This Week in Mobile: May 13th – May 20th
Woody Zantzinger
This Week in Mobile May 13th to May 20th – Our weekly post on mobile news. You can expect a new post every Monday morning giving a brief summary of what happened the previous week in the mobile space along with links for more information. If you think we missed anything important, leave a comment or send us a tweet @willowtreeapps. Here’s what happened this week…
- Sprint purchased additional wireless spectrum from US Cellular.
- Rovio announced it will start publishing mobile games under its “Rovio Stars” program.
Apple:
- iOS mobile devices were approved for use on US Military networks this week.
- Apple App Store passed 50 billion app downloads this week, while Google is only slightly behind at 48 billion.
Google:
- Android video Hangouts don’t work on AT&T, here’s why.
- The Verge has a hands on with the newest stock Android phone.
- Google IO was this week, and Engadget has a good recap of what was announced.
- Google showed off a new version of Glass with prescription lenses.
Windows Phone:
- Google asked Microsoft to remove the Windows Phone 8 YouTube app for a lack of ads, and Microsoft responds.
- Windows Phone outshipped BlackBerry for the first time this month.
BlackBerry:
- BlackBerry announced the Q5, an entry level BB OS 10 device.
- BlackBerry also announced a stand alone BBM app for iOS and Android.
This Week in Mobile: April 22nd – April 29th
Woody Zantzinger
This Week in Mobile April 22nd – April 29th – Our weekly post on mobile news. You can expect a new post every Monday morning giving a brief summary of what happened the previous week in the mobile space along with links for more information. If you think we missed anything important, leave a comment or send us a tweet @willowtreeapps. It was a slow week for Android news, but here’s what happened elsewhere this week…
- According to the IDC, Smartphones out shipped feature phones worldwide for the first time ever.
- Samsung posted record profits this quarter.
- Nokia is inviting the press to an event May 14th to show its next gen product lineup.
- Chat Apps such as WhatsApp have officially passed SMS messaging in daily usage.
Apple:
- Apple CEO Tim Cook answered questions during Apple’s quarterly earning call, where he outlined the cons of a larger screen and said, “[Apple] would not ship a larger display iPhone while these trade offs exist.”
- Tickets for WWDC went on sale this week, and sold out in less than 2 minutes.
The logo for Apple’s 2013 WWDC, possibly hinting at a new UI for iOS.
Android:
- Google revised its Play Store content policy to include new language preventing Facebook from updating apps outside of the store.
BlackBerry:
- Skype released a native app for BB OS 10 this week, and Facebook increased support for older devices with it’s BB app.
Facebook for the older BlackBerry OS 5 and 6.
- Early reports suggest BlackBerry 10 devices may be selling at a rapid rate in the UK.
New and Notable Apps:
- Siri competitor Google Now is now available for iOS devices.
- The followup to the wildly successful Draw Something released this week after Omgpop was acquired by Zynga in 2012. Draw Something 2 is $2.99 for the premium version.
WillowTree Apps Ranked 5th Fastest Growing Company in Virginia by Virginia Chamber
Jessica Baines
The Virginia Chamber ranked WillowTree Apps as the 5th fastest growing company in the state of Virginia during the annual Virginia’s FANTASTIC 50 Awards Banquet on April 25th.
WillowTree Apps wins Fantastic 50 Award
Nearly 500 attendees, including U.S. Senator Tim Kaine who delivered the keynote address, were in attendance to acknowledge the winners’ entrepreneurial success and influence on the Virginia economy.
Read the full press release here.
This Week in Mobile: April 15th – April 22nd
Woody Zantzinger
This Week in Mobile April 15th to April 22nd – Our weekly post on mobile news. You can expect a new post every Monday morning giving a brief summary of what happened the previous week in the mobile space along with links for more information. If you think we missed anything important, leave a comment or send us a tweet @willowtreeapps. Here’s what happened this week…
- Wired reported this week that Apple keeps your Siri data for up to 2 years, and the Financial Times confirmed Google has similar practices.
Siri is facing new privacy concerns. Image Source: Wired
- Facebook unveiled free VoIP calling for Android mobile users this week, and also announced Facebook Home would be updated in the second week of May.
- A Verizon petition to mimic T-Mobile and remove contracts has over 100,000 signatures.
- Twitter VP Michael Sippey spoke at a conference about a Twitter version of Facebook Home, neither confirming nor denying if a product like this is in the works.
- Facebook has no plans to release Facebook home for iOS or Windows Phone in the near future.
- Amazon is expanding its app store into 200 additional countries.
Apple:
- Apple was ordered to remove “Obscene Content” from the Chinese iOS app store this week.
Android:
- Android Police found references to an unannounced Android games service in a newly released Android apk.
- According to PCWorld, Android was initially created as a camera OS but was shifted to focus on a larger marketshare.
Samsung experimenting mind controlled devices.
