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Agreement makes ‘kill switch’ standard on smartphones by 2015 0

The “kill switch” technology that can remotely disable a stolen smartphone will soon be standard by the summer of 2015.

lockedphone_artA new initiative announced this week by the wireless trade group CTIA has the backing of phone manufacturers Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft and others, and wireless carriers including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Under the terms of the Smartphone Anti-Theft Voluntary Commitment, smartphones manufactured after July 2015 for sale in the United States will have the technology to render the phone inoperable if it is stolen, remotely wipe out all data, and prevent reactivation without the authorized user’s permission.

The technology would also allow the reversal of the smartphone’s inoperability and retrieval of data if it is recovered by the authorized user.

The technology will be offered at no cost to consumers.

As we have posted before, theft is a serious problem confronting owners of mobile devices. In major cities like New York and San Francisco, smartphone theft accounts for half of all robberies.

It is estimated that it costs consumers about $580 million a year to replace stolen smartphones and about $4.8 billion a year in premiums to insure the handsets. The idea is for the disabling technology to be an effective deterrent by making the smartphones worthless to thieves.

The pledge marks a reversal by wireless carriers, which had resisted pressure from state lawmakers to make the kill-switch technology mandatory.

California legislators earlier this year introduced a bill requiring the technology to be installed in smartphones, and Minnesota’s legislature is poised to adopt a similar bill. Federal lawmakers proposed legislation in the House as well.

The CTIA had also originally opposed making the technology mandatory, citing potential hacking and privacy risks that could affected entire groups of smartphone customers.

Says Steve Largent, president and CEO of the CTIA:

“We appreciate the commitment made by these companies to protect wireless users in the event their smartphones are lost or stolen. … At the same time, it’s important different technologies are available so that a ‘trap door’ isn’t created that could be exploited by hackers and criminals. By working together with policymakers, law enforcement and consumers, we will deter theft and protect users’ personal information on smartphones.”

 

 

Content marketing mistakes, and how to avoid them 0

There are four key points to remember when it comes to effective content marketing: educate, entertain and engage.

The fourth point? If you focus on yourself, that’s the fourth point: extremely boring.

In this segment, David Gould of Vertical Measures goes over three common content marketing mistakes, and what you can do to fix them. It’s about three minutes, and if you’re a content marketing creator, it’s worth a look.

How to get eyes on your blog content 0

You’re creating and publishing consistent, engaging and educating blog content for your brand or business. The articles are short, concise, shareable on social media.

But is anyone looking?

contentmktg_artThere are 2 million blog posts published daily, according to Digital Buzz Blog. That’s 2 million efforts for a writer to get noticed. For a marketing pro, the post he or she publishes becomes a needle in an enormous haystack.

As a content creator or marketing pro charged with the numerous daily posts about your product, business or brand, a blog marketing strategy helps.

Here are some suggestions, courtesy of the Content Marketing Institute, to get potential customers talking about those few hundred words for the Web.

  • Set a clearly defined goal for the blog post.
  • Do your research for find the ideal audience for your blog content.
  • Come up with a unique selling position, the reason why a person should purchase your product or follow your brand.  the reason why a person should buy your product or service, rather than that of your competitors
  • Be effective in the distribution of  your blog post.

Your blog is a key component of your content marketing strategy. It should be seen by more than a few people. Follow these tips, and get the word out.

Infographic: Printing on the move 0

More than a third of the workforce worldwide will be mobile by 2015, and among the tasks workers in the “bring your own device” environment will find themselves doing is printing.

They’re using smartphones and tablets to connect to wireless printers with increasing frequency. By 2015, 50 percent of smartphone users will use the devices for printing tasks, and 58 percent of tablet users will do the tasks,

This infographic by IDC explains this further.

idcmobileprint_art

 

 

Headline tips from a tabloid classic 0

The importance of an effective headline is key to content creation, especially when the content is created for the mobile device.

headless_artAn effective, informative headline helps generate the desired content marketing results: attracting, engaging, informing and keeping the reader interested on the online article or blog post.

More readers mean more interest in the brand, and potentially more customers and exposure.

This 2012 post from Content Marketing Today offers some tips on effective content headline creation by drawing inspiration from this classic newspaper headline written three decades earlier.

