purchase a new smart phone:
1) 40% of people already have. While that’s not quite half, the rate at which people are purchasing smart phones is only increasing.
2) There are amazing productivity gains to be had from a smart phone. In addition to checking email and quickly looking at mobile websites – things like integrated calendaring, a complete address book and syncing with your desktop will help you move the ball forward. It was only recently that I stopped writing down addresses, relying on my calendar and mapping software to instantly look up my next destination.
3)Apps, Apps, and more Apps. More and more companies are finding innovative ways to integrate with a smart phone. Whether its games, Facebook, Twitter or a more substantive business application – your phone becomes a one-device connection to your personal and work life.
4) Because my mom has one. Well, not really … but certainly there are plenty of people around you that squirm when you pull the old clunker out.
5) Mobile is passing you by. The mobile world is evolving quickly, and those not participating in it will be left behind. Whether you like it or not, your customers, employees and friends are purchasing a smart phone – and being able to anticipate how they could use it will only help you grow your business.
I purchased a Blackberry Curve two years ago, and am now finding myself feeling outdated and left behind. Like you, it’s time for me to upgrade. The big question for me is Android vs. iPhone, which seems to be a personal decision for most people. So join me this holiday weekend in jumping in fully.
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