- Samsung is experimenting with a mind controlled Galaxy Note, however it is not slated for a commercial release.
Microsoft:
- Foxconn’s parent company Hon Hai Precision Industry signed a patent licensing agreement with Microsoft this week for patents relating to Android devices.
- Nokia posted its quarterly financial results, which include a $196 million loss and increased Lumia sales.
New and Notable Apps:
Screenshot of new #music app from Twitter
- LinkedIn released a major update for iPhone and Android this week, focusing the new app heavily on news stories.
- Twitter released a new music app called #music for desktop web and iOS.
This Week in Mobile: April 8th – April 15th
Woody Zantzinger
This Week in Mobile April 8th to April 15th – Our weekly post on mobile news. You can expect a new post every Monday morning giving a brief summary of what happened the previous week in the mobile space along with links for more information. If you think we missed anything important, leave a comment or send us a tweet @willowtreeapps. Here’s what happened…
- The Verge has a great article on how cell phone carriers are using your location data.
- New York City police have begun using Android smartphones to assist themselves in the field.
- HTC posts record low profits after latest round of Android devices were delayed.
The new HTC One, which is releasing soon after a long delay
Apple:
- Bloomberg reports that Foxconn is hiring in preparation for the iPhone.
- T-Mobile is offering large discounts to customers trading in old iPhones for new iPhone 5s.
- Verizon CEO claims he convinced Steve Jobs to add 4G LTE to the iPhone, video streaming was the killer feature.
Android:
- The Galaxy 4 launch dates may have leaked through an internal Staples training sheet.
Leaked training text with supposed launch dates. Image Source: Engadget
- HTC released the Android source for some of its phones, including the HTC One, allowing developers to tweak the software on the devices.
- Korean news company IT News claims Samsung is planning to release a larger 6.3 inch smart phone tablet.
- Facebook released Chat Heads, the new Facebook chat application for Android, this week alongside the launch of Facebook Home.
The new Android Chat Heads app.
Windows Phone:
- The Verge reports that Windows Phone will support 1080p displays in the next big update from Microsoft.
- After Apple and Samsung were both reportedly working on a smart watch, it looks like Microsoft may be researching one as well.
New and Notable Apps:
- Burner, an app that turns your phone into a disposable with a temporary number, is out for Android this week.
- Facebook released Facebook Home this week, a new homescreen and tools for Android.
This Week in Mobile: March 25th – April 1st
Woody Zantzinger
This Week in Mobile March 25th to April 1st – Our weekly post on mobile news. You can expect a new post every Monday morning giving a brief summary of what happened the previous week in the mobile space along with links for more information. If you think we missed anything important, leave a comment or send us a tweet @willowtreeapps. Mobile news was light this week, here’s what happened…
- T-Mobile revealed its new plan to provide wireless service without monthly contracts this week.
- Facebook sent out invitations to see the new home for Facebook on Android April 4th. Rumors suggest is could be a custom Facebook home screen for HTC devices.
Android:
- Bloomberg reports that Samsung is preparing a new Galaxy S 4 Mini.
Microsoft:
- A upcoming update for Windows Phone 8 will add FM radio support, and some Nokia devices will get new activation gestures.
- Windows Phone received a variety of popular mobile games, most of which are ports from other platforms.
BlackBerry:
- AllThingsD reports that 20% of apps on the BlackBerry store are Android apps being emulated.
- BlackBerry released mixed 4th quarter results. Users declined by almost 3 million, over 1 million new devices were shipped, and RIM founder Mike Lazadris left the company.
WillowTree VP of Design featured in MobileMarketer’s coverage of IKEA shopping app
Thomas Chen
As more and more shoppers leverage their devices in-store for price comparison, retailers need a way to counter the show-rooming tactic. With this in mind, IKEA just launched a new app to inspire shoppers and enhance the in-store experience. Although the app is not linked to mobile commerce, shoppers do tend to purchase more items in-store when using that retailer’s branded app (Deloitte, 2012).
Read all about it here.
How Barclays Center and Brooklyn Nets Embraced Mobile to Enhance In-Game Experience
Thomas Chen
Check out the interview by UNTETHER.tv with our VP of Design Blake Sirach below:
Barclays Center App: “Rewriting the Playbook of Live Entertainment”
Thomas Chen
Fast Company covered the Barclays Center app recently, focusing on the live-streaming replay capability made possible through the robust WiFi networks in place. The short video also featured our Black Sirach, WillowTree’s VP of Design, talking about how these cutting-edge features are augmenting the fan experience like never before.
Check it out here.
I’m judging the Tabby Awards!
Michael Prichard
I have the pleasure of being a judge at the Tabby Awards. So, to help make sure we get lots of entries please go to:
and enter here:
http://tabbyawards.com/why-enter/
Looking forward to seeing your app!
Thanks,
Michael
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