The iPhone Price Cut: Is it Fair?

Wednesday, at the recent Apple’s “The Beat Goes On” event in San Francisco, Apple announced several things that were news worthy. The most controversial has to be the price drop of the 8GB Apple iPhone by $200 to $399 and the 4GB drop of $200 to $299. Now several of the “Early Adopters” to this technology are at a loss.

The price drop is also said to be a driving force to increase sales over the next 3 weeks to hit the previously stated goal of over 1 million phones by the end of September. Price cuts will also increase sales over the holiday season at which time several other devises will inevitably hit the market and increase competition for Apple.

With many people in an uproar regarding the drastic price adjustment, Apple CEO Steve Jobs apologized on the Apple website and is offering a $100 credit to those who spent $599. So that’s great, right? There’s a catch…the credit is good only for those who aren’t eligible for a rebate.

So, what do you think? Does being an early adopter come with a price?

iPhone Hacked

The iPhone has caused quite a craze since its June 29 launch, with everyone getting in line and online to purchase the cell phone that also functions as a mini-PC. However, AT&T is now facing a problem with the ability for people, such as 17-year-old George Hotz, to hack into the mobile device.

Hotz hacked his iPhone and unlocked it so that it could be used on a variety of cell phone networks, and then decided to turn around and sell it for a hefty return, including a new Nissan 350Z sports car and three new iPhones. Terry Daidone, owner of the cell phone refurbishing company, CertiCell, has not only agreed to purchase the hacked iPhone, but has also agreed to hire Hotz to teach CertiCell’s technicians how to unlock other kinds of cell phones.

Is this really a positive example being set? Hack a cell phone and get a car, three new phones and a job? Although the tech-savvy work executed by Hotz is impressive, I don’t expect AT&T or Apple would be too happy if the mastery behind the hacking was leaked.

Acuity Mobile Utilizes Spot Relevance

Acuity Mobile has created an EMAP (Embedded Mobile Advertising Platform) that can deliver relevant content to mobile users. The EMAP allows users to opt-in and control the content (advertising) they’ll see based on preferences, location and time. They have patented this EMAP; Spot Relevance.

Created in 2000, the software is exactly how we should be thinking about and delivering mobile content. As well, it is supported by any carrier or cell phone device. We have seen how other mobile content delivery networks, such as Amp’d, failed to cut it. Acuity, however, seems to have the right idea…It’s relevant to how a user will be searching and using for mobile content. Now, I would just like to see it?

Google Maps Compromise Privacy

Google started expanding its Google Maps program across Southern California, and anyone who got in the way of the camera lens became subjects in the online map views.

The additions in the Google Maps program include cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego and some Orange County cities, as well as Houston and Orlando. While some bloggers, teens and Internet technology enthusiasts were excited about the advancement in the tracking technology, some who were actually caught on camera became uneasy with the invasion of their privacy.

I myself was even caught leaving my office building at lunchtime one afternoon! What is your opinion on this detailed tracking? Should Google have the right to show people in such detail that you can identify exactly who they are, where they are and what they are doing?

The Google Phone – Will there be a GPhone?

Unless you’ve been locked in a cave for the past few years, you’ve probably noticed that Google continues to grow and expand in such verticals as video, TV and mobile. Currently, Google has made it clear that their mission is to capture as much of the mobile industry as possible.

The company announced that they would buy the 700 MHz wireless spectrum for $4.6 billion in the US FCC auction as long as these airwaves would remain open to any and all mobile devises. Now rumors are even stronger that the GPhone is not far from a reality. In an article in Money Times, Google is investing millions in cell phone research and development.

The online giant’s GPhone will includes a built in search engine, web browsers and, of course, commercial advertising to generate revenue. If anyone can enter this market and revolutionize the way we currently view mobile marketing, it’s going to be Google. And in the end, the consumers will benefit from Google’s ability to recognize what is important in the user experience.

Back to Behavioral

Last week I wrote a post about the boom in behavioral targeting technology after AOL’s acquisition of Tacoda. With more and more online marketing firms utilizing this advanced technology, it is apparent that marketers are going to need to step up their knowledge about their audiences and how to reach them.

There are so many types, techniques and segments of behavioral targeting that it is important to identify exactly who your audiences are, segment them accordingly and target or re-target them with appropriate and timely messaging. An iMediaConnection article posted today by Geary Interactive’s President & CEO, Andreas Roell, gives marketers the tips, tools and tricks needed to run a successful behavioral targeting campaign. I think this article gives a great step-by-step tutorial of every aspect of a comprehensive online campaign that includes complete behavioral targeting methodology.

Behavioral Targeting Boom

AOL has announced its plan to acquire Tacoda, one of the leading behavioral targeting firms that allows marketers to serve ads to online users based on their search behavior. This acquisition may not be as large in scale as Google’s acquisition of DoubleClick for over $3 billion, but it does reflect an emerging trend in the online advertising industry.

According to eMarketer, the behavioral targeting market is expected to increase to $3.8 billion by 2011, indicating the rapid growth of this necessary technology. More and more publishers are utilizing this form of targeting to reach their audiences in a direct and personal approach. As more and more publishers adopt this technology, marketers will request that they practice greater transparency with reporting to allow them to better gauge their users’ search behaviors in order to better serve targeted ads.

Other companies now under the Time-Warner/AOL umbrella include advertising.com, Tacoda, AOL and 3rd Screen Media, showing that AOL is trying to become a one-stop shop for interactive advertising.

The Simpsons are Mobile: Minutes to Meltdown

Just a week before their blockbuster debut, the Simpsons have their first Mobile game, “Minutes to Meltdown.” The game was created by a team from Fox Mobile Entertainment, Gracie Films, EA Mobile and mobile entertainment company Jamba. Gamers will guide Homer through Springfield to stop a meltdown at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant with appearances by Bart, Mr. Burns and other favorites.

The Simpsons team have created a solid mobile platform that includes ringtones, voicetones, wallpapers, screensavers and the Simpsons mobile game. All of these mobile phone products can be purchased through the Simpsons’ mobile site. For $9.99 a month, subscribers can purchase 6 different Simpson content products for their cell phones. For some reason, the mobile game is not supported through Verizon or Virgin Mobile.

All the right steps and elements have been added to leverage this brand internationally. “Woo-Hoo” We will see the successes of these promotional and marketing efforts after next weeks release of the Simpsons Movie on July 27.

PayPal launches Mobile Checkout

PayPal has announced the addition of their mobile checkout service in the US, Canada and the UK. PayPal Mobile allows customers to click on a PayPal icon and purchase items through the mobile web. The service, “Click to Pay,” compliments a text based payment service introduced in April of 2006. Users can donate to charities, “Text to Buy,” or send money by phone through the PayPal short code 729725 – paypal.

Other companies providing mobile payment options include TextPayMe and Wells Fargo/VISA is testing a similar offering. Until websites are readily accessible through mobile browsers more focus should be put towards mobile content sites offering games, ring-tones, etc. And don’t forget to sign-up for the PayPal Mobile service ahead of time.

The Frenzy of iPhone Friday

We’ve all been patiently waiting and tomorrow at 6pm (local time), the Apple iPhone is officially on the market. The Frenzy all started Monday in New York City with enthusiasts forming lines to be the first to receive their iPhone. AT&T, the exclusive carrier, and Apple retail stores plan to increase security and employee forces to deal with the crowds.

The iPhone has become one of the most hyped product releases ever it is bound to change the mobile industry. There is still uncertainty about the phones performance and cost; $499 for the 4G and $599 for the 5G models. Regardless, the phone remains the talk of the mobile world for now.