How Amazon developing apps is compatible with different gadgets

Amazon Inc. believes that if their customers can listen and view their music and videos on their current devices, they would be more likely to purchase content for Amazon. To make this possible, Amazon is trying to make its music compatible with as many gadgets as possible.

The internet retail giant had tried this concept with its Kindle for e-books which paid off very well. In this endeavor, the company has introduced an app for iPad. This app enables customers to download amazon videos on apple tablets. It is also being said that the company is working on developing its own mobile apps.

The company believes in customer insights and wants to solve the problems that its customers are facing. It is also venturing into mobile game platforms, encouraging developers to take on Apple and other platforms. It seems that the company is trying to gain more market share and wants to compete with bigger giants over a period of time.[...] Read More...

Apple Invests in Market Research

Steve Jobs was once quoted saying that he did not believe in research. He felt it was the company’s job to know what consumers want rather than getting insights from them. In an on-going patent war with Samsung, research documents of market research conducted by Apple on iPhone
Owner Study were brought about.

This study was conducted in May 2011. This research was a survey conducted in many countries to gauge the reasons from consumers for buying an iPhone.

Given this study, it would be hard to believe what Mr. Jobs said. The success of the company would have been difficult without prior research. Hence, Apple too believes in investing in research and gaining consumers insights before moving forward with any product.[...] Read More...

Technology and Marketing: Blurred Lines

According to a new research by Gartner, marketing heads in corporations would be the new leaders of technology by 2017. They would be controlling the technology budgets of companies rather than the IT departments. In recent years, marketing budgets focused specifically on technology have been increased. This is expected to continue with some companies already having a separately team of tech professionals under the marketing department who work closely with the IT department.

The use of digital media has empowered the consumers to communicate with the company directly. This has made it important for companies to measure the audience behavior and gain customer insight.

Companies such as Motorola and IBM are already in the process of amalgamating technology and marketing. Motorola spends more than 50 percent of its budget on technology supporting its social media and online marketing programs. Similarly, IBM is in the process of acquiring companies which specialize in social media analytics.[...] Read More...

New Yahoo CEO is former Google Employee

Former Google “Geek” Marissa Mayer has been named the new CEO of Yahoo, the company that was once Google’s main rival. The bubbly blonde from San Francisco was Google’s first female engineer, and has swiftly risen in rank throughout the company. Mayer is credited with creating and promoting some of Google’s most successful initiatives such as Gmail and the ever-popular minimalist Google homepage. Mayer will bring creativity and drive to Yahoo, which looks to refresh its website and business plan in order to regain its former popularity and regain footing in the ever-expanding Internet corporation sector.[...] Read More...

How JPMorgan CEO Testified about $2 Billion Loss

On Wednesday, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon told to Congress the bank will seek to claw back pay from senior bank executives responsible for recent $2 billion trading loss.

During the long discussions with lawmakers, Dimon expressed the regret over bank’s $2 billion trading loss, saying that “the board will review every single person involved in this case and figure out what’s appropriate.”

According to sources, the original estimated trading loss of $2 billion occurred at JPMorgan’s Chief Investment Office in April and May 2012.

On May 10, the company reported a loss of at least $2 billion in trades that Dimon said were “designed to hedge the bank’s overall credit risks”.

Many investigations were launched to investigate the risk management system and controls in place and operating at the firm.[...] Read More...

How Apple’s iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 Will Miss Several iOS 6 Features

Apple, the world’s most valuable company, introduced the next generation of iOS during its annual Worldwide Developer Conference on Monday, June 11.

The updated mobile operating system iOS 6 contains more than 200 features and upgrades, including the new Apple Maps, systemwide Facebook integration and numerous Siri enhancements.

According to sources, Apple’s iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS will not be compatible with several key features of iOS 6.

The previous generation devices, iPhone 3GS and iPhone,4 will not support turn-by-turn navigation and flyover mode in Apple’s new Maps app. They will also not be compatible with the Siri, which will be coming, however, to the new iPad.

According to the technology giant, flyover mode is a 3D view of cities, while turn-by-turn navigation in maps. iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and the new iPad will fully support the OS.

iOS will be rolled out this fall, said Apple.[...] Read More...

How US Internet Ad Revenue Grew 15% in 1Q

U.S. online advertisement revenue increased to $8.4 billion in the first quarter this year, compared to $7.3 billion in the same period last year, said Interactive Advertising Bureau, an industry group

According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau, that’s the highest for the first quarter, up 15 percent from $7.3 billion in the same period last year.

“More online consumers than ever are taking to the internet to inform and navigate their daily lives — by desktop, tablet or smartphone,” said Randall Rothenberg, President and CEO, IAB.

“Marketers and agencies are clearly-and wisely-investing dollars to reach digitally connected consumers.”

However, the revenue of first-quarter sales dropped this year, compared to the 24 percent increase from $5.9 billion reported in the first quarter of 2010, according to the latest Internet Advertising Revenue Report.[...] Read More...

How US Home prices rose in April

U.S. home prices increased from April 2011 to April 2012 – a positive sign of stabilization for housing market, said the research firm CoreLogic.

On Tuesday, CoreLogic’s home price index showed that home value increased 2.2 percent in April from the previous month and gained 1.1 percent from a year ago.

“On a month-over-month basis, home prices, including distressed sales, increased by 2.2 percent in April 2012. This marks the second consecutive month-over-month increase this year,” said CoreLogic firm in a statement.

U.S. home prices, including distressed sales, rose 1.1 percent over April 2011. This marks the second consecutive year-over-year increase this year.

“We see the consistent month-over-month increases within our HPI and Pending HPI as one sign that the housing market is stabilizing,” said Anand Nallathambi, president and chief executive of CoreLogic.

“Home prices are responding to a restricted supply that will likely exist for some time to come — an optimistic sign for the future of our industry.”[...] Read More...

How Microsoft Unveiled Release Preview version of Windows 8

On Thursday, Microsoft released the most recent official pre-release version of Windows 8 – Release Preview.

According to sources, Windows 8 will employ a new user interface based on Microsoft’s Metro design language.

The Metro environment will feature a new tile-based Start screen similar to the Windows Phone operating system. Each tile will represent an application, and will be able to display relevant information such as the number of unread messages on the tile for an e-mail app or the current temperature on a weather application.

Metro-style applications run in full-screen, and are able to share information between each other using contracts. They will be available only through Windows Store.

Metro-style apps are developed with the new Windows Runtime platform using various programming languages.

The upgrade program will run from June 2, 2012, to Jan. 31, 2013. According to Microsoft, consumers who purchase an eligible Windows 7 PC may upgrade to Win 8 Pro for $14.99 until the end of February 2013.[...] Read More...

How Home Prices Rose in March

Home prices increased in March from February in most major U.S. cities for the first time in seven months.

According to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index, the prices rose in 12 of the 20 cities.

Prices in the 20 cities surveyed fell 2.6 percent in March from a year ago. Seven of the 20 cities saw price increases from a year ago, including hard-hit Detroit and Phoenix according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index.

“There are now seven cities — Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Minneapolis and Phoenix — where the annual rates of change are positive,” said David Blitzer, chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Indices.

“This what we need for a sustained recovery; monthly increases coupled with improving annual rates of change.”

U.S. Housing also rose 2.6 percent to an annual rate of 717,000 in April, compared to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 699.000 in March. Construction increased for both single-family homes and apartments.

Rates on 30-year and 15-year loan continue declining to record lows for the third straight week in the United States, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.[...] Read More...