Ads to invade Facebook mobile app News Feed

The pressure's on

Users might notice new ads pop up on their smartphones' Facebook News Feed as the social network has opened up its latest strategy to make money through its mobile app.

In August, Facebook began testing a new "mobile app install ads" program that wasn't connected to users' social ties.

The test was apparently a success as Facebook announced Wednesday via its developer blog that it's opening the service up to all developers.

The test program allows an undisclosed amount of third-party developers purchase ad space on the mobile News Feed to help drive buyers to their apps.

Those advertisements then lead users to the developer's app store purchase page either through the Android or Apple app store.

It all ads up

"For years, many apps and games on Facebook.com have used ads as an important part of their growth strategy," Facebook's Vijaye Raji wrote on Facebook's developer's blog.

"Now we are bringing these opportunities to mobile apps," Raji continued.

"With these new ads, mobile apps and games of all sizes across any category can reach the right audience, at scale."

In the post, Raji touted the new program's ability to help developers reach more relevant audiences and drive up install rates.

He pointed to game creator TinyCo, which saw a 50 percent higher click-through rate when it participated.

Other advertisers reached 8-10 times the audience and Ad Parlor clients saw consistent 1-2 percent increases in click-through rate from the home feed, according to Facebook.

This is a bit of a break from the Facebook ad norm. Traditionally, ads pop up on users' pages because they or a friend liked the brand.

But with this program, dev advertisers will be able to target the audience they want to sell to, instead of who likes them. Facebook is banking on the hope that those two groups will have a large cross-section.

Since the ad program is new, Facebook will still need to work out a few kinks to smooth out the user experience.

The company will also improve the program's ad targeting abilities, as well as make sure developer ads aren't targeting users on the wrong platform.

Facebook in free fall

The program comes as Facebook tries to monetize its mobile space.

The social network as a whole has felt the pressure to become more profitable after its failed IPO in May. In September, the stock hit a new low at $17.55 (UK£11.14, AU$17.33) from its starting price of $38 (UK£23, AU$36).

We'll see if the new mobile app install ad program wows investors next Tuesday, when Facebook calls to share its third-quarter earnings.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/ads-to-invade-facebook-mobile-app-news-feed-1105154

Read More

TI says it's not giving up on OMAP chipsets, OMAP 5 on track

Texas Instruments is revamping its strategy regarding its OMAP chipsets and announced that it considers the smartphone and tablet market less attractive and will focus on bringing OMAP to more platforms than wireless gadgets.

Reuters, citing various analysts, reported that it's quite likely that TI will be quitting the smartphone and tablet business altogether. Today, a TI media relations manager contacted us to clarify the company's position.

It will indeed be broadening the reach of its OMAP products, aiming at "embedded applications such as automotive, industrial, enterprise communication, vision and robotics, to grow the OMAP footprint beyond mobile".

TI will also continue its efforts in developing the OMAP chipsets and the fifth generation, the one with Cortex-A15 cores, is on track - it's sampling today and the first consumer products it will power are expected in early 2013.

The statement coming from TI's media relations manager felt a little evasive when it comes to future smartphones and tablets powered by TI OMAP. The company is under a lot of pressure since Qualcomm lures in clients with its integrated LTE modems and the two biggest makers - Apple and Samsung - are making their own chips.

Still, there's an OMAP 4 inside tablets from both Amazon and Barnes&Noble, plus OMAP 5 will be the first with Cortex-A15 cores, which should give the platform a boost.

It remains to be seen how many smartphones and tablets will be launched with TI OMAP chips and how well the company's foray into new territories will work. For what it's worth, we hope they do good as competition always drives innovation.

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/clarification_ti_not_giving_up_on_its_chipsets_omap_5_on_track-news-4866.php

Read More

Apple's iPhone arrogance could cost it in the long term

Look! A different port! That's new.

Apple has once again executed its perfect strategy: an underwhelming phone that will still sell in record numbers. But is it failing its fans?

The immediate response to the iPhone 5 has been one we've seen time and again: is that it? Scream the naysayers, only to see it sell in record numbers.

And I've no doubt we'll see the same thing here, millions upon millions of iPhone sold and Cook proclaiming that this is 'the most successful smartphone of all time'.

And sure, there are reasons it deserves the accolade. It's the thinnest out there. It's well-designed and packs the most well-stocked app store on the planet.

The game has changed

But we're not sitting here in 2008, witnessing the launch of the game-changing iPhone 3G with no real competition. We're in 2012, where there are at least three other phones on the market that match the iPhone 5 for specs and at a much lower cost.

Take the Samsung Galaxy S3 – quad core power, larger screen and £130 cheaper to buy. Or the Nokia Lumia 920, with a screen that's as high-res as the iPhone 5 but comes with more advanced camera technology and a fresh interface through Windows Phone 8.

There will be those that sniff at such options, stating that the iOS ecosystem is perfectly good enough for them and the iPhone 5 is the best device to show off that platform yet.

And they're right – this is the best iPhone yet without a shadow of a doubt. But what's so special about it beyond a slightly larger screen and a two tone back? The processor is a bit more efficient and snappy and it will work on the 4G networks when they emerge later this year, but it's still running the same tired OS we've seen time and again – iOS 6 is essentially the same as it was in 2007 with a few more bells and whistles.

I've got nothing against what Apple is up to in the smartphone game – I'd have to be pretty arrogant/foolish to claim to be smarter than the world's most valuable company – but if Samsung or HTC brought out a phone that was the same shape as the predecessor and then followed it up with the same thing but a bit longer and with new headphones, it would be dismissed as an also-ran before the handset hit the shelves.

We all know Apple can convince the world that the same is good when it needs to, and that slight upgrades are all that's needed. But if it doesn't bring out something as impressive as the iPhone 4 soon – which genuinely married up the best technology with superior design – then Apple could start having a problem convincing the world that it knows best when it comes to telling iFans which phone they should be craving.

Our hands on: iPhone 5 review stated: "But, in truth, Apple will be well aware that it doesn't need to reinvent the wheel to succeed"... it would be nice if it tried once in a while though.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apples-iphone-arrogance-could-cost-it-in-the-long-term-1096806

Read More