On November 29-30, Altoros exhibited at Apps World Show London Olympia. Altoros is a global company of experts in software and application development, and provides new approaches in staffing technology projects.

Tristan Palmer, Altoros Managing Director UK, shared the company’s experience in building cross-platform apps,with the use of Rhodes, Titanium, Phonegap, etc. and developing for tablet devices. Also, for those who were curious about making the applications work faster without re-writing them from scratch, he dwelled on some strategies for enhancing the performance of existing apps.

“We’re glad that our presentation attracted so many people and encouraged loads of questions,” said Tristan. “Mostly, they were interested in mobile (iOS, Android, Blackberry) and TV-related apps development segment. Another trend under discussion was building applications for specific industries, e.g. e-learning, sports, marketing, etc.”

Tristan gave some examples of how Altoros helped other software companies develop their projects by supplying flexible IT talents and staff for HTML5, Flex/AIR, Android, iOS, BlackBerry, and .NET projects of any size.

If you want to learn more about Altoros and how it can help you with your multiplatform apps, please, visit http://altoros.com/about_summary.html

Last week at Apps World buzzdoes the app distribution tool exhibited at the show and CEO and founder of the tool, Assaf Kolirin presented in the New Platforms and Technology Developer Zone.

buzzdoes is an automated word-of-mouth tool that turns apps users into apps distributors. All it takes is a click on the buzzdoes icon for users to recommend an app to a selected list of friends – they just need to pick the ones they want. The result is that each happy user can steer dozens of new ones your way.

The ‘recommender’ is rewarded for every download that occurs as a result of his/her recommendation. It’s a win-win situation. The users gain from their goodwill and the developers gain new users. buzzdoes, have added a social aspect to the tool, where users can see their friends’ applications. This serves as an advertisement area where the developer can earn money from every download that occurs through the buzzdoes button on his/her application creating a new revenue stream.

“A few years ago, I was involved in developing applications for both the games and business markets. We thought our ideas were great and couldn’t wait to get them in front of users and we started looking for ways to market our apps,” says Assaf, “This is when I had my Eureka moment. Why not use the most reliable and influential marketing model – word-of-mouth? It worked for Gmail, it worked for Facebook. Why wouldn’t it work for my app?”

If you want to find out more about buzzdoes you can view their website here

Apps World exhibitor LeadBolt, the leading mobile advertising network and in-app ad monetization company announced this week the release of a revolutionary new ad format. “App Wall” is designed to allow developers to monetize their apps quicker, with more consumer engagement options and without the integration issues of an SDK.

“We set out to create a solution for developers to monetize their apps without the need for much effort over the development of the app itself. Developers should be able to focus on what they do best – developing amazing apps,” said LeadBolt CEO, Dale Carr.

Released initially as a “Top Apps” wall, this new format will ensure high returns for developers by presenting the app user with an offer wall of the top performing apps. The combination of app installs, which are amongst the highest paying offers, presented on an offer wall, a high performing ad type, will ensure superior eCPMs for developers. However, its method of delivery is what makes this ad format even more revolutionary. Top Apps requires no SDK integration.

With just simple html, developers can integrate the “Top Apps” wall into various different forms that perfectly compliment the developer’s specific app, such as a menu icon, a top apps tab, a navigation bar, a simple banner, a hyperlink or app of the day announcements. From there, users will install one of the apps from either the Android marketplace or iTunes store. Advertisers will get quality non-incentivised app installs and publisher will get paid for each of these app installs.

For more information and a short video of the new ad type visit

www.leadboltapps.com/appwall

A big thank you to those that attended the Apps World in London

Special thank you to all the speakers at the event, sponsors, exhibitors & media partners – have a look down the shots and see if you can spot yourself!!

NXP Software exhibited at this week’s Apps World Europe. The world-wide leading software vendor for multimedia specialises in innovative solutions and applications to help mobile device manufacturers and service providers deliver extraordinary media experiences.

The company used the event to launch a new release of their highly popular LifeVibes CineXPlayer, CineXPlayer 2.5, the first video player for iPad, iPhone and iPod devices to support Dolby® Digital Plus.

“NXP Software aims to help people enjoy life to the full by delivering outstanding mobile multimedia experiences. That vision has seen CineXPlayer become a top video player in Apple’s App Store. Many of CineXPlayer’s fans asked us to add true multi-channel sound and, working with Dolby Labs, that’s exactly what we’ve done. It brings the digital audio quality people know from the home theater to mobile devices,” said Peter Van de Berg, Marketing Director, NXP Software.

Dolby Digital Plus improves the quality of sound from content creation to playback. It delivers an optimal audio experience across a range of portable devices, whether listening through headphones or built-in speakers, or sending an HD entertainment experience with discrete multichannel audio to the home theater from the smartphone in your pocket.

“Dolby Digital Plus in NXP Software’s CineXPlayer allows for more high-quality entertainment across screens,” said John Couling, Vice President, Electronic Media, Dolby Laboratories. “Dolby is committed to bringing a cinema-quality experience to the home on a wide range of services, devices and applications.”

