Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wait is over now – Android phones are coming!!
With android phones waiting to come to market, Google marks the next mobile internet revolution. The G1 doesn’t hit UK stores until November. It will take some more time more to reach India.
Android, the mobile OS of the android phones is open source. This could potentially make Android a more innovative operating system than that used on the Apple iPhone, because the only limit to its potential is the imagination of those developers writing software for the platform.
The pricing of the android phone will bring down the price tag of many smart phones. It would be interesting what the other global mobile manufacturing giants have got to offer to keep their market share.
Will it bring out the best of the iPhone and blackberry in the future? Will it bring down the market share of Nokia? We will soon know the answers. The services that Google will offer via mobile internet would be its biggest advantage, Gmail, Google docs, maps, Reader to name a few. With these easily accessible to everyone, the growth of internet in India would hit sky high. Android phones might also become the first time internet use to millions of its future customers.
Will the customer always choose looks of the product over the functionality? Apple’s iPhone is far ahead in the looks department right now compared to G1. When LG and Samsung start to release their own android mobiles it would be tougher competition for Apple. With the likes of Apple store and iTunes threatened, it would be interesting to see the upcoming moves of Apple.
We would soon witness the battle of the mobile giants with Google taking center stage.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
YouTube+ Click! = Game
Why did we do it ?
The share of global internet users who visit YouTube is more than 16 percent, which is roughly 1,068,179,246 everyday. A huge user base like this can be effectively used to grow your business through proper eBranding. The text and the banner ads lose their value in this context, when the streaming video becomes the center of attraction.
Our research shows the branding videos with interactive story telling features retains user's interest for a longer duration. The interactive features in the videos gives immersive branding value. We are currently engaged in a research on this new advertising media which leverages YouTube as a gaming medium. Advertising through this medium guarantees more relevant brand experiences for the consumers.
Interactive story/game link - http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=4ahyHfNqquQ (Please don't forget to rate the video)
Hexolabs' channel - http://in.youtube.com/user/hexolabs(it is a good idea to subscribe and be updated about our research)
We would love to hear your valuable feedback. If you like this video, Please share it with your folks. If you are not, you may write to us at research@hexolabs.com
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Condom ringtone - Push technology for social awareness
Guess which Indian ring tone is being downloaded the most all over the world? No, it is not the latest Bollywood chartbuster, but a public health message that goes "condom, condom".
"People feel embarrassed when it comes to protection so we have to first take care of this. This is how we would be able to check the epidemic nature of the disease. The shock value coupled with bringing the subject out in the open will also help in dispelling the myths," MacPherson said Yvonne MacPherson, country director of the BBC World Service Trust, the international charity of the BBC.
Its makers are amazed by the popularity of the ring tone that was launched last month and aims to promote safe sex, the use of condom and to thus tackle the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country where about 2.5 mn people are estimated to be living with it.
"The 'condom a cappella' ringtone is really innovative. What is amazing is that India has started the trend of a ring tone which carries a social health message. People are excited about this ring tone internationally and are looking to India for this," MacPherson told media.
What has perhaps caught the imagination of the people is the fresh voice, sound and music, which are totally Indian.
"I think the ring tone has international appeal. It has quirky music and sound," said MacPherson.
In the three weeks since its launch, the makers have already received 257,744 SMS requests for download and over two mn hits on the website.
The ring tone can be downloaded by SMSing "CONDOM" to 56887 (download charges apply) or free from anywhere worldwide on the website www.condomcondom.org. The ring tone has been composed by Rupert Fernandes and sung by Vijay Prakash, who is a professional singer, and has chanted the word condom more than 50 times.
Mobile VAS in India: Numbers that you should know
Mobile VAS Numbers for India:
Key Numbers as of March 2008
- Total Mobile subcribers - 250mn
- Avg. ARPU : Rs. 250/
- Prepaid connection comprise 85% of total subscriber base.
- VAS constitutes 7% of the total total telecom revenue for Indian operators.
