Wireless Federation

Facebook to increase revenue via mobile ads (USA)

On 02.08.12, In Mobile, By Editor

Social networking giant Facebook, which announced its IPO (Initial Public Offering) plans last week, is planning to increase its revenue by focussing on subscribers logging in through their mobile devices, according to a report by FT. With the widespread adoption of smartphones, users have been increasingly using their mobile handset to stay connected on Facebook.

As per the report, the social networking site, owned by Mark Zuckerberg, is planning to introduce advertisements to mobile users in the coming weeks before its IPO. The ads will displayed in the user’s news feed and are expected to go live in March.

Facebook had claimed that is has been unable to earn revenue from over 400 million members using their mobile device to access the site, which may have a negative impact on the firm’s financial results. Further, the firm believes that putting the sponsored ads on mobiles is a potential opportunity to increase revenue.

However, industry analysts claim that Facebook will be need to be careful with its new strategy as many users may not like seeing too many commercial ads on their small screen device.

AOL to increase revenue from mobile-advertising (USA)

On 12.02.11, In Mobile, By Editor

American global internet services and media company, AOL, is working towards increasing the revenue share from mobile advertising in the next 18 months. According to reports, Tim Armstrong, CEO, AOL has said that currently advertising on mobile devices accounts for a tiny percentage of sales which he hopes to increase to 10 percent or more of overall ad sales.

As per sources, the company’s revenue from advertising went up from 52 percent in the previous year to 60 percent this year. The CEO also said that with increasing number of users switching to smartphones and companies focusing on mobile advertising as a source of revenue, the M&A activity in this sphere is expected to rise.

Further, strong competition from Google and Facebook have caused a decline in the internet business of AOL, which reported a net loss of US$ 782.5 million in the last year, causing the CEO to look for better ways to target customers.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: AOL • Facebook • Google • Mobile Advertising • smartphones • Tim Armstrong

Vodafone Italia launches new service enabling top-up via Facebook (Italy)

On 11.29.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Vodafone Italia, the second largest mobile network operator in the country, has reportedly launched a service enabling users to recharge their mobile via social networking site, Facebook. With an increasing number of consumers using their mobile phone to access a wide range of services, the operator has offered its users a more easy and convenient way of recharging their account, irrespective of their location.

As per sources, the new app enables users to top-up their number via their profile page on Facebook. Further, it has been reported that they can also recharge the number of their friends or their acquaintance. Presently, the operator has permitted recharge amounts of US$ 6.6, 13.3, 19.9, 33.3, 66.6, 106.6, 133.3 and 200, payable through credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and VPay.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Facebook • Recharge • Top-Up • Vodafone Italia

Telefonica to complete online assets review by 2012 (Spain)

On 11.25.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Spanish telecommunications company, Telefonica, is reportedly planning to complete the review of its online assets, Tuenti and Jajah, by early 2012. As per sources, Matthew Key, CEO, Telefonica Digital has said that the company will decide whether to retain or build out assets in markets such as Spain, where it is struggling to stop customers from switching to cheaper rivals.

According to reports, Telefonica aims to take on Facebook and Microsoft Corp., by pulling together its digital assets across three continents. Further, Key has also said that Telefonica is running a separate review of its media assets, including Imagenio, an online TV service along with some Latin American channels; some of which may have an investment implication.

As reported by Wireless Federation earlier, Telefonica has been actively cutting jobs, halting major mergers and acquisitions and reviewing underperforming assets in an attempt to reduce its debt and manage the 22 percent slide in the stock this year.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Facebook • Matthew Key • Microsoft Corp • online assets review • Spain • Telefonica

Facebook may launch its own phone with HTC (USA, Taiwan)

On 11.22.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Social networking site Facebook may be looking to launch its own mobile phone in the next couple of years. According to reports, the mobile phone codenamed ‘Buffy’, will be manufactured by HTC and will be powered by a customized version of Google Ins.’s Android software.

As per sources, the phone will work on the HTML5 platform better suited for Facebook applications. The social networking major has worked with HTC and Motorola on smartphones that include a ‘facebook’ button, providing users with easy access to the site from their mobile device.