CineXPlayer lets end-users transfer Xvid movies instantly on to their iPad, iPhone or iPod without file conversion. And as it is possible to save full movie files to the CineXPlayer app, users can watch at home or on the go, even if there is no Internet connection available (e.g. on trains, planes, and so on).

CineXPlayer is available for download in the Apple App Store now and you can find out more information here

The buzzdoes stand was, well, buzzing, at Apps World this week, with developers working in consumer and b2b fields keen to learn about our viral app marketing tool. So they wanted to share their answers to the top 8 questions that cropped up.

1. How does an end user recommend my app to a friend using buzzdoes?

By clicking on the buzzdoes icon, an end user is given the option to recommend buzzdoes to friends in the Facebook, phone or mail contacts list.

2. If an end user shares my app on Facebook via buzzdoes, do you take a commission?
No. One of the added services provided by buzzdoes is the ability to share or ‘like’ an app via Facebook. If this leads to new downloads, that’s an added bonus for you, the developer.

3. What happens if I integrate buzzdoes into my app then a user downloads it, not from a recommendation, but because they saw an advertisement or a review?
buzzdoes only takes a commission on successful recommendations that come from buzzdoes. Of course, the developer does not pay for other downloads.

4. What rewards does an end user get for sharing my app?
An end user is rewarded with buzzdoes points for sharing your app. These can be exchanged for money, vouchers (e.g. Amazon) or donated to charity.

5. Can I as a developer can track recommendations of my app, including how many distributors I have and how many leads they are creating?
Yes, we share that directly with developers who use buzzdoes.

6. How do I add buzzdoes to my app?
Just add a single line of code into your app and everything will be done automatically from there.

7. Where can I find out more?
Follow us on Twitter @buzzdoesApps, visit our website www.buzzdoes.com or contact me directly on assaf@buzzdoes.com

8. What is your website address?
Our website is address is www.buzzdoes.com

It is difficult to overstate the huge impact and growth of App Stores over the recent years. With App stores remaining a lucrative channel for distribution of mobile content, operators are acutely aware of the need to build a strong content ecosystem around them in what is now a massively competitive mobile content landscape. Extending connectivity and data usage will not be enough to compete with the big guns in this space. Operators need to tap into their strongest assets which are their robust relationships with both brands and their subscriber base and devise strategies for app monetisation.  

At Apps World, Andrew Darling, Associate Director of Market Development & Communications EMEA, OpenMarket, will debate the issues surrounding operator strategies for app optimisation.  Andrew argues that operators need to strengthen their competitive position by creating a tightly woven ecosystem of partners. Successful monetisation and customer retention will come from robust relationships within a well managed partner network that ranges from Network Operators and Mobile Services Aggregators to Agencies, Developers, Analytics Providers, Publishers and Media & Consumer Brands.

Andrew Darling(@darlingbuds) is Associate Director of Market Development & Communications, EMEA at OpenMarket, a position he has held for the past 12 months and is a highly experienced senior level mobile industry marketing, communications and business development expert with a comprehensive 13 year background in telecoms, media and technology convergence as both a consultant and journalist, Andrew has spent the last decade focused on helping mobile content companies and service providers to understand the power of using mobile channels.

Andrew will be on the opening Key note panel at Apps World Europe in London on the 29^th November, debating the topic “Operator Strategies for Apps and Content”.

Also at Apps World, Oisin Lunny, OpenMarket’s Senior Market Development Manager, will address the challenges faced by developers, and the role mobile services aggregators play in facilitating real ROI from native apps and mobile web.  Oisin suggests that developers and brands are still not fully utilising operator API’s to improve the performance, usability and discoverability of an app or mobile website. Network operators also hold the key to successful customer engagement with new demographic technology, and this presents lucrative opportunities often overlooked by developers. By creating bespoke network solutions, such as in-app billing, micropayments, push notifications and mobile CRM, developers have the opportunity to breathe life into the value of an app or mobile website.

Oisin Lunny(@oisinlunny) is Senior Market Development Manager at OpenMarket, and explores new verticals and strategic business and technology opportunities. Oisin’s background of over 21 years in technology and media industry includes roles as UK Managing Director for the world’s largest social space for teens, Habbo Hotel, and Global CDN Product Manager for Media Services at Interoute Communications, Europe’s largest network operator.

At Apps World, Oisin will be presenting a session on “Network-enabled solutions for native apps and mobile web development. Synching true mobility with native apps.”

Visit OpenMarket at Apps World at stand 61

From app developers to product strategists, the pendulum swings widely on whether engaging consumers via their mobile device should be a mobile web or native app experience.  Ultimately, when it comes to consumer facing products the decision does need to be based on the most effective way to connect your consumers to your product and to understand where the market is – because that is where the consumer will be found.

If one positions the consumer at the beginning of the equation, these are the questions that should be considered:

-          Do you want the consumer to connect to the product via their mobile device?

-          Do you want that connection experience to be rich in content, graphic interface and other media?

-          Does the context of the product require access to the native device features such as GPS, camera, calendar, contacts or accelerometer?

