Mobile Behavior: an Omnicom Group Company

India may have developed its own version of Twitter. SMS GupShup is a service that offers groups of cellphone users the opportunity to text message for free with the intent of promoting social networking through text messaging. Users discuss everything from stock tips to religion.

The key to SMS GupShup's strategy is two-fold: one, in a country like India, Internet usage is low and consumers use cellphones more than PCs. And two, that the service can stay free as long as it does not become too popular.

Wall Street Journal reports:

“SMS GupShup's strategy of targeting cellphone users comes with special challenges. Each text message a user sends costs money and SMS GupShup—which means "chitchat" in Hindi—pays on their behalf. While the company buys capacity in bulk from Indian wireless operators, it still costs about 20 cents for each 200 messages.

Given those economics, SMS GupShup is being careful not to let its message traffic grow beyond its ability to generate revenue, which is coming in from advertisers...”

The company limits usage to a maximum of four to eight messages per day, depending on the audience size. This contrasts with U.S. social-networking startups who do not restrict usage because of affordable, web-based services.

• Mobile Digital TV Standard Adopted in the U.S.A. | MobileCrunch
  Late last night ATSC ratified a new mobile digital TV standard, signalling television's move from being planted in specific locations, to becoming available anywhere.
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  Twitter has released the fabled lists feature, which allows filter geeks to categorize friends according to groups, much like FriendFeed.
• Twitter Shows Global Ambitions With Moves in India and Japan | Advertising Age
  While we've mentioned Twitter's advance into India, Japan and it's mobile saturated market is getting into the game with a Japanese-language platform. Co-developed by Digital Garage, it is unique in that banner ads will be used to monetize.
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  UK startup, TVCatchup, is now streaming 11 live British channels viewable via iPhone's Quicktime player. The original broadcasters, BBC included, have yet to provide their own mobile streaming services.
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  In a move that could drastically change how iPhone applications are marketed, Apple has announced its support for in-app purchasing for free apps.
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• WolframAlpha Opening Up to Developers and Launching iPhone App | Mashable
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  Starting in July, Finland's telecom companies will be required to provide all citizens with speeds of at least 1 Mbps, and by 2015 speeds of 100 Mbps.
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• Nokia Posts Third-Quarter Loss of 559 Million Euros | Bloomberg
  With the disruptive presence of Apple's iPhone, Nokia has seen weaker demand for its devices and have posted a third-quarter loss of 559 million euros.
• Twitter Adds 110 Million Potential New Users With SMS Deal in India | Mashable
  Twitter is one of many social networks looking abroad for growth and has just secured a SMS deal with Bharti Airtel, India's largest mobile operator. With it comes access to 110 million potential users.
• Average Internet User Now Spends 68 Hours Per Month Online | Mashable
  A new report from Nielsen states that the average Internet user spends 68 hours a day online. While a big number, it still falls short of television usage.
• PowerPak wall charger doubles as portable backup battery | CrunchGear
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  Walmart is joining TracFone in the low cost and contract free mobile space with Straight Talk. Starting at $30 the service provides 1,000 voice minutes, 1,000 texts, and 30MB of mobile web access.
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  Many users download pirated applications with the claim that they simply want to "try before they buy." By comparing conversion rates between lite apps and those that are pirated, Pinch Media proves that only 1 in 233 pirates actually end up buying.
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  After noticing repeated weak results from the 19-49 female demographic, mobile marketing agency Brand in Hand came to the conclusion that many women are task oriented, making it unlikely for them to stop and act on a brand's message.