- Digital music (including CRBT and ringtones) constitutes 35% of VAS revenue
- Almost half of Indians use ULCH (Ultra Low Cost Handsets)
ARPU Split of Rs 250
Voice + Rentals | 90% | Rs 225 | Includes Rentals, Activation Charges, etc. |
P2P SMS (primarily) Also: GPRS Data, Call Roaming, CLI | 5% | Rs 12.50 | None of this flows through to the VAS Providers |
Other VAS | 5% | Rs 12.50 | Rs 4,300 cr / $1 billion annualised revenue |
Revenue for VASPs | 17% of the 5% above | Rs 2 | Rs 750 cr cr / $180 million annualised revenue |
VAS Revenues by Category
Category | Penetration | Numbers (million) | Revenue (Rs / mo) | ARPU | Total Revenue (Rs / mo) | VAS Revenue (Rs / mo) | Annual VAS Revenue | Key Players |
P2P SMS | 35% | 80 m | Rs 30 | Rs 11 | Rs 250 cr | Rs 3,500 cr | ||
CRBT | 25% | 65 m | Rs 25 | Rs 5.50 | Rs 165 cr | Rs 30 cr | Rs 350 cr | OnMobile BhartiTele Hungama |
IVR / Voice Portal | 15% | 30 m | Rs 20 | Rs 3 | Rs 60 cr | Rs 10 cr | Rs 125 cr | OnMobile One97 Cellebrum |
Downloads (Ringtones, Wallpapers, Games) | 10% | 25 m | Rs 10 | Re 1 | Rs 25 cr | Rs 6 cr | Rs 75 cr | Hungama |
SMS Subs. | 5% | 15 m | Rs 20 | Re 1 | Rs 30 cr | Rs 6 cr | Rs 75 cr | One97 |
P2A SMS | 15% | 30 m | Rs 6 | Re 1 | Rs 30 cr | Rs 6 cr | Rs 75 cr | IndiaTimes |
Misc | Re 1 | Rs 50 cr | Rs 5 cr | Rs 50 cr | ||||
TOTAL (ex-P2P SMS) | 250 m | Rs 12.50 | Rs 360 cr | Rs 63 cr | Rs 750 cr |
Does this mean that VAS market is ~200mn industry only (though the expected CAGR is ~44% )?
Entities in VAS Value chain
- Content/Application Owner - cos. like saregama/mauj/Rajshri who develop coyrighted content
- Aggregator - aggregates content like games/wallpapers/ringtones and distributes it to suit customer needs [players : mauj, hungama mobile, indiatimes mobile etc]
- software developer - develops applications (like payment/games/middleware etc.) for mobile VAS [players - mchek/July systems/webaroo/affle etc]
- Technology Enabler - provides the platform that plugs into telco networks and acts like a bridge between aggregator and telcos [players include OnMobile, cellnext. mauj etc]
Operators still dominate the revenue sharing arrangement in VAS [Of the amount paid by end users, 60-70% is kept by operator, aggregator gets 20-25% and content app/owner gets 10-15% of the revenue]
reblogging from pluggd.in
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Google's CHROME - Next assault on MSN
The Mountain View, California-based company took the unusual step of announcing its latest product on the Labor Day holiday after it prematurely sent out a comic book ! had to gothrough all 31 pages comic presentation , though it looked great, lacked usability .The free browser, called ''Chrome,'' is supposed to be available for downloading from Tuesday in more than 100 countries for computers running on Microsoft's Windows operating system. Google said it's still working on versions compatible with Apple Inc.'s Mac computer and the Linux operating system.
For the past few years, Google has been trying to take advantage of its search engine's popularity to loosen Microsoft's grip on how most people interact with personal computers.
The assault so far has been focused on a bundle of computer programs, including word processing and spreadsheet applications, that Google offers as an alternative to one of Microsoft's biggest money makers, its Office suite of products.
Google has tried to make its alternatives more appealing and accessible by hosting them for free over Internet connections instead of requiring users to pay a licensing fee to install them on individual computers, as Microsoft typically does.
Find more athttp://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/fresh-take-on-browser.html
Monday, September 1, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Google unveils Android Market Place" for content distribution
Though a date has not been set, Google might roll out a final release of Android Market shortly after the HTC Dream has hit store shelves.
More details can be found at
http://android-developers.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 28, 2008
An anthropological introduction to YouTube
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Its facebook now!
Facebook has overtaken MySpace to become the world's most popular social networking site with 132 million unique visitors in June, according to new figures from web tracking firm ComScore.
The study also found that Facebook's visitor growth far outpaced that of MySpace, with Facebook visits up 153 percent on an annual basis, compared to just three per cent growth for MySpace.
Other social networks showing strong global growth include Hi5 (100 per cent) Friendster (50 per cent), Orkut (41 per cent) and Bebo (32 per cent).
Monday, August 11, 2008
India's tele-density surpassing the 25 percent mark.
Mobile telephony has grown rapidly in India, especially during the last three years, with India becoming the second-largest wireless market in the world, says a World bank study.
The number of wireless subscribers in the country has reached 250 million, making India the second-largest wireless market in the world, says the study, The Role of Mobile Phones in Sustainable Rural Poverty Reduction.
Currently, China is adding about 6-7 million new subscribers per month, India about 8-9 million and the US about 2-3 million, it notes.
It argues that mobile telephony has a positive impact on economic welfare by generating GDP; job generation (both in the mobile industry and the wider economy); productivity increases; and taxation revenue with mobile operators usually being a sizeable contributor.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
walking direction from Newyork 35th st to 32nd street !
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
mobileMANIA - how india adapts telecom technology?
Just read an interesting article at ibnlive about how telecom penetration helps rickshaw pullers+ communters+ eco system.
