Mobile app and mobile web development have stormed to the forefront of most companies’ marketing mixes over the past half decade and are continuing to attract a lion’s share of the attention in the tech press. Its with good reason too as companies like Fandango are reporting that as of this summer, as much as 30% of its movie ticket sales were through smartphones and tablets. We also see tech giants like eBay and Expedia estimating that half their sales will be via mobile apps and mobile web developments within two years.
Each year we are seeing customers shopping more and more with their smartphones. Key areas of commerce that we are seeing customers engaged in via mobile applications or mobile web developments include: buying items directly, checking emails for discounts and coupons and for
research and comparison shopping. We are starting to see larger retailers such as Walmart pushing towards allowing consumers to make payments via smartphone while in-store for the ultimate in convenience.
If your web presence isn’t easily accessible to mobile users you ignoring a substantial group of powerful consumers. Mobile friendly websites are no longer an indulgence. Key to powerful mobile web development is keeping an eye on the environment and developing specifically for it. Skip flash and overly ornate designs in favor of designs that favor speed and simplicity.
Apple unveiled the much anticipated new iPhone 5 at an event in San Francisco today. The device has been hotly anticipated but the majority of the new features shown off on the device such as the larger screen, lighter body, thinner frame, faster processor and LTE support have been pretty well anticipated leading up to the event.
The iPhone 5 will be available for pre-orders beginning September 14 and will begin shipping and be available in stores on September 21. “iPhone 5 is the most beautiful consumer device that we’ve ever created,” said Philip Schiller. “We’ve packed an amazing amount of innovation and advanced technology into a thin and light, jewel-like device with a stunning 4-inch Retina display, blazing fast A6 chip, ultrafast wireless, even longer battery life; and we think customers are going to love it.”
iPhone 5 comes with the following improvements from its predecessor, the iPhone 4S, which has sold close to 100 million units since it was introduced:
Larger Screen (A longer screen: 4 inches diagonally as opposed to 3.5 on the iPhone 4S, with a higher resolution, at 1136-by-640 pixels, compared to the iPhone 4S display’s 960-by-640 resolution.)
Lighter (By 20 percent, now 112 grams.)
Thinner (By 18 percent, at 7.6 millimeters.)
Faster (A new A6 chip, or processor, which Apple boasts delivers “up to twice the CPU and graphics performance.”)
Slightly improved camera (A sapphire crystal lens and improved stabilization.)
LTE wireless connection support (Take advantage of the higher-speed 4G LTE networks)
New iOS 6 software will improve Apple’s digital assistant Siri, allowing users to check in on sports scores, receive turn-by-turn directions using Apple’s map system and post updates to Facebook by speaking into their phone. Additionally, iOS6 adds Passbook, which is Apple’s new e-tickets app, enabling you to carry electronic tickets for anything from sports events to plane travel, or to have a digital loyalty card. Another key feature will be an improved phone app. iPhone app developers will certainly be digging into the many advances with iOS6 to assist their customers in creating cutting edge applications that utilize the expanded powers of this operating system.
Retailers are always looking for ways to improve the shopping experience for shoppers once they are through the doors. One powerful way is by leveraging online shopping style features in the store. Many retailers are now offering customers options such checking out via tablet or they carry tablet based systems to check inventory for customers.
There are many advantages to tablet based systems. Tablets cost much less than the PC based terminals and are easier to update software on. They also have fewer issues with viruses, are easier to train cashiers on, are more secure, and are battery powered. Tablet based systems also help remove barriers between the customers and the store employees and can speed up checkout, making it a more personal experience.
Tablets clearly offer retailers a great way to increase engagement with customers and improve shopping experiences. As e-commerce is becoming more and more of a staple of our culture, brick and mortar businesses must look for ways to improve the shopping experience to compete. Mobile based applications help retailers give customers a better experience with shorter lines or no waiting once they are through physical store doors.
Clever use of mobile based applications within the retail environment can give brick and mortar retailers a tremendous advantage over competition that does not follow suit.