-          Are convenience, ease-of-use and access in both an online and offline world important to the user experience?

-          Is a mobile commerce solution, where payments and other sensitive information exist, necessary to the context of the product?

The consumer experience is central to the decision on how you’re going to use mobile to engage.

This is not to say that the company or developer is not important to the equation.  Costs, development time, scalability, agility, ease of distribution and faster time to market are all important to generating effective results for consumer mobile interaction.  However, with so many unique ideas of how the mobile experience can be optimized for both parties, is there a “one-size-fits-all” solution?

Looking at the facts, we know that 77% of the world’s population are mobile subscribers. A half a billion people accessed the Internet with their mobile device in 2009 and there are well over 1 million apps on the global app market (http://mobithinking.com/mobile-marketing-tools/latest-mobile-stats). Thus, it goes without saying that if you are a brand, retailer, or have some type of product or service that is consumer facing, you need to focus on a mobile strategy.

The app market is deeply saturated. There are numerous device platforms that need to be considered and “app store” approvals, updates and distribution can be cumbersome.  On the other hand, tapping into the native capabilities of smartphone devices delivers an optimal user experience in that all of the phone’s PIM tools (personal information management) and other utilities become part of the app experience.

Use the accelerometer to map your route to that brand new Italian bistro.  Send your restaurant reservations and directions to your calendar. Watch a movie trailer and purchase movie tickets.  Share your location via Facebook, Twitter, Email, Foursquare and Google+, all with outhaving to leave the app.

It does seem that the price paid for such a rich user experience is a fragmented market.  This can be a barrier to entry for startups and young developers.  Investing in such diverse development team skills is resource intensive.  The mobile web does seem enticing as a common platform.

But back to the pendulum and where the consumers are. iOS and the iTunes App store have been the biggest game changers of the millennium, and these only paved the way for Android, now over-taking iPhone growth.  Mobile web apps do not have the same buy-in from app stores who at this point are ruling the roost on discoverability of mobile content.

As a company seeking a mobile marketing strategy, how do you compete with so many apps? How do you distinguish yourself from what might feel like a “me-too” approach.  How do you get to the “there’s an app for that” stage?

This comes down to strategy and tactics. Seeking partnerships and content aggregators that help do the heavy lifting in order for your products and services to get in front of the right eyeballs, is one way that consumer product strategists and marketers need to approach this problem. Go to where there is a market and do your part to ensure that you have designed your product experience for a mobile audience.

But the debate remains, “if apps are seen by some as the golden egg, is HTML5 then the savior?” Is HTML5 the “common platform” that mobile web needs?

As Apple and iOS championed the “App,” Google can be said to be driving the mobile web with HTML 5 – making a content rich experience for the mobile web.  But alas, we are still in the “wild west” with the web as there isn’t a unified standard.  Enthusiastic developers are running at different paces.  The idea of the “native app” experience has been embraced by organizations such as WC3 along with companies such as Phonegap, with its Java rich toolkit, but it’s still in its infancy.

This amusing website – http://www.ishtml5readyyet.com/ – brilliantly reflects the frustrations of those that have been waiting for HTML5 to save the day.

The mobile web app still requires the Internet for access and we are a long way from the ubiquity of “anywhere” connectivity, despite free WiFi experiments in select cities such as London, San Francisco and New York. Banking and secure information transactions just barely live comfortably in the closed environment of a native app.

Ultimately winning over the hearts and minds of the consumer is about being where they are, and, to be honest, they are both on the web and nestled in the comfort of their device.  A balanced strategy, though some might consider still resource intensive, would allow both consumers and companies to get the best from both worlds.  The secret sauce is really about building an outstanding experience for the consumer, regardless of which mobile interaction they choose.

You can register for your free pass here to meet Poynt and hear more about this exciting platform. VP Philip Gontier from Poynt will also be speaking as part of the Marketing & Monetisation track on 30^thNovember at 3pm.

Poynt is exhibiting at next week’s Apps World event, come along to stand 125 and meet Poynt and learn more about their convenient and timesaving GPS-enabled mobile local search and advertising platform that connects consumers to local offers, businesses, events, restaurants, movie theatres and weather information.

A global leader in mobile local search and advertising recently announced the Poynt platform has surpassed the 11 million user milestone, with 2.1 billion interactions recorded by Poynt users globally. This has given Poynt anecdotal insight into consumer behaviour revealing interesting characteristics of their users. Check out this infographic here created by Poynt which displays some of the behavioural patterns they have been able to deduce.

Andrew Osis, CEO of Poynt Corp revealed

“Access to behavioral data on this scale allows the Company to continue to innovate by providing relevant and contextual offers in-app to our users, as well as important information to advertisers. As the Company grows its advertising base, our ability to understand purchase intent patterns can benefit the retailer, by driving foot traffic, as well as the consumer, by providing relevant and timely offers. In short, Poynt closes the gap between search and purchase.”

You can register for your free pass here to meet Poynt and hear more about this exciting platform. VP Philip Gontier from Poynt will also be speaking as part of the Marketing & Monetisation track on 30^th November at 3pm.