Sources claim that a Facebook spokesperson has reportedly said they believe every mobile device is better if it is deeply social, adding that they have been working with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers to bring powerful social experiences to more people around the world.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android • Buffy • Facebook • Google • HTC • Motorola

Vodafone launches new facebook phone: Vodafone Blue (India)

On 09.08.11, In Mobile Operators, By Editor

Vodafone has launched the Vodafone Blue phone in India, integrating social networking services with a classic smartphone. The phone comes with a 2.4” QVGA screen, a full QWERTY keypad with optical touch pad and a dedicated facebook key. The phone allows users to upload pictures, visit profiles and update their status, with a single click.

According to reports, Kumar Ramanathan, Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Essar has said that the mobile internet plays a central role in the daily lives of millions of Vodafone customers, many of whom are avid Facebook users. He further states that Vodafone Blue is the answer to the youth’s mobile social networking needs. The phone has been designed to let everyone experience the fun of connecting with friends on the go, at a pocket friendly price. With their unique, fully integrated Facebook customization, the Vodafone Blue offers a compelling, out-of-the-box experience.

Priced at Rs. 4,950 inclusive of taxes, the phone comes with unlimited access to Facebook for a year from its purchase date in India.

Filed under:Mobile Operators Tagged with: Facebook • India • Vodafone Blue

Vodafone Czech Republic offers 3G coverage application

On 03.28.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Vodafone Czech Republic in partnership with the server DSL.cz is offering an application with which customers can view a map with data on real speeds of mobile connection.

The application is designed for Android OS phones.

The application is available for free on the Android Market. The results of speed measurement can be shared on Facebook and Twitter. The application runs on Google Maps.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: 3G coverage application • Android OS • Czech Republic • DSL.cz • Facebook • Google Maps • operator • twitter • Vodafone • Vodafone Czech Republic

Si.mobil launches Nokia E7 in Slovenia

On 03.28.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Slovenia’s Si.mobil is all set to launch Nokia E7 smartphone to the national market.

Nokia E7 is a Business Smartphone based on Symbian 3 Operating System and comes with Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync preloaded, providing direct, secure access to corporate web mail and other personal applications.

The Nokia E7 boasts a 10.2-cm touchscreen with Nokia ClearBlack technology for improved visibility in outdoor environments and a full keyboard. Users can access business e-mail in real time with Mail for Exchange, with no extra costs or additional hardware, as well as receive e-mails directly from Hotmail, Yahoo!, Gmail, Ovi and other accounts. The phone also supports live updates from Facebook and Twitter, an 8 megapixel camera with HD video and GPS.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Business Smartphone • Facebook • Gmail • GPS • HD Video • hotmail • Nokia ClearBlack technology • Nokia E7 • Operating System • operator • Ovi • Si.mobil • Slovenia • Symbian ^3 • twitter • Yahoo

Facebook partner with Shazam for social music sharing (US)

On 03.25.11, In Mobile, By Editor

Shazam, mobile music discovery solutions provider has introduced a new social media sharing feature enabling users to discover new artists and tracks via Facebook.

Shazam Friends offers a real-time feed of songs that Facebook contacts have tagged using the Shazam iPhone or Android application–once the user logs into Facebook and confirms their interest in connecting and sharing, they can browse their friends’ tags, listen to previews, screen music videos, read reviews and access artist biographies. Shazam Friends also enables users to purchase songs, add contacts’ tags to their Shazam history and playlist and post tags to Facebook and Twitter.

The Shazam app pinpoints music from any source, regardless of ambient noise–after users hold their handset to the audio feed for a few seconds, the clip is run through the company’s database of 10 million tracks to find an exact match. Shazam topped the 100 million user benchmark in late 2010–the firm adds that users now tag more than 3 million songs each day.

Filed under:Mobile Tagged with: Android application • Facebook • Mobile • read reviews • screen music videos • Shazam • Shazam app • Shazam iPhone • social music sharing • twitter