• Pushing the buttons for social change | The Hindu (via MobileActive)
  A one-day camp, Mobile Tech 4 Social Change, will held in Bangalore this Thursday to exploring the power of mobile technology to advance social change goals. Participating NGOs will discuss problems and different ways to use, deploy, develop and promote mobile technology in health, advocacy, economic development, environment, human rights, and citizen media to name a few areas.
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  According to a new Forrester Research forecast, by 2014, nearly 40% of European consumers will be tapping into the web via their mobile phone.
• Nokia Sets Facebook Deal, Launches New Phones | WSJ.com
  Today Nokia showed off new music phones and multimedia services, including a "Lifecasting with Ovi" offering that integrates its phones with social-networking service Facebook.
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  While RealNetworks looks for Apple to approve its Rhapsody iPhone app and newcomer Spotify prepares to launch, the wait for a similar streaming app from Napster is over: there won’t be one. Apparently the Best Buy subscription music service has designed an app that would allow subscriber streaming to the iPhone but won’t submit it for Apple approval “due to the high licensing fees for streaming to a mobile phone."
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  Print ads for the audiobook seller include a mobile call to action, asking consumers to text AUDIBLE to short code 35620 to get a bestseller free. The mobile calls to action are present within New York Times and Wall Street Journal print ads, online via banner ads, and on New York City subway trains. We've seen a few similar ads on the subway and have to wonder if that's the best idea, considering there is rarely reception down there.
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  A study released this month by the New England Healthcare Institute found that anywhere from a third to a half of all Americans don’t take their meds, or don’t take them at the right time or at the right dosage. To address this, MedMinder has designed an intelligent pill organizer called Maya that reminds patients when each pill needs to be taken.
• GPS Hackers Blaze Own Trails With Crowdsourced Maps | Wired.com
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• July 2009 Metrics Report | AdMob Metrics
  Mobile ad network AdMob surveyed over 1,000 of our iPhone, iPod touch and Android users to find our more about their interaction and download behavior with apps. Highlights include:
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• Yelp Brings First US Augmented Reality App to iPhone Store
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• Coupons You Don’t Clip, Sent to Your Cellphone | NYTimes.com
  Mobile coupons — usually text messages with discount codes sent to a cellphone — are becoming the blue-light specials for the digital age, promoting last-minute clothing sales, two-for-one entrees and cheap tickets to the theater.

Webster Hall application Now Available for iPhone [match2blue]
Match2blue and NYC music venue Webster Hall have partnered to offer location specific socializing tools. At the venue, club goers will be able to use their mobile to meet people around them with the same interests.

Hold the Phone: Now You Can SMS Aliens [The Australian]
The Science Minister of Australia will be sending text messages to planet Gliese 581d. The planet has the potential to hold life and the text messages are due to arrive in 2029. You can also send Twitter-like messages to the planet at hellofromearth.net.

For Families Today, Technology Is Morning’s First Priority [NYTimes]
With the spread of mobile as a life tool, more and more families are changing the way they interact around their phones and laptops.

'Facebook Lite' Gets Public Debut [BBC News]
Facebook has begun tests in India on a new service called Facebook Lite that is tailored for mobiles and narrowband internet connections.

Why Back-to-School Marketing Should Include Mobile [Mobile Marketer]
As teens will be heading back to school soon, embracing mobile communication will be key for retailers.

Kids' Search Terms: Sex, Games, Rock 'n' Roll [CNET News]
Symantec has released the list of the most searched terms online for 8-13 year olds. Sex is 4th, Porn is 6th, and Michael Jackson is 8th.

Survey: BlackBerry Tour Popular With Older Users [AllThingsD]
YouGov has just measured the brand perception of the Blackberry Tour between July and August 09. It seems that 35-49 year olds' positive perception more than doubled while 18-34 olds' perception went down by more than 60%.

How Predictive Texting Takes Its Toll On A Child's Brain [Mail Online]
Scientists have found that predictive texting makes kids faster, but more inaccurate. Will this make kids more prone to impulsiveness and thoughtlessness?

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"Take Back the Beep" Challenges Cellphone Networks to Play Nice [Fast Company]
David Pogue hosting an online campaign to force cell-phone networks to stop those annoying 15-second voicemail intro messages. (Um, voicemail? So 2000 and late.)

Square iPhone Payment System [CoolHunting]
A project called "Square" by Self Edge NYC has developed a small appendage that enable mobile payments through the iPhone. The users plugs this small plastic square in the headphone jack, and it can be used by any type of vendor who gets the payment directly in their bank account.

Rationale for Joining Social Networks by Generation [BitBriefs]
Research reveals why different generations have adopted social networks. 91% of Gen-Z did it for "fun", while only 38% of baby boomers did it for that same reason.  22% of Gen-Y and Gen-Z joined because they were invited, while 46% of baby boomers joined that way.

Ads Follow Web Users, and Get Deeply Personal [NYTimes]
For all the concern and uproar over online privacy, marketers and data companies have always known much more about consumers’ offline lives and, recently, some of these companies have started connecting this mountain of information to consumers’ browsers. The result is a sea change in the way consumers encounter the Web. Not only will people see customized advertising, they will see different versions of Web sites from other consumers and even receive different discount offers while shopping — all based on information from their offline history.

Virtual Worlds are Getting a Second Life with 39% Growth [The Guardian]
While Twitter and Facebook may have taken over front pages, virtual worlds such as World of Warcraft, Entropia Universe, Habbo Hotel, Club Penguin and Second Life are all profitable thanks to business models based on a combination of subscriptions and micropayments. The growth is mainly spurred by tweens and teens, promising the platform a solid future.

“Preparing Us For AR”: the Value of Illustrating of Future Technologies [Pulse Laser]
Understanding the potential for augmented reality goes beyond the camera embedded services. AR is the opening act of the way Internet will eventually have a "physical" presence in our lives.

Paris Hilton Game on Mobile Phones in India [Priyanka’s Blog]
A Paris Hilton game where users find jewels for the Hollywood celeb is set to launch in India on mobile phones, raising concerns about Western influence and role models.

Arts Orgs Go Mobile [NYConvergence]
The Arts, Culture, and Technology group met in Manhattan to discuss how mobile can integrate with art --from mobile museum guides to live texting and sharing photos.

Brands Who Think We Can't Wait to View the World Through Their Silly Mobile Apps? Priceless [MobileInsider]
The rush to develop a mobile app has lead many brands to have a bad and inefficient mobile strategy. Understanding that it's about its actual utility to users, more than the brand's clout or image, is the first step in being relevant. We couldn't agree more.

Military May Ban Twitter, Facebook as Security ‘Headaches’ [Wired]
Because of hack fears, the US military is considering banning access to all social networking sites. The ban might extend to the whole department of defense, but military personnel, that are already limited in cell phone usage, might be the most affected.

HD Voice Push Could Face Resistance in Washington [The Jeff Pulver Blog]
The technology for HD mobile voice calls is there and industry players are pushing for it. But with 3G and broadband not offered everywhere in the US, the battle might not become a priority for anyone out there.

Free Gifts to Students Who Agree to Receive Ads on Their Mobiles [The Guardian]
Orange is launching a plan that will give concert tickets, accessories, and even bill discounts for 16-24 year olds who receive ads on their phones ( in form of texts and market surveys). The carrier hopes to attract more of Gen-Y, by going to their interests...and their wallets.

Camera Phones Can Help Diagnosis [E-Health Insider]
Camera phones can help doctors understand certain conditions a little better. By taking a picture of a visually apparent condition, users can offer doctors ways of knowing how the condition evolved and what it might be.

Pedal Power for Kenya's Mobiles [BBC News]
Two Kenyan students have developed a way of charging cell phones with bicycles. Looking to market the idea, the use for it in many countries around the world in undeniable, further integrating mobile into daily user life.

A Statistical Look at Urban Indian Mobile Users [Priyanka’s Blog]
Key mobile data from one of the largest mobile using nation. Noteworthy: Orkut is the favorite social network accessed through mobile, 45.6% use Google mobile, 86% have participated in SMS contests, and Internet and SMS are the two main factors in choosing a carrier in India.

Mobile Coupon Users Want More Junk [Marketing Charts]
New data from the U.K. takes a look at what mobile coupon users prefer to see when it comes to mobile ads. 30% said they don't enjoy drink promotions, 76% thought the redemption process was easy, and the whole survey was done via SMS.

French Government Building a Mobile Portal [Mobile Industry Review]
To offer all citizens access to public and general services, the French government is launching Proximamobile. The idea is to offer a mobile portal of applications and services for the public at large, developed by the community.

Well, That's the End of Flip: iPods to Get Cameras [Fast Company]
After the announcement that the iPod Touch will get a mic so it can call, it seems that other basic functionality of cell phones are coming to the whole gamut of iPods.

Twitter Takes a Step Toward Commercial Accounts [NYTimes]
Twitter released its Twitter 101 web pages and slideshow to show how businesses can profit from the service. It's a first step in eventually creating business accounts that will offer more features than normal ones and help Twitter monetize.