To summarize, headline content must:

Be brief in the description.
Lure the reader into the story.
Don’t give away too much of the story.
Be precise and descriptive with the words, without ambiguity.
Make it memorable.

 

 

Google Glass’ one-day only offer 0

Talk about one-day only sales.

googleglass_artGoogle is making its groundbreaking Google Glass available to anyone who wants to purchase a pair. The computer-equipped eyewear will be available for purchase for a single day, April 15, and only to U.S. residents who sign up in advance or return to Google’s site at 9 a.m. on that date. Orders will include a free sunglass shade or one of its newly introduced prescription glasses frames.

The offer is an expansion of Google’s Explorer Program that makes the eyewear available to select users who act as brand ambassadors.

Says Google:

“To discover new places, sometimes we need to leave the map behind. And that’s what Glass Explorers do. They are the first to make, to tinker, to create, to shape, and to share through Glass. We’re expanding little by little, and experimenting with different ways of bringing new Explorers into the program.”

With this controlled step the company is putting the $1,500 devices in the hands – or rather, on the faces – of more people in advance of the device’s launch to the general public.

The Verge first reported the plans for Google Glass, citing leaked slideshows detailing the promotion plans.

Market for wearables is gaining momentum 0

smartwatch_artShipments of wearable computing devices are expected to more than triple as they become functional, stylish and increasingly popular with the general public.

Leading the way are complex accessories like the Nike + Fuelband and Fitbit fitness and activity monitors that operate when connected to a smartphone, tablet or PC. Research from International Data Corporation says interest in the market for these devices will grow.

Says Ramon Llamas, research manager at Framingham, Mass.-based IDC:

“Complex accessories have succeeded in drawing much-needed interest and attention to a wearables market that has had some difficulty gaining traction. The increased buzz has prompted more vendors to announce their intentions to enter this market. Most importantly, end-users have warmed to their simplicity in terms of design and functionality, making their value easy to understand and use.”

IDC says overall shipments of wearables will exceed 19 million this year, more than triple last year’s sales, and grow to nearly 112 million units by 2018.

Another segment of the market, smart accessories like the Pebble smartwatch, Samsung GALAXY Gear, and Sony SmartWatch that allow users to access third-party apps, is projected to surpass complex accessories by 2018.

The third segment, smart wearables that include Google Glass and function with full autonomy, has yet to reach millions of units shipped, IDC says, and is not expected to reach that point until around 2016. But according to IDC, it is not a question of “if,” but “when” wearables as a whole will extend into the enterprise.

 

Content marketing words from a pro 0

In this segment created by Vidyard, Content Marketing Institute founder Joe Pulizzi offers tips to enterprise and small businesses on how to make the most of their content marketing efforts. If you’re in charge of your brand’s strategy, and want it to be successful, these next couple of minutes will be worth a listen.

Comcast weighing plans for Wi-Fi phone service 0

Could mobile phone service soon be on your Comcast cable bill?

The communications giant, which is currently in the midst of a $45 billion acquisition of rival Time Warner Cable, is reportedly developing a wireless service that would mostly rely on Wi-Fi capable phones. The service would use Wi-Fi from wireless routers and public hotspots.

When Wi-Fi isn’t available, the service would use spectrum leased from traditional carriers like Verizon, AT&T and Sprint.

CNET is laying out Comcast’s plans, citing a report appearing in The Information.

The country’s largest cable operator also offers Internet and phone service, as well as home security systems. Over the past couple of years Comcast has been building an expansive public Wi-Fi hotspot network for its broadband customers to access.

The number of its Xfinity hotspots in public locations nationwide has now surpassed 1 million.

 

 

Stagecoach tales: The storytelling content of Wells Fargo 0

Much of content marketing is about brand storytelling. The creator’s role is to weave compelling narratives about the product that connect with the customer, and inspires brand loyalty.

The latest company to take up this approach is Wells Fargo. The financial services company last month debuted its “Wells Fargo Stories” channel that features creative content about its employees, communities and brand values. Wells Fargo calls it an online magazine that shares its stories through written content, slideshows, blogs, infographics and videos.

“Wells Fargo Stories” focuses on the people in the company, the team members who work with small businesses, volunteer in the community, and promote the company’s vision.

This is content marketing that is consistent, shareable, engages and motivates, and goes beyond Wells Fargo’s status as a banking giant.

You can see for yourself how it works in this segment here: