Jason Ankeny
Juniper Research
Yankee GroupIs there money to be made in app loyalty programs?
Increasing app engagement is no easy task. While it's hard enough to get new users for an app, retaining that userbase is no piece of cake either. Loyalty programs are one method that some app developers are now using to tackle this issue. Loyalty programs are nothing new, of course, nor are advertising efforts to engage users. Credit card companies already use these programs to encourage members to spend money and gain rewards. So what makes mobile app loyalty programs--like those from Pocket Change and others--special?
Where are yesterday's top wireless executives today?
The history of the wireless industry is stuffed with executives who dominate headlines and discussions for months or even years, only to recede from the limelight as technologies evolved, trends shifted and once-prominent companies fell behind the pace of innovation. FierceWireless checks in with 10 onetime wireless movers and shakers to see where they are now.
Rdio opens up Vdio streaming service to all U.S., U.K. consumers
Rdio is opening up its fledgling Vdio streaming video service to all consumers in the U.S. and the U.K. Vdio access was previously limited to premium Rdio subscribers.
Facebook for iOS adds icons to status updates, new sharing controls
Facebook is rolling out an updated version of its flagship mobile social networking application for Apple's iOS, adding status icons and new sharing controls.
Rumor Mill: Apple trialing deep LinkedIn integration for iOS 7
Apple is testing deep integration of professional networking platform LinkedIn in advance of the consumer release of its new iOS 7 mobile operating system, 9to5Mac reports.
Starbucks: Mobile payments now 10% of all U.S. transactions
Mobile payments now account for more than 10 percent of all transactions across Starbucks stores nationwide, the coffeehouse chain said Tuesday.
TripAdvisor snaps up mobile air traveler app GateGuru
Travel site TripAdvisor has acquired GateGuru, a mobile application touting real-time information on flights and airports across the globe. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Report: 'Candy Crush Saga' maker King.com readying IPO
Midasplayer International Holding Co., a.k.a. King.com--the publisher behind mobile and online games including the blockbuster Candy Crush Saga--has hired banks to explore a U.S. initial public offering, sources familiar with the move told The Wall Street Journal.
Why Apple's iOS 7 MFi controller support is a game-changer for developers
While Apple's revamped iOS 7 user interface generated most of the headlines out of last week's Worldwide Developer Conference, arguably the biggest news is the company's decision to support game controller hardware from third-party providers.
Facebook, Samsung meet to explore mobile partnership possibilities
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg met Tuesday with Samsung Electronics President J.K. Shin to explore potential mobile partnership opportunities, Bloomberg reports.
Amazon's Kindle FreeTime Unlimited adds Disney, WB and EA content
Amazon is expanding its Kindle FreeTime Unlimited digital media service, adding family-friendly offerings from content partners including The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. and Electronic Arts.
A&E Networks launches full-episode streaming TV apps for Android
A&E Television Networks is introducing new Android applications spotlighting cable channels A&E, History and Lifetime, offering consumers access to full episodes of hit programs including Duck Dynasty, Storage Wars and Army Wives. Fast Company reports Comcast Xfinity cable subscribers also will be granted access to previous seasons of numerous A&E-produced series.
Microsoft boosts Windows Phone voice search speed, accuracy
Microsoft is updating its Bing voice recognition and search software, promising Windows Phone users significant improvements in both speed and accuracy.
Report: Yahoo mulling $50M deal for video app maker Qwiki
Yahoo is in talks to acquire mobile video application developer Qwiki for as much as $50 million, All Things D reports.
Skype extends video messaging to iOS, Android and BlackBerry apps
Skype is introducing free video messaging features across its mobile applications for Apple's iOS, Google's Android and BlackBerry, also extending the feature to the Windows and Mac desktop platforms.
BlackBerry 10.2 bringing support for Android Jelly Bean apps
BlackBerry issued the beta release of its BlackBerry Runtime for Android Apps and Plug-in for Android Development Tools for BlackBerry 10.2, introducing support for applications running Google's Android 4.2.2, a.k.a. Jelly Bean.
Rumor Mill: Logitech building game controller for Apple's iOS 7
Personal computing accessories manufacturer Logitech is building a game controller optimized for Apple's forthcoming iOS 7 mobile operating system overhaul, according to a photo obtained by Kotaku.
Report: Instagram adding video to combat growth of Twitter's Vine
Facebook will add video capture capabilities to Instagram, bringing the photo sharing application in line with rival Twitter's popular Vine, TechCrunch reports.
What to expect from Apple's iOS 8
Although Apple is reportedly hard at work finalizing its iOS 7 operating system for release sometime this fall (likely in conjunction with the release of its next iPhone), there's no doubt the company is also doing some initial planning around what it could offer in the next version of its smartphone and tablet operating system, iOS 8.
Square co-founder O'Tierney exits, continuing string of exec departures
Square co-founder Tristan O'Tierney has left the fast-growing mobile payments startup, announcing his exit via Twitter.
