Android Apps

Mashable is just one of the resources I use to stay up-to-date on what's happening in the social media and mobile technology arena, so I wanted to share this post about "7 Mind-Blowing Free Android Apps".

Now, I don't have an Android phone such as the Nexus One (I use an iPhone), but the review makes each of these apps look pretty cool. Out of interest, I looked for them (or something similar) on the App Store and found:

* Google Earth (in the Travel category!) and NASA's "Space Images" app (Education)

* Only a handful of free translation apps, with mixed reviews (although there's "Dog Translator" for converting barks into English!)

* Several free movies apps, including the one I have "Movies". While it does have a US bias, you can still track down what's playing in your local cinemas via the location-based search, get the show times and read the relevant reviews. Useful.

Hope that helps?!

"Ferrari Fone" coming soon

Hardware manufacturer Acer is expanding its range of mobile devices and has also announced a March 2010 launch for its Ferrari smartphone.

Here's how the news has been covered by two of the leading online tech-sites:
Mobile Crunch
TechRadar

Should we expect to see "McLaren Mobiles", "Red Bull Receivers" or
"Williams WebPhones" flooding the mobile market soon?

Your company: is there an app for that?

If your company wants to commission an app, you've got to consider when's the best time to do it.

Getting an app that is part of your marketing communications plan, fits in with your brand image, and doesn't blow your budget is a great start. But you've got to figure out how and when you're going to use it.

Companies are using apps to engage customers (and prospects) and to build brand awareness - particularly in association with their product launches and other public events. They're also offering so-called utility apps that are useful/functional (such as the Stanley Tools spirit level - here's the press release) or pure entertainment (e.g. any game).

Apps that use the functionality of the smartphone they reside upon are also popular. Examples include location-based apps that use the GPS found inside most devices, or image-related apps that connect seamlessly to the phone's built-in camera.

Lastly, if you want to persuade your target market to take action (including paying for what you have on offer), then an app can be the perfect vehicle: available anytime, anywhere on a device that's treasured by its owner.

(Image courtesy of Margaret Anne Clark on Flickr)

Cartoon fun with apps

Social media guide Mashable has recently published reports on the crossover between two separate worlds: animation and apps.

The first story announces the release of a 'Monster Maker' app featuring Elmo, the Sesame Street character.

The second piece describes how a recent (US) edition of The Simpsons featured Homer using an iPhone!

The two articles confirm either what we knew already - the iPhone's not just cool, but cool enough to feature on The Simpsons - or suspected: it's ubiquitous enough to be reaching out to kids.

And here's where my personal experience comes in. Once a child gets hold of an iPhone (parents beware!), s/he will intuitively know how to use it - and love the interface. Even my under-two toddler likes watching Timmy Time episodes on the BBC iPlayer.