A group of engineering graduates here has set up a concept called 'Ecocab call centre' to overcome the routine transportation problem.It has made the popular mode of local transportation—cycle rickshaw—just a phone call away.
Find more at
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/now-cycle-rickshaws-are-just-a-phone-call-away/69095-11.html
Monday, July 14, 2008
Future of Privacy !!!
Monday, July 7, 2008
looking for a SEO firm, READ this first !
http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=35291
SEO is an acronym for "search engine optimization" or "search engine optimizer." Deciding to hire an SEO is a big decision. Make sure to research the potential advantages as well as the damage that an irresponsible SEO can do to your site. Many SEOs and other agencies and consultants provide useful services for website owners, including:
- Reviewing and providing recommendations on your site content or structure
- Technical advice on website development: for example, hosting, redirects, error pages, use of JavaScript
- Content development
- Managing online business development campaigns
- Keyword research
- SEO training
Keep in mind that the Google search results page often includes paid advertising and free organic search results. It costs nothing to appear in our organic search results, and advertising with Google won't improve your ranking. Free resources such as Webmaster Tools, the official Webmaster Central blog, and our discussion group can provide you with a great deal of information about how to optimize your site for organic search. Many of these free sources, as well as information on paid search, can be found on Google Webmaster Central.
Before beginning your search for an SEO, it's a great idea to become an educated consumer and get familiar with how search engines work. We recommend starting here:
Friday, July 4, 2008
How Obama conquered the digital nation
...Democratic nominee has a secret weapon. It's a small, obscure firm called Blue State Digital, a market research-New Media hybrid that has played an instrumental role in fostering Obamamania. The campaign declined to discuss Blue State, but the firm says its handiwork and technology can be seen in the more than $200 million Obama has raised online, the 2 million phone calls made on the candidate's behalf, and in barackobama.com's social network of 850,000 users, who have organized 50,000 campaign events.
More on
http://www.bluestatedigital.com/pages/about/
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_27/b4091000977488.htm?link_position=link6
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Useful Sites for Mobile Shopping
SMS
- Smarter SMS (Sms the product description to 610-7627837 and get the lowest price online)
- Frucall (Sms the barcode to 37811 to get the lower prices available)
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Manuel Castells talks about Internet and Society
excepts from his speech
- history shows that "people use technology that fits into what they are" – that people use technology to accommodate their lives, their needs, their interests, etc.
- He blames ideology, futurology, and media sensationalism for misperceptions of the Internet – in practice and social uses
- digital divide – the gap between those with access to technology and those without – and the three forms in which it exists: access, broadband and being in the Internet. "Once you're in, educational and cultural resources become amplified," he explains. "When introduced in the classroom environment, learning is accelerated, while children who are culturally deprived don't have the educational resources, so there is a disconnect."
- people would not change their lives to use the Internet. Rather, they would include it for work, study, social needs, shopping, music, etc. Those under the age of 30 were found to be multi-taskers – juggling Internet use with activities such as cell phone use, music, and television.
- "The more you use the Internet, the more social you are offline. The Internet adds, rather than subtracts, sociability."
Internet "is" society. "To understand how to develop new (technology), we have to understand society," he says. "Users 'are' the producers of the technology." His recommendation is making the engineering and design process as open as possible "for free." "This will change the world. People will absorb technology for themselves, in a more autonomous society."
--
Courtesy: Yahoo Research.
Friday, May 30, 2008
design thinking !
Thinking like a designer can transform the way you develop products, services, processes—and even strategy.
Thomas Edison created the electric lightbulb and then wrapped an entire industry around it. The lightbulb is most often thought of as his signature invention, but Edison understood that the bulb was little more than a parlor trick without a system of electric power generation and transmission to make it truly useful. So he created that, too. Edison's approach was an early example of what is now called "design thinking"—a methodology that imbues the full spectrum of innovation activities with a human-centered design ethos.
Read more at
http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu/hbsp/hbr/articles/article.jsp?ml_action=get-article&articleID=R0806E&ml_issueid=BR0806&ml_subscriber=true&pageNumber=1&_requestid=21494
Thursday, May 29, 2008
TRAI issues consultation paper on VAS Growth
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Enkin- Navigation concept for android platform
Source: http://enkin.net/
nomophobia spreading out !
Millions apparently suffer from "no mobile phobia" which has been given the name nomophobia.They have become so dependent on their mobile that discovering it is out of charge or simply misplacing it sends stress levels soaring.
Experts say nomophobia could affect up to 53 per cent of mobile phone users, with 48 per cent of women and 58 per cent of men questioned admitting to experiencing feelings of anxiety when they run out of battery or credit, lose their phone or have no network coverage.
Source:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23468919-details/Nomophobia+is+the+fear+of+being+out+of+mobile+phone+contact+-+and+it's+the+plague+of+our+247